Complete Newbi - Will A Cannon EOS 550D Be any good with FCP X?

Hi


I'm just just about to buy Final Cut Pro X & a Canon EOS 550D

Is final Cut Pro compatiable?


I'm going to the 550D as all the reivews i've seen (C.NET etc)

and they are saying that 550D has just as good quality HD filming, Equal to the 7D


But, thought i'd get some expert advice first 🙂



Thanks

mac pro, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Jul 9, 2011 3:20 AM

Reply
23 replies

Jul 9, 2011 4:12 AM in response to spires

Have a read on Final Cut Pro X regarding system requirement and Tech Support, please kindly refer to Support Formats and I/0 for clear details set forth by Apple Inc.


A) Final Cut Pro X | Sys Req and Tech Specs web addy:

http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/specs/


And... more specific info about Supported Cameras that works with Final Cut Pro X...


B) Final Cut Pro X Supported Cameras

http://help.apple.com/finalcutpro/cameras/en/index.html?


C) Conduct search query on Apple Discusson forums, it shows plenty of discussion related to your interested camera you were looking for.


Hope some of these info be of assistance and help.

Jul 9, 2011 4:40 AM in response to spires

Thanks for all your help. Great forum 🙂

I wasn't even expecting a quick reply, But post after post, Great 🙂



Yeah, I'm waiting for Lion to come out this month then get FCPX once Lion is installed.

Appearently, T2i is no good 😟 550D out the window then.

But the T3i is ok, so might have to but the 600D instead.


Do you any good video tutorials for FCPX ?


I am complely new to this, but something I want to get very good at.


Thanks Again 🙂

Jul 9, 2011 6:04 AM in response to spires

T2i is good but it just lacks the LCD swivel out and some other features that won't make a big difference in end

product


T2i and T3i both have manual controls for "fstop", manual focus, shutter. There are many people that have done great work with the T2i


I would not write off the T2i if that fits your budget. I have owned both and the T3i swivel out LCD is nice especially with various shot compositions


Agian, if your overall method of delivery is the web the image qaulity will be the same


The image quality will change if you invest in glass (lenses) rather than the kit lens


Let me remind you that when Vincent Laforet (who I so admire) shot that GREAT short REVERIE with his Canon 5D MKII he used the lenses below


This is what people forget that it's not just the camera body but the GLASS makes a difference and so does focal length and so does the ability of the shooter to take advantage of all those factors


Try adding up the cost of these lenses new or rental you'll be shocked


EF Lenses used in the making of REVERIE:

FD 7.5mm f/5.6 (converted to EF mount)
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
EF 50mm f/1.2L USM
EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM
EF 135mm f/2L USM
EF 200mm f/1.8L USM
EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM
EF 500mm f/4L IS USM
TS-E 24mm f/3.5L
TS-E 45mm f/2.8



As stated before ,nothing wrong with buying the kit lens but you will ened up adding a few prime lenses in your investment


Start with the kit lens and learn. All I'm saying is, watch your bottom line from the start and have a plan with your budget otgherwise you'll sink into that black hole with frustration

Jul 9, 2011 6:15 AM in response to spires

I guess that is what inspiring Apple consumers helping other inspiring Apple consumer, that is what is Apple Community Discussion all about.


You might want to talk to somebody at Apple store, in person, at Geinus Bar to double check. They might, as well, know the workaround potential solution to a couple of Canon digital SLR cameras.


As for Final Cut Pro X, as far as it is, like & as you are, I am new to Final Cut Pro X. I purchased it through Apple App online. I definitely upgrade to Apple Mac OS X Loin as soon as Apple officially releases to general pubic.


As for me using Final Pro X, as it is slightly off-topic, but could be related to your situation whether the I/O connection works, and what's not, so on. Well, my spouse and I went to Europe recently for two weeks vacation to Spain and Italy. I got new Canon VIVXA HF S21 HD camcorder for my birthday. My camcorder is capable of recording a various formats such as AVCHD, and few others... While I was in middle of my decision, at the time few days ago, that Apple claims that it supports ALL AVCHD format from any kind of latest camcorders that records and encode AVCHD. At the time, I was not able to dig specific info on this until after I run into little hiccup small technical problem with Final Cut Pro X not able to read or understand AVCHD native files from my camcorder... So I look up under Help menu inside Final Cut Pro X regarding supported cameras. That was where I discover specific info I was looking for.


So, I am thinking about "upgrading" my current camcorder to Canon VIVXA HF G10...


Also, I own Adobe Creative Suite CS5.5 Master Collection... Recently upgraded to Master Collection from Adobe CS5 Design Premium... I had discovered that I can open and edit and connect to my camcorder in Premiere CS5.5 seamlessly. To find a workaround solution for my situation, I am able to convert AVCHD files from Premiere CS5.5 along with Adobe Media encoder app... I recognize that not everyone have the luxury to run or own Master Collection suite... Since I own a HD camcorder now, I see the justification in doing so to upgrade. Not only that reason, I have a couple of projects that I will be doing with for cross media publishing for iPad, iPhone and desktop or laptop computers.... Plus print media such as photography books so forth...


