“One of the hottest trends in video today is shooting on a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera. Many filmmakers are abandoning their bigger and bulkier DV cameras in favor of the smaller, lighter, feature-packed DSLRs. The DSLR is actually a still camera that also shoots video. Why would a filmmaker ditch their expensive HD camcorder in favor of a still camera? There are a few compelling reasons.
The biggest difference is the depth of field. DOF allows the user to focus in on one object in the foreground and give the background a blurry, creamy look. This is the look you see on traditional 35 mm film cameras that has been unable to be replicated on newer DV cameras without the use of expensive DOF adapters. Because DSLRs are designed for still photography, they use the same lenses that allow users to get that DOF effect, making it look like it was shot on a 35 mm film camera.
In addition, the DSLRs are lighter and in most cases much cheaper than a DV camcorder. For instance, the newer Cannon T2i DSLR shoots in full 1080p HD video at 24, 30, or 60 frames a second and retails for around $899 without a lens and $1200 in a kit. Equivalent camcorders, which include the same features and come with a kit lens, retail at around $3000. For the amount of features and quality of video, many filmmakers are finding the DSLRs to be a better bang for their buck.”
This post except was taken from The 48 Hour Film Project NEWSLETTER. You can learn more about the film making contest at their website.
The Boulder Film Making Contest with the support of the Boulder Arts Commission along with Boulder Digital Arts is excited to provide a special pre-filmmaking workshop. This hands-on training is designed to help prepare the filmmakers for The Shoot Out Boulder contest and will occur on September 18, 2010. Click here to learn more
