(Part 2) Top products from r/DSLR

I got the T3i for under 600$, new, with a few semi-useful accessories. Amazon has a few deals that allow for some acc. equip. that can be useful, but is really just another selling point. These deals are usually from vendors like Photo4Less (who I got mine from, great shipping, got it within 4 days), but Canon has a good price too. This is a good DSLR, compared to many other video cameras you may have (eg- gopro, other small video-only cameras).

Image Quality

The quality of the video and photos I was able to get after a few days was fantastic. Here are some pics I took with the T3i on day 2. DAY 2!!!!!( I was still recovering from Wisdom teeth surgery. This thing shoots in about 4K+ still images, so you won't be wanting for pixels, only for less noise. Keep your ISO down to 100 or so, and you'll usually be fine. Some of my pics have lots of noise, that's because I was still learning about what makes exposure work for the first few weeks.

Video

This playlist shows the versatility of this camera, from low-light (car light) situations to good lighting (slender video) to having a friend who doesn't shoot DSLR control it (ALS video) [I should also mention that there was a bit of post-production stabilization, but that Image stabilizer is really powerful all the same], and the flip out screen speaks for itself.

Screen, Youtube use, and other camera choices

The flip-out screen is immensely single-user friendly, and allows for a great range of artistic control and frame control, when used as a facecam.

Keep in mind that it doesn't really shoot long videos too well, it stops at about 11 minutes on 1080p, but I doubt that it really should be used for that. If you need a camera to sit in one place for a long time, invest in a gopro or just use your notebook's webcam.

If you are looking to shoot something artistic, this 11 minute video limit won't be a problem, your shots shouldn't be that long.



Audio

The audio is good. Audition picked up a few persistent high-range whines, but it's not too noticeable, provided you fade it out well or don't use it's audio interchanged between a dedicated microphone (say, a blue snowball). If you've got the budget, get a RODE mic or a decent lavalier mic.

WARNINGS

Learn about ISO, Exposure, Aperture, etc. Knowing is half the battle

No build quality issues as of yet, but keep it out of the rain just in case. Not waterproof, so I hear

BUY 2 MORE BATTERIES AND A CHARGER if you plan on doing video shoots. I have a total of 3 batteries, and 2 chargers, for only 20$ above the normal cost (third party, can't think of brand) of the camera.

Buy a nice case. Here is the one I got, and it's smexy as hell.

a 64GB Memory card can't hurt, and I've got one left over from Gopro usage (microSD+adaptor will work)

I hope this review was helpful. If you want to see more informed or otherwise content (and eventually a review of the t3i then please check out my youtube channel if you wish. I post a bunch of stuff, and have about 7000 views. Leave some feedback, i'm still finding my niche.

Thanks for reading,

Chris

You're biggest problem will not be the microphone, but what you're recording your audio onto. I found out really quick that the audio recording of a DSLR, regardless of microphone, is terrible in quality and with plenty of static noise. I use a Tascam DR-05 to record audio, in combination with either a RODE VideoMic or a lavalier (there are some really cheap ones that do an ok job for low budget productions). The Tascam DR-05 also has a pretty good mic built in , so you could probably start with just that. Remember to record the audio with your Tascam (or recorder) AND with your camera, so that you can easily sync them in post. Always remember to record a minute of silence in the room BEFORE filming so that you can have a room tone (or world tone, if outdoors) sample that can be for adding a more natural ambient sound for portions you may silence in the video.

I would also recommend you pick up:

a three point lighting kit for indoor shooting (like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Fancierstudio-Lighting-Hairlight-Softbox-9004SB2/dp/B0047FHOWG/ref=sr_1_4?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1450430338&sr=1-4&keywords=three+point+lighting+kit),

a variable ND filter for outdoor shooting (like this one: http://www.amazon.com/58mm-Variable-NDX-Fader-Filter/dp/B00QVOQWM4/ref=sr_1_7?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1450430377&sr=1-7&keywords=variable+ND+filter)

a reflector, for bouncing off light outdoors... (like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Neewer-43-inch-Collapsible-Multi-Disc-Reflector/dp/B002ZIMEMW/ref=sr_1_1?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1450430475&sr=1-1&keywords=reflector)

Extra batteries of course.

