Shooting video with a DSLR

A few years ago, camera manufacturers started adding video modes to their DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras and accidentally started a revolution in filmmaking.  For the first time it was possible for filmmakers to have the same control over the look of their footage as photographers, with interchangeable lenses and large images sensors making cinematic effects accessible for a fraction of the price.

Entire feature films and episodes of House have been shot on the Canon Eos 5D and now it's all even more accessible with cameras like the Canon 550D and the Panasonic GH2 (a mirrorless DSLR) available in the price range of the old family camcorder and capable of shooting much better quality video.

To get the most out of a DSLR, you need a bit more technical understanding than with a point-and-shoot camera.  And, since DSLR's were designed for shooting stills, not video, there are some issues to overcome.

Here's one of the more useful videos from the Vimeo Video School with Philip Bloom introducing the basics of DSLR videography:

Here's the original article and there's also a whole section on DSLRs.