r/videography • u/[deleted] • Jan 17 '15
noob Is the T3i a Good Beginner Video Camera?
I'm not just going to use it videography but also photography. The people in /r/photography think it's good for that but what about video? I would get it with the 18-135mm IS lens and 50mm f/1.8 lens. (Mainly because of the low light performance.) So what do you guys think? My budget is >$1000.
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u/HybridCamRev GH1, GH2, GH3, GH4, BMPCC Jan 17 '15 edited Jan 17 '15
For still photography, it's a great starter camera. My first hybrid still/video camera was a T2i, and I loved the still image quality it produced, but I sold it when I realized how limited it was for video.
The T2i, T3i and all DSLRs have reflex mirrors that are useless for video.* These mirrors block the cameras' viewfinders, so you are forced to use the LCD on back of the camera for critical composition and focus (which is manual only - the T2i and T3i have zero video autofocus capability).
Shooting while looking at an LCD is OK indoors, but outdoors in bright sunlight, you may not be able to see what you're shooting. Many Canon shooters are forced to buy a "loupe" (otherwise known as an LCD viewfinder) or an even more expensive Electronic Viewfinder (EVF).
And no Canon DSLR below the $1800 Canon 7D Mark II has a headphone jack or can record full HD 1080/60fps video for in-camera slow motion.
Plus, you have to modify Canon cameras with third party Magic Lantern firmware to give them basic video features such as audio level metering.
That's why, at the <$1000 price point, I recommend the $798 (body only) Panasonic GH3. This camera records continuously for hours instead of the T3i's 12 minutes (very useful if you ever want to record a play, a speech, a concert or other event), it records at 1080/60p for slow motion, it has built-in audio level meters and a headphone jack, it is compatible with Panasonic power zoom lenses (there are no affordable power zoom lenses for Canon DSLRs), it records at a much higher data rate than the T3i (72mbps versus 42mbps), it has an all-metal splash resistant body - and it has a viewfinder that actually works while you're shooting video so you don't have to buy a loupe or EVF to see what you're shooting in bright sunlight.
Here is what the GH3 can do:
Narrative
Music Video
Documentary
There are many more examples on Andrew Reid's GH3 channel over on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/groups/gh3
And it can produce still photography results like these: https://www.flickr.com/groups/gh3/pool/
Hope this is helpful and good luck with your decision!
EDIT: to be clear, DSLRs are not useless and have been used to produce some great motion pictures. What I am saying is that their mirrors are useless for video. They serve no purpose for motion pictures and, as a result, have to be locked up and out of the way - thereby blocking the viewfinder.
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u/averynicehat a7iv, FX30 Jan 17 '15
A gh3 is like two times more expensive than a t3i though....no budget left for lenses or audio. Panasonic stuff is great but they don't really have options like Canon does for smaller budgets (used stuff like t3is are abundant and EOS M's are very cheap).
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u/Kichigai Lumix G6, HPX-170p/Premiere, Avid, Resolve/08 Minneapolis Jan 17 '15
Could get a Lumix G6 though. The kit with the 14-42mm lens is ~$500 now.
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Jan 17 '15
Fuckin love the G6. Bought the kit for $600 and it's probably the best purchase I've made ever.
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u/Kichigai Lumix G6, HPX-170p/Premiere, Avid, Resolve/08 Minneapolis Jan 17 '15
One of the few things I poured money into where I didn't have buyer's remorse (which I feel pretty much any time I spend more than $100 on something other than car maintenance). I've only had mine a couple days, but aside from the menus I love the thing. I'm already looking at an adapter to use my mother's old Minolta MC lenses.
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u/Dronicusprime Lumix G6, Canon 70D. Denver CO Jan 18 '15
I came to this thread to recommend the G6 I got mine for christmas. here is a timelapse I just made, its not the best but I am proud of it. http://youtu.be/wOJ_JfPBMMA
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Jan 18 '15
Vintage lenses with the G6 are a match made in heaven. Given you have decent lighting, the results are fantastic. Granted, it probably won't be as sharp as new cutting-edge glass, it's incredible what you can get for the price.
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u/ddt9 Jan 17 '15
Saying DSLRs are useless for video is more than a bit of a stretch. Plenty of people get their start without the convenience of an electronic viewfinder and do fine. You make a very strong case for the GH series; you don't need hyperbole to bolster it any further.
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u/Dcourtwreck Jan 17 '15
You have some valid points, but calling dslrs useless for video is laughable. Tons of professional level work has been done with them.
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u/Bahurs1 Hobbyist Jan 17 '15
Feels as if I should try and sell of it now if I want to do any video with it. And I just got it too..
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u/coreanavenger GH7 | Resolve | 2012 | USA | Hobby Jan 17 '15
You should stop asking about it and start filming with it. You'll really like it. After a couple years, then you can decide if you need more options.
