Looking to buy a DSLR

[kidpressingbuttons]

currently in the market for a dslr for the school. Can anyone offer any recommendations?

 

We would like to use it to record performances as well so it would need to record video for a about an hour. (I know some cameras only allow 30 mins at a time even if plenty of memory is available)

[ChickenDhansak]

Will you also be buying microphones for recording sound or relying on the camera's inbuilt microphone? If you're using it primarily for recording would a camcorder be a better option?

[bald_pig]

I'd suggest something like a D3300 with a telephoto lens. Realistically you want to be shooting in at least 1080p60, and have the flexibility to shoot from either the back of a hall or up at front of stage

[kidpressingbuttons]

will probably buy a microphone as well. It will mostly be for photographs but we do have the odd performance that needs to be recorded. Will have a look at the D3300 thank you!

[TwistedHelixis]

Canon D100. It's an entry level slr but is light, takes great photos and lovely HD videos. As it's entry level its not to hard to use but does have the pro options if needed. It also supports all the different Canon lenses.

 

If you get this with the stock lense make sure you get the one with the silent altra-smooth motor as the come with a few different versions of the same lens.

[JordanT91]

You'll struggle to find anything that can record longer than 30 minutes. It would technically qualify as a video recorder then and manufacturers would have to pay more in tax. I've heard you can put custom firmware onto certain cameras to get around this though you may cause the camera to overheat.

[Cazale]

It would technically qualify as a video recorder then and manufacturers would have to pay more in tax

 

Why would they?

[JordanT91]

Because the EU has different taxes for digital cameras and video recorders. By recording more than 30 minutes, it would be classed by the EU as a video recorder and therefore manufacturers would pay more import duty. Or something like that.

 

I don't think it's just the EU, either.

Edited September 19, 2016 by JordanT91

[Cazale]

Because the EU has different taxes for digital cameras and video recorders. By recording more than 30 minutes, it would be classed by the EU as a video recorder and therefore manufacturers would pay more import duty. Or something like that.

 

I don't think it's just the EU, either.

 

Didn't know that. Very interesting!

[ITGURU]

I do photography professionally. I would personally buy a separate video camera and an SLR - an SLR won't give you the zoom range of a proper video camera.

I know videographers who do weddings with SLRs, but buy the time you add MICs etc you may as well just buy a proper video camera.

[mavhc]

Depends what you want the video to look like I suppose, video or "film", DOF, low light, colour control etc.

[ICTHUS]

Best bet for a DSLR is a Nikon D7200 and 2 lenses. Best for just Photography and good for Video.

But I see you want to Video as well with the DSLR, so checkout the Canon range that you can install Magic Lantern on.

It turns a Canon DSLR into a Full HD camcorder. So that will give you the best of both.

Preferably get a Canon you can plug an external Mic into.

What model you choose depends on your budget.