First real experience with DSLR shoot.

[Dr. Benway]

I'm probably going to go with the GH2.

My God! I looked up the GH2 price here in Thailand (59,000 Thai baht). A body-only 5D MKII is only slightly more expensive. I was surprised but the GH2 is a very nice camera and at that price it does come with the 14-40mm lens.

[azmyth]

Adoarama camera and BH[hoto both had the 14-42 kit for 699.. but that sale ended yesterday and they were both out of stock anyway. Ticks me off that I missed it. Oh well it will give me more time to research this banding issue. I'm sure they will go on sale again right after Christmas.

Drape I agree 100% I'm just in a position where I could have either gotten a T3i, or chose another camera with more features I'd use. Had it not been for all the issues I had with my t2i I wouldn't have even been searching.

[MalfunctioningHuman]

I second that. That's why I'm fine with my T2i at the moment. I can't afford anything better at the moment and I'm please with the results.
It's a tool, you simply have to know how to use it and you'll get the job done properlly.

True words. These cams are all extremely capable. Each one has its strengths and weaknesses. But I've seen amazing footage coming out of every single one of them. And even the good old HV40. What discouraged me with the HV40 was the workflow (importing from tape.)

[drapeama]

These cams are all extremely capable. [..] What discouraged me with the HV40 was the workflow (importing from tape.)

1) Of course! Every camera can work well and produce decent picture quality, some requires more work. Same applies for camcorder with DOF adapter: I achieved some nice and decent footage using one but the more work is what generally discourage people.
2) That's a bit longer and require more work, that's for sure. There's always the costs of the tapes and all...but: once recorded, it's already backup'd! I rencently found that I deleted some footage I've shot using the T2i...and I didn't have a backup of it elsewhere.
Personally, I still prefer the workflow of the HV40, the ease of use when editing (compared to AVCHD files) is priceless!

[azmyth]

Lets put that to the test. Whats the most "cinematic" "movie like" film you've seen done with the T2i?

[drapeama]

Lets put that to the test. Whats the most "cinematic" "movie like" film you've seen done with the T2i?

Why arguing and debating on that? We could do the same about the GH2: there's some amazing videos and some others are just crap...like with anything else...

[azmyth]

Its not to start an argument. I know that its capable. I personally was just curious as to what the most cinematic piece thats been shot with the T2i is, that might be available for vewing online.

[MalfunctioningHuman]

1) Of course! Every camera can work well and produce decent picture quality, some requires more work. Same applies for camcorder with DOF adapter: I achieved some nice and decent footage using one but the more work is what generally discourage people.
2) That's a bit longer and require more work, that's for sure. There's always the costs of the tapes and all...but: once recorded, it's already backup'd! I rencently found that I deleted some footage I've shot using the T2i...and I didn't have a backup of it elsewhere.
Personally, I still prefer the workflow of the HV40, the ease of use when editing (compared to AVCHD files) is priceless!

Yes, I understand your point about the backup. As far as editing goes, you can get very efficient editing with the GH2 if you use the hack with GOP1, as you can pretty much seek randomly into your movie with no delay (each frame is a separate indexable unit.) The problem is that the files are huge.

Drapeama, do you use Premiere to edit? I keep hearing great things about Premiere Pro CS5.5. Apparently, with the right graphics card you can render faster than realtime. I've done some research and it looks like a $1,200 laptop would be good enough. Just have to make sure to check that the graphics card is compatible with the optimizations.

[azmyth]

I used CS5.5 now but don't have the graphics card to utilize its full potential. That shall change soon here though.

[drapeama]

Drapeama, do you use Premiere to edit? I keep hearing great things about Premiere Pro CS5.5.

No, still using Vegas 8.0 (tried Vegas 11 and doesn't change much). It's heavy demanding on the CPU but I'm more confortable with the interface and functions of Vegas.
I've used Premiere only for the wedding I've done back in September and it was basic due to the fact I'm not much used to it. But even with my Nvidia GT430 GPU (being one of the lowest GPU available) it didn't change much on the acceleration. The merkury engine worth the experience though: faster than Vegas. But overall I prefer Vegas for editing. For anything else (VFX) After Effects remains the best.

