Filming Wedding with T3i vs T2i

[Lunchbox]

Just finished a 14-hour wedding yesterday using T3i for the first time. I upgraded two of my T2i to two T3i for these reasons (I don't want to deal with the ML heck),

- Manual audio control
- 3x Digital zoom
- Articulating LCD screen

I am so please to report,

I have RODE VideoMic connected to the camera. One time I didn't plug in the cord tight enough. Some of the clips has one side audio, and some where just empty. Now I am able to view the audio meter display through the Menu screen and be able to turn off audio AGC. The sound recorded in T2i gets worst when picking up sound from loud speakers. Now I can adjust the recording level to avoid any clipping.

The 3x Digital Zoom is the best feature (sorry 60D owners . It requires a few button clicks to get to it. However, I already trained myself to switch quickly between normal setting and digital zoom. With the 3X digital zoom, I can get good range even with my Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 lens, from wide angle view to close ups. For example, at Cake Cutting, I can get a full view including the bride and groom and the cake table. Then I can switch to a good close up when they feed each other. Very happy with the result.



The articulating LCD screen makes shooting a lot easier. Doesn't have to be on eye-level all the time. I can raise the tripod center column goes above everybody's head and still be able to see the LCD screen without much guessing. When I use the slider, I have rotate the LCD screen to the angle where I can see the view clearly.

Lastly, there isn't any single incident of overheating all day at all.

So my next step is to sell my third T2i and replace it with another T3i on Merlin. I am thinking of selling my Canon 70-200mm F2.8L. =)

[drapeama]

Looks nice and promising Taky. Can't wait to see what I can do with your Old T2i later this summer.

[mt648]

Hey Taky, are still using your XHA1 for weddings or just the dslr's now?

[kaydawgy]

Having the swivel screen on anykind of steadycam is so much nicer. I have my 60d on a Glidecam HD2000 and it flies so much easier cuz you can angle the screen so you can have a beter view of what yer shooting.

[Lunchbox]

I'm using all DSLR now. I have a XHA1s for sale. Interseted?

[Havanatown]

Taky - what kind of cards did you use to record that wedding? And how often were you swapping the cards?

[Lunchbox]

I bought 16 Sandisk 16GB Class 6. They are more expensive than Transcend or ADATA. But I only trust SanDisk for wedding jobs. Don't want to come home with corrupted SD cards.

They only hold about 45 minutes of full HD video./

That was my thought process. I was first thinking of buying a netbook.
http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?3...hlight=netbook

[Havanatown]

Oh wow, Thanks for sharing! One more question for you, the T3i can record more than 15 mins. at a time now? I've been reading all on here that the T2i could only do 15 mins. Or did I miss a thread?

[drapeama]

I bought 16 Sandisk 16GB Class 6.

Class 6 cards are fast enough?

[STUDIO32MID]

Taky, how much is your Xha1 going for? So if the dslr records for 15mins how do you cover a 2 hr program- switch 4 memory cards?

[antman]

I agree, I got rid of my t2i a while back for the t3i. It's a much nicer cam if your not into hacking firmware, which im not. The t3i is a bit beefier feeling than the t2i, and with the battery grip it feels more like a 7d. Love the manuel audio, and swivel screen, those two features are enough to warrant the upgrade in my eyes.

If you dont have the extra cash for the t3i, and dont have any issues with firmware hacking, then yeah, get the t2i. Otherwise for me it's a no brainer.

[antman]

Class 6 cards are fast enough?

Class 4 are fast enough. I have a 16 gig class 10, and a 16 gig class 4. Every once in a while when using the class 10, I get the little meter pop up on the rt side of the screen showing it's buffering. I have never got it with the class 4. And have never had one single issue when using class 4. The only thing I can think of is the class 10 my offload the data quicker. But as far as writing speed goes, no difference what so ever.

[cgbier]

Antman, Antman, hmmm, that names rings a distant bell.

How you've been doing? You still need that jungle footage?

[cgbier]

Sorry, Taky...

[antman]

Antman, Antman, hmmm, that names rings a distant bell.

How you've been doing? You still need that jungle footage?

Mr. Cg Bier. One of my fav hv20com members. Been doing good. At the present I don't but thanks for asking. How are you? Are you still out in the Pacific?

[cgbier]

Yeah, still out there... and will be for quite a while. If you ever need that footage, you know where to find me.

glad you're doing fine. We missed you around.

[antman]

Thanks man. I dont blame you, I would stay as long as I could to. Did you get any waves from the earthquake in Japan? Or are you to far away?

[cgbier]

We were in the middle of the tsunami path - 2500 miles south of Tokyo, but as we are surrounded by the deepest waters in the world (Marianas Trench) there was no wave at all.

Was more media scare for the gullible than anything else. At least the Feds paid for our "Tsunami Shelter this way" signs....

[antman]

Ok, I have better visual now, I just watched a show on the Marianas trench. Wasn't aware thats right where your at. Thats got to be a little relief knowing your protcected somewhat. As soon as I saw it I fired off a Pm to Huey to make sure he swas alright, which I was glad to see he was.

[cgbier]

Huey? We have a saying in German "Unkraut vergeht nicht" (you can't kill off weeds)..... He was my first thought also when that story broke loose, though.

[Janke]

Class 6 cards are fast enough?

Even Transcend Class 6 cards work in my T2i, provided they are freshly formatted. If a card is fragmented (has many deleted files), recording may stall.

Class 4 are fast enough. I have a 16 gig class 10, and a 16 gig class 4. Every once in a while when using the class 10, I get the little meter pop up

Strange, because Class 10 is way faster than Class 4, and should work even when fragmented. . What brand is the Class 10?

[antman]

It says "Delkin" Onit, Never heard them before. I bought it with the gh2 in Boston. I got ripped off, paid way to much, But live and learn.

[cgbier]

I have a bunch of Delkins for my still cam. They are actually one of the better ones. Got caught by a counterfeit?

[Lunchbox]

Oh wow, Thanks for sharing! One more question for you, the T3i can record more than 15 mins. at a time now? I've been reading all on here that the T2i could only do 15 mins. Or did I miss a thread?

It's about 12 minutes but not 15 minutes. It's the limitation of the 4GB file size limit at FAT32. So it applies to T3i too.

[Lunchbox]

Class 6 cards are fast enough?

Class 6 is fast enough, not Class 4.