You'll find these tools useful for getting higher quality audio and picture, there are lots and lots of tutorials on YouTube that will help you learn very quickly how to use your equipment. On a final note, I don't think the Rebel SL1 was a good choice of camera. If I had to pick a Rebel camera for video, and was limited in buget, I would have gone for a Rebel T4i or T5i, in combination with magic lantern. Another important thing to remember, is make sure your SD is AT LEAST class 10 (I recommend Sandisk Extreme pro 95/mbps 32 or 64gb), and NEVER use a mini sd card with an adapter (I've had bad experiences with this).

Best of luck to you, and happy filming!

There are a lot of things wrong with this post.

The 50mm/1.8 is one of the cheapest lenses out there. Because it is a prime (instead of a zoom) they can have fairly good image quality and still offer it at a decent price.

There aren't any wide angle prime lenses in this range I'm aware of (there is a 28mm prime for $400+ but that's really not very wide on an crop sensor body). For wide angle shots your best bet is using your kit lens wide open (assuming it's something like 18mm or 28mm) and saving for a true wide angle.

Saying I want a cheap wide angle lens with good quality is like saying I want a cheap computer that can play Battlefield 3 with max settings on at full resolution. You can buy a cheap lens that might be sort of a wide angle but it's not going to perform very well.

The cheapest wide angle for a Canon that's nice is probably the Sigma 10-22mm zoom lens for close to $500.

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-10-20mm-4-5-6-Digital-Cameras/dp/B0007U00X0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320951022&sr=8-1

If you are looking for a good all around lens that can go fairly wide open I'd look at something like this Tamron for $500

http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-17-50mm-Aspherical-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000EXR0SI/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1320951205&sr=1-1

Here's some options that I like, if you don't mind buying used you'll have more room to buy more lenses and any other gear you'll like, but these are all new and all kits which includes the body and a lens. 

If you want to stick with Nikon the D5600 is an amazing camera, the image quality and usability are awesome. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VW3KC9X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_M-GNDb4BPTVEJ

If your willing to spend a little more the D7100 is a great camera I can only find the body and not a kit but you could just get a lens separately.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/927106-GREY

You could also buy a Used D600 for around $600-$650 with a low shutter count if you are interested in full frame, then spend the rest on a lens.

For Canon If your on a budget I'd recommend something like the rebel 7ti 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P15K8Q7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_IgHNDb2YN44GR

If you're willing to spend more the 77D is a great option, the first link the the 77D with a 18-55 and the second is a 18-55mm + 55-250mm

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KVS93ZF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_KhHNDbV4SY44F
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y1YVWLH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_vFHNDbWGFF6GX

As for mirrorless I recommend these cameras.

Canon EOS M50

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TWB61Z2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_kxHNDb2NM14RY

Sony a6300

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007GK50X4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_xAHNDbN04X71G

Fujifilm X-T20 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCVN74T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_pCHNDb74CQ8X6

If you are just getting started and have absolutely no gear, then this would be a good way to get into DSLRs. It has everything you will need to get out and take photos and learn what you need to learn before you start throwing big money at lenses and full frame sensor cameras.

I have the same 2 kit lenses for mine, and I shoot all kinds of video and photos (for money and for fun). I also have some extra gear that I have collected for video gigs through the years, like lights, stabilizing rigs, etc that help, but, it's not always about having the best gear, it's finding a way to make what you have work. You could have a $10k camera rig, but if you have no idea how to frame a shot, set aperture/shutter speed, color balance, etc, you won't get good results.

I would recommend getting this lens as well if you have the extra money. It is a great little lens for the price.

I’m a beginner myself, but here are some things that really helped me to understand the true basics:

https://tldr.photography/

I also bought this book, which gives you an insight of the art behind photography:

Read This if You Want to Take Great Photographs https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1780673353/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_kxr5XO1i42ldv

What I recommend though, is practice, practice and practice! And never delete pictures, you’ll always make mistakes and learn from them, to improve you further as you go along.

OMFG I just went through this same thing for THE SAME LENS just two weeks ago!!!!

Here's the lens cap I replaced it with, free shipping if you have amazon prime.

Select the "62mm" option (that's the thread-size for the Sigma 30mm 1.4)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006J9AEWA/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This lens cap was better than my sigma one, the springs were stiffer and it feels so much more solid on the lens.

