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purchasing a video camera and A/V equipment

PhillyB

By PhillyB,
in Huddle Lounge

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PhillyB Grand Master

PhillyB

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I need to buy a video camera. I've got some professional duties that will require it and personal interest in shooting some stuff as well, and the time has come to start looking around.

Specifically, I need a production quality camera that's capable of shooting big screen material. I would also like a second camera that's more portable and conducive to spontaneity.

Any thoughts on brands, models, features, stores, etc.?

 

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Dex Collaborator

Dex

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It really depends on your budget.  If you want the "big screen material" look on a budget without purchasing a RED I would recommend a used Canon 5D Mark 2. You can probably get one for around $2000. It has a full frame sensor which gives that film look. I've always shot on DSLRs for video because of their versatility.  What kind of filming will this be? Interviews? Promotional? Documentary? Short Film? What other A/V equipment are you looking at? My go to store is Adorama and B&H. They know their poo.

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PhillyB Grand Master

PhillyB

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3 hours ago, Dex said:

It really depends on your budget.  If you want the "big screen material" look on a budget without purchasing a RED I would recommend a used Canon 5D Mark 2. You can probably get one for around $2000. It has a full frame sensor which gives that film look. I've always shot on DSLRs for video because of their versatility.  What kind of filming will this be? Interviews? Promotional? Documentary? Short Film? What other A/V equipment are you looking at? My go to store is Adorama and B&H. They know their poo.

i've been looking at the 5D and a few comparable models by sony (NX100). my budget is between 1500-3000, though i'd rather keep it around 2k if possible. i actually don't care about shooting in 4k all that much either, which should be able to save me some coin.

i'm actually doing two types of filming. i will be doing some shorter travel doc type of things that will demand the versatility of a dslr (i'll just use the one i have now.) but i also would like to produce some feature-length stuff, more as personal interest projects than anything. lots of exterior shooting. i would like some versatility in shooting so besides the general tripod i'll also eventually invest in a nice boom and a dolly system as well.

do you have opinions on XLR functions? is it worth the trouble hooking up extra equipment? will the audio be that much better?

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Dex Collaborator

Dex

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28 minutes ago, PhillyB said:

i've been looking at the 5D and a few comparable models by sony (NX100). my budget is between 1500-3000, though i'd rather keep it around 2k if possible. i actually don't care about shooting in 4k all that much either, which should be able to save me some coin.

i'm actually doing two types of filming. i will be doing some shorter travel doc type of things that will demand the versatility of a dslr (i'll just use the one i have now.) but i also would like to produce some feature-length stuff, more as personal interest projects than anything. lots of exterior shooting. i would like some versatility in shooting so besides the general tripod i'll also eventually invest in a nice boom and a dolly system as well.

do you have opinions on XLR functions? is it worth the trouble hooking up extra equipment? will the audio be that much better?

If you're going to be on the move alot and don't want to lug around a dolly I would look into glidecams. I own the HD2000 I think it was $400 and I get incredible shots with it. Go to youtube and checkout "devinsupertramp glidecam" videos.

 

As for audio again it depends on the shooting you're doing. You can attach a Rode Shotgun mic to your camera or shell out for a Zoom H4n or Tascam recorder. These are handy for crisp recording and if you're using Lav mics. If you're going to be outside I would recommend a boom shotgunic with a dead cat to cut out wind. Probably your best bet on a budget. I prefer using XLR microphones with phantom power at home. However you can get away with alternatives on the road as long as you have a good recorder. You will notice a difference.  On camera audio is garbage without an external mic.

 

Now I don't know which lenses you have for your DSLR but i would recommend a prime 50mm 1.4. I use this for close up shots and it looks gorgeous. If you don't have a frame DSLR you're going to want a lens that let's plenty of light in. I would look into used L series lenses. (Canon guy). Let me know If you have any questions.

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PhillyB Grand Master

PhillyB

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good stuff! i am still immersing myself into all this, so many of my questions will come after i make a purchase and actually start producing a few test films. at this juncture i just need to make sure i'm buying something with the capacity to look crystal clear on a big screen and to have professional-quality audio (in my experience this is where inexperienced/microbudget filmmakers tend to fail. nothing turns me off like garbage audio from the outset.)

editing and post production is ground i won't touch for a while, but what software do you use? everyone keeps telling me to go with premier.

also do you just order your gear online or do you go purchase it in a brick and mortar store somewhere? i have to say the idea of dropping 3k on a camera that's going to get shipped to my front door where some clown could steal it makes me a little nervous.

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Dex Collaborator

Dex

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36 minutes ago, PhillyB said:

good stuff! i am still immersing myself into all this, so many of my questions will come after i make a purchase and actually start producing a few test films. at this juncture i just need to make sure i'm buying something with the capacity to look crystal clear on a big screen and to have professional-quality audio (in my experience this is where inexperienced/microbudget filmmakers tend to fail. nothing turns me off like garbage audio from the outset.)

editing and post production is ground i won't touch for a while, but what software do you use? everyone keeps telling me to go with premier.

also do you just order your gear online or do you go purchase it in a brick and mortar store somewhere? i have to say the idea of dropping 3k on a camera that's going to get shipped to my front door where some clown could steal it makes me a little nervous.

Yes, bad audio could sink a film faster than an iceberg in the Atlantic. I would take the audio just as serious as you take the video. You will learn some tricks down the road to cut out "noise"in post pro and make the audio send better via compression and stuff. Youtube is your friend.

 

 

 

 

I use Final Cut Pro X but you can't go wrong with Premiere. I actually own both FCPX and the Adobe creative package that's $30 a month and you get all of the Adobe programs (photoshop, premiere, aftereffects, audition etc.) FCPX is Mac exclusive but it's very smooth and there is much less of a learning curve than Premerie. However it's much easier to work on a project when you can use the Adobe Bridge to seamlessly bring your projects in and out of Adobe software. I would watch some Youtube videos and see what you like best. If you just want a clean user interface and own a Mac I say go with FCPX. If you plan on doing special effects and want the extra software go with the Adobe Creative package.

 

I order my gear online but I drove to NYC to pickup my camera haha. That's a lot of money and I wouldn't want to take the chance.

 

The below video would be a good starter package for you. Canon 5D Mark II, Zoom H4N and an 85mm lens. Prob looking at around $3000 total for the 3. But you can search for used items and bargains. Great combo to start with though.

 

 

 

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PhillyB Grand Master

PhillyB

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On February 27, 2016 at 2:35 PM, Dex said:

Yes, bad audio could sink a film faster than an iceberg in the Atlantic. I would take the audio just as serious as you take the video. You will learn some tricks down the road to cut out "noise"in post pro and make the audio send better via compression and stuff. Youtube is your friend.

you are the absolute man. thanks for all the info. any chance if i posted a couple of models i'm looking at you could toss a few brief opinions about them? pros/cons what you think they'd be best for shooting?

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Dex

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21 minutes ago, PhillyB said:

you are the absolute man. thanks for all the info. any chance if i posted a couple of models i'm looking at you could toss a few brief opinions about them? pros/cons what you think they'd be best for shooting?

Of course!

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PhillyB Grand Master

PhillyB

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@Dex, what do you think of the sony FDR-AX100?

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1022653-REG/sony_fdrax100_b_hdr_ax100_full_hd_handycam.html

 

1389198276000_IMG_360504.jpg

 

My qualifications are simply that it has to put up a good enough picture to give me a production-quality big screen finish, be versatile enough to let me run a separate audio input, and give me reasonably good results shooting outdoors (wind could be a factor, so stability is good.)

Does this pass the eye test to you?

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