Newbie HD-DSLR questions

[HDJedi]

Some newbie questions as i am also looking at the T2i. Appreciate your comments.

1) Lens: I am thinking of buying the Sigma 30mm f1.2.
This is a lens for cropped sensors. If you buy an EF lens which will also fit on the 550D mount, will the quality be less compared to having a lens that is specifically for cropped cams? I wish i could go with an EF cause i later plan to buy a full-frame cam. What EF lens do you like that is close to the Sigma in quality? This will be my first lens with the body.

2) On the prime lenses like a Canon 50mm f1.4, how come they don't have IS? Is this only for zoom lens alone? I can see why you need IS since you are zooming and slight movements is like an earthquake. But still, even with a prime lens, don't you still need some help for being steady especially with video. i don't see IS or am i missing something?

3) Is the MonoPod supposed to be a 'cheaper' alternative to a Steadicam? I can see using a Tripod if you have to record at long lengths like a timelapse, but what is the main use of a monopod? How do you use it? I like the lite weight and vertical possibilities. Is the monopod considered a solution for run/gun type of shooting?

[Seo]

1) No, the quality will be the same. I prefer FX lenses because I can use them on FX cameras, instead of being limited to DX cams (although a Nikon cam can adjust and crop their sensors to shoot with DX lenses). Since you're shooting Canon, dump the Sigma and get the superior Canon EF 28mm f1.8 USM for a lower price.

2) I'm actually not quite sure. I presume it's because 50mm doesn't need IS. I'm not sure IS operates during video, though.

3) No, a monopod is a lightweight, portable version of a tripod. I mostly see photographers using it, but with the recent DSLRs, tripods and similar methods of stabilization have gone the way of the dodo (in most scenarios).

[SanVa]

2) IS works during video and it is a must for hand held and even for panning in some cases. It is not on most primes because those lenses are designed for stills and you really don't need it unless you are dealing with long focals (tele), and even less so if the lens is fast.

3) the monopod is not really an alternative to anything but it is a basic improvement over completely hand held. It does not take much to understand how it affects the quality of your footage. With short segments and some slow motion it becomes sustainable, or at least that's how most of the people use it. Even in this case it makes more sense if you think of it as a still photography tool. A tripod is very much needed with the vdsrl, considering the rolling shutter issues, not as much for stills.

[Seo]

Always turn off IS on a tripod. If it's a good one, IS will only ruin your shots. Another thing that's shows how these things aren't made for video use. All video cameras have some form or another of image stabilization, while only Sony's DSLRs have IS built into the camera itself.

[HDJedi]

Need to correct what i said earlier.

1) The Sigma 30mm is f1.4 and is an EF lens (not EF-S).
So, it is compatible with 5D and 7D/550D. So, i am leaning on that more but i will check out the Canon 28mm 1.8 you suggested Seo.

2) Ok, it seems to be as i thought. Its just for Telephoto lens. But you still need some kind of stabilizer then handheld. Just wondering.

3) Ok. Yeah, for short duration shots, it should be ideal. Its light and not as cumbersome as a tripod. You can add a fluid head for pans. And i've seen it used where the bottom part can be put in a fanny-pak kind of emulating a Steady-Cam. The price is another attractive thing. I guess it should be good for any still shots and just short durations. So, in some way, you might not need a run/gun setup even though those like Zacuto is more comfortable and less cumbersome in comparison.

[I C]

Always turn off IS on a tripod. If it's a good one, IS will only ruin your shots. Another thing that's shows how these things aren't made for video use. All video cameras have some form or another of image stabilization, while only Sony's DSLRs have IS built into the camera itself.

Hmm, I disagree here. I own the 5d2, and recently did some shooting at a local Zoo. I used exclusively the 100-400 4.5-5.6 IS. Leaving the IS on, ON the tripod, allowed for some incredibly good shots. I'd say leave IS on all the time for video. The only downside of the IS is that it's noisy if you're using the onboard mic, but... who is honestly using the onboard mic and not expecting it to be crap anyways? :)

[cornreaper]

You don't find that the IS fights you every step of the way during a pan?

