• Joined: July 18, 2012

Topic: Getting Started With Your New Canon Rebel T2i

Hello everyone. I have just purchased a Canon Rebel T2i, what is the first thing I should do? Never mind that...

...Okay, I've finished doing the happy-victory-dance. What's the second thing I should do.

Being an immigrant from Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000 land, I have no idea where to start in relation to brickfilming. So could any of you D-SLR veterans give me some advice? How do I get started? How do I get live feed going? Is there a way to open it in Helium Frog? Do I need to use a memory card when using live feed? Should I shoot at the highest resolution possible?

I will edit this post as more questions arise.

Last edited by Jayko (August 9, 2012 (09:22pm))

  • Joined: December 28, 2008

Re: Getting Started With Your New Canon Rebel T2i

Even if you don't have Dragonframe, they have some helpful instructions here. I haven't used my T3i for brickfilming yet; I'm focusing more on live action and photography at the moment.

Some questions for you:
What software will you be using?
What is your desired output (to YouTube, etc.) for resolution?
What lenses are you using?
What lighting do you have?

  • Location: These United States of America
  • Joined: November 16, 2010

Re: Getting Started With Your New Canon Rebel T2i

One thing I would recommend is to sit down, and go through all of the different settings and features on your camera and get used to them. Knowing what tools you have can really help.

RedBrick1/LegoTrain587 | EXPANSE | A Brickfilm

RedBrick1's Website

  • Joined: December 28, 2008

Re: Getting Started With Your New Canon Rebel T2i

A sturdy tripod and remote control would also be good.

  • Joined: July 18, 2012

Re: Getting Started With Your New Canon Rebel T2i

Alright. So I think that I am begining to get the hang of it. The hardest part is, whereas with the Quickcam Pro 9000, you have focus, exposure, gain, contast, colour intensity, brightness, and white balance all layed out neatly for you to adjust using bars on the computer. But here its all over the place. Can it all be done on the computer? Some advice here would be appreciated. (As you can see, I like to keep things simple and straightforward mini/tongue)

Also, I adjusted the focus ring as close as I could with the kit lens but it is about the same distance that I got with the Pro 9000. I must be doing something wrong. Do most people zoom it in on the computer for close up shots or do I need a better lens?

I heard someone mentioning somewhere that the kit lens doesn't have enough shutter life to sutain a brickfilm. Seeing as a good many people seem to be using it for brickfilms, do I have to worry about that?

Thanks to anyone who puts up with my ignorance with this sort of thing and lends a hand. mini/smile

  • Location: Middle Zealand
  • Joined: July 6, 2011

Re: Getting Started With Your New Canon Rebel T2i

You have 18 megapixels of information with that camera. Full 1080p is something along the lines of 2 or fewer megapixels; which means you can crop to you're hearts content and still have more than enough resolution to produce a full HD film. If you aren't working in HD, then you have even more room. Because I'm lazy, I bought a set of macro filters on amazon for $12 USD, and use those for close ups. I haven't had a need to get a closer shot than what those get me, but if I do I'll just crop. I use the kit lens from the T2i for animating, and I haven't had any problems with it's lifespan so far. mini/smile

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/16345454720_e04c98539a.jpg
Youtube Channel
  • Joined: April 18, 2011

Re: Getting Started With Your New Canon Rebel T2i

Jayko wrote:

Alright. So I think that I am begining to get the hang of it. The hardest part is, whereas with the Quickcam Pro 9000, you have focus, exposure, gain, contast, colour intensity, brightness, and white balance all layed out neatly for you to adjust using bars on the computer. But here its all over the place. Can it all be done on the computer? Some advice here would be appreciated. (As you can see, I like to keep things simple and straightforward mini/tongue)

What capture software are you using? If you use the EOS Utility that came with the T2i, that will let you adjust about all the settings from the computer. By the way, are you the Jayko of the LAB?

http://www.usa.canon.com/assets/app/images/callouts/cameras/callout_hdvideo_091511.jpg    http://www.usa.canon.com/assets/app/images/callouts/cameras/cdlc_148_rt.jpg
  • Joined: January 25, 2012

Re: Getting Started With Your New Canon Rebel T2i

Cinexcellence wrote:

Even if you don't have Dragonframe, they have some helpful instructions here. I haven't used my T3i for brickfilming yet; I'm focusing more on live action and photography at the moment.

Some questions for you:
What software will you be using?
What is your desired output (to YouTube, etc.) for resolution?
What lenses are you using?
What lighting do you have?

This is the same equipment / settings that I use and have found it very useful.

Be sure to follow me on:
FaceBook
YouTube
Twitter

ShutterBroke's Website

  • Joined: July 18, 2012

Re: Getting Started With Your New Canon Rebel T2i

Alrighty. I have spent a bit of time trying to figure this whole situation out.

First of all, thank you Cinexcellence for this link: http://www.dragonframe.com/cameras/canon_eos_550d.html It has been very helpful.

Backyardlegos wrote:
Full 1080p is something along the lines of 2 or fewer megapixels; which means you can crop to you're hearts content and still have more than enough resolution to produce a full HD film.

Okay. Does that mean that a macro lense is not nessesary and that I can just crop if I need close ups?

He also wrote:
Because I'm lazy, I bought a set of macro filters on amazon for $12 USD, and use those for close ups.

You'll have to excuse me, but I'm unfamiliar with what macro filters are. I looked it up. Could you explain the pros and cons of using them in a Brickfilming sense?

Vanderflame Studios wrote:
What capture software are you using? If you use the EOS Utility that came with the T2i, that will let you adjust about all the settings from the computer.

Well that leads me to my next question. I tried using the Utility sofware and liked the straightforwardness of it. mini/smile Unfortunately, it will not suit my present situation. For one, I need to animate to audio, and secondly, I admit I've become rather addicted to onion skinning.

I am currently trying out the demos on Stop Motion Pro and AnimatorHD. I haven't gotten very far with either of them. Too confusing for a Helium Frog Immigrant. mini/confused (I miss it)

One thing I did notice about AnimatorHD was that it featured this EVF Gain Control thingy which let me adjust these bars that changed the look of the picture. I like adjusting bars. Reminds me of the old Quickcam 9000.

One can probably assume by this point that I've still a long way to go.

So if anyone could give me a recomendation on these two softwares (Or if there are any better options) that would be greatly appreciated.

VFS wrote:
By the way, are you the Jayko of the LAB?

Yep, that's me. mini/smile