[krewcial]

@ azmyth, check stillmotionblog.com. A lot of their wedding videos are shot with both a 5D and a 7D (which is identical to the T2i).

[azmyth]

thanks. I'll check it out. As of this moment though I've purchased a GH2 with kit lens.

So I shall be giving a full review, and doing some tests with it and hopefully shooting my next feature with it.

[drapeama]

Its not to start an argument. I know that its capable. I personally was just curious as to what the most cinematic piece thats been shot with the T2i is, that might be available for vewing online.

Ok! I'd like to see that too.

[Dr. Benway]

So I shall be giving a full review, and doing some tests with it and hopefully shooting my next feature with it.

Excellent.

[drapeama]

Excellent.

A review would definitively be excellent, even if I'm fine with the T2i at the moment and that I don't plan to "upgrade" to another body or changing the whole camera at all any soon. Just curious.

[azmyth]

Yep. I should have it in 2-3 days.

Was lucky enough to find someone who had purchased 2 during adorama and BHphotos's 699 sale.

I just picked up the GH2 + kit lens for a low low price. Brand new in box, still with warranty and the ability to be returned to adorama (where it was purchased).

Can't wait to get it. This is gonna be huge for the cranes shots I have planned for my new film. HD monitor goodness. I'm gonna need recommendations on good, "semi portable" "reasonable" HD monitors.. lilliput? I've heard good things about those.

[drapeama]

Yep. I should have it in 2-3 days. [...] I'm gonna need recommendations on good, "semi portable" "reasonable" HD monitors.. lilliput? I've heard good things about those.

1) Good, can't wait to read it!
2) Lilliput are certainly a good choice for the price, unless you'd want something more, at something like the double of the Lilliput's price (Marshall HD and all).

[jet]

thanks. I'll check it out. As of this moment though I've purchased a GH2 with kit lens.

So I shall be giving a full review, and doing some tests with it and hopefully shooting my next feature with it.

The kit lens is fine for general outdoor[its slow]run of the mill filming it has vg AF ,for making films like i suspect you hope to do with the GH2 it may not,ill be interested though.With the update and the new high bit rate quality is great for me and i have not bothered hacking.

[Dr. Benway]

at something like the double of the Lilliput's price (Marshall HD and all).

Like SmallHD:

http://www.smallhd.com/site/home.html

[krewcial]

Lilliput offers great monitors.
I got myself the 5" (http://www.coollcd.com/5-hd-field-mo...liput-569_c919) and I use it way more than my 8.9" Manhattan LCD (which I just sold).

The 7" version costs the same, so you can choose the size you feel most comfortable with. If you plan on using it on a crane, go for the 7", if you also want to use it on a shoulder mount or for run & gun stuff, go for the 5".

Getting perfect focus is no problem whatsoever on the 5".

[Almohada]

I'd use a computer monitor and save some bucks.

[azmyth]

I'd use a computer monitor and save some bucks.

do they make really small computer monitors?

5" to 7" is going to be about the right size

[krewcial]

a computer monitor introduces other problems : it's a lot bigger and heavier and means you'll to need to provide (and budget !) external power, most probably not possible with small batteries.
the Lilliput's can be powered with Sony batteries that you might already have (for your LED lights for example).
if you're doing real movies like azmyth, I think a small monitor is one of the wisest investments.
I don't see how you'd use a computer monitor for shoulder shots or run & gun stuff LOL

[drapeama]

Lilliput offers great monitors.

I'm using a 619ah and it works well for pretty much everything. It's enough for focusing with a DOF adapter and in low light it's a life saver. For the price I've paid (130$ shipped in the end) it was a steal. Battery included.

I'd use a computer monitor and save some bucks.

I've did the same when indoor:

It gives you a better and bigger display, as long as you can plug it somewhere and that it doesn't requires movement: one important point to consider if you plan to go with a desktop monitor. Other than this, small LCD monitor are great, versatile and very useful for pretty much all purposes.

[Dr. Benway]

I'd use a computer monitor and save some bucks.