[I C]

1) Lens: I am thinking of buying the Sigma 30mm f1.2. This is a lens for cropped sensors. If you buy an EF lens which will also fit on the 550D mount, will the quality be less compared to having a lens that is specifically for cropped cams? I wish i could go with an EF cause i later plan to buy a full-frame cam. What EF lens do you like that is close to the Sigma in quality? This will be my first lens with the body.

No. Actually, you may see some slight improvements (MAYBE). The EF lens is designed to work with full frame bodies, so when you use it on a crop sensor, you're less likely to see issues with corner sharpness and chromatic abberation as you might see on a crop sensor lens. To get a better idea of what I'm saying, look at pictures taken with EF fisheye lenses on crop sensor bodies. The disortion is significantly less, because it is only using the middle area of the lens. Likewise, this is also why you multiple your focal length by 1.6 when using a crop body.


2) On the prime lenses like a Canon 50mm f1.4, how come they don't have IS? Is this only for zoom lens alone? I can see why you need IS since you are zooming and slight movements is like an earthquake. But still, even with a prime lens, don't you still need some help for being steady especially with video. i don't see IS or am i missing something?

The reason is because many primes are "fast". They can go to low apertures, typically f2.8 or below. And most of the time, if you can go so low on aperture, you're not gonna need IS nearly as much, simply because you don't have to take your shutter speed to ridiculously low settings. Since these lenses were designed for STILLS, there wouldn't be much reason to add IS. Some of the longer focal length lenses, 100mm+ have IS because the amount of shake is greatly exaggerated at that far a zoom.


3) Is the MonoPod supposed to be a 'cheaper' alternative to a Steadicam? I can see using a Tripod if you have to record at long lengths like a timelapse, but what is the main use of a monopod? How do you use it? I like the lite weight and vertical possibilities. Is the monopod considered a solution for run/gun type of shooting?

A monopod should in no way be compared to a steadicam. Ever. Now, I know people that use tripods or monopods to "steady" their footage, but it should NOT be thought of as a steadicam alternative. A steady cam attempts to balance a camera and isolate it from your body. Most steadicams employ a gimbal or other axis upon which the balanced camera freely sits. This way the camera is much less affected by body shake. It ALSO adds a great deal of weight to your camera. Because of the laws of enertia, it takes a much greater shake to have as big an impact when your rig is heavier. Most monopods are specifically design to be lightweight, so they don't do much to help. Also, putting the camera on a monopod and then holding the monopod does NOT isolate you from the camera. You are basically holding onto a long extension of the camera, so still plenty of movement transferred up the tube into the camera.

A monopod is a good choice if you are doing a static, or semi-static shot, and your only other choice is handheld. It should greatly reduce your up and down shake. It is definitely a good tool to have, since it's much easier to set up than a tripod (sometimes). I've used monopods on my HDSLR during weddings just so I wasn't distracting with a huge tripod every time. If you MUST use the monopod in an attempt at a steadycam movement, hold it with your thumb, pointer, and middle finger, just beneath where the camera is attach to the monopod. You may need to leave the monopod as extended as is feasible to add counterbalance. This trick normally works better with a tripod (more legs, more counterbalance), and is often called the "flying tripod". You can sometimes get smoother results than hand-held doing this, just don't expect miracles.

[I C]

You don't find that the IS fights you every step of the way during a pan?

Not particularly, no. Sometimes on extremely slow pans that are zoomed all the way in, maybe. Other than that, no.

[HDJedi]

Wow, IC, thanks for the clarification/education!

Was just wondering if you like the Sigma i mentioned for a first lens?



A monopod should in no way be compared to a steadicam. Ever. Now, I know people that use tripods or monopods to "steady" their footage, but it should NOT be thought of as a steadicam alternative.

