What to do?

[Dave McCormick]

I am saving up and will have around £700 in a few weeks saved and not quite sure what to get. I am currently working on a series of episodes I'll post on youtube that are about butterflies and moths and wondering what the best option to do is, upgrade my Canon 500D to a 600D (might not have enough for 60D) or get a high quality 1080p HD video camera?

I love the photography of the 500D and not so concerned about that, but if I could get better photography experience as well, would be great. Basically I am currently using my Canon 500D to get videos of landscapes and people as its lacks manual features and a JVC everio (forget make) which I use to get close up videos (its not that great, quality isn't the best) and its only 720p

So I would like to get the best video quality I can get for my money so would a upgrade of my Canon 500D be the best option here? The lens option is one good point as I could use my Sigma 105mm Macro for videos of insects.

Is there much difference between 550 and 600D or as I was thinking, should I get 60D? I know it was mentioned before but its at the top end of my budget and since I am moving house at the end of August, need to save a little for new house so was wondering if the 600D might suit instead?

I want to make these videos 1080p HD and render them both in normal 1080p HD and in 3D as well (I have Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11 which allows you to render normal videos in 3D and all you need is blue/red glasses to watch them)

The videos I want to create, each will focus on something else to do with lepidoptera. One could be about habitats (forests, lakes, meadows, coasts etc...) another could focus on courtship, another about early stages, one on particular species and one on moth trapping etc...

Can anyone help?

Video here of what I am doing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECOpoFEiop8[/video]

[Vince Massimo]

Can't help with camera advice I'm afraid Dave, but I thought that was a cracking video and particularly well edited

Cheers,

Vince

[MikeOxon]

I suggest you need to decide first whether you are primarily into video or still photography. A DLSR is not an ideal video camera so, if video is your thing, then look for a proper videocam.

If you want to stick with DSLR photography, I would look at your lenses before the camera body. Good quality lenses will make a bigger difference than changing the camera body and prove a better long-term investment.

It's much more money but a large-sensor videocam, such as the SonyNEX-VG10 would do high-class video and stand in as a pretty good stills camera too - probably better than a DSLR is at stand-in video.

Mike.

[Dave McCormick]

Cheers Vince Most of that video was shot in one day, exception of the rabbit, violet and frog which were filmed at different times. Have a USB keyboard so made the music for it in around 2 hours.

Hi Mike,

I am into photography and ever since I got my 500D back from getting fixed, I have noticed that it doesn't work right (going to complain as I wanted to get the dust cleaned out of it, and it came back with some dust still on the sensor and mirror) the battery keeps dying easily too. I have a Tamron 18-200mm IF macro lens (not so good), Sigma 105mm Macro and a couple other canon lenses, but I think a good video camera would be best, especially at the moment. I am happy with Canon 500Ds photography quality just have to get mine fixed properly.

So I think the best way to go would be a 1080p video camera as your right Mike, a DSLR isn't a video camera, its a camera with a video mode. Just need advice on what video camera to get as I want one that could shoot close-up macro video and have the quality and preferable, a good optical zoom (as mine has a x40 optical zoom but the quality isn't very good at full zoom) the SonyNEX-VG10 is a bit too much for me though.

[Dave McCormick]

I was just out to put my moth trap out in a old oak/beech forest about a mile from here and had to walk the whole way. I only brought my JVC video camera and happened to see my first common blue of the year (a female).

This is when it came to me, I would have liked to have photographed it. I like photography a lot (have done since I was about 8-9 years old) and although I do want to take videos for my series of videos for youtube, I liked the idea of being able to switch from movie mode to taking a video with the Canon 500D, the lack of manual video controls sort of put me of that idea, but since I would take more photos than videos, I think I'd prefer a camera upgrade now as it would make the best sense as I could take a video of the subject then easily switch to getting a photograph of it without having to switch cameras (I find that annoying at the moment). Also with the camera movie mode, I can get more lenses in future and switch them whereas a video camera, you can't.

I can still use the JVC everio which isn't that bad, its quality is good (not as good as I'd like though), has time lapse and motion detection modes.

I am thinking of Canon 600D but don't know if there is much difference between it and 550D, and I have not used 550D so would like to know the photographic quality of the 550D and I have seen the videos it can produce and happy with the features.

[MikeOxon]

Hi Dave,

I'm pleased to hear that you are homing in on a decision.

I have always been a stills photographer and have rather avoided video, as it seems a very different game.

If your current camera isn't working properly then it's almost certainly better to replace it, since repairs are always expensive and often not satisfactory (as you have already found!) I have heard other stories of sensors being dirtier after repair than before, so I plucked up courage and now clean my own - it's not that difficult! (I show how I do it on my website)

Afraid I can't advise you on Canon DSLRs as I don't use them - just look for the features you need and don't pay more for things you don't!.

Mike

[Dave McCormick]

Thanks Mike,

I have wanted to upgrade my camera for ages and now that I have the money and the fact my current one is not working right, seems best time. I initially decided to clean the dust out of the camera and that's how I made dust worse and had to send it to be cleaned. I do want to try getting better photos in future, getting better but still learning. I still have my Canon 400D that I can use in mean time which I can use easily and know inside out.

Read some reviews that say 550D users shouldn't upgrade to 600D but I only have 500D and may be better to upgrade to 600D than 550D. Still have time to think about everything though.

[Dave McCormick]

Well won't be getting the camera for a couple of days and so thought about this:

Canon 600D (Body) + battery grip + Canon 50mm f/1.8 II lens. I already have a good macro (Sigma 105mm EX DG) so if I do want to use this to film some things, the 50mm lens could come in handy, plus it could be a handy macro lens, haven't seen too many photos taken with it so not sure how its quality is but have read good reviews.

Just need a tripod for now, can anyone advise a good one? My current one is a Hama star 61, don't like the head much, its a bit heavy to lug around long distances though and only want to use it for indoor photography and need one for outdoor use. I did see a tripod once, but no way would I get it, it was like it was made of lead or something.

[MikeOxon]

I'm not a fan of tripods for mobile subjects, as I find them too restrictive. I use a Manfrotto 694CX monopod, with a quick-release ball head, and find it extremely versatile.

I think price is a good guide to tripods, as cheap models use plastic components, which fail in time. Look for solid metal locks, metal or carbon-fibre legs, and a sturdy head. If you want to use it for video, you'll want an oil-damped head.

For specialised uses, I have a Benbo Trekker tripod, which has waterproof lower legs and can work right down to ground level, even when in a bog! The Benbo does have a mind of its own, like a pile of unruly gas piping but, once tamed, it is exceptionally capable.

I have a compatible quick-release head on the Benbo, so that I can switch quickly between tripod and monopod.

Mike

[Dave McCormick]

Thanks Mike. I am in bogs and wet places quite a lot so something that can handle that would suit best. I have a monopod which I find quite useful, as you say, a tripod is no good for fast moving subjects or moving subjects that don't sit long. Benbo Trekker tripod might work for me, I go to bogs, costal areas, wet meadows, lakes, fens and damp woodland often and seem like a good option sine it has waterproof legs.