T2i/550d retails for under $1000.

The pros of DSLRs is the control you have over the image, and the quality of said image. Shallow depth of field and manual focus is a dream come true. Likewise, manual exposure and aperture adjustments are all there. Changing lenses allows for even greater control. As well, the low light sensitivity is generally much better than similarily priced camcorders. And overall, the video quality is just much, much better.

The cons, that I've found, are mostly audio related. The mic isn't great. It's not horrible (really about the same as any onboard camera mic), but what makes it unbearable on DSLRs is how it picks up camera noise. The mic picks up the noise from the focus ring, handling the camera and changing apeture while zooming or not. Also, if you use a multiple apeture lens (like the stock lens), you'll see the apeture adjust during a zoom, it's pretty lame. The other big con is ergonomics and image stabilization. The cameras are generally a little more shaky than a camcorder, you have to be much more deliberate with shots and use full-on rigs to get a good level of smoothness.

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http://vimeo.com/corax

Major production companies (like Lucasfilm) have started to jump aboard the DSLR bandwagon. Seems like the general consensus is that although the RED has superior image quality and a better codec, a camera like the 5D or 7D is plenty good for HD broadcast and even theatrical projection, provided you're not doing a really effects-heavy shoot with a lot of compositing or a really heavy color grade. I've heard people complain about rolling shutter issues with these cameras (and that may be more of a problem with the 5D's larger sensor, I don't know), but I've never encountered anything too bad, even when handholding the 7D or T2i. The bigger issues are the footage's low-ish bitrate resulting in compression artifacts when there's lots of motion in the frame, and aliasing resulting in distracting moire on intricate, high-contrast patterns and fine lines. Still, these issues can be dealt with, and for a $1000 HD/24p shooting package with interchangeable lenses, the T2i can't be beat. Sure, the audio input is no good, but if you want good audio you should be doing double-system anyway.

I'm ACing a feature film right now that's shooting on a 7D that's been modified with a PL mount to accept Arri prime lenses. We've got it all tricked out with a matte box, follow-focus, and dual SDI monitoring. It's a little bit of a chore to cart the whole package around from place to place, but much better than a DoF adapter. I've always despised those things, and I'm glad to see them finally dying off now that there's a way to get that precious shallow-focus look without putting a lens on top of a lens on top of a lens and spinning a piece of ground glass in the middle.

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Andrew Gingerich
Exploding Goldfish Films
Check out my blog at http://www.exgfilms.com
and my reel at http://portfolio.exgfilms.com

If your new to filmmaking DSLR's definitely force you to learn about photography which I think is a good thing. I've shot many test videos of getting random things in focus and then slightly altering the focus if the camera is moving(HARD). Like Corax said the DSLR gives you alot of manual control over the image and I've spent alot of time researching the internet and reading the manual just to find out what the hell all these features, options, and controls are on my new t2i. I'm a total newb to cinematography and the skills I've learned trying to figure out and using a DSLR have been invaluable. I'm very pleased that I chose the t2i over the cannon xh-a1, and I also saved a boatload of cash too.

Also I don't know if this is entirely right as I don't own a 7d, but many people that I have talked to say there is no difference in video quality between the t2i and 7d. If your into still photography the 7d's definitely better(though the t2i's still good), but if you use it souly for video- t2i's the way to go.

Tryin' to live the dream, any advice?

I remember the Nikon D90 coming out and having rolling shutter issues with its 720 video. The 1080 capable Canons seem to be far less affected by the issue, though it can pop up with quick pans and vertical lines. Plan shots carefully and you should be fine. They shot an episode of HOUSE with the Canon cameras. Heaven help the RED, once these cameras offer better data compression!

If my HVX200 was lost, I would replace it with a Canon DSLR, in a heartbeat. A lot of people use palm-sized recorders to get audio, like the Zoom H4n or the Tascam DR-100. Both have XLR inputs for external mics, so you can use a boom pole.

www.midnightsunent.com

quote:

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Originally posted by About2Break

Also I don't know if this is entirely right as I don't own a 7d, but many people that I have talked to say there is no difference in video quality between the t2i and 7d. If your into still photography the 7d's definitely better(though the t2i's still good), but if you use it souly for video- t2i's the way to go.

Tryin' to live the dream, any advice?

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I always read that too, it's not entirely true though. If you do some comparisons, there's definitely much more noise in low light conditions with the T2i (believe me, I was shocked). But it is very, very close to the same quality of video (and like you said, the 7d is a much better still cam than the T2i).

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http://vimeo.com/corax