From the category archives:

550D

Getting Started With DSLR Video

August 24, 2010 · 13 comments

8 Simple steps for getting started with DSLR video.

Alex Maximov recently messaged me with this question:

“I am getting into DSLR stuff and I am thinking of buying Rebel t2i camera.
What would be your advice for me as a beginning cinematographer?…”

I have been receiving a lot of emails from people asking where to start with learning DSLR video. This guide is my answer to those interested in getting started. This is also the process that got me started.

Read the full article →

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Comparing Canon HDSLRs

February 9, 2010 · 0 comments

This morning I saw Planet5D’s comparison chart between the 55oD, 7D, 5D, and 1D. Here are a few of the differences (pertaining to video) Between the 550D and the 7D.

  • Price (duh) is half of the 7D and a third of the 5D.
  • No weather proofing vs. the 7D’s tough body build and weather proofing, which we discussed here.
  • Weight of 1.2lbs (520 grams) vs. 7D’s 1.9lbs (860 grams), which for us heavier is good on these cameras.

So aside from the physical the 550D is the little camera that could. All that remains to be seen is how it will handle temperature and how well recording on SD cards will go.

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Canon 550D Rebel T2i: Things to Consider

February 8, 2010 · 5 comments

Today Canon announced the Canon EOS 550D. You can read the press release here.

Specifications

Spec-wise the T2i almost identically matches the 7D’s video specs.

  • 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
  • Full 1080p Video Recording
  • 24, 25 30 and 50 (720p), 60 (720p) Frame Rates
  • ISO 100-6400 (Expansion to 12800)
  • 3.0 Screen
  • External Microphone socket
  • Movie crop function

Read the press release and a pre-production review here.

Build Quality

One factor that really stands out is looking at the design and build of the T2i. Look at the back of the camera there is a noticeable difference from the other HDSLRs. The biggest is the buttons. Canon has removed the scroll wheel and inserted buttons. The second big difference in the material of the body. More plastic and less mag-alloy material.

Back of 7D

Back of 550D

Incredible Possibilities (Most important)

While this camera is not perfect (None is), it has an incredible potential. First of all $800 bucks are you kidding me! If you have been griping about this camera because you already own a 7D (me included), shut up and by one! If you already have a HDSLR this makes a perfect B camera. and if you don’t have a HDSLR what are you waiting for!?

This is the perfect interview/documentary tool. for the price of 1 5D you could pick up 3 550D’s! If one overheats grab one of the others. Its a no brainer! I would highly recommend you go over to Prolost and read Stu Maschwitz’s The Revenge of no excuses post. Stu makes a lot of good points on this camera and its impact.

Finally this is great news for indie filmmakers. To be able to shoot video at this quality for such a low price is great. Sure we will be seeing 10 times more crap on Vimeo than we already do, but I am happy to see an outlet for creatives to affordably shoot great images, which will hopefully spark an interest to become better storytellers.

Canon 550D Sample Video:

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