DSLR dilemma .. what to choose!?!

[dark_chiggin]

I have been doing extensive research on the DSLRs available and it seems that there is a downfall to every single DSLR camera out there!

Simply what I want to get is something I can record a good film with, while making money taking headshots for models / actors and families. I want to have a strong point in auto focus because I am the main subject of the youtube videos I make. ( I am an aspiring actor and make youtube videos.)

This way I can run off my own schedule and go to auditions and even take my own headshots in the process.

So my question is , with these factors in mind should I actually buy two cameras?
One for the youtube, one for the photography?

It seems to me that the Canon 5D MK II is best suited as a full frame photography camera.
Where as the Nikon D7000 has those 39 auto focus points but can easily lose its auto focus if the subject moves the wrong way.

Could you please recommend a camera that has both full frame and great auto focus points? That I wont be laughed at when taking professional headshots? Thanks!

[karrisa]

I am in the same situation. I find it to be really helpful looking up reviews of potential cameras. That way you can avoid purchasing a camera with defects or other poor features.

[chadci]

Originally Posted by dark_chiggin

I have been doing extensive research on the DSLRs available and it seems that there is a downfall to every single DSLR camera out there!

Simply what I want to get is something I can record a good film with, while making money taking headshots for models / actors and families. I want to have a strong point in auto focus because I am the main subject of the youtube videos I make. ( I am an aspiring actor and make youtube videos.)

This way I can run off my own schedule and go to auditions and even take my own headshots in the process.

So my question is , with these factors in mind should I actually buy two cameras?
One for the youtube, one for the photography?

It seems to me that the Canon 5D MK II is best suited as a full frame photography camera.
Where as the Nikon D7000 has those 39 auto focus points but can easily lose its auto focus if the subject moves the wrong way.

Could you please recommend a camera that has both full frame and great auto focus points? That I wont be laughed at when taking professional headshots? Thanks!

The D7000 is DX, you may be thinking of the D700 which is FX. If you have an SLR now, I'd say to stick with whatever brand you currently have simply for lenses and flash sharing. if your starting from scratch, go out and try some. I had picked 3 (Nikon, Canon and Pentax) that all had the features I wanted and needed and then went with the one that felt best in my hands.

I personally don't think you can go wrong with a D7k and if you don't mind DX look at a D300s as they're quite nice alibet a bit dated.

[bigben6]

If your not in need a massive MP look to the d700 by nikon, outside of MP count (which i feel is overrated unless you KNOW YOU NEED IT or need to print HUGE) its very comparable and better in many ways than the cannon 5d and its AF is very good even in low light: Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D700

More expensive, but as stated if you already own one brand, stick with that!

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by dark_chiggin

It seems to me that the Canon 5D MK II is best suited as a full frame photography camera.
Where as the Nikon D7000 has those 39 auto focus points but can easily lose its auto focus if the subject moves the wrong way.

This is confusing. A full-frame camera is a full-frame camera; there's no degree of "suitability" involved.

I also dont know where you're getting the idea that the D7000 would lose AF if the subject moves the wrong way.

[wildbird]

Originally Posted by dark_chiggin

So my question is , with these factors in mind should I actually buy two cameras?
One for the youtube, one for the photography?

It seems to me that the Canon 5D MK II is best suited as a full frame photography camera.
Where as the Nikon D7000 has those 39 auto focus points but can easily lose its auto focus if the subject moves the wrong way.

Could you please recommend a camera that has both full frame and great auto focus points? That I wont be laughed at when taking professional headshots? Thanks!

One just for youtube? SLRs may have video capability, but are very badly ergonomically designed for it, yes, people will say that episodes of TV shows have been filmed with them, but they would have a dolly setup, scripted, choreographed etc. As a video camera, SLRs run a 2nd to a proper or even a cheap video camera in my opinion. And as for what is better between a D7000 or Canon 5D? If you are asking that question, I think you have alot to learn about photography. Either is going to produce great pics IF you use them correctly

I believe the big deal with the 5DII and video is that the 5DII has a much bigger sensor than most video cameras, which produces a much better video quality (same with photos). But I don't shoot video, so I don't know much about it.

The focus system on the 5DII sucks. Is it usable? Absolutely. But the focus points are too close together, and you need quite a bit of light for every point besides the center (which requires less light). Then again, adding an external flash with focus assist eliminates that problem.

The image quality is insane.

All that said, the day Canon comes out with a new full-frame camera under $3000 is the day I sell my 5DII. Or someone gives me a 1DX

[windrider86]

Well, I'm an Olympus kinda gal! Thats all I'm gonna say!

[inkista]

Originally Posted by Photoboothguy

I believe the big deal with the 5DII and video is that the 5DII has a much bigger sensor than most video cameras, which produces a much better video quality (same with photos).

Actually, it's the same reason still photographers like it: shallower DoF with longer lenses, better high-iso noise. But yeah, using a dSLR is more like shooting digital film than it is like shooting video.

Personally, I think that the OP may have the wrong end of the stick. Getting good headshots is more about a good lighting setup than a full-frame camera. And shooting video may be better suited with a video camera than a dSLR that does HD video. But both can be done with a dSLR.

However, just owning a professional, expensive full-frame HD-video capable camera doesn't make you a professional videographer or portrait photographer any more than having a good looking headshot makes you an actor. I own a 5Dii. I'm pitiably bad at video, and I suck at portraits. There is a rather large skillset involved in doing photography and video at a professional level, and the gear is the least of it; and the business skills involved are probably the most important, not the technical stuff.

There are reasons you pay people to do these things. Doing them yourself is possible. But it's not simple, easy, or cheap.

Focusing with HD video and a dSLR is typically a matter of manual focus and focus follow rigs, with a camera operator. If you plan on being both in front and behind the camera, then, yes, you might be much better served with a dedicated video camera meant for that kind of shooting. Although, of course, simple technique things like proper lighting, and stopping down the camera and pre-focusing could solve this issue if you're not running around in the video. And if you plan on having the camera run for long periods of time, then, an HDSLR is probably not the tool of choice for you. Think of it as digital film, not as video.

This website should give you a feel for what HD video is about: cinema5D • The forum for dslr filmmakers

As for full-frame cameras with amazing AF capabilities (which is probably NOT what you need) there are the professional-level cameras from Canon and Nikon: the 1DX and the D3s. They're at the $7000 price range, and not an option for most of us.