Best budget set up for run'n'gun filming?

[billythekid]

Hi folks, I want to invest in a good GH2 kit for documentary filming. (rig, lenses, audio), can you make my day and give me some wise advice? Thank you

[philed]

Hi folks, I want to invest in a good GH2 kit for documentary filming. (rig, lenses, audio), can you make my day and give me some wise advice? Thank you

You´ve a very big choice of lenses for the GH2, and every lens have a different character!Use vimeo and youtube to find your favority Lenses, look for the Style you wants to have for your documentary, the most guys wrote the Lenses in the Clip discrition! I prefer the Voigtländer classics, and the Canon Glass! There are adapters for the most Lens Typs.
But a old 16mm Zoom with f2 - f2.8 works great in 2x Extender mode of the gh2 and will be a good choice for a documentary!

Try to use external Soundrecorders like the Zoom H4/H4N, Tascam DR100...e.t.c. if it´s possible use a Sennheiser MkH416/60 in a Blimp/Windscreen on a Boom. Or the Cheaper Sennheiser ME64/66! You need a additional Guy for Sound, or a Assistent e.t.c can handle it.

There are a nice Cage Rig for the GH2 which will be released on February 2011! www.rewo.tv
You can put all the Stuff on, you can combine it with other Rigs with shoulder Mount like the one from Vocas, Zacuto, Letus... e.t.c.

[billythekid]

Thank you for your advice! But don't you find any problem using "old" lenses wihout AF on a documenary shooting with a lot of movement? So if I understand you right should I buy "body only" and find the type of lens that suites for my documentary? thanx!

[philed]

I´ve forget to tell you what is realy important on the GH2! A good HD Monitor like the SmallHD DP6 or TV-Logic...e.t.c. You will love it and it will helps a lot to Focus your shots. You will save the Money for the Monitor if your Lens choice is on Manuel Lenses. Even on a GH2 with the Panasonic/Leica Lenses you will see the AF seeking. I`ve shot on 16 and 35mill without a Focuspuller on Old Cine-glas and scratchy Viewfinders... You can train this, but you need a good source for this... The GH2 Screen is not good enough for judge Focus. What you see is what you get, even on HD!

[biginvegas]

Billy the kid.........GH2 is looking like the perfect camera for the solo documentary filmmaker. Rig with a large Manfrotto quick release so you can slide onto a tripod or hand held rig like a Red Rock or even a Joby large Gorrila pod set up as an over shoulder. If you are pulling focus (buy a decent FF like Red Rock) and not going AF route suggest two or three fast zooms to cover your focal distances eg. (buy them used or refurbished if you can find them) Nikon 17-55 2.8, 35-70mm 2.8, 80-200mm 2.8 ( you will need a G adaptors for the 17-55), a VariND like the Genus or more expensive Singh Ray. Obviously the 14-140 Panasonic will do everything expect low light but read ISO can be pushed on the GH2. Research sound some more but a Zoom H4n will cover a lot at close range, shot gun mics/lavaliers can be added later or with the Zoom. Monitors are really cumbersome for doc run n gun, suggest focus with the new EVF by Cineroid or simply focus by the camera viewfinder, that's what it is there for just customize a decent rubber lens hood. Buy an onboard light like the Rotolight or any other Chinese cheap lightweight knockoff for when you need it. There are cheaper ways to attach the stuff to your camera than the very nice ReWo, Ikan arms etc.

This is just a guide to products I know and use, there are many lenses, gear etc that do the same job sometime better and cheaper. Keep reading reviews and you will narrow your list to what style you want and will shoot.

[philed]

Billy the kid.........GH2 is looking like the perfect camera for the solo documentary filmmaker. Rig with a large Manfrotto quick release so you can slide onto a tripod or hand held rig like a Red Rock or even a Joby large Gorrila pod set up as an over shoulder. If you are pulling focus (buy a decent FF like Red Rock) and not going AF route suggest two or three fast zooms to cover your focal distances eg. (buy them used or refurbished if you can find them) Nikon 17-55 2.8, 35-70mm 2.8, 80-200mm 2.8 ( you will need a G adaptors for the 17-55), a VariND like the Genus or more expensive Singh Ray. Obviously the 14-140 Panasonic will do everything expect low light but read ISO can be pushed on the GH2. Research sound some more but a Zoom H4n will cover a lot at close range, shot gun mics/lavaliers can be added later or with the Zoom. Monitors are really cumbersome for doc run n gun, suggest focus with the new EVF by Cineroid or simply focus by the camera viewfinder, that's what it is there for just customize a decent rubber lens hood. Buy an onboard light like the Rotolight or any other Chinese cheap lightweight knockoff for when you need it. There are cheaper ways to attach the stuff to your camera than the very nice ReWo, Ikan arms etc.

This is just a guide to products I know and use, there are many lenses, gear etc that do the same job sometime better and cheaper. Keep reading reviews and you will narrow your list to what style you want and will shoot.

But take care of very cheap products from China or India! You can keep accessoires longer than your camera! Simple and good cheap Handle tools can u get here http://www.camera-obscura.de/shop/index.php/film/allgemeines-zubehor/little-helper-handheldset-komplett.html
Whats your location?

Don´t worry, the ReWo GH2 Set will be around the half price than the 5D/7D one.

[billythekid]

Many thanks Big in Vegas and Philed,

I'm in sweden and aware of that cheap producs from asia can be pretty crappy. But there are also good stuff. I read for example this LED-light shootout of Chinese light producers: http://frankglencairn.wordpress.com/2011/01/02/the-cheap-video-led-light-shootout/.
And also rigs like the "Gini" from Korea has apparently improved the building quality, do anyone have a good advice for which budget rig is best for run'n'gun filming?. As a budget FF philip bloom suggest this for around 120 dollars(for sale in Feb): http://philipbloom.net/2010/01/09/two-very-different-follow-focus-systems-for-hd-dslrs/