A monopod is a good choice if you are doing a static, or semi-static shot, and your only other choice is handheld. It should greatly reduce your up and down shake. It is definitely a good tool to have, since it's much easier to set up than a tripod (sometimes). I've used monopods on my HDSLR during weddings just so I wasn't distracting with a huge tripod every time. If you MUST use the monopod in an attempt at a steadycam movement, hold it with your thumb, pointer, and middle finger, just beneath where the camera is attach to the monopod. You may need to leave the monopod as extended as is feasible to add counterbalance. This trick normally works better with a tripod (more legs, more counterbalance), and is often called the "flying tripod". You can sometimes get smoother results than hand-held doing this, just don't expect miracles.

Ok, so the steadycam comparison is a real stretch. Its more comparable to a basic tripod in functionality. So there are 2 points in the road then. 1 way goes the direction of SteadyCam for stabilization. The 2nd way is going via the Zacuto or Gorilla/run-gun setup. I usually see people have one or the other unless you just want everything. Is this also a right way of looking at a stabilizing rig or setup choice?

[I C]

Ok, so the steadycam comparison is a real stretch. Its more comparable to a basic tripod in functionality. So there are 2 points in the road then. 1 way goes the direction of SteadyCam for stabilization. The 2nd way is going via the Zacuto or Gorilla/run-gun setup. I usually see people have one or the other unless you just want everything. Is this also a right way of looking at a stabilizing rig or setup choice?

Well, honestly they are used for different tasks, or more specifically, different shots. I'll use your two categories:

SteadyCam: A SteadyCam is really intended for moving shots. It is intended to "steady" your movement as you track along with a subject, or follow a path. Check out "StillMotion" on vimeo for some wedding vids with great examples of good SteadyCam usage. I own a SteadyCam style device, the Glidecam HD-2000. Check out a video I shot on vimeo... Glidecam HD2000 with Canon 5d mark ii TEST on Vimeo for an example of what SteadyCam is used for. On the other hand, it's not a hard and fast rule. This video... Tennessee Aquarium on Vimeo was also shot entirely on the steadycam. No tripod, monopod, nothing. All shot on the Glidecam HD-2000. As you can tell, I'm a big fan.

Zacuto/Guerilla: I personally am not a fan of these setups. I do own some carbon fiber rails and follow focus etc, etc, etc. But I RARELY use this setup. Why? Because it limits you to standing still while shooting. If the camera is on your shoulder, then as SOON as you start shooting, your footage bobs up and down. Now, if you're shooting something where you don't need lots of movement, that may be fine. But I do a LOT of tracking and movement etc. IMO, the gorilla style rigs are FAR over-rated, with everyone wanting rails, follow-focus, mattebox, huge mic, blah blah blah. It's highly superfluous for many things. For a feature film? Sure, go for it. For many other applications? Totally unnecessary.

BUT, that is my personal preference. Like I prefaced with, this is all dependant on WHAT you will be shooting. If you are doing news interview type stuff, a Zacuto guerilla style-rig is great (although the Zacuto stuff is WAY overpriced, even though it is very durable). You can stand there and easily AIM the camera in the correct orientation, while it is securely on your shoulder. BALANCING is huge here. You typically will need counterbalance weights (a big battery or just plain weights) on the back to counter the camera's weight. Otherwise, all the weight of the camera is sitting out on your hands, not on your shoulders. That's a big deal for steadyness and endurance.

Anyways, hope that helps.

[HDJedi]

Thanks for sharing those videos. I like that the Glidecam has a reasonable starting price-point and you can add modular components. With the T2i, as a lightweight cam, i bet even the 2000 would be good enough. With the bodypod, couldn't this almost be a guerilla solution as well? Trying to make the most with the buck. But at least i know what cam and lens to get. I have a tripod which is good enough for now. Not a Miller but it'll do the job for still position so the Glidecam is appealing. The Tiffens are out of reach for me now. Would rather get more lenses. I did meet one of the guys from StillMotion and attended a Same Day Edit workshop. So, yeah, their stuff blew me away.