• Location: England
  • Joined: April 29, 2010

Topic: DSLR or HD camcorder?

Firstly, I know there have been loads of threads for this, but this is for my needs, so sorry to have just repeated loads of stuff in previous threads.

Anyway, I've recently got a Macbook Pro for Christmas, and I'm very happy with it. It's perfect for all my needs. I've got an old canon camcorder for animation, its an MD205. Its okay, but its more just to get used to animating on the mac, and it just something to get me started, it was quite cheap. But next year I'm doing my art GCSE, so I'm making an animation (probably not with lego). So I was thinking about either saving for a HD camcorder, or a DSLR. If I was to save up for some sort of camcorder, I'd probably save for a Canon HV, or get a Canon EOS rebel XSi, or rebel XS (I know their different in the UK, but I remember them easier that way!). I'd just get the body, but the main thing I need help with is the lens selection. I heard that you need a macro lens, but I'm not really sure what are best for animations, or how much they are. The DSLR body I could save for, but I won't if the lens is going to cost me another £200. I thought that you guys could probably enlighten me what would be best, being as I don't really know too much about DSLRs. I don't mind about HD, but I would love to animate in it if I could, depends on the extra money. Also, I've still got time to save up for cameras, so money isn't too much of a problem, being as I don't need it right now. It's so I've got an idea for what to save up for.

Sorry again for regurgitating a lot of questions from previous threads, but I want to know what there like in comparison.

Thanks. mini/smile

Last edited by Filmfire96 (February 23, 2011 (03:12pm))

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  • Joined: December 26, 2008

Re: DSLR or HD camcorder?

To me the question of DSLR or HD Camcorder comes down to asking yourself how important live action is for you. If you plan on animating and doing a lot of live-action for extended periods of time, go for the camcorder. However if live action isn't important for you go for the DSLR. You may like to know I've got the Canon EOS 550D/Rebel T2i and I find it brilliant for photography, animation and live action. I made this brickfilm with the 550D. If I was to animate again with it I would seriously look into a macro lens, If you look at the shot of the General with the sword that was as close as I could get to him so the camera is not the best for close ups in an animation sense.

You might wish to read this DSLR lenses and flicker for more information.

Also in the UK I found that the 550D was around £640 in shops which is quite expensive however I recommend you look on Ebay they are some good honest camera sellers on ebay who sell quite cheap. I got my 550D £200 cheaper than I would in the shop

I know that KG is looking into getting one and I believe MindGame has got one. It seems to be proving a popular camera with animators

And one final note if you're interested in using it for live-action check out this vimeo group http://vimeo.com/groups/eos550d/videos

  • Location: England
  • Joined: April 29, 2010

Re: DSLR or HD camcorder?

Thanks for replying. As I said in my first post, I'm not going to be thinking about buying any kind of camera right now. It's just so I can have a think what I want to get.
I don't really do any live actions, but I would use a camcorder for other stuff too. But if I got a DSLR I'd probably start doing some photography.
As I said, its just because I haven't got a scooby doo about lenses. I read the SMP page, but I can't ever find the lenses they talk about.

But I'm not too worried yet, I've still got a while to save up. mini/smile

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