It depends a lot on what you'll be shooting of course.

​

i'd probably bring a big zoom and a 35mm prime lens, because it will end up being about 50mm with your D3500's 1.5x crop.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-AF-S-NIKKOR-Focus-Cameras/dp/B001S2PPT0/ref=sr_1_3?crid=5X4G5LA01DVH&keywords=35mm+lens+nikon&qid=1567596975&s=gateway&sprefix=35mm+lens%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-3

​

https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-70-300-4-5-6G-Focus-Cameras/dp/B00005Y3OM/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=zoom+lens+nikon&qid=1567597006&s=gateway&sr=8-1

​

​

can't beat either for the price.


I often bring the so-so kit lens on hiking trips as well, since it's frankly pretty durable and essentially disposible, very replaceable. I wouldn't mind if i broke it.

I got the sigma 10-20mm

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B002D2VSD6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496876588&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=sigma+10-20mm&dpPl=1&dpID=51LZG4ikXdL&ref=plSrch

Itsbeen brilliant so far, albeit I'm still in the honeymoon period given I've not had it long.

It is very very, very, very heavy though. Like, a lot.

I use the Tascam DR-40 for all my DSLR audio needs. It is less expensive than the H4N. The one downside is that out of the box it will need a firmware update if you want to catch 4 audio channels from the device (two built in mics and two external mics). The firmware is easy to upgrade.

Here is a review of both done by Cheesy Cam:
http://cheesycam.com/tascam-dr-40-vs-zoom-h4n/

Here is an amazon link for the DR-40 ($174.99):
http://www.amazon.com/DR-40-4-Track-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B005NACC6M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349040942&sr=8-1&keywords=tascam+DR-40

Here is an amazon link for the H4N ($261.00):
http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-Handy-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B001QWBM62/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349041012&sr=8-1&keywords=zoom+h4n

I'm not a professional, but I thought this one did a good job especially for $25.

http://amzn.com/B002HJ9PTO

Are these any good? 1 2

Thanks again Ioncontrol. I am still new and learning all of this, would a head such as this Manfrotto 128 lp have pan / tilt? It says it does in the description, but just by looking at it I am assuming the handle bars on it are the giveaway that it has tilt / pan.

http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-128RC-Micro-Fluid-Connector/dp/B000JLO6RS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397051976&sr=8-1&keywords=Manfrotto+128+lp

This is what I have and would reccomend. https://www.amazon.com/Case-Logic-SLRC-206-15-4-Inch-Backpack/dp/B002DW99H8 I'm not 100% sure if it would fit everything, but I would bet that it would. I keep my Canon 6D, Canon 24-70 2.8, Tamron 70-200 2.8, and Tokina 16-28 2.8 all in there with room to spare.

Go big or go home! Get this this

http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Backpack-DSLR-Cameras-Accessories/dp/B002VPE1WK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1463508115&sr=8-2&keywords=amazon+basics+DSLR

or

http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Large-Gadget-Orange-interior/dp/B00CF5OHZ2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1463508115&sr=8-3&keywords=amazon+basics+DSLR

I'm thinking this might be the one: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Deluxe-Gadget-Bag-100EG/dp/B00004WCGF

http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/permalink/mo3IS2C5ER2BYVY/B00004WCGF/ref=cm_ciu_images_pl_link

If it isn't interfering in the pictures, it isn't on the lens.

It can be:

• On the primary mirror
  
• On the Focusing screen
  
• On the eyepiece
  
• On the electronic display that shows you your focusing points and information inside the viewfinder.
  
• On the Pentamirror
  
  The first three are really easy. First you try with a blower/air pump.
  
  If didn't helped, you can try to use a soft brush
  
  After these, if not clean, you can use a cleaning solution as Eclipse on a coffee filter or on a pecpad.
  
  The eyepiece you can use a soft microfiber cloth to clean
  
  You can look for tutorials of how to clean the focusing screen on your camera. it is somewhat nervewracking, but is doable.
  
  If this doesn't help, possibly the display that show the information inside the viewfinder is busted or the pentamirror is dirty. This should it be covered in the warranty. It wont impact the quality of your photos, but also it won't be a easy fix that you can DIY.