Photography (Purchase Question)

"Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert" (joshuagilbert)
10/05/2014 at 13:12 • Filed to: Photography

Hey guys.

I'm posting this to Oppo as well because of the sheer amount of gear heads there.

I currently have:

Canon 70D W
50mm 1.8 II
18-55 STM IS
50-250 IS

I am thinking about adding a used 5d, 6d, or 7d down the line...And am still hunting for a 70-200mm 2.8.

I was offered a 1DC body for $2500 USD today. (New it is $9,000-$14,000)

Should I get it and add filmography to my repertoire? (i.e. Use this with a Glidecam, etc, shoot some music videos for local artists.)

Is this camera worth it? As I understand it, it is the mechanics of a 4k video camera shoved into a flashless 1D housing. Does it take pictures or timelapse as well? What makes this camera worth buying while I have the chance?

DISCUSSION (16)

HammerheadFistpunch > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
10/05/2014 at 13:18

how old is the 1d?

mcseanerson > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
10/05/2014 at 13:20

c100 c300 series make better film cameras. What you currently have should be good enough for film if you really want to get into it. People have made beautiful things with just t2i cameras.

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > HammerheadFistpunch
10/05/2014 at 13:31

April, 12

HammerheadFistpunch > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
10/05/2014 at 13:43

what's wrong with it?

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > HammerheadFistpunch
10/05/2014 at 13:45

no clue lol

mcseanerson > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
10/05/2014 at 13:48

That took forever to find. Like I said if you want it just for film or if that's the main reason for getting one it's overkill. This was shot on a T2i with a 30mm lens, that's it.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

HammerheadFistpunch > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
10/05/2014 at 13:48

in all seriousness, a camera like that as new as it is doesn't go for a price like that without something being wrong. it must have like 100 cycles left on the shutter or something

Stephen the Canuck > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
10/05/2014 at 13:50

I would say you would be better off going with better glass for now. The 70D should work for video for now, especially if you're just getting into it.

How much video do you do right now? What is the limiting factor for you right now, lenses or the camera? Which would get you more bang for your buck, the camera? Or would a lens be better?

I think 4K is overrated right now. I have no interest in it. 1080p is much more widespread, and will remain so for the near future (I believe).

I think you'd be better of spending the money on the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 OS lens, $1200.

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > mcseanerson
10/05/2014 at 14:09

Kinja'd!!!

How does he get the tone so perfect? Any idea which 30mm?

RWS Motorsport > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
10/05/2014 at 14:25

Personally id be inclined to upgrade your glass, not your body. L series glass on any body will make such a phenomenal difference. For reference, all of these were shot with a 60D and either 100-400l (f4.5 - f5.6) or 24-105l (f4). A better body on cheaper glass is rarely the way to go. i'm pretty sure you could pick up 3 decent L series lenses for $2500 which in my opinion would be a better investment.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/1267349…

mcseanerson > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
10/05/2014 at 14:31

http://www.eoshd.com/2014/05/kendy-…

Follow channels like film riot, Dave dugdale, and Phillip Bloom on YouTube to learn technique and try to avoid buying a lot of gear while you focus on learning, a lot like racing that way. Film is about light, even more than photography in my opinion because you can't really change shutter speed to get the right look. You open your aperature to get good depth of field and then your image is way too bright so to get the right look you have to play with your exposure and use nd filters.

Harrison Fjord > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
10/05/2014 at 16:12

If you're not too experienced with videography, then I don't think you should be looking at the 1D line at all - those cameras were designed from the ground up for photographers shooting the Olympics or for National Geographic, so a 1DC at that price either has some serious defect or is stolen (while it's not unheard of for earlier 1D models, the 1DC is new enough that that price is extremely sketchy.) I think planning for a 5D Mark III would be a much better idea, but it would also be a mistake to think that you couldn't shoot video for clients with the 70D. It's a great mid level camera capable of great images, so in my opinion you should be more focused on developing your skillset than looking at new camera bodies. I hope that none of this sounds too harsh or arrogant, but it's a serious trap that a lot of people fall into - buying the best gear doesn't automatically grant you the capability to shoot well, and in a worst case scenario you end up with some seriously upset clients that feel like they've been conned by someone who "looks" the part but doesn't have the experience to do much with the thousands of dollars of equipment that they have.

That's not to say that in many situations the gear doesn't make the difference, but only if you don't have the proper skills and experience. I've been shooting for over three years, and I'm more than happy with what I can get with my 70D - I shoot corporate videography, and it's entirely capable of meeting the needs of most jobs. Also for reference, here's an older example of what I was able to get with a T3i:

And this was part of a show I filmed for a friend a while back, captured with two T3i's and a 5D Mark II (skip to 5:00 in if it doesn't automatically):

Finally, like someone else said, you should really check out Philip Bloom's work. He's been one of the most popular proponents of DSLR filmmaking, and also has produced some incredible short films to prove that even entry level cameras can be used professionally. He filmed this one on a T2i:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

So don't sell your current camera short! You'd be surprised at what it's capable of.

iforgotmyburnerkeyonce > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
10/05/2014 at 21:25

That 1DC at that price is either:

a.) Stolen or

b.) Cursed

iforgotmyburnerkeyonce > RWS Motorsport
10/05/2014 at 21:28

or, just an 85mm f/1.2L II and some pocket change :p

Oldstyle81 > HammerheadFistpunch
10/07/2014 at 18:59

Has to be more than the shutter count, if that was the only problem, that would be a hell of a deal and a very easy fix that Canon would typically do for 300 or less.

Oldstyle81 > RWS Motorsport
10/07/2014 at 19:03

Agreed, investing in a good lens is a very good and smart way to go.