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I don't think you'll need the 1.4. But I wouldn't recommend the Canon 1.8 either. It's not a terrible lens by any means, but there are much better lenses out there on the used market with better optics and much better build quality.

what do u suggest?
on vimeo when i watch videos and shorts shot with a 60d .. they never use primes .. seems like its a 17-55 or something of that sort .. i know you cant use af but u can manual focus .. how is that different then swapping between primes .. sorry for the noob question
 
what do u suggest?
on vimeo when i watch videos and shorts shot with a 60d .. they never use primes .. seems like its a 17-55 or something of that sort .. i know you cant use af but u can manual focus .. how is that different then swapping between primes .. sorry for the noob question

The main appeal of video shooting on a DSLR, rather than a regular video camera lies in the large sensor - which gives you both great low light performance and the ability to get low depth of field effects. To make use of this, you really need to be using a wide aperture lens.

For around $100, the 50mm f1.8 is about the cheapest production Canon lens you can buy, and also one of the fastest. Used wide open it will give you some fantastic low depth of field - which creatively will allow you to separate your subject from the background, or cut focus between two or more actors in a scene.

Shooting a kit lens stopped down is fine, but you're not making use of the benefits of the format - and a regular HD camcorder is a whole lot more ergonomic for that type of shooting.
 
one last question .. what about accessories .. like a battery grip and batteries .. worth buying the canon versions or get non canon ?
 
battery hrip

I use a "targus" version of a battery grip and it works great.
I think someone here posted something to note: you don't have a warranty with it like you do with canon. I bought mine off ebay and that's the price i pay. But totally worth getting one as it weighs it down to be more stable.
 
If you can afford the 17-55mm IS f2.8 it's better than primes (imo) for a fast-moving production. f2.8 is fast and allows for relatively shallow focus*, you can zoom without the aperture changing, and the image stabilization is invaluable. But the lens is over $1,000.

For my money, if you want a versatile kit with EF mounts, the 17-50mm IS f2.8 tamron and an 85mm f1.8 Canon is the best choice. A set of primes covering these focal lengths (16mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm or something) would be faster, but with no IS. A long lens can also be nice. I use the 55-250mm IS when I need a long lens outdoors, but its utility is limited. The 50mm f1.8 is a fine lens optically, it's just that pulling focus is extraordinarily hard with it. The more you'll shoot the more you'll know what lenses you need.

Also, don't skimp on a good tripod. You'll want a decent fluid head (501 or better) or else you'll get ugly jumpy footage. I just did some shooting with a 7d and t2i and stabilizing these cameras (either with IS or a steadicam/tripod or both is crucial).

*In "Hollywood films" f2-f2.8 are the normal f-stops for night exteriors, f2.8-f4 for night interiors, f4-f5.6 for day interiors, f4-f8 for day exteriors, etc. in general. Some deep focus films shoot deeper stops and extreme low light lenses allow for t1.3 (f1.2), which is used occasionally for night exteriors, but f2.8 is often as fast as you need; beyond that shallow focus can look "cheap" like you can't afford more lights.
 
If you can afford the 17-55mm IS f2.8 it's better than primes (imo) for a fast-moving production. f2.8 is fast and allows for relatively shallow focus*, you can zoom without the aperture changing, and the image stabilization is invaluable. But the lens is over $1,000.

For my money, if you want a versatile kit with EF mounts, the 17-50mm IS f2.8 tamron and an 85mm f1.8 Canon is the best choice. A set of primes covering these focal lengths (16mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm or something) would be faster, but with no IS. A long lens can also be nice. I use the 55-250mm IS when I need a long lens outdoors, but its utility is limited. The 50mm f1.8 is a fine lens optically, it's just that pulling focus is extraordinarily hard with it. The more you'll shoot the more you'll know what lenses you need.

Also, don't skimp on a good tripod. You'll want a decent fluid head (501 or better) or else you'll get ugly jumpy footage. I just did some shooting with a 7d and t2i and stabilizing these cameras (either with IS or a steadicam/tripod or both is crucial).

*In "Hollywood films" f2-f2.8 are the normal f-stops for night exteriors, f2.8-f4 for night interiors, f4-f5.6 for day interiors, f4-f8 for day exteriors, etc. in general. Some deep focus films shoot deeper stops and extreme low light lenses allow for t1.3 (f1.2), which is used occasionally for night exteriors, but f2.8 is often as fast as you need; beyond that shallow focus can look "cheap" like you can't afford more lights.

thanks for the info .. how is the tamron lens compared to the canon one .. its about 400 dollars cheaper
 
Depending on how set you are on a Canon product, and how much you value video quality, you might want to look into the Panasonic GH2. According to EOSHD.com the video quality is considerably better than both the 60D and even the 5D Mark II.