Additionally, I love to do lot of experiments with all pretty cool technology stuff...


I own a couple of Nikon dSLR cameras and a variety of lens...


Anyway, welcome to Apple Community once again. As for prompt response on the forum, it could be fast response. Or within few hours. Or a day or so. Or some cases, none at all. It just depends on HOW individual ask specific question to seek for specific answer or solution... I am sure you know what I mean.


If you go to Apple store in person, could you let us know, so other individual similar to your situation will know. Up to you!

Jul 9, 2011 6:18 AM in response to skyjamvideos

I have a 550D and it works, sort of, with FCP X. Only had a brief play with it and it seems as if FCP X doesn't recognise the 550D so can't "Import from Camera". However, the .mov files from the 550D can be imported to FCP X so I've just been manually transferring them to my Mac and then importing them to FCP without any problem. No worries with editing or outputting the .mov files, which I think FCP X can handle natively.

Jul 9, 2011 6:33 AM in response to Robert Rees

In addition to Robert's comment, it is true that you can edit footage of .mov (QuickTime format). You might want to look into third-party nifty pretty neat app that converts Canon camera's native file into .mov files, then you can import these files into Final Cut Pro X.


As I had mention earlier that I can convert my AVCHD footage into QuickTime formats through Adobe Media app from Preimere app. In that case, I am glad that Robert chime in and mention .mov file format...


Also, there are types of native formats that you can encode in QuickTime files with many options, feel free to learn more details through resources and Tech Specs that I included the web links for you earlier.


You might want to look into One-to-One programme offering at Apple retail store near you or in your hometown. With One-to-One program, the staff person from Apple store and you go through in person, perhaps once a week or certain time. But I suggest that you want to ask them about it if this works for you. I am not quite sure if they could do that with Final Cut Pro and One-to-One programme. You can never know... They also have workshop available at Apple store. But it seems they usually offer workshops on consumer-level apps such as iLife, iWork or iMovie. But you can inquire about it in person.

Jul 9, 2011 7:45 AM in response to Jeaux

Jeaux,


I have tried what you had suggest. It doesn't work, FCPX cannot read or import. So you say it can. So, tell me exactly, as in steps...to reproduce what works for you. So I can reproduce and confirm what you had suggest. I have no cue as to how as that work for you. I spent a couple of days trying to sort it out. But couldn't do it like what you suggest. Perhaps that I did something wrong anyhow. I might want to add that Apple doesn't do a suffice details in how and giving us more examples in a user guide help such as PDF help file. I see that legacy PDF files are covered for legacy Final Cut Pro Studio and the like. You will have to do a manually producing PDF right off web help site. The funny thing I discover that there are PDF files set up for Motion, the latest version, and Compressor, the latest version. What happens to the latest Final Cut Pro X. I can see that there is some information inside Final Cut Pro X Help. But not good enough. I know it is not just me having this problem with AVCHD footage not able to be read by Final Cut Pro X.


I do understand about AIC and ProRes for optimum and more effective performance. All I did was manually moving these files individually. What I did was pain, really a pain.


If you look in my sig info or above comments I had posted, I own and use Master Collection. I just happen to have them installed on my machines, on Mac Pro and MacBook Pro 17 unibody.

Jul 9, 2011 8:15 AM in response to Caramel Macchiato

Caramel:


FCPX is optimized for editing ProRes 422.


First, I always optimize AVCHD files to ProRes on import since they're so funky for editing. My Canon DSLR .mov files are already pretty docile, so I generally leave them alone.


AVCHD is a weird format, there is a lot of metadata associated with it (somebody else can explain that better than I), so in order to import it into FCPX, the application needs to see the entire directory structure, not just the .mts files in the stream.


You import AVCHD clips into an event (or create a new one) by clicking on the File menu, then selecting Import From Camera - even if you've inserted the camera's card into you computer's card reader. FCPX reads the card, because it has the AVCHD file structure on it, as if it's a camera. All the clips on the camera or card will appear as thumbnails. From there it's pretty self explanatory.


The key is understanding the peculiar nature of AVCHD video files, and keeping the folder/directory structure intact so that FCPX can decipher it, find the clips, and import them.


If anybody can add to this explanation, please jump in...

Jul 9, 2011 9:25 AM in response to spires

Spires, I have no idea where you are. I'm in Scandinavia. Just before buying my T3i (600D) I bumped in to a Canon rep and we talked about the various cameras. As I was considering a 60D for stills and film the guy told me the T3i has better film control so that is what I went with and saved me a bundle. The Kit lens is OK for my use. I do have other better lenses and will pick up a prime or two.


Day after I bought it I went to Germany to film. (I'm an amateur but start film school next month). I looked around various shops and found that prize between 550D and 600D was almost none. Trust me, the swiveling screen is a godsend.


I stick the SD card n the slot on my mac and drag it to my HDD. Start up FCP7 and connect to the drive and the directory. No need to log and transfer - seriously! Not sure that would work in FCPX as I don't have it.


Good luck with your camera.

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Complete Newbi - Will A Cannon EOS 550D Be any good with FCP X?

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