Cinematography : Production with a T3i by James O'Hagan

Hi James. Most of my film to date has been shot on a Canon 550D T2i , like yourself our budget had been mostly non-existent. I would stress invest the monies you have on good quality lenses either buying or hiring. As Frank suggested do test shots and experiment with the setting to find which best suits your needs. The only limit you really have are the ones you impose on yourself, having an inexpensive camera does not mean your results will be bad, use the tools you have to the best of your abilities. Below is a link to our current trailer all shot on a T2i..good luck with the film. https://vimeo.com/69980263

You know what? The T3i is WAY more camera than you need to shoot outstanding films. Heresy, right? Fact of the matter is we have so much more technical capability even in our SMARTPHONES than brilliant movie makers of a couple of generations ago had in their top-of-the-line equipment that we need to stop making this a question. One recent proof point: the Bentley spot done with the iPhone 5 (for a behind the scenes look, check out http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/05/17/behind-the-scenes-of-bentleys-...). Then again, they had a very, very expensive stabilizer (the Movi) and real expertise. Think of the T3i as a sensor that credibly gets you into Canon mount optics -- and then focus on everything else: story, acting, audio, support, lighting...you get THOSE things right, you could shoot on a cellphone and it would be great. Another proof point: 28 Days Later -- done in STANDARD DEF (but the story worked with lower def, as lower resolution matched well with the feeling the filmmakers wanted).

Here is a link to a few of my buddies who filmed with a T2i http://youtu.be/sEnMN02d1E8 It is Very possible to make your movie on such a camera.

Congrats to your buddies, Tim! Ambition is a cool thing!

See this is why I'm so glad I signed up to this site. Information from experienced filmmakers like yourselves. Thank you for info guys really helps out till I get my hands on something with more kick to it. Right now I have a Bower Cine prime t1.5 35mm, a 18-270 f3.5, kit lens 18-55 3.5 and a 50mm macro 1.5, any thoughts on those lenses?

This guy ONLY shoots with a 2ti...and he has custom settings too. IT"S AMAZING. gooogle "Kendy Ty".

dont forget to get magic lantern

I had ML on my T3i but I wasn't up to snuff on what everything did? Any idea of some of the features I should use for my basic shooting?

Just be extra careful to shoot well lit scenes, otherwise you'll get a nasty amount of noise. But other than that, T3i should be plenty enough to do amazing stuff. And ur lens set is more than OK. If you get any budget for the project, I'd get some lighting equipment, check on ebay, there are some über cheap CFLs that work wonders for the price!

Hi James, have a look at crowd sourced feature film 50 Kisses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qmqx9tWdrw The segment 'Close Encounters', which I'm in has been shot using a Canon T3i. It was shown in a Cineplex in Birmingham, UK and I've personally seen it on the big screen twice in London. I'm no tech wiz -not even close - and can't advise you on that side. I did think the technical quality of some of the other segments shot on REDs and Arris was better, even I could tell, but it is possible to have a T3i shot film on the big screen and make it watchable. But again, I'm no tech wiz :) I wish you the best of success with it!

The only things I'm missing are quality lighting, and maybe a couple more lenses. I would love to have a better camera on deck, but right now that's just not possible. Although I have some crew that may be helping out that have better equipment. So it might work out.

Short answer: yes. A DSLR really relies on the lens used, not only the image sensor. The camera will have it's audio limitations, but use camera audio for reference. I think you'll be happy with the imagery the camera will produce

The T3i is a very capable camera for its price range. The lenses that you're using are critical. Use a separate device for audio (I recommend a Zoom H6). Place emphasis on your lighting, and you'll be very happy with the results. If I'm not mistaken, the T3i has a touch sensitive capability that allows you to rack focus, which is great for moving subjects. Good luck!

I actually am using the Tascam DR-60 with a Rode NTG-2. I eventually want to add the BMC URSA when it is available.

I have been using a Canon Rebel T1i on my films for a few years and I have been very happy with it. I do stop motion animation, so everything is in miniature, but I have to deal with some of the same issues as a live-action production (lighting, exposure, resolution, etc.). I am actually planning a live-action/stop motion film right now and I want to try shooting everything with the same camera.

You should look into Magic Lantern firmware hack. { http://www.magiclantern.fm/features.html } It is better to have two cameras then one. For the obvious reasons -you get twice the coverage with half the number of takes but more importantly -if one camera craps out -you're still shooting with the second.

I've tried Magic Lantern and it's pretty useful. We will have about 4 cameras available for the film. All Canon's, 2 t3i's, 1 60d, and a 5D mark II, although the main will be the T3i, because they others are borrowed for limited times. I think this will come out great if I can put it together. I guess I shall see. :)

If you are shooting with a mix of camera's use the 5D for wide shots-the extra resolution will pull out details in the wide shots. If you cut the 5D and APS-C cameras-7d/6oD/T3-4-5. The difference in sensor size will be obvious on screen. You may have to soften the 5d files in post to have them match. There are many advantages to Magic Lantern-Selecting CBR (constant bit rate) over VBR (variable bit rate). You can increase your data rate by a factor of 1.5 without much problem this helps the H264 files.- less aliasing and moriee. The zebra stripes and false color display for exposure and the focusing peaking-these features give the Canon DSLR cameras features you find on PRO camera's. If you shoot with two camera's you will make your editor a friend for life.

@Oriel - you are 100% correct. That's why outdoor multi-camera shoots are a big headache. In a studio setting, the cameras can be color-corrected (white and black balanced) so that the picture have the same colors, and "shaded" so that the light works best on whatever subject each camera is on.

@Oriel - That's another very valid point.