T3i for professional wedding videographer

My daughter is getting married, and I was interviewing potential videographers. One whose work I like says he uses a Canon T3i as his main video camera. I was surprised at that; I would have thought that the 60D (at least) would have had enough advantages in the UI to make it worth the extra cost for a professional.

Anyone else seen a Rebel being used for wedding videography?

for video, the only advantage a 60d has is the swivel screen, but if you've got pro video gear, you probably wouldn't want/need that anyway.

The T3i also has the swivel screen.

I personally love my T3i for video. I would be more concerned with his portfolio then gear you can have great gear and shoot some horrible shots. Where I live I have seen people with Xsi with kit lenses doing wedding photography lol.

oops I was thinking T2i. That's what I have.

There are no disadvantages when you compare a t3i to a 60d. There is actually a small advantage such as Video zoom in with the t3i. Other that that, "video wise," the t3i is better in that respect.

If you were to compare them in terms of photography the 60d has a quicker shutter for fast moving objects such as soccer or any sport and that is where the t3i lacks.

Also, if you're questioning if a t3i can live up to professional video then you shouldn't worry. A t3i with a nice set of lenses and an experienced videographer who knows how to edit, can make anything look professional.

Hope this helps.

The only difference for video is the slight ergonomic improvements of the 60D....
I shoot with a 550D (T2I), 60D, and a GH2. The Canons have the same sensor, I would check if he had some fast glass and knew how to use his kit - look at the demos.
For reference this was shot on a T2i http://philipbloom.net …sea-canon-rebel-t2i-550d/

Id be more concerned with how MANY cameras hell be using if hes using DSLRs and what hes doing for audio. The Rebels and the X0D cameras only record 12 minutes at 1080P before the file has to break, which means a gap in the ceremony coverage. So you have to use two (or a 5D3) in order to get seamless coverage (if thats what youre hiring him for). That AND, whats he using to get good audio. If its on board, forget it, thatll sound terrible.

Addressing some of the items raised here.
I liked his work. That was the first priority, not his equipment.
For continuous coverage, he uses a stationary camcorder that uses digital tape, a Sony camera of some type. I'm not familiar enough with Sony to say what exactly it was, but perhaps miniDV. He uses the T3i for mobile shooting. He carries two and/or uses a second shooter (depending on what you are willing to pay for).
He uses a separate audio recorder with a lavalier mike attached to either the groom or the officiant, plus he asks for a audio CD recording from the sound board, if available, for backup.

So, he's thoroughly professional has has been around since the tape days. I was just surprised at his choice of the T3i.

RTPVid wrote in post #14140591
I would have thought that the 60D (at least) would have had enough advantages in the UI to make it worth the extra cost for a professional.

What advantages specifically? Maybe he is running Magic Lantern?

Just food for thought, I'm not drawing any conclusions myself here.

RTPVid wrote in post #14141140
Addressing some of the items raised here.
I liked his work. That was the first priority, not his equipment.
For continuous coverage, he uses a stationary camcorder that uses digital tape, a Sony camera of some type. I'm not familiar enough with Sony to say what exactly it was, but perhaps miniDV. He uses the T3i for mobile shooting. He carries two and/or uses a second shooter (depending on what you are willing to pay for).
He uses a separate audio recorder with a lavalier mike attached to either the groom or the officiant, plus he asks for a audio CD recording from the sound board, if available, for backup.

So, he's thoroughly professional has has been around since the tape days. I was just surprised at his choice of the T3i.

Ah, well if youve seen his work and are happy with it thats all that matters. As far as Canon DSLR video goes there is no advantages at all going from the t2i, t3i, 60D, or 7D. They all use the exact same sensor and shoot video exactly the same. You dont hit anything different or better until the 5D2 and now 5D3, 1DIV and 1DX.

RTPVid wrote in post #14141140
Addressing some of the items raised here.
I liked his work. That was the first priority, not his equipment.
For continuous coverage, he uses a stationary camcorder that uses digital tape, a Sony camera of some type. I'm not familiar enough with Sony to say what exactly it was, but perhaps miniDV. He uses the T3i for mobile shooting. He carries two and/or uses a second shooter (depending on what you are willing to pay for).
He uses a separate audio recorder with a lavalier mike attached to either the groom or the officiant, plus he asks for a audio CD recording from the sound board, if available, for backup.

So, he's thoroughly professional has has been around since the tape days. I was just surprised at his choice of the T3i.

If you like his work, that is what matters.

As far as the Rebel...well the video quality difference you probably won't be able to tell the difference between that, 60D, 7D, etc. in good light. So why spend more money if you'll never use the still photo part? Especially when it sounds like he has everything else needed - audio recording, stationary cameras, etc.

1st if they aren't using Magic Lantern on the camera for video I would seriously question how serious they are about video.

With Magic Lantern the files are fairly close to seamless and 12 minutes can be exceed, I agree on sound, needs to have a separate sound capture system. Certainly having a couple of recorders strategically placed, couple of boom microphones mounted on stands tucked visually out of the way, etc.

The T3i is so inexpensive they should have several at different angles so that when the file size limits hit, and they will be an edit to a different shot can be spliced in so it is seamless - sound track is again recorded separately

5D > all .

Only real benefit I see of the 60d is the ability to set custom white balance values, so he could match white balance accross multiple cameras.