Help with Camera decisions

[TheMonster]

Hello peeps,

I have been a long time reader and now a first time poster I am in need of your help.

I am an avid photographer and videographer. I have done a lot of videography and video editing, but one day I decided to try photography and since then I've been loving it. In 2009, I picked up the Nikon D3000 18-55mm & 55-200mm lenses and got an extra SB-700 flash. It was a great way to learn and become familiar with dSLR's, but it didn't cut for a lot of projects and events. Now I am looking to ugprade, and here is where I need your help.

I need a dSLR with good video functions. I have often heard and read that Canon is superior than Nikon with video in dSLR's, is that still true? For the video functions, I need 1920x1080 (30, 25, 24 fps) and 1280x720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), and good image quality. What exactly from Canon made filming better (if the rumors are true)? I would need to get my upgrade latest mid June. Which Camera would you guys suggest I should get between Canon and Nikon? I will be taking pictures of professional events and lots of studio type photography, while I will be doing a lot of high quality filming. I will sell my D3000 with the lenses and keep my flash if I stick with Nikon or sell it if I switch to Canon. I am struggling so much on what I should do, and I really need your guys' help.

Greetings,
TheMonster

Edit: I am willing to pay up to around 1,800€ (2,350$)

 

[Ew]

Although dslr video is no longer like gorilla warfare, if you're fresh to get in, one thing to really consider is the established user group base. Canon supporters heavily outweigh all other brands - making finding info online ALOT easier.

But in the end the cam is a tool, just like Avid MC or FCP.

 

[TheMonster]

It's not the information that is lacking, it's suggestions and ideas from other user's that I am searching for. I hope that there are some folks out there that could really help me here.

 

[smithy]

If you need uncompressed HDMI output from your camera, you'll need to buy a Nikon. Otherwise, the 5D Mark III would be a good choice for video from the Canon stables. It has better moire reduction than the Nikons, if this is important to you. There's also a wider range of lenses to choose from with the Canon range, including tilt shift lenses which can look great in video work.

 

[RuneL]

Hello peeps,

I have been a long time reader and now a first time poster I am in need of your help.

I am an avid photographer and videographer. I have done a lot of videography and video editing, but one day I decided to try photography and since then I've been loving it. In 2009, I picked up the Nikon D3000 18-55mm & 55-200mm lenses and got an extra SB-700 flash. It was a great way to learn and become familiar with dSLR's, but it didn't cut for a lot of projects and events. Now I am looking to ugprade, and here is where I need your help.

I need a dSLR with good video functions. I have often heard and read that Canon is superior than Nikon with video in dSLR's, is that still true? For the video functions, I need 1920x1080 (30, 25, 24 fps) and 1280x720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), and good image quality. What exactly from Canon made filming better (if the rumors are true)? I would need to get my upgrade latest mid June. Which Camera would you guys suggest I should get between Canon and Nikon? I will be taking pictures of professional events and lots of studio type photography, while I will be doing a lot of high quality filming. I will sell my D3000 with the lenses and keep my flash if I stick with Nikon or sell it if I switch to Canon. I am struggling so much on what I should do, and I really need your guys' help.

Greetings,
TheMonster

Edit: I am willing to pay up to around 1,800€ (2,350$)

Well... that really depends on what you want to do. If you want the uncompressed output you want the D800. But for anything else I'd go for the 5D III, what it outputs looks better and the downscaling to 1080P is more "symmetrical"??. Also you can use pretty much any lens ever made on a canon due to their mount if you can find the adapter.
The 5D III will be fine for studio photograhy, but the D800 has a lot more resolution, but really, again, depending on what you do I'd be able to tell you that you are better off with a MF camera and a IQ180 digi back.

I for one know not a single video/movie-type person who've switched to Nikon, they've all gotten/ordered the 5D III, which to me says a whole lot more than some reviews and numbers and whatever.

 

[TheMonster]

Thank you for the tips and info. After reading so many reviews and thourough research, it seems like that I will either get the Nikon D800 or the Canon EOS 7D. The Mark III is in my opinion overpriced for what it does. If I go for Canon EOS 7D, what kind of flashes do you guys recommend?

 

[RuneL]

Thank you for the tips and info. After reading so many reviews and thourough research, it seems like that I will either get the Nikon D800 or the Canon EOS 7D. The Mark III is in my opinion overpriced for what it does. If I go for Canon EOS 7D, what kind of flashes do you guys recommend?

580EX II or the new one, but if you want studio shooting get some strobes.

The 7D is... well. Get a used 5D II instead of that..

 

[TheMonster]

So the Mark II over 7D even though I could invest extra lenses with the 7D?

Are there also any differences or whatsoever between US and EU models?

 

[RuneL]

So the Mark II over 7D even though I could invest extra lenses with the 7D?

Are there also any differences or whatsoever between US and EU models?

The 7D and 5D II are almost exactly the same, also, if you can't answer which you need the most you're boned. I hate the 7D, so yes. I'd always get the 5D II or a 1D.

 

[smithy]

So the Mark II over 7D even though I could invest extra lenses with the 7D?

Are there also any differences or whatsoever between US and EU models?

