I got my T3i today!!!
I bought it used on eBay, but it looks like the guy never opened it. The battery was in its little bag and so were all the manuals and papers. I absolutely love this camera.

Thanks! That's awesome!

I've been looking at creating Bokeh, because it looks absolutely amazing.

Alright, I've decided I want to upgrade to a D-SLR before I start animating for Kitchen Sink but I'm really not sure what to go for. I was planning to get the Canon 550D (aka the T2i) but I have no idea what lens to get for it. Buikes asked the same question a couple of pages back but didn't get any definitive answer.

Alternatively, should I be looking at other cameras? I don't need the flip-out screen on the T3i because I use the live feed to the computer. Or should I look further than just Canon? As you can tell, I have no idea what I'm doing.

Don't worry about the price, I can deal with that.

Is a macro lens really the best choice? The problem I think could arise is that it might make everything look like it's really tiny, whereas the aim in brickfilming is to try to create the illusion that the characters are full-size "people". This is an assumption I made so I know I'm likely to be wrong.

Yeah, but the problem I have discovered is that if you don't you can't get anything into focus if you don't use a macro one.

I'm pretty sure I've said this somewhere before and I'll say it again: macro lenses are very expensive. Unless you're making a good amount of money, which you might be, I don't know, they probably aren't really worth the money. I don't know about other companies, but when it comes to Canon, the kit lens has the same or shorter minimum focal distance as a macro lens. All macro lenses do is give a finer image close up, but video throws out so much of the quality of the DSLR image that it shouldn't really matter. I use the T2i kit lens, and when I need a closer up shot I use a macro filter, which costs 15 dollars instead of 900. I have just never seen a necessity for a macro lens for brickfilming.

@1011Ev That Olympus is a pretty decent camera, I'm impressed with the capabilities of a camera that small. Something you do want to take into account is that the lens that is included is only 14-42mm, which means that you're only getting wide angle shots. A lens that will get you any sort of zoom is going to cost you another 300 bucks. Just something to consider whenever buying a DSLR, but it is a good price.

Youtube Channel

Hullo everyone!

I'm not a "new" user to this forum; I have browsed here a year or two ago and [recently?] decided to make an account. I enjoy stop motion animation (when I get the time, with studies and whatnot). Until now, I've been lurking in the shadows of this great website. I love using DSLRs, so this time I just had to give some input. I have used the compact Sony NEX-5, but I am now using the Sony a55, an amazing camera. I plan to upgrade soon to the 24-megapixel a77. I used to always be a Canon person; and I'm sure Nikon is great as well. But somehow, with the mainstream consumers, Sony just barely hits the mark at one of the top-rated SLR brands. Of course, there are other great brands such as Pentax and Fujifilm, but none has the great price-per-features ratio as Sony IMO. Take it with a grain of salt, but you can buy the Sony a55 (or updated a57) for about the same price, or cheaper than a Canon Rebel T2i or T3i. Alas, I am not educated as well with Nikon , but I would recommend considering a Sony DSLR for your next purchase. The a57 can record in 1080p @ 60fps as well as 24fps. Award-winning filmmakers such as James Cameron (creator of Avatar & others) are beginning to film movies not only in 24fps, but also in 60fps since apparently that is what the eye sees and it appears more realistic and fluid. If I'm not mistaken, the upcoming movie The Hobbit has been filmed in 48fps. Yes, the Sony a57 has a 16-megapixel sensor as compared to the classic entry-level SLRS by Canon, which are typically at 18 megapixels. In truth, megapixels DO NOT MATTER unless you are expanding the picture to be displayed in a large frame, or even a billboard. Then, of course, the pixels matter as you stretch the image. Yes, obviously an 18-MP sensor wins over a 10MP sensor, but when you compare 16 to 18 you really can only tell the difference by pixel-peeping.

Please do read this when you get the chance:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm

I would expand on the many features of Sony DSLRs, but I feel like I'm not giving the other brands a chance. Honestly, the above information may not matter to the average consumer, but you should research your camera before you make the final decision to buy it. Also, about the EOS Rebel line: If you must, buy the T2i, not the T3i. The T3i is almost EXACTLY THE SAME as its predecessor; all Canon changed was, if the reviews were correct, part of the design and they slapped on a flip out screen, then charged $100 more for it. Look up "perceived obsolescence." (http://www.mymoneyblog.com/planned-vs-p … cence.html)

If it matters to you, for the extra 2 megapixels (over the a55 and a57) then by all means get the Rebel camera, but do not get the T3i unless you feel like spending more money on a flip-out screen. All this information is more based on your use of the camera for a general-purpose DSLR rather than the best camera for animation. I know Canon EOS cameras have great Live support and connectivity for stop-motion programs. 

With all due respect, the kit lens is a terrible choice to stick with unless you are on a tight budget. Try to get one very good lens, even if it is slightly expensive. (You'll find that the good lenses are always more expensive. Keep in mind, with cameras, the phrase "You get what you pay for" is all too true). I would recommend either a 24mm, 35mm, or even 50mm lens with up to 1.4 or 1.8 apertures. These prime lenses have good reviews across all camera brands. Recommended zoom lenses would be the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 (yes, pricey, but this works across many different brands and the fixed aperture, even at a large zoom, is a plus); Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 (relatively cheap, good reviews); and the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 (very wide angle). You may be able to attach a macro filter to the lenses if required. You really do not need a large zoom or telephoto lens for stop-motion animation, which is why I recommend these short-range lenses. Do get a lens hood if you can, they will reduce vignetting from the light and have other benefits that I forget right now.

On a last, random note, megapixels will not matter when brickfilming; rather, the video quality does. (facepalm) Sony, Nikon, Canon, and all other brands are great, all you need to do is research what you think is best for your preferences.

From what I've heard, the Nikon's are an excellent purchase. Did you get the old, manual lenses or the auto-focus ones?

Currently I'm really torn between purchasing the T2i and the T3i. Gopher is right about the comparison between the two, but as a filmmaker, I'll probably end up with the T3i. The articulating LCD is worth $100, IMO. (If you're not going to use it for video, however, that's different). And if I need a second camera for another angle, I'll definitely pick up a T2i.

Can't wait. May I ask why you chose the 60D over the T2i or T3i? Just curious what your reasons were; I would prefer it over the T3i, but am having a hard time justifying the price jump.