Camera/video software advice(newbie)

[TheWillBox]

Does a lense improve the quality?

Massively. It's more about the glass you use than the body of the DSLR.

The thing with buying the 60D and wanting high quality video is that you also have to invest in an external monitor to output HDMI to if you want to compose and focus properly. Proper lighting set up in order to have correct color and white balancing unless you do that in post. You will need memory cards, a tripod and most likely an external mic or shot gun mic that you can hotshoe unless you want to sync audio.

I didn't post all that to scare you, but it's a lot of research and knowledge you'll have to pick up if you want to use your equipment properly. My advice is to start with a Canon point and shoot first to make sure you really want to vlog as others have said.

 

[JustSomeGermanDude]

I would even put the 600D a bit above the 60D for video. Video in DSLRs is still fairly new and they improve a lot with each new camera, so the "smaller" class camera can be better with more functionality than the bigger one if that is older. So for that matter: A 650D or 700D might be even more appropriate. Haven't used either one, but I would guess their touch screens make them more approachable for beginners.

For DSLRs in general: The body ("camera") isn't half as important as the lenses. It is usually better to start small on the body and invest into the lenses. Short and long term, since you'll be able to keep using your lenses if you should ever get a new body.

I can't really judge how hard it is for someone without too much pre-exposure to cameras. I had my hands on 16mm film cameras before ever touching a DSLR.

 

[Grapegirl]

Massively. It's more about the glass you use than the body of the DSLR.

The thing with buying the 60D and wanting high quality video is that you also have to invest in an external monitor to output HDMI to if you want to compose and focus properly. Proper lighting set up in order to have correct color and white balancing unless you do that in post. You will need memory cards, a tripod and most likely an external mic or shot gun mic that you can hotshoe unless you want to sync audio.

I didn't post all that to scare you, but it's a lot of research and knowledge you'll have to pick up if you want to use your equipment properly. My advice is to start with a Canon point and shoot first to make sure you really want to vlog as others have said.

Woah! That sounds complicated!

What do you mean by external monitor?

 

[JustSomeGermanDude]

William Phan Oh, yeah. Good point, that we forgot to mention so far: Sound on DSLRs is usually pretty bad.

 

[TheWillBox]

Woah! That sounds complicated!

What do you mean by external monitor?

Of course you don't have to do any of what I said lol, many people just put their DSLR on auto and record... but if you are looking at super high production value, they go into more details.

Unfortunately the 60D does not have a swivel screen, meaning you can't see yourself on the back display if you are in front. So you can move out of frame, or behind the focal point (out of focus).

I use a 7D to film and it doesn't have a swivel screen either, so I HDMI output it to a spare TV when I film. What I mentioned about lens/body/lighting/audio that's what I prepared for my signature video.[DOUBLEPOST=1371586272,1371586162][/DOUBLEPOST]

William Phan Oh, yeah. Good point, that we forgot to mention so far: Sound on DSLRs is usually pretty bad.

Yeah it's insane what needs to be bought if people want to film properly on a DSLR. Much better off investing in a camcorder, just for portability too.

 

[Grapegirl]

Of course you don't have to do any of what I said lol, many people just put their DSLR on auto and record... but if you are looking at super high production value, they go into more details.

Unfortunately the 60D does not have a swivel screen, meaning you can't see yourself on the back display if you are in front. So you can move out of frame, or behind the focal point (out of focus).

I use a 7D to film and it doesn't have a swivel screen either, so I HDMI output it to a spare TV when I film. What I mentioned about lens/body/lighting/audio that's what I prepared for my signature video.

Woah you've lost me! I feel so stupid now

I just started a thread with an example of quality I want to achieve.

One is a very dreamy effect video called 'a day with joe' by helenmelonlady. Please (if u have time) could u let me know if a 60d canon would do the job and what would u recommend?

 

[JustSomeGermanDude]

Unfortunately the 60D does not have a swivel screen, meaning you can't see yourself on the back display if you are in front. So you can move out of frame, or behind the focal point (out of focus).

You're confusing the 60 with the bigger ones on this one though. The 60D was the first Canon to have that swiveling screen.

 

[Nicekid76]

True on the camcorder part, but you can get autofocus for video ^^
Only bad thing for DSLRs is the recording limit, many have like a 12m to 13m recording limit before you need to start again.

Most dslr auto focus are really noise and slow to adjust. Like 2-5 second to focus in and even then it might not focus on the right thing. And allot of dale don't even support video auto focus. (Unless if your pressing down a button). On the other hand video cameras have such a deep depth of field that nearly everything in the shot is in focus and it will auto focus for you without the need of your pressing down a button.

Unfortunately the 60D does not have a swivel screen, meaning you can't see yourself on the back display if you are in front. So you can move out of frame, or behind the focal point (out of focus).

I own the 60D it has a swivel screen

 

[TheWillBox]

JustSomeGermanDude Nicekid76 Aw yeah, you two are right haha. I was thinking of the 40D.

In that case Grapegirl don't worry about what I mean on outputting to a separate monitor. You can turn that screen around so you can see yourself filming.

 

[Grapegirl]

No[DOUBLEPOST=1371577128,1371577076][/DOUBLEPOST]

Which one?
Personally, I have a 600D, it does really really incredible video and is pretty simple to learn, it might take you a few hours for the basics and you can read a lot of theory online

I'm thinking if its easier then ur might be safer to get the 600D and a good lens.

Does it have autofocus or manual?

And us the fact that I got a pc rather than a mac going to be a problem?

And is this camera good for uploading to YouTube I mean will the quality not be as good when it's on YouTube because of youtube a settings?