Canon T3i Any Good?

[budwzr]

I've been shooting video with a Flip, Playsport, Lumix FZ-35, GoPro, and a Canon G-7. Each one of these has a useful purpose and I will continue to use them.

I'm seriously considering the T3i as the next step in my evolution. I looked at the Nikon equivalent to the T3i, but it cannot do 720p60, max is 30fps in any mode. 720p60 is very important to me, but I'm not ready to move all the way up to the D series yet.

I guess my question is, is the T3i the logical DSLR for me?

[racer-x]

I guess my question is, is the T3i the logical DSLR for me?

Only you can answer that question..............

I own a t2i and like it very much. It can shoot some very impressive video, but it has it's quirks. I mostly use it to shoot stock footage. Never used 60p, mostly used 30p and 24p. The t3i has a few advantages over the t2i like swivel LCD and 3x magnification that can come in handy when you need more zoom, but don't want to change lenses.

If you go with the t3i look up Magic Lantern firmware. It's currently available for the t2i, but will probably be available for the t3i soon. You'll be glad you did.

[budwzr]

OK, thanks. I'm going to go ahead and get it. I don't see anything else out there that I like.

[magillagorilla]

Good luck with the T3i. I've been shooting video with my Nikon D7000 for about 9 months and I get mixed results. The image quality is amazing when I can get it to focus. I have to pull manual focus in low light.

The audio is rough. It's mono and picks up all the motor noise from the lens. In continuous auto-focus the lens clacks and chatters very loudly. This is all depending on your lens. If I do any serious shooting I use an external MIC.

The FPS situation on the T3i is better than my Nikon. I have done some really nice 2 cam shots with the Canon HF100 and the Nikon using a Zoom H2 for remote audio. The Canon HF100 will only do 24p/30p/60i 1080 and the Nikon will do 24p 1080. So I'm stuck shooting 24fps 1080p, which is a bit choppy.

The T3i will give you better shooting options.

[budwzr]

I use an H2 too. I just ordered a hotshoe adapter so I can mount it on the camera and wear headphones.

Yeah, the T3i can do 720p60, but not 720p30, so I guess I just need a bigger SD card. It seems like these big name camera makers think video on a DSLR should be just a token feature so that it doesn't cut into their camcorder sales.

But anyway, I'm glad to be able to finally get control over exposure. Those pocketcams just have a fixed lens, and you can forget about video in low light situations.

If I can figure out a good night exposure for video, without going into the high ISO's, I'll be happy.

[magillagorilla]

"If I can figure out a good night exposure for video, without going into the high ISO's, I'll be happy"

Get a fast prime lens. I have a 50mm that does f1.2. I can shoot in crazy darkness.

Also, sad but true about video being a token feature on DSLRs. My dad is a semi-pro photographer and gets deep and nerdy in the photography forums and has a big circle of photo geek friends. None of them give a crap about video. It's a shame.

I like photographs a lot, but, in my opinion nothing captures a moment like sound and motion. I look forward to better video options on the next gen DSLRs. They really will be the best of both worlds.

I may have to get another camcorder to bridge the gap though. My Canon HF100 is getting long in the tooth and my Nokon d7000 is brand spankin new.

[budwzr]

I may have to get another camcorder to bridge the gap though. My Canon HF100 is getting long in the tooth and my Nokon d7000 is brand spankin new.

If you're slick, you can ditch the old one in the closet and just start using the new one, and the wife probably won't even notice. The body designs are pretty much the same nowadays.

In my case, it wasn't an option, and I had to take the requisite lecture, but it was worth it.

[budwzr]

Hey MG, do you think this lens http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-Camera-Lens/dp/B00007E7JU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=...0217404&sr=8-1 would be OK for low light night shots?

I don't want to spend big bucks, I'll only use it for occasional video.

[lordsmurf]

Even better would be this lens:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009XVCZ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thdifa-20&link...SIN=B00009XVCZ

But if you're on a strict budget, then get this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00007E7JU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thdifa-20&link...SIN=B00007E7JU

Video is definitely a token feature on a Canon, Nikon, etc "big name" SLRs.
If you want 35mm video shooting, and demand quality, get this: http://www.red.com/products/epic
Buy it here: http://www.red.com/store/epic/product/epic-m

I can shoot some nifty short videos (5 minutes each) with a Nikon/Canon body,
and then edit into a short film (5-10 minutes), but that's really about it.

[budwzr]

OK, LS, that was very helpful

Yeah, the 720p60 mode on the t3i is a ridiculous bitrate, like 50 Mbps, and eats up a 16G card in 22 minutes, and there's no 30p, and no lower bitrate.

I'm sure they do that to protect camcorder sales, and figure whoever buys a DSLR is probably more concerned about stills, which is true in my case too.

Well anyway, Magilla was saying that he has a fixed lens that stops down to 1.X, and that he could get great low light video from it. Is spot metering the best way to go on that? I wonder what ISO he's using. I don't think my camera has noise reduction, but I haven't gone through everything yet.

[lordsmurf]

The problem with f/1.x aperature is your depth is down to inches -- if even that. I shoot my 1.8's at 2.8. That's optimal use anyway, providing a sharper image than wide open. Meter as needed, as the content/scene dictates. Lower light = more ISO + wider aperture. My D3s looks pretty nifty well into the 3200 range, with noise not really appearing until the 6400-12800 range.

[racer-x]

Yeah, the 720p60 mode on the t3i is a ridiculous bitrate, like 50 Mbps, and eats up a 16G card in 22 minutes, and there's no 30p, and no lower bitrate.