GH2 Comparison directly with the 60D:
http://www.eoshd.com/content/460-Can...-Review-Part-1
http://www.eoshd.com/content/465-Can...-Review-Part-2


Plus, it has an amazing 1:1 cropping feature for 1080p video giving you an extra 2.6x zoom in the same lens!

http://www.eoshd.com/content/457
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/re...revealed.shtml
 
gh2 looks good .. there is always something really good coming out . that is why i hate reading websites lol .. cuz im always questioning my decision

quick question though on the 60d .. i was playing around with it this morning with the 18-135 kit lens and i noticed that when i moved my wrist to the right with the camera .. it kinda sounded like the lens had movement and it only happens to the right ??

normal or faulty ?
 
gh2 looks good .. there is always something really good coming out . that is why i hate reading websites lol .. cuz im always questioning my decision

quick question though on the 60d .. i was playing around with it this morning with the 18-135 kit lens and i noticed that when i moved my wrist to the right with the camera .. it kinda sounded like the lens had movement and it only happens to the right ??

normal or faulty ?
For starters don't get the 18-135, reviews say don't get it. I wish i didn't have the kit lens. It's gunna require brighter lighting. I wish i could get the 17-55mm.

About batteries, I have the PowerSmart ones and they work perfectly. The battery amount shows up too. Way cool!

My dad has a load of old M42 lenses. A 28mm f/2.8, 135mm f/2.8, 200mm f/2.8. I;m most interested in the 28mm.
03.jpg


Is this good for video?
 
Is this good for video?

Yes, should be great!

You'll need to get an M42 to EF adapter. They're pretty cheap.

Lens quality / resolution doesn't matter so much for video (since a video picture is 2 megapixels, not 18!) and a bit of softening can cut down on moire anyway.

The best thing about these is they're nice chunky lenses with good sized focussing rings. Should be much easier to focus manually than a modern AF lens.
 
Yes, should be great!

You'll need to get an M42 to EF adapter. They're pretty cheap.

Lens quality / resolution doesn't matter so much for video (since a video picture is 2 megapixels, not 18!) and a bit of softening can cut down on moire anyway.

The best thing about these is they're nice chunky lenses with good sized focussing rings. Should be much easier to focus manually than a modern AF lens.
Cool thats good to know because i've ordered sum adaptors :)
 
For starters don't get the 18-135, reviews say don't get it. I wish i didn't have the kit lens. It's gunna require brighter lighting. I wish i could get the 17-55mm.

About batteries, I have the PowerSmart ones and they work perfectly. The battery amount shows up too. Way cool!

My dad has a load of old M42 lenses. A 28mm f/2.8, 135mm f/2.8, 200mm f/2.8. I;m most interested in the 28mm.
03.jpg


Is this good for video?

yea i would prefer the 17-55mm lens but its 999 dollars and i dont have much money currently .. and the 18-135 came with my camera .. maybe i could sell it and put in the rest for that lens .. what does the kit lens sell for .. its like 400 on amazon
 
yea i would prefer the 17-55mm lens but its 999 dollars and i dont have much money currently .. and the 18-135 came with my camera .. maybe i could sell it and put in the rest for that lens .. what does the kit lens sell for .. its like 400 on amazon
Another option is that 17-50mm tamron lens that people like? Im tempted but can't afford. I do actually regret getting the kit lens. But we'll see. Perhaps it'll force me to wait until I need sumat better :p
 
with all this recent talk about the gh2 shooting better video than a 5d mkII it makes me wanna return my 60d and save 300 dollars and get the gh2 .. no idea what to do
 
with all this recent talk about the gh2 shooting better video than a 5d mkII it makes me wanna return my 60d and save 300 dollars and get the gh2 .. no idea what to do
Do you do photography? Cause I will give you straight answer based on yur response
 
with all this recent talk about the gh2 shooting better video than a 5d mkII it makes me wanna return my 60d and save 300 dollars and get the gh2 .. no idea what to do

"better video" is kind of subjective. The GH2 is looks to be a pretty solid camera, but I certainly wouldn't take it over a 5D MarkII.
 
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Neither would I .. But over the 60d?


Also regarding the tamaron lens ..it's definitely cheaper but Id rather have the canon lens even tho currently I cannot afford it ... And I also need to start acquiring primes
 
Not the Sony NX? They're nasty. Designed by the marketing department, not engineers - they've got poor, dumbed down software and a really odd mix of features.
Nah its an Alpha A350. Its no where near as good as my 60D. but for the price it aint too bad :S.
 
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