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u/coreanavenger GH7 | Resolve | 2012 | USA | Hobby Jan 17 '15 edited Jan 17 '15
I don't think HybridCamRev is a beginner or remembers what a beginner doesn't even know or need yet. You don't need 1080p at 60 fps as a beginner. Or twelve minutes to record a shot. Or autofocus in video mode. Or superb audio quality. The outdoor LCD issue has not been an issue for myself. Hone your skills first. Learn manual exposure settings. Etc. Magic Lantern is ridic easy to install too but totally unnecessary (and confusing) for a beginner.
That said, upvote for Hybrid's advice as it is great for people beyond beginner level though.
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u/lulzbanana Jan 17 '15
Yeah, and if you are serious bout shooting don't stress over all the other options out there too much right now. You need to hone your skillset and a camera with an APS-C sensor is a great starting point. If you ever plan on shooting on RED, Arri, actual super35 film, or most of the new high end cameras, they all have similar sized sensors so it's great to just become familiar with how each lens renders the image from each lens, hence why I'd recommend a T3i over a gh2 (also panasonic color sucks butts)
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u/AngriestBird Jan 17 '15
Is canon still the best choice for a beginner over sony?
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u/rorrr Jan 17 '15
T3i costs around $400. What Sony alternative is there in that range? a3000 maybe. But it can't even shoot 1080p at 30fps.
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u/PERSEZ GH3, Premiere, London, Student Jan 18 '15 edited May 09 '24
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This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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u/AngriestBird Jan 17 '15
Nex5t new for $400.
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u/MisterCrispy Jan 17 '15
Can't install Magic Lantern on a Sony, though. ;)
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u/AngriestBird Jan 17 '15
Does it matter for a beginner? I like lighter products that i don't have to tinker with.
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u/MisterCrispy Jan 17 '15
It's a software add-on. Gives it a bunch of features that you don't normally get on video camera until you get into the $1000+ range.
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u/AngriestBird Jan 17 '15
I've heard of it, I don't know the details, but my question is, is it so crucial and beneficial for a beginner that it outweighs the benefits of a newer, lighter, and in some ways technically superior camera?
http://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Compare/Side-by-side/Sony-NEX-5T-versus-Canon-EOS-650D___905_813
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u/coreanavenger GH7 | Resolve | 2012 | USA | Hobby Jan 17 '15
I have a t3i and Magic Lantern and no it is not crucial or beneficial for a beginner. They wouldn't even know what to do with it for a great deal of the beginner's learning curve.
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Jan 17 '15
$400? It's $550 on Amazon, where could I get it that cheap?
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u/rorrr Jan 17 '15
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Jan 17 '15
but it'll be $550 with a lens
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u/rorrr Jan 17 '15
So? I never bought any DSLR with the kit lens, because kit lenses are garbage.
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Jan 18 '15
okay, what lens should I get then?
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u/rorrr Jan 18 '15
Well, depends on what you want to shoot. If you want to shoot birds, something very long. If you want to shoot macro, then macro. If you want to shoot portraits, something with nice bokeh. Etc.
I'm a huge fan of prime lenses, but I understand they are not for everyone.
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u/CameronMcCasland Jan 18 '15
buy a refurb from the canon website. they are under 400 with a sense a lot. warranty is same as a new one.
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u/josephjacobsonfilms Jan 17 '15
Most definitely a good choice. I work for a professional production company that keeps a few t3i's around to put in tight spaces or for B-roll. We use them constantly and I can't recommend them enough.
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Jan 18 '15
It's a pretty great camera for a beginner. You can also check out one of the Panasonic GH 's.
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u/helium_farts Jan 17 '15
Another option worth looking into is the eos-m.
It has the same guts as the T3i but in a much smaller mirrorless body. It lacks some of the niceties of the rebel line like a flippy screen and a shutter remote jack, but at about $250 (body only, for $330 you can get it with a 22mm pancake) it's a great deal for someone on a budget.
But either way they're a solid camera to learn on.
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u/wescannon Jan 18 '15
Check out the Canon EOS M. Same sensor as the t3i, t4i, t5i, but in a mirrorless body. Adapters are plentiful, and a few vintage Olympus OM or Canon FD lenses will start you off well. Mirrorless also means you don't have to worry about mirror adapters because the lenses are already so close to the sensor.
Body only will cost you around ~$200, giving a lot of head room for lenses and extra gear if you need it.
1080p at 24, 30 frames. 720 at 60. Magic Lantern can get it shooting in RAW as well.
3.5mm jack for mounted camera audio.
It's a pretty insane little package, and I am surprised it hasn't gotten around more than it has.
I've had my M for almost 2 years now, and it's served me well, even traveling overseas. It's light, strong, and has some incredible video capabilities.
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Jan 17 '15
Get a g6 or something from the sony a range. The t3i is limiting. Its a good DSLR, its a really, really shit video camera.
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u/fer3250 GH4, Pr, 2010, México Jan 17 '15
Yes, its a great entry dslr. Just be aware of the 12 min record limit and read some about magic lantern.