Well when they get Magic Lantern to work on the t3i, you'll be in business. It has very advanced features like real-time histogram, Zebras, full control over audio and bitrate, among lot's of other cool things..........

I set the bitrate in this clip to 24 Mb/s from stock 48 Mb/s. The quality is still decent and allows you to double your shooting time. It even handles some color grading well. I shot it with Neutral Color Profile w/ -3 saturation and color graded the clip in Virtualdub:

[racer-x]

Here is the link to Magic Lantern Firmware:

http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/550d_install

[budwzr]

Thanks, but it says it's for the 550D, and there's a scary black box warning, and I AM scared.

The 550D is the T2i right? I think what you're saying is to take a look at what it does while waiting for the T3i version, right?

[budwzr]

The problem with f/1.x aperature is your depth is down to inches -- if even that.

I've been looking at the Canon 50mm, so called "Nifty Fifty". Inches? I thought 50mm was about equal to average eyesight.

[budwzr]

Yeah, the 720p60 mode on the t3i is a ridiculous bitrate, like 50 Mbps, and eats up a 16G card in 22 minutes, and there's no 30p, and no lower bitrate.

Well when they get Magic Lantern to work on the t3i, you'll be in business. It has very advanced features like real-time histogram, Zebras, full control over audio and bitrate, among lot's of other cool things..........

I set the bitrate in this clip to 24 Mb/s from stock 48 Mb/s. The quality is still decent and allows you to double your shooting time. It even handles some color grading well. I shot it with Neutral Color Profile w/ -3 saturation and color graded the clip in Virtualdub:

That clip looks great, the colors are awesome. Nice!

[racer-x]

Yeah, the 550d is the same as t2i. Magic Lantern is not yet available for the t3i, but it is under development........

I also have the Canon "nifty fifty" 50mm 1.8 lens. It is a great lens for low light or any light for that mater. It's definitely a good bang for the buck. The only caveat is the cheap plastic mount and very light weight.

I've shot some very impressive video with my t2i + Magic Lantern. I won't post them here, but here is a frame grab showing some nice colors:

[magillagorilla]

Budwzr,
The 50mm will shoot well in low light but it is not an easy lens to work with on video. The focal plane it very short. The idea behind the 50mm is that as it gets cropped by the 4/3 sensor you really get something akin to a 35mm, which is close to human vision. I can't make any specific lens reccomendations for Canon because I shoot Nikon and I am not familiar with Canon lenses.

I assume you got the 18-55mm with your T3i? It stops down to f3.5 with is kind of high for low light. You could always crank up the ISO, but you will get more grain.

Just from the standpoint of a well rounded DSLR kit I would get a 50mm. It's a fun lens and will give you that "out of focus background" look which consumer camcorders cannot produce.

I use the Nikon version of this http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-AF-18-200mm-Aspherical-Canon/dp/B0007WK8MQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=e...0310456&sr=1-5 most of the time.

I can get a near infinite focus when I pull back to 18mm and I have a lot of zoom room when I need it. I tend to let auto focus lock in my subjest then I press the focus lock button to stop the lens motor chatter.

So my grab and go kis is the DSLR, 50mm prime and the 18-200mm.

[budwzr]

I went ahead and ordered it, it's cheap enough. I saw some sample photos, and they were really sharp. I'm sure I'll have fun with it too.

My kit was with the 18-135 lens. I thought the 18-55 was a little too short.

[budwzr]

Well, I received the lens today, so I went out and shot some flowers. All I can say is "WOW". The detail is incredible and the DOF is awesome. It's weird to move myself instead of the zoom ring. I keep wanting to zoom in, hahaha.

I'm going to try that b@st@rd tonight on f1.8.

[budwzr]

@racer-x - So the "Rope Swing" clip was shot with the 50mm?

I fooled around with the 50mm last night, and it's great. Haven't shot video yet. I'm not a "camera buff", so I'm trying to get more familiar with the balancing of ISO, f-stop, and shutter speed.

I see what Smurf was saying about depth going to inches at f1.8. I saw a picture on Amazon taken with the 50mm, that really amazed me, http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61q7QUUzHnL.jpg.

Thanks to all for the advice.

P.S. I don't know who's putting all the cat photos everywhere, but enough is enough!

[racer-x]

@racer-x - So the "Rope Swing" clip was shot with the 50mm?

No, that clip was shot with my Canon 28-135 USM lens, I believe I shot it @ F-6, ISO-400, 1/30 sec or so.......

You can adjust the dept of field with the Aperture. Low number (wide open) = shallow DOF. High number (small open) = deep DOF. You then adjust the exposure via shutter speed.

Might want to go down to the local Library and pick up a book about Photography and exposure.

[racer-x]

Here's a cool clip I shot last night of the full moon. I used my 300 mm lens and tripod:

[magillagorilla]

"I see what Smurf was saying about depth going to inches at f1.8."

Yes, but you can get some really cool footage that you won't get from a consumer camcorder. It really makes your subject pop. Shooting handheld DSLR video can be fun. Your 50mm has infinate zoom when combined with your feet, hardy har har.

Also I made a typo previously, my 50mm is f1.8 not 1.2, though those are available.

I have a lot of time put in with handheld shooting my DSLR. Anything beyond 70mm is nigh impossible to keep stable handheld. In the anti-shake category, DSLR looses to camcorder, no contest. But on a tripod it's different story.

[budwzr]

I want to thank racer-x and everyone else on this thread for putting me onto Magic Lantern. My gawd, that is the BOMB!!!!!

And Magill, I love the 50mm.