Why I Chose the Canon 700D Rebel T5i | Camera Review

by Steve Asker
(Brisbane, Australia)

Canon 700D/Rebel T5i

September 3, 2014 - I have just purchased the new Canon 700D/Rebel T5i with 18-55mm lens and 55-250mm lens. The reason I chose this camera is the reliability factor, quality of pictures, easy use, and good video dynamics.

I researched what would be the best (affordable) camera for documentary making, asked a few producers what they used? And came up with this model.

I have worked in commercial television production for over 30 years, from doco's to dramas. I thought this would be a good choice to set myself up as an independent producer, making documentaries and real estate sales videos as bread and butter income.

This way of shooting is a completely different animal to what I have been doing for so long.

The Canon 700D is a good reliable camera, very sturdy with world wide service and parts. I also like the range of lenses and the lens technologies that canon offers.

The camera is easy to use and offers a fully auto mode or full manual mode or in the middle for creative works. At the moment Canon is selling this at $1250.00 $AU including 2 lenses.

In addition to photography, I also wanted a video camera. Having worked in commercial television production for so many years I have always used and operated Sony cameras and Sony camera trains. (CCU).

The Canon 700D solved this issue and the extra expense of buying a separate video camera.

With the video record mode, the camera will shoot HD video for 30-35 minutes before the processor over heats and shuts the camera down. That's a huge amount of continues video. I doubt I'd ever shoot for that long, unless I’m following a football game. On top of this I have a video camera with interchangeable lenses, real zoom technology, as opposed to digital zoom. The camera is light weight and unobtrusive.

Some countries and provinces you have to be as inconspicuous as possible, and having a video camera on your shoulder certainly isn't. Where the canon is inconspicuous, it says tourist not documentary maker.

At this stage my kit is small:

Canon 700D, plus 2 lenses 18-55mm & 55-250mm.
Two UV filters mainly to protect the lens element.
Two rubber lens hoods. These collapse and make storage easy.
One battery operated LED light with D shoe & stand.
Radio lapel mike.
Two camera batteries.
Manfrotto tripod.

All this, except the tripod, fits into a black fiberglass case or back pack.

I hope this is useful to anyone considering this camera.

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Questions? Please post below.

Comments for Why I Chose the Canon 700D Rebel T5i | Camera Review

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Sep 03, 2014

keep us posted
by: Desktop Documentaries

Thanks for sharing Steve! Keep us posted on how things go with this camera and any additional tips and insights learned as you put it to use for your projects.

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