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Pondering adding a DSLR to my arsenal. I have absolutely zero experience with these, but wondering if any of you have a suggestion as to an entry level camera to try for a while and then possibly look to upgrade at a later date. Don't really want to spend $2000 only to find I don't care to pursue this avenue. Most of my shooting is long form events (recitals, stage productions, etc.) so I know this won't be my primary camera, but for commercials or wedding receptions I think it would be nice to add to our capabilities.

Hey !! Bobc here is my cheap and easy set up for DSLR begging world

Canon 60d new US 899, use US 699 (get the new one)..http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/7 ... amera.html

1 canon 50mm 1.8 lens US 109,this is a cheap and great LOW LIGHT.http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1 ... f_1_8.html

1 Sigma 17-55mm 2.8 US 669 this WIDE and ZOOM lens..http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/6 ... EX_DC.html

1 tascam DR-05 audio record US 99 but right now special price US 65,yes is necessary to cover your audio..http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/7 ... gital.html

1 Manfroto monopod US 192 yes is impossible to do DSLR video hand held,even if you got a tripod this is more easy to use..http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/7 ... ction.html

Bobc you are almost ready to do DSLR video,when you learn(a takes a few weeks if you practice) how to shoot in this world
from DSLR you will never miss the VIDEO 60i mode,more help? ask SYL RENAUD (amazing guy... ) for more suggestion !!

Good luck !!!...

Thanks Franklin, I appreciate your time and suggestions.

Hi!

You can get a Sony alpha33 (with basic lens) for less than 400$.
With the right add-on lens you can create beautiful pictures/videos for less than 500$.

Best regards,
Volker

Thanks Volker, looks more in my price range for getting started.

Be careful of DSLR... this is the "new fad" amongst the videogs that are looking to forsake the old, boasting their humungas chip. For run and gun, its not the best. Your locked into 24p, and quick movements, pans, tilts will be choppy because of the slow frame rate. People will argue that pan and tilts are "passae'", because they dont use them in cinema. They dont use them because they cant, because of the slow frame rates. DSLR is however phenominal in low light, and has uncompared DOF. DOF, however can be acheived with a video cam if positioned at the right distance from your subject. Oh yea... no servo zoom either. So how do I get that film look? Bogart has an effect called 'movie mode' which changes the 60i to 30i digitally, and it looks pretty much like film, if fact, its impressive. I only use that effect where justified, that way the viewer gets a mix and it becomes more teasing to the eye. By the time you set up the DSLR with a rig that will hold it steady enough, and a lens that will give you what you really want.... well.... you might as well go with a high end video cam. I say.. video cam for video... still cam for stills... but thats just my opinion.

My 2 cents is that I have been working with HDSLR's now for almost 3 yrs & the purpose of the change for me was not because it was a "new fad" the "Film Look" has existed since the beginning of movie making.
+ many new more expensive cameras now have the big sensor with interchangeable lenses just like HDSLR's do... so I don't think this fad is going anywhere soon (just my opinion)
HDSLR's have given everyone the ability to get the film look at a _very_ affordable price. There is definitely a learning curve that comes with it but if thats the look you like and what the market now wants then go for it !
I have learned to pan,zoom in, tilt with a tripod just like a normal HD cam you name it its all doable with the right tools & if you practice it. Yes they have some limitations but you can work around them.
You are not locked in at 24p (very strobe look when panning) these cameras also shoot in 30p & 60p where panning is very acceptable.

Here it comes--- at the end of the day _what are you looking to achieve with your camera_ if you don't like backing up 25 feet to get DOF with your regular camera then HDSLR's can help you.
If you want no bells and whistle, no film look, just plain jane... then yes a regular HD cam is for you... either way you still have to make it compelling for your client.
BTW I agree that "Movie Mode" gives that film look in our editors with interlace video great software

I agree there is a totally new learning curve with using a DSLR. That is exactly why I didn't move to them as I was shutting my video business down. I get a lot of the Cassie crowd is older, conservative videogs, but DSLRs are not the future of this industry, they are already the present. Look around the industry, virtually all the best work out there is now shot on DSLR acquisition devices and calling it a fad or that it can't or shouldn't be done is simply denying reality.

DSLR video is a different way to improve your video quality, thanks to the many options that you have with lenses,after the learning curve
coming from video (60i),to DSLR(30p),my way to tell (edit) the history from any event has change,no pan (only in emergency) no zoom
no more worry about video lights(depends what lenses you are using) more stable shoots (you have to),and the more important THE WAY YOUR VIDEOS LOOKS,todays new generations clients are asking for more film looks,this is impossible with any VIDEO CAMCORDER that use the only lenses that comes
with the camera, and believe me, after you go to DSLR world, you will never go to back to VIDEO (60i or 4 x 3 ) looks !!!

Franklin

ps-A agree MOVIE MODE is a winner !!..

At first I thought it would a "fad" and would be replaced with another cinematic look. However, I think it is here to stay.

Almost ALL members and especially the young members of my video association utilize a HDSLR to some extent or in its entirety. Personally, I am waiting for video camera which features the larger chips but at a reasonable cost w/o having to change lenses and has a servo.