The new video functions in DSLRs have introduced us photographers to a whole new world of cinematography. For me, it’s been fun but also challenging and expensive.

All of the sudden my computer doesn’t have enough RAM to run the video files. My tripod is not smooth enough. And the external lights I have are flash but not constant.

The computer and the lights are easy fixes. The stabilising issue is what gets me.

On traditional film cameras, it’s easier. Film from one spot, press a button and the camera zooms in and out, automatically focusing as you go. With DSLRs, zooming will cause your image to go out of focus and it’s rarely smooth. Video cameras are designed with stabilisation in mind. With DSLRs, it’s not the priority.

If you film from one spot, tripods are great. But what happens when you are filming a wedding, for example, a situation demanding that you move around heaps?

A possible solution could be a dolly. On smooth surfaces, the wheels will work great. Not so if your location is the beach.

A steadycam costs a fortune. Shoulder stabilisers, designed for traditional video cameras, are more affordable but most will occupy the arm you need to focus with.

As a photographer, I must admit that I’m very confused as to what equipment I need in order to capture smooth video with my DSLR. From the looks of it, it’s going to take a chunk out of my budget.

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