Upgrade Camera or Lens?

Big_Chief

Hi,

I've started to take an interest in creating videos, mainly of family holidays or getaways and I'm thinking of upgrading some of my kit.

At present I have the following kit:

Canon 550D - with standard 18-55mm lens and a prime 50mm lens.
DJI Osmo (the original version)
DJI Phantom 3 Standard
SJCAM SJ4000

The osmo is good for smooth stable shots but the depth of field isn't great.
With the 50mm prime I like the depth of field you get and the look of the shots. The standard 18-55 isn't as good but offers more flexibility with the zoom.

After some googling I came across the likes of the Blackmagic cinema camera or upgrading my DSLR to a newer/better model.
What I really wanted to know was would I get more benefit from investing in a decent lens for my 550D or would upgrading my camera be more beneficial? Obviously if I upgrade the camera I will need a new lens but I'm trying to minimise my outlay.

Also, what forums do any of you amateur videographers use for advice on equipment, editing, ideas etc?

Appreciate any feedback anyone can provide.

12harry

Hi,
You could upgrade the Canon body, as you have some lenses - then see what videos you are making - and buy a lens to suit.
Blackmagic are fine cameras, but need a lens and quite some fiddling to get them up and running... and look at the weight, even without the lens battery.  In practice most BM users will use focus rails and a frame/chassis.... making it rather better for studio shots with a Pro tripod ( since you'll need to rebalance the weight when changing lens.).... oh yes you'll need a small SSD to store the pics.

If you join a local Movie-making Club there will be plenty of advice and gear to try....

Software for Editing is a tricky subject as most folks stick with what they know.. Adobe is mighty good, but the subscriptions are massive ( unless you are a Pro and can justify ). Magix have several suites, some competing with their own... and there are a couple of Free ones which are cut-down version eally for PROs,. Colour grading being very much in vogue.
I don't understand yr complaint about DoF - Cameras/camcorders with WA lens and small sensors usually have "sharpening" built-in - so nearly everything is in focus.... what semi-pros want is a shallow DoF so only the subject is sharp . . . and that's much more difficult, unless you can dial-in ND filter so the Iris opens up.  Of course Pro camcorders have this built-in.
BTW a camcorder is the easiest piece of kit to use; being developed to cater for movie-making.
You should give us some idea of what you are intending to film with the new kit, etc.  Also, what's wrong with the Canon camera you have?

Cheers.