What kind of camera should I buy if I am just starting out?!
- Thread starter mattspat
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Ryan Patrick O'Hara
Veteran
If you are interested in getting into cinematography, I would highly recommend any camera which is able to turn off all automatic functions. A camera which forces you to manually focus, expose, choose shutter speed and etc, will help you learn much faster. Past that, this quickly will become your standard DVXuser thread question of "which camera to buy?"
I would recommend you buy an old 'all manual' Film SLR camera and shoot still photography for awhile. It costs money but is well worth learning exposure, iso/asa, zone system, over/under exposing, latitude and etc.
I would recommend you buy an old 'all manual' Film SLR camera and shoot still photography for awhile. It costs money but is well worth learning exposure, iso/asa, zone system, over/under exposing, latitude and etc.
NoahK
Hottie Mod
I think you can learn the same with a newer digital SLR and save a lot of money. Shooting film is a great way to really learn the ropes but then again it's also dang expensive and you have to wait for processing to see what you actually accomplished. A nice entry level Canon or Nikon DSLR can teach you many of the same principles of manual camerawork without all the added expense of stock and film processing. Though again I think it's a good way to learn the very basics.
That and join a local photography group or club. You'll get a ton of good info on how to shoot and what gear to work with.
Noah
That and join a local photography group or club. You'll get a ton of good info on how to shoot and what gear to work with.
Noah
GregPorter
Active member
I'm no veteran but unless you give a general budget (what you're willing to spend) no one can suggest anything because a beginner willing to spend $200 is a completely different ballpark from a beginner willing to spend $800.
If you're starting out and really want to get into it fast, get Canons HV20 or their HG10 (HV is tape, HG is Hard-drive) they have pretty slack manual controls but otherwise excellent cameras, very mod-able and then when you're comfortable with that bump up to a DVX/HVX or whatever.
If you're starting out and really want to get into it fast, get Canons HV20 or their HG10 (HV is tape, HG is Hard-drive) they have pretty slack manual controls but otherwise excellent cameras, very mod-able and then when you're comfortable with that bump up to a DVX/HVX or whatever.
Justin Aguirre
Well-known member
Where do you shop for film jis4? If your talking about your typical Walmart, Target, or Walgreens then yes I agree I think they are shrinking. But the kids running the labs in those places IMO have minimal training to run those machines and I bet they don't change out the chemicals as often as they should. The pro labs still have a very good selection of film to choose from and even Kodak released Ektar 100 this past November.
To mattspat: I have to agree with Ryan, any camera with manual override will work fine. I also agree that a still camera would be very useful in terms of learning the ropes. The choose of getting a film or digital is up to you, both have it's ups and downs. Personally, I learned on 35mm when I was 13 years old. The idea of having only 36 shots forced me to slow down and think about comp, lighting, and iris/shutter speed. Also, a good manual film camera will last you years and I really mean that. Most of mine are nearly at 20-30 year old age mark. I would love to see a digital camera do that.
For a video camera, you are at DVXuser so I would take a guess you were already looking at one to find this site... I think the original DVX100 or even the A can be had for a fairly decent amount. Hope that helps
To mattspat: I have to agree with Ryan, any camera with manual override will work fine. I also agree that a still camera would be very useful in terms of learning the ropes. The choose of getting a film or digital is up to you, both have it's ups and downs. Personally, I learned on 35mm when I was 13 years old. The idea of having only 36 shots forced me to slow down and think about comp, lighting, and iris/shutter speed. Also, a good manual film camera will last you years and I really mean that. Most of mine are nearly at 20-30 year old age mark. I would love to see a digital camera do that.
For a video camera, you are at DVXuser so I would take a guess you were already looking at one to find this site... I think the original DVX100 or even the A can be had for a fairly decent amount. Hope that helps
Nexis
Well-known member
Matt,
It's important to assess your budget and go from there. Don't forget that the camera itself (whichever kind you end up getting) is only the starting point. You'll want a good tripod, and as you go you'll want to pick up other stuff too.
I don't think that you need to start using an SLR or a DSLR. If you choose to because of your budget, then fine. But if you're budget-conscious, looking into a manual digital or film camera will still allow you to learn, and you won't spend money that could be used for other stuff on an SLR or DLSR that you're ultimately not going to use.
Cheers, and good luck.
It's important to assess your budget and go from there. Don't forget that the camera itself (whichever kind you end up getting) is only the starting point. You'll want a good tripod, and as you go you'll want to pick up other stuff too.
I don't think that you need to start using an SLR or a DSLR. If you choose to because of your budget, then fine. But if you're budget-conscious, looking into a manual digital or film camera will still allow you to learn, and you won't spend money that could be used for other stuff on an SLR or DLSR that you're ultimately not going to use.
Cheers, and good luck.
Ryan Patrick O'Hara
Veteran
What ?
SLR's take standard 35mm film... the kind that is still abundantly available. Only few companies made the film and most still do. As someone stated, retail chains are not stocking as much (they still do) but you'd be better off at a film specialty store. Better service, selection, and cool toys to play with.
Digital cams are fine, but sometimes very pain in the ass to set manual modes and to work around all those bells and whistles/etc. Those bells and whistles can be very confusing to the beginner.
I'm a fan of the old slr's. Mine only has shutter speed, asa/iso rating, focus ring, and iris ring. All manual and that's it. The best learning tool I could have ever owned. I've found that I studied and took more care with my photographs when there was a finite amount of film which costs money. Every shot was calculated, and observed.
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JamieF
Member
i agree with Ryan. I'm not sure where you guys live, but it must suck to live there. You can easily pick up a cannon AE-1 for 50 dollars or less, look on eBay or at local camera stores. Youll burn through at least 30 rolls of film and get them printed before you reach the 400 dollar mark. Plus, you can get your negatives scanned so you can edit them on your computer and post them on flickr or other sites, like ryan did on his website.
Justin Aguirre
Well-known member
Yes, if you want to learn cinematography then photography is a good and often cheaper way to start. SLR's are the way to go, especially with prime lenses. Check out your local Craigslist or ebay for a camera. Canon (AE-1)/Nikon (Haven't Shot Nikon)/Olympus (OM System) plus many other companies made very nice camera's which can be had for not much.
PS If you really, really, want to be adventurous then go get a Super-8mm camera and make some films. Each roll of film lasts around 2 1/2 minutes with the cost of on average 30 bucks for film+processing per roll. You will have to take your time and learn with this format or it's going to suck all the cash from your bank account really fast. :beer:
j1clark@ucsd.edu
Veteran
Since I have to plug Fujifilm... they still make film... but the Wife and I have pretty much only shot on Fuji S2-S5's for the last 5-6 years... I did manage to pry the Hasselblad from her not dead, but definitely clutching fingers... I think it's been out of the Pelican case perhaps once in the last 4 years...
The Fuji digital SLR's are based on some set of the Nikon digital frames. The most significant difference is the sensor used. The Nikon seemed always have a 'bluish' cast, and the Canon a yellow/greenish cast... but the Fuji seems to have a more neutral color balance, and sort of is vaguely resembling fujifilm film... yeah, yeah, going 'raw' and tweaking solves that problem... but you know what, the Wife will sit for hours tweaking and so by just shooting jpg and transferring straight to the computer, eliminates one step in her tweaking... which really does get in the way of actual delivery...
The Wife bought an S2 for $200 recently. We've been collecting them because the underwater housing I bought for a cheap $1500 is only adapted to the S2, and so, at $200 if the camera gets submerged... well, it's not like it's a catastrophe...
And as a note, Fujifilm is still popular amongst 35mm film movie productions... take that Great Yellow Father...