The 7D and 5D II are almost exactly the same, also, if you can't answer which you need the most you're boned. I hate the 7D, so yes. I'd always get the 5D II or a 1D.

Why on earth do you "hate" the 7D? That's such a strong word to use.

 

[Axilrod]

The 7D and 5D II are almost exactly the same, also, if you can't answer which you need the most you're boned. I hate the 7D, so yes. I'd always get the 5D II or a 1D.

The 5DII and 7D are very different cameras and each have their own purpose, but I think your "hate" for the 7D would definitely put you in the minority. Most people I know with 7D's absolutely love them.

 

[pdirestajr]

The 5Dii does not have 720/ 60fps. It also doesn't have it's video mode features as easily integrated into the camera as the 7D.

I've been a 7D shooter for the last 3 years, and recently added a 5DII to my kit... Besides the better image quality the 5DII offers (the ONLY reason I bought it, granted a HUGE reason), the 7D in my opinion is a better all around camera. And when I say "camera" I am not referring to the sensor, just everything else.

If you combine the 7D with the 5Dii you get the 5Diii!

You could also go more budget and get a 60D with a flippy screen (some people like that), and invest the rest of your cash into glass.

I'm mainly a stills person, and a few HUGE features I love that the 7D has over the 5Dii are:
- built-in electronic level (viewfinder & LCD)
- more customizable buttons
- commander flash for off camera flash
- M-fn button
- Better AF

But then the 5Dii has the advantages of:
- full-frame sensor, so full use of your lens' potential
- better IQ, especially at higher ISOs
- Better for manual focusing (you can change the focusing screen)
- shallower DOF

So it really comes down to what YOU need.

 

[TheFarmer]

Good stuff guys. I agree with everyone except for the guy that hates the 7D ;D

 

[ksuweh]

If you combine the 7D with the 5Dii you get the 5Diii!

I totally agree with that statement! I own a 7D & a 5D Mk III. The 7D is very ergonomic camera body with a really good AF system, good IQ & ok at best ISO performance. The 5D Mk II has a much better IQ & MUCH better ISO performance than the 7D, but the AF system leaves MUCH to be desired. If you take the best of both of those camera bodies & you inject a healthy dose of improvements into the AF system, the IQ, & the ISO performance then you have the 5D Mk III. It really is up to you on how you use the camera & your budget as to which one you pick. I just wanted to give you some info to help make that decision a little easier.

 

[ksuweh]

http://www.canonrumors.com/2012/05/canon-5d-mark-ii-7d-good-enough-for-the-avengers/

If these camera bodies are good enough for the hottest Hollywood film out right now, then its a safe bet that they are good enough for what you need them for. The movie "Act of Valor" also used the 5D Mk II heavily in their filming.

 

[Random Orbits]

If you combine the 7D with the 5Dii you get the 5Diii!

At almost the 5DII + 7D price. :'(

 

[TheMonster]

It's crazy, I just read the article about the Avengers using the Mark II and the 7D, and I saw that they were also used in a few other big movies. Why is Canon so heavily favored for filming than Nikon?

What disturbs me a lot about the Mark II though is that it costs the same as the Nikon D800, which I currently have lenses for. If I were to switch over to Canon, I would get the 7D and get one or two good lenses with that, or I could go for the D800. Bugs me to see Canon being overpriced.

 

[elflord]

It's crazy, I just read the article about the Avengers using the Mark II and the 7D, and I saw that they were also used in a few other big movies. Why is Canon so heavily favored for filming than Nikon?

What disturbs me a lot about the Mark II though is that it costs the same as the Nikon D800, which I currently have lenses for. If I were to switch over to Canon, I would get the 7D and get one or two good lenses with that, or I could go for the D800. Bugs me to see Canon being overpriced.

I'm just going on the stated focal lengths of your lenses -- do you really have lenses for the D800 ? From your description (18-55 and 55-200), they look like DX only lenses. In any case cheapo variable aperture zooms aren't optimal for video, so if you are serious enough to go full frame, you will need new glass either way. Looks to me like the only thing you'd need to get rid of that you could keep with Nikon is the flash.

 

[Terry Rogers]

Also note that if you get the 60D or 5D2 you can run magic lantern firmware. I have read they add a good deal of functionality to video. Most notably focus peaking. You cannot run magic lantern on the 7d and the verdict is still out if it will fully work on the 5d3. If you don't need the stills focus capabilities of the 7d or 5d3 or the weather sealing an ruggedness of each, the 60D or 5D2 could be the way to go. I would suggest looking into what magic lantern can do for videographers and decid if you would like a camera to support it.

 

[TheMonster]

That Magic Lantern Firmware is quite interesting. So it all comes down to this. Either I get the Nikon D800 and no extra equipment, or I get the Mark II / 60D / 7D with extra equipment, and the Mark III is overpriced I am leaning towards either the Mark II, 60D, 7D. One of those three, as it would give me extra room to buy extra lenses and other equipment.

What I find ridiculous though, is how expensive Canon still is. Consider the Mark II with a lens is almost the same price as a D800... (EU). I'm getting my gear at the begining of June, so I hope to still see some more feedback and help on which equipment I should aim and prepare for.