Camera recommended for self portrait, but high quality pics?

[dylan82]

I am currently looking for a new camera, and the one i need is specifically for blogging, where I do need to be in front of it, so I will be using a remote, and the shots do need to be high quality. It will also be used to take some video footage.
I currently have a 600d though am really not happy with how hard it is to work out, lack of focus etc

Any recommendations would be fantastic. I know 5d markiii has 61 AF, though am looking for something maybe a step down that can still produce what i need

Thanks

 

[f2bthere]

Many of the new cameras have wifi control so you can focus and take pictures using the remote to control the camera.

The wifi remote system on the Fuji cameras is fantastic (you can see on your phone or tablet what the camera sees and control most of the settings with your phone). Alas, Fuji is not the best for video.

But I would guess several brands would have decent wifi control by now.

 

[rudimaes]

The Panasonic FZ1000 is a versatile bridge camera, with good stills and video (even in 4K).
You could use a proper wireless remote or your smartphone with a good app.
It has a Leica 25-400mm zoomlens F2.8-F4. A very good 1" 20mp sensor.
All people (me included,) using the FZ1000, are amazed about the quality of the pictures.
Rudi

 

[Bryston3bsst]

I am currently looking for a new camera, and the one i need is specifically for blogging, where I do need to be in front of it, so I will be using a remote, and the shots do need to be high quality. It will also be used to take some video footage.
I currently have a 600d though am really not happy with how hard it is to work out, lack of focus etc

Any recommendations would be fantastic. I know 5d markiii has 61 AF, though am looking for something maybe a step down that can still produce what i need

Thanks

Lack of focus? If you mean lack of focus remotely then I would suggest that you just don't have the proper wireless remote. I had a 600D and I used a simple Cowboy Studio remote that worked just like the shutter release. You half press for focus, at which point it would give you a focus confirmation light, then full press for fire. I got perfect results every time.

If you are trying to get focus by using the 10 second timer then hopping in front of the camera I can understand why your missing focus.

A bit more detail of your dissatisfaction with your current kit would be a help.

 

[jaomul]

Olympus Epl7

 

[Braineack]

There's no reason the 600D can't take good self-portraits or other pictures.

 

[Dao]

Do you mean the camera is setup on a tripod and facing you? Are you or the person in front of the camera moving constantly? Or is it a sit down type video recording? (Like the news anchor siting in the newsroom reporting news) If it is the sit down type, they you may want to set the aperture to have the depth of field enough to cover the subject. Then set the lens to manual focus. In that case, you will not need to worry about focusing.


Or if you have a Android tablet, you may also try to use DSLR Controller (DSLR Controller Home to remote control the shooting. It works great for sit down type recording. Just look at the tablet and focus it by tapping on the screen. I tried it one time with my 7D to help my wife to recording a how-to video. She can focus, start and stop the recording via the tablet.

 

[dylan82]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Bryston that's very interesting as my remote which is a Rc-6 certainly doesn't do that. I will take a look at that. Also doing the 10 second timer then getting in front of the camera is what I do the other 70% of the time, whether it be photos but also, recording videos before I go in front. I guess that's why I'm out of focus always? Does this remote control video to?
Dao with video I stand in front of camera and talk though often walk toward it first.

 

[Braineack]

that will almost never work. use your flippy screen, get a remote shutter trigger, allow the camera to actually focus on something.

 

[dylan82]

Braineack it seems I can do that with this cowboy studio remote mentioned when I'm already in front now

 

[Braineack]

I'd suggest trying that. on timer mode, the camera typically focuses first, then just takes the picture after the time. If it has nothing to focus on then once you step into frame you're already going to be out of focus.

using your flippy screen and a remote, use really dont even need to use a timer.

 

[Bryston3bsst]

I'd suggest trying that. on timer mode, the camera typically focuses first, then just takes the picture after the time. If it has nothing to focus on then once you step into frame you're already going to be out of focus.

using your flippy screen and a remote, use really dont even need to use a timer.

Exactly right.

Honestly, the Cowboy Studio remote was decent but I now use a Vello remote with the 6D. It's built quite a bit better than the Cowboy was and only a little more expensive.

Look at their stuff. I'm sure they probably make one for a 600D. As I mentioned earlier it has a focus confirmation light so you really don't need to look at your screen to see focus. Heck, I don't think I could even see the screen from a distance in front of the camera anyway.

Here's Vello: Remote Controls

 

[dylan82]

Thankyou guys

 

[KmH]

High quality photos/video result from using a good lens, the right camera settings, a nice background, and good lighting.
Using the appropriate focal length, lens aperture, and point of focus distance can give you sufficient depth of field so you can manually focus the camera and not have to re-focus or use the AF.

 

[goodguy]

There's no reason the 600D can't take good self-portraits or other pictures.

Agreed, I dont get it, not a Canon user but the 600D is more then capable to produce excellent portraits and other style of pictures, if you are not happy with it then you must be doing something wrong.