Cheap Canon Video SLR

[amtaylor]

I do product photography for a company and they have asked me to do some hi def video, of someone using ladderless window cleaning. I use a 5d and a 50d at the mo so I don't have video but I have some L series lenses. I'm wondering if a 450d second hand would be a good option as I'm looking at getting paid 300-400 for the work and I need to get the camera and something like adobe premiere elements for the money. I'm not well versed in the video features of SLRs so I'm wondering if it is a good option of to try and get the 500D or something else. I can't really afford more than 400 for the lot.

Any suggestions would be great

 

[Chris Y]

You could try a 60D... Bit out of budget but perhaps a good investment moving forward? Is the extra £250 achievable if it would bring in more work?

 

[amtaylor]

Not really at the moment. I'm not going to do much is the way of video I don't think. How much difference is there is in the video?

 

[amtaylor]

Just realised its the 500d that does bid not the 450. My bad

 

[Chris Y]

The video is impressive and if you search for some clips on the tube it gives some good results..

But £ is £ at the end of the day..

 

[Skyline On Fire]

Any canon DSLR with video will do you good, other than the 500D.

The 500D has limited frame rates, including only 20fps at 1080 etc...

The 550D, 60D and 7D all have identical video modes, with the exception of ISO performance (7D being best, 550D being worst) And I believe the 550D and 60D have the ability to use digital zoom to shoot 10x in 480p. Dont quote me on that though.

 

[amtaylor]

The other idea I've had is to sell my 50d and pay the extra for a 7d and then I would seem to win all round. That would appear to be best value for money as I don't really need 3 camera bodies. What does everyone think of that idea?

 

[Chris Y]

Yep could be a winner, you only have 2 hands

 

[itsdavedotnet]

make sure to budget for a microphone (if needed) and a fluid head tripod...

 

[hollis_f]

How about one of those cheap Flip video cameras? £140 gets the latest HD one with image stabilisation. It'll shoot 720p at 50 fps.

Only downside is the fixed-focus lens. But that might be advantageous compared to the manual focussing needed with a dSLR.

 

[amtaylor]

How about one of those cheap Flip video cameras? £140 gets the latest HD one with image stabilisation. It'll shoot 720p at 50 fps.

Only downside is the fixed-focus lens. But that might be advantageous compared to the manual focussing needed with a dSLR.

I don't think its really up to the standard of doing it for work. And it looks pretty unprofessional too. But thanks for the suggestion

 

[hollis_f]

I don't think its really up to the standard of doing it for work.

These videos, for knowthenet.org, were done using the previous model of the Flip.

 

[amtaylor]

These videos, for knowthenet.org, were done using the previous model of the Flip.

It has to be 1080p and will be going up on a big screen at the NEC so it really isn't up to it for what I need it for.