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Question

What to buy? (photo & video) - help

Dec 8, 2013 1:00AM PST

Hello,
I am a 21 year old student of television and film at college and will be at University next year studying a similar course. I am looking at purchasing a camera within the next month and would be so grateful if someone could help show me the best option for me?

Basically it needs to film, as film making is what I will be studying and I would like to use it for freelance work so it must be of a decent standard. I was looking at DSLRs (e.g a 650D I could get new for £500) as they're highly rated, film in HD and you can get great lenses and accessories for them.

I was thinking, is there a better choice of camera I could get, that still has interchangeable lenses and has lots of accessories available and why is it better? I am looking on spending £500-£1000 on a camera.

If I get the 650D I could spend the extra £500 on a nice lens, tripod, bag, extra battery pack or something. But I don't go to Uni until next summer and have 6 months I can save for lots of accessories but having a decent model is something I would really like first. Plus I know that the majority of people on the same course as me will each have a DSLR and I was wondering if there was something better for that money?

Looking to spend £500-£1000
Video is priority but taking photos is a great bonus
Obviously high frames a second in HD is a bonus, many lenses and accessories available to better

I don't know a lot about lenses and cameras (severely need to learn) but any help here I wil be so grateful for.

Apologies for the essay and if there's incorrect grammar (I am tired) Many thanks for reading this and for any help!

Phil

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Do not buy a thing.
Dec 8, 2013 1:09AM PST

My son went to such a school and while I did get him a setup I didn't reveal that it was cheap but it never mattered since the school supplied the gear and he never had to use his own.

You can save 500 to 1000 if you want.
Bob

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Though I appreciate a response...
Dec 8, 2013 1:17AM PST

Though I appreciate a response...

I am aware that the University will have cameras for me to use, however that is not what I asked. I will need it myself to work freelance and to make my own videos personally without having to rely on loaning equipment from the school.

You say I could save myself money, but it will help me learn camera use and allow me to freelance.

I need something with a strong image, that I could genuinely shoot short videos, possibly even a film with. I sound like a newbie, because I am, but high fps would be a bonus as would a sexy depth of field. Something I can produce a beautiful image with that would be functional for use in modern editing software.

Thanks.

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And given the turmoil in the market.
Dec 8, 2013 1:31AM PST

Folks are getting rather miffed over articles and results like this.

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2011/11/can-the-iphone-4s-replace-a-real-digital-camera-for-many-yes/

My son is doing some freelance and uses a DSLR (Canon t3i) with a few lens, extra batteries and lighting, tripod and it's downright amazing what you can do for less today.


-> Again, the college allowed him to check out the gear and he never used what he broke with him. This story repeats with student after student. I wonder if you will take the lesson, save 500 to 1000 or will you get burned.
Bob

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Thank you was an interesting read
Dec 8, 2013 1:53AM PST

I am aware that for University projects we would more than likely only ever use the school equipment. Though it would be my hobby and my work, that I will not be able to nor want to use school supplies for.

In my spare time I will freelance work or set some sort of business up and will need my own camera, it will be essential. But I appreciate what you're saying about not spending the money but people spend money on hobbies and this is a hobby that will make me money and teach me a lot. It's not as if worst comes to worse I could not sell what I buy, but that wouldn't be happening.

Though I appreciate you're saying you can get good cameras for cheap. Maybe it's best to spend £500 on a 650D and just get good accessories as it's all HD and capable of a lot. Under £500 you can't get much though, even that iphone 4s is £500 haha. Just wondering if there's a step up from a 650D, like better dslrs in the canon or nikon range around the same price or a couple hundred more? better functions/accessories/sensor/standard lens/depth of field I have no idea.

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The 3 lens
Dec 8, 2013 2:01AM PST

For the Canon t series my son has the stock lens 18 to 55 and the 55 to 250 IS zoom. I added a fine forty fixed for my own reasons and some go for the nifty fifty.

DOF? I think this story has repeated so often it's no longer funny. This is great news for camera makers.
Bob

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I said I am a beginner.
Dec 8, 2013 2:44AM PST

I can use a camera fine. I do not know a lot at all about models and lenses. I feel as if you're making a joke, well done, sorry if the terminology I used was incorrect please forgive me. I am just trying to state what I am looking for without missing anything. I've heard some cameras get a shallow depth of field or something, I don't know. I just want the best functional camera for me in that price bracket.

If you don't have options and reasons for the options of what camera I could get, fitting my description, without sarcasm or trying to make a joke then that is no help, thanks.

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I didn't find the DOF to be a camera issue.
Dec 9, 2013 2:05AM PST

I would be amiss if I wrote a short version about DOF but it's not the camera. It's lens, settings and such.

My story is this. You are about to dump your money in the same way I have seen hundreds of other film school students. About 99% of them don't understand this conversation and like sheep follow the herd. That 1% wakes up and sees what is going on and keeps the wallet in their pocket and bides their time.

Some think this is sarcasm but those that do usually are unwilling to see what's going on around them.
Bob