T2i for news gathering? at DVinfo.net

Matt Fowler · December 15th, 2010, 11:58 PM

I am a High School student looking at purchasing a T2i but was curious how well it would work for:
News gathering run and gun situations.
Interviews
Concerts
Also the work flow into FCP

Thanks for all the Help,
Matt

Jon Fairhurst · December 16th, 2010, 12:10 AM

News gathering run and gun situations. So-so. It depends on how easy it is to focus the scene. Do a search on "Dan Chung BBC" to see some of Dan's work with DSLRs to see it done at its best.

Interviews Great! Especially on a tripod. You can throw the background out of focus, and since the subject won't move much, you can set and forget focus on the subject.

Concerts DSLRs have rolling shutter, which causes two problems: jello when the camera moves, and horizontal bars when there are strobes and flashes. This isn't a problem when filming a small ensemble - you can use a tripod if you can't get close, and there are no light shows. It would be terrible in a big stadium with no tripod and lots of pyrotechnics.

Also the work flow into FCP I don't use FCP, but many do successfully.

I've owned a 5D2 for over two years now, and I love it, but for your application, consider a standard video camera. The more you will throw the camera about and the more unpredictable the focus distance, the worse a DSLR is for the job. On the other hand, if you can stabilize the camera, you can outfit it with audio gear lenses and other bits, and things aren't too unpredictable, DSLRs are great.

December 15th, 2010, 11:58 PM	#1
Matt Fowler Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 54	T2i for news gathering? I am a High School student looking at purchasing a T2i but was curious how well it would work for: News gathering run and gun situations. Interviews Concerts Also the work flow into FCP Thanks for all the Help, Matt

December 16th, 2010, 12:10 AM	#2
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	News gathering run and gun situations. So-so. It depends on how easy it is to focus the scene. Do a search on "Dan Chung BBC" to see some of Dan's work with DSLRs to see it done at its best. Interviews Great! Especially on a tripod. You can throw the background out of focus, and since the subject won't move much, you can set and forget focus on the subject. Concerts DSLRs have rolling shutter, which causes two problems: jello when the camera moves, and horizontal bars when there are strobes and flashes. This isn't a problem when filming a small ensemble - you can use a tripod if you can't get close, and there are no light shows. It would be terrible in a big stadium with no tripod and lots of pyrotechnics. Also the work flow into FCP I don't use FCP, but many do successfully. I've owned a 5D2 for over two years now, and I love it, but for your application, consider a standard video camera. The more you will throw the camera about and the more unpredictable the focus distance, the worse a DSLR is for the job. On the other hand, if you can stabilize the camera, you can outfit it with audio gear lenses and other bits, and things aren't too unpredictable, DSLRs are great. __________________ Jon Fairhurst