Grant Babbitt

Canon is supposedly coming out with a new camera soon, so you may even wait and see what that is, because if that is too pricey, the cost for the older models may drop a bit. And yes, a 600d or 550d would be fine, but know that those have less controls than a 5d/7d. Like with any video camera... the less control options given, the less the price. The more you can control yourself, the more things cost. That is a big difference between consumer, prosumer & professional. 550d & 600d are technically consumer/prosumer cameras. The 5dmk2 is considered a professional camera. Does that make sense? The 5d has one big difference from all the other canon dslrs... the chip is a full sensor, and the other Canons have a cropped sensor. This means that every lens you put on a 5d, will have the accurate mm length without doing any math. ie - a 50mm = 50mm. With the cropped sensor on Canons, it is a x1.6 sensor. This mean that you must multiply every lens length that you want to use by 1.6, to get an accurate portrayal of your lens length. ie - a 50mm = 80mm. Sometimes this can be frustrating because you would need to buy a 24-30mm lens to have a standard lens. Which you may know, will cost much more that a straight 50mm lens. Its a give and take. I wish that I had 60fps, but I only shoot up to 30fps because of the sensor size. Hope that helps a little.

I just moved here from Kansas (where I just graduated from the University of Kansas) & I want to eventually join IA Local 600. I have been trying to find ways to do so, and seen some of the requirements, but it seems somewhat confusing. I have had a lot days back home, as a Camera Op (non-union), that I have all of my pay stubs from. Will any of those count towards what I need? Also I am doing some work as Utility for the Camera Dept. on some non-union (BTS for Union movies/tv) work. Will that title earn me any days towards entrance into 600? Is there also anyway to track or count days that are non-union, but were paid in cash, deferred payment, or non-paying? Is there also any kind of program that someone starting right out of college can get into, on track for 600? Something like the DGA trainee program, but for cinematographers? Anyone have any advice? I do have some skills when it comes to camera operation, and I have used a lot of formats... my problem is getting the work through who I know. It is a slow process, and I'm kind of wondering if I can expect to be applying for 600 within a year or 10 years. Just not sure about all of this, and would love ANY help, advice or guidance. Thank you so much!!! - Grant

Where are you located?

It really depends on what you are going to be shooting with it. If you are just starting out, there is nothing wrong with finding some old manual Nikon glass, and as you save up, possibly start investing in some Canon L Series glass. The best Canon EF lens you can get (for interviews) is the portrait lens 85mm II f1.2... its beautiful. A lot of your "extra" cash may need to be invested in shoulder support or a decent tripod. I have a Redrock Shoulder rig for my 5Dmk2, runs about $2,000 USD. I would also recommend a Sachtler FBS 6 or 8 tripod possibly. It will run anywhere from $1200 USD - $3000 USD, but its a good little tripod for DSLR work.