7D/T2i for wedding event filming?

[Airwolf]

I'm going to be filming a few weddings for free in the coming months just to get my foot in the door and help out some friends and family. My interest in mostly in narrative work so i've been following the DSLR craze with intent to buy a T2I. I currently own only a HV30. But from what i understand, the 5dmk2, 7D, and T2i can only record 12 minutes of video or so during one shot.

I would think this would be a major problem when filming something such as a wedding ceremony, toast, dance, etc. That goes on longer than 12 minutes. I would not want to have my client's video cut off right before she says "I do"

Are DSLR's not the way to go for weddings, only to be used as a secondary camera? I would just feel kind of silly running around with only my HV30. Thoughts please! Thanks.

[Daniel Rutter]

Been asked a few times already, no doubt. Stick with the HV30 for the longer stuff (such as the 'I do's' and such) and use the T2i or 7D for photos and little tidbits of artsy footage when needed.
I should also mention that I have no experience with shooting weddings, nor shooting with VDSLRs... so this is just a suggestion.

[I C]

This has been asked many, many times.

It's totally up to you. If you can't deal with 12 minute limit, don't use it. If you can't deal with not having auto-focus while recording, don't use it. If you can't deal with the limitations of the audio, don't use it. There ARE limitations.

However, there are people doing amazing things with VDSLRs and weddings. Check out StillMotion on vimeo. Of course, they are a crew of 3-4 people. BUT, that is to say that the hardware itself is NOT the limitation. It's the needs, abilities, budget, etc etc of the videographer. I often use an HV30 for static, wide shot of the ceremony area. It records the whole dagum time. It's often the camera I record the audio on. Then I get in close with the 5d2 or other. The 5d2 just BLOWS AWAY any footage the HV20, 30 can get (I own the cameras, so yes, I know).

Here's what I'm saying. If you're a one man operation, with one camera rolling, VDSLRs are not the way to go right now. If you can have the hv30 rolling the whole time with a wide shot, you can run around with a VDSLR and get some great shots though.

:hv20-smilie77: