Shooting documentary solo suggestions...

[Soldier]

I'm heading to Cambodia soon to shoot a documentary. I come from a narrative film background and this is my first attempt at a documentary film. I'm a one man band, and imagine I'll be shooting cinema cinema verite style. I'm looking to get a camera/audio recorder. I wondered if anyone had any suggestions about gear.

I'm considering getting a DSLR like the GH2 or the d800 just because of their compactness, but lack of ND filters, form factor, rolling shutter etc could just be a major PITA. My other option, I guess, is a HD camcorder with XLR inputs.

I've probably got up to about $5k to spend at this stage. I already own a rode ntg-3 mic, which I was considering partnering with a zoom h4n or the tascam dr-40 if I went down the DSLR route...

In terms of camera, ideally I'd like something that is good in low light, is versatile and not too bulky, and of course has a great image. I own a fast set of Nikon - AI prime lenses, but don't really want to be worrying about changing lenses or focus pulling all day!

The FS100 and the AF100 look like pretty decent options, but something like an EX1 might be good too... so many great cameras out there!

Any suggestions about gear or tips on solo shooting would be greatly appreciated!

[Noel Evans]

I promise you that shooting a documentary and using an H4N for your audio will either drive you insane in edit or be a complete pita when things are moving fast. One man xlr in is the way to go and having inbuilt ND will get you far more shots when something comes up quickly.

In addition to that, yeah that rode is a solid performer - but anyone who you interview must be seated at all times. For this kind of thing I find a wireless system very handy. And while people may go ooooh. The lmuix 14-140 for the af100 will take a lot of weight for you.

Make sure you've also got a great set of cans you need to be on that audio as much as your image.

[henryqiu]

Sound is going to be very important in your film. In addition to camera gear, you'll need pro and semi-pro audio gear: high quality headphones (critical), a mic for use in reflective environments (critical, unless you shoot only outdoors), a lav system (critical for narration, and if you go wireless, best to have a wired system as backup), and a standalone mixer (not critical if you have a recorder with a built-in preamp better than that in H4n, but always highly recommended for pro audio results).

[arniepix]

I'd like to see you clap the sticks on a slate as a one man band without a tripod. If you're serious about working alone, get a camera that will allow you to do more with less. A small video camera with XLR inputs and long shoot times will be much better suited to what you're describing.

[Soldier]

Thanks for your suggestions everyone. I'm not too worried about syncing because I've been using pluraleyes with some success over the last 12 months or so but the preamps in the zoom sound like they'd be an issue - I could get a small mixer I suppose but then I'm dealing with too much equipment to move quickly... Hmmm... the af-100 is looking pretty good, but then 14-140 seems pretty slow. Food for thought though... so thanks!

[bill totolo]

Why don't you just use an EX-1 or similar?

[Soldier]

To my knowledge the Ex-1 is a little more expensive (esp when you factor in the cards), but I've shot with one before and I loved the image quality. If I could get a decent one second hand, that would definitely be an option.

[morgan_moore]

FS100 ? proper sound XLR, Cinema look, a decent vari nd will help with the lack of ND, cheap media, cheap batts

One thing I really like with the sound is the ability to record one mic into two channels at different levels - very 'safe'

Id get the kit lens and a couple of small primes like a nikkor 50 1.8 for example

S

[David W. Jones]

Is this doc for broadcast? If so it would make sense to use a camera that meets the requirements of the network.

[arniepix]

Is this doc for broadcast? If so it would make sense to use a camera that meets the requirements of the network.

Great advice. You can find the approved camera lists from networks like BBC & Discovery on their websites.

I doubt you'd be sorry if you went with an AF100 or FS100. If you don't like Panny's zoom, remember that there are adapters to go from micro 4/3 to pretty much everything else.