Bricks in Motion
We are a friendly filmmaking community devoted to the art of stop-motion animation using LEGO® and similar construction toys. Here, you can share your work, join our community of other brickfilmers, and participate in periodic animation contests!
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I'm just looking for a good dslr camera that works well for stop motion. My budget is $500. Any suggestions?
For your budget, this is a good canon (body only, no lenses) camera with enough megapixels for most brickfilmers needs. The reason I provided a body only link is I suggest you explore your options for better lenses than the kit lens. If you need anymore help, PM me 
There are a number of topics relating to this subject. Maybe you shoiuld look there for some answers. 
http://www.bricksinmotion.com/forums/to … lr-camera/
http://www.bricksinmotion.com/forums/to … op-motion/
http://www.bricksinmotion.com/forums/to … iscussion/
But I will throw in my two cents while I'm here. I use a Nikon D3100, which I got refurbished online from Adorama last year ( http://www.adorama.com/INKD3100KRR.html ). It's a good camera, but it doesn't do live view on the computer, so it's incomparable with programs like DragonFrame. I kind of wish I got a Canon camera, but I haven't done my comparison research, so I can't tell you which one is better, really. But I really like my D3100, and lots of Brickfilmers use that camera. It has great quality. If you want to use your DSLR for more than stop-motion, I would say that you should get the package with the kit lens so you can take all kinds of pictures, but then buy a separate specialty lens that you use specifically for Stop-motion. There are plenty of topics on that one too, like this one that was just made yesterday:
http://www.bricksinmotion.com/forums/to … lmers-use/
If you purchase a lower-end (an entry-level) DSLR, then you can still have some money left over to buy a nice lens.
You should get the NIKON D3100. It's under your budget at $445. I use it myself. 
You should get the NIKON D3100. It's under your budget at $445. I use it myself.
Actually, it's 329.95 refurbished from Adorama (http://www.adorama.com/INKD3100KRR.html), so it still allows you room in your budget for a lens and a warranty.
I use the T3i and its a really really sweet camera I have also used the T2i and it is also a really cool camera. As far as brand go's I really like Canon because I think there colours are a lot better. But it seems to me that Nikon has a lot more old manual lenses.
Hope that helps
OsomStudios
I really like Canon because I think there colours are a lot better. But it seems to me that Nikon has a lot more old manual lenses.
I don't think color depends on brand. It depends on lens, White balance, lighting, etc. Color can be corrected. I don't know about Nikon having more manual lenses, but you don't have to use a name-brand lens with any camera. You can use Nikon lenses on Canon, vise versa, or even other brand lenses. So in a sense, they all have the same amount of lenses, as long as you have the correct adapter.
What about the Nikon D3200? Only suggesting it because I get a better package deal
The D3200 is a nice camera, buy it with a nice prime or zoom and you'll be sorted. The kit lens is good for standard stuff if you're on a budget.
I bought this camera earlier in the year and have no complaints. Haven't used it for brick filming yet, but I intend to.
I bring to the table something of an anti-Nikon viewpoint, because if you ever want to shoot any live action videos, or live action shots for a stop motion project, Canon's rebel line (t2i, 500d, etc.) fare much better. The other thing is that Nikon cameras have the longest flange distance of pretty much everybody; you can adapt the great old Nikon lenses to a Canon camera using a $20 adapter when you want them, and ALSO use Canon lenses, but you can hardly adapt anything except Nikon lenses to a Nikon camera.
I have to agree with Smeagol, and not because I shoot Canon. For still photography you can compare Nikon and Canon all day and get totally different answers depending on all sorts of criteria and uses, but for budget film-making, Canon is a pretty clear winner. Since you'll probably never have a ton of money to buy film equipment, you'll more than likely find yourself looking at old used lenses from past mounting systems, which can give you a great image for a low price. If you buy a Nikon camera, this wealth of lenses is cut off to you. You also definitely want something with a live view function that's compatible with stop motion software; even if you don't use it right away, you want the option the start using something like DragonFrame without buying a new camera. Also, in my opinion the Canon UI makes more sense than Nikon's, but that's 100% user preference.
Well if you some of you say canon is the best bet then what canon camera should I get? That's within my budget of course
You could go for a refurbished or used T2i, T3i, or SL1. All three of these will suit you very well for starting out. If you can get your hands on an SL1 for less than a T3i of the same condition, I'd suggest that. You should be able to find one in your budget (I found one really easily, for less than a T3i in similar condition, demand is a funny thing). It's got updated technology from the T3i/T2i (practically the same camera), so it will stay relevant longer. The SL1 is a little quirky, it's big selling point is that it's tiny (targeting travelers). I think this probably turns some people off, but it could be a big plus for brickfilming, since you might be able to squeeze in some angles other dslr's would have trouble with. So my vote would probably be for the SL1 if your primary use is going to be brickfilming. That being said, if you can find a really good price on a T3i/T2i that's in good condition, the more money for lenses the better, because most of the time the lens makes or breaks the image. The T3 is also an option, I've seen some really good stop motion films made with it, but I hesitate to suggest it because if you want to do still photography or live action video, it's functionality is quite limited.
Last edited by backyardlegos (November 17, 2014 (08:13pm))
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