Oh, yeah, one other item about shooting a 35mm SLR... shot strictly in 'horizontal' format... none of that vertical stuff... the discipline of horizontal gets one set up for 'film' cameras and typical screen presentations... and has a more nearly 1.6 (really about 1.5) aspect ratio...
Yes, get a good ole manual 35mm SLR to learn about the basics! One side benefit is that unlike many digital lenses which are designed for APS size chips and also have no aperture collar, you can build up a set of manual lenses and possibly use them for 35mm adapter and/or RED/Scarlet full frame (if they are Nikon). Here's two little beauties I recently sold for a song to make me feel better about spending so much on my Arri obsession.
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puredrifting
Major Contributor
Adorama in NY has E+ condition Nikon F100s for $249.00. This was an amazing camera that cost many times that amount a few years ago. You can even pickup an F5 used in E condition for $499.00. Amazing bargains out there in still film cameras. You can also get a lot of bargains on AI and AIS Nikon manual focus lenses and they are built so much better than the modern Nikon lenses. If you are really on a budget, there are plenty of used N90s out there for under $100.00.
Even though I own a Canon SD-800IS, Nikon D80 and Nikon D300, I am buying a film camera and going back to shooting more film. Digital is great for sports and candids or any other styles where you need to blow through a lot of shots but for art photography, film is much better than digital. It looks better and as others have posted, because it isn't too cheap to shoot film, you tend to take your time and do it right.
Film still rules. Many have remarked that the new 24mp Nikon D3X is about the same resolution as 35mm film (finally), but the Nikon D3X is $8,000.00. The D90s at $99.00 with some fresh Velvia will look as good. Plus your D3X will be worthless in two years. I am beginning to think that digital still cameras are mainly a game that the camera manufacturers came up with to make a lot more money, you need to buy a new digital about every year or two to keep up. Film is much more timeless.
Dan
Even though I own a Canon SD-800IS, Nikon D80 and Nikon D300, I am buying a film camera and going back to shooting more film. Digital is great for sports and candids or any other styles where you need to blow through a lot of shots but for art photography, film is much better than digital. It looks better and as others have posted, because it isn't too cheap to shoot film, you tend to take your time and do it right.
Film still rules. Many have remarked that the new 24mp Nikon D3X is about the same resolution as 35mm film (finally), but the Nikon D3X is $8,000.00. The D90s at $99.00 with some fresh Velvia will look as good. Plus your D3X will be worthless in two years. I am beginning to think that digital still cameras are mainly a game that the camera manufacturers came up with to make a lot more money, you need to buy a new digital about every year or two to keep up. Film is much more timeless.
Dan
Steve Laramie
Veteran
Yes they were talking photography cameras. You should really study photography if you want to get into cinematography. You can experiment with light, shutter speeds, focal lengths, and depth of field with a DSLR. I wouldn't get a film SLR because it will be to distracting for you to have to get the film developed.
Steve Laramie
Veteran
now let me just point out in the time it took for me to write that about 4 of you replied with the same answer.... ha
puredrifting
Major Contributor
I would say that if you want to shoot motion picture film, a film SLR is excellent.
If you never aspire to shoot motion picture film, a digital camera or camcorder is obviously cheaper, easier and quicker. But becoming an artist has nothing to do with easier and quicker.
Dan
If you never aspire to shoot motion picture film, a digital camera or camcorder is obviously cheaper, easier and quicker. But becoming an artist has nothing to do with easier and quicker.
Dan
Steve Laramie
Veteran
when you are just starting out easier and quicker isnt a bad idea.
j1clark@ucsd.edu
Veteran
Personally... the only reason why I would shoot a film camera these days, is to use movie film stock that I anticipated using in production... since I can't afford 'real(tm)' film... and for the forseeable future will be shooting 'digitial' film, I would recommend shooting with a still digitial camera... because, the dynamic range is a closer match, than film film...
Further, I'd go so far as to say, in post, turn everything monochrome... but I digress...