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thinglass · Joined: 14 Dec 2009 Posts: 707 Location: Looking for Eeyore

Given the experience you now have what HD camera would you buy now if you were just starting out as a footage contributor?

(Ordinarily I would give you my budget but I'm trying to work out what I would reasonably be required to spend as a minimum, to meet shutterstock standards, so that I can build the cost into my business plan. In short I don't know how much capital I can get my hands on yet)

odesigns · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 1:29 pm

Not fully knowing your needs, I'd recommend a DSLR like a Canon 7D or 5D Mark II/III. Those generate great quality that is acceptable to here and other places. Many producers use these. I use a consumer version called the T2i (discontinued).

Good luck!

--
http://www.OrlowskiDesigns.com

thinglass · Joined: 14 Dec 2009 Posts: 707 Location: Looking for Eeyore

pichunter · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 1:52 pm

Panasonic TM900

odesigns · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 1:53 pm

The T3i (the replacement for my T2i) is in your price range.

But, a decent non-DSLR under $800? That's more of a challenge.

Most "true" video cameras at that price point are going to be the of the basic point-and-shoot variety.

Technically, they'll work, but they won't produce the "artistic" style that so many buyers are looking for these days. (Like shallow DOF).

In other words, video acquired with a sub-$1000 camcorder won't "stand out" from the crowd as much as DSLR footage would.

Good luck!

pichunter · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 2:34 pm

Panasonic TM 900:

3chip
1080 x 60p
auto time lapse
zoom lens 12x with usable optical to 30x
camcorder form factor
full auto or manual
focus tracking
auto focus
no sensor dust

thinglass · Joined: 14 Dec 2009 Posts: 707 Location: Looking for Eeyore

interesting. the tm900 is around $1,100 in the UK and the reviews are excellent. however, it's also still possible to buy a brand new t2i/550d body in the UK for under $800...and i'm into the canon system.

might have to push the boat out for the 5D mark 2 though.

much appreciated pichunter and odesigns

odesigns · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 3:12 pm

Glad to be of help. Good luck on whatever you decide!

pichunter · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 3:18 pm

I have the Canon 7D, Canon 5D MKll and the Panasonic TM700 all great choices, the digital noise for low light is great on the 5D2.

rinder99 · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 8:24 pm

thinglass · Joined: 14 Dec 2009 Posts: 707 Location: Looking for Eeyore

Thanks Laurin....the TM900 does look good and has also been recommended to me on other forums. nice to see you've made a return on the investment.

I hadn't thought about adding a Mac to my plan at this stage. more to think about.

djjuvan · Joined: 03 Dec 2011 Posts: 8

Thinking that 5DmarkII is much better because it's much more expensive is very wrong. I thought too, that after buying a T2i I would go for a 5DmarkII, but when I saw some practical tests of both models, there is not a chance I would ever again think buying 5-times pricier camera. I would rather go for C300 or at least 5DmarkIII, where they finally fixed some moire and skewing.

jakerbreaker · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 148 Location: Orem Utah

Just starting out I would buy a t2i. With the budget you have I would get a kit lens and try to find a decent tripod. I started out with that setup in the very beginning and have now been able to significantly upgrade all my equipment from my stock footage revenues. The t2i is almost identical to the 7D's video capability and if your starting out on a budget that is what I would get for sure. That setup up did very well for me and launched me into the stock footage industry.

thinglass · Joined: 14 Dec 2009 Posts: 707 Location: Looking for Eeyore

thanks jakerbreaker - the t2i might work for me as i have one or two decent lenses beyond the kit lens, but i'm becoming more enamoured with that panasonic.

we'll see. happy shooting.

britishstock · Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 400

The Panasonic Lumix GH2 with the 14-140mm lens gets better reviews than Canon DSLR's on pro video forums. There's also a firmware hack that improves the quality. It has an electronic viewfinder, a big advantage for making video clips. I don't like using the rear screen.

I have a Canon 550D that's quite good but I can see problems when making clips of anything with very fine detail. The sea sometimes looks horrible.

If I was buying now, I would go for the GH2, not the 550D.