25$k What to get ;) Tips appreciated

lawriejaffa

lawriejaffa

Veteran
Hello there gents! I'll give you some