Camera advice

[jetjaguar]

I need to get a camera for product pictures for selling on etsy/ebay and website. I currently have some L glass from awhile ago but Im not sure what camera I should get. I definitely need to pick up a macro lens for close up detailed pictures.

Is it best to just pick up a used t2i or should I get a used 5d mark ii if I can find one decently priced?

 

[pcc678]

I have been using a T1i for several years for eBay pics. It works beautifully. A 5D mark ii would be way overkill for web pics. You won't get any benefit from a full-frame camera for that kind of work.

 

[jetjaguar]

I have been using a T1i for several years for eBay pics. It works beautifully. A 5D mark ii would be way overkill for web pics. You won't get any benefit from a full-frame camera for that kind of work.

Also might use it to do a small web series .. Basic interview

 

[SirCarrington]

A used 5D can be usually be found for pretty cheap these days. It's still a great camera if you've got the light. 12.8mp is fine for web pics.

Although, useless if you want video. The T2i does 1080 and should be more than fine.

 

[ChrisA]

Also might use it to do a small web series .. Basic interview

For interviews the camera body is the least of your equipment. Yes, important but looking around here I see
1) Lighting equipment, three big soft boxes and the associated light stands. These work well for product photography also. MUCH easier then setting up flash (and cheaper too as the generic no-brand boxes work OK)
2) microphones. Don't skimp. Spend as much on the audio gear as on the camera and lenses. Views and some how forgive a less than perfect picture but poor audio makes you work seem amateurish and cheap. Notice that 99% of Youtube videos seem amateurish and cheap. Get a good much and clip it on each person. Record each track separately and mix in post. (let the on-camera mic record too but you use that only to sync the other audio.

In the end no seeing your work will know which Canon SLR body you have but the effect of lights and audio will be be evident. Also and this DOES have some bearing on which body you buy. Any cheap camera can do good quality if you have good lighting. Keep the lighting contrast down and you don't need big dynamic range of a fun frame SLR and add enough light and noise is a non-issue. Those CFL based soft boxes are really bright and dirt cheap. My daughter is doing good work with a $225 camcorder (2500 watts equivalent lights) and one of those portable Zoom recorders. I'm a huge fan of Tram TR50 microphones but others like those can work. I use a Rode NT1A (very close, about 8 inches distance) for voice over work.

Add good lights and audio and even an iPhone will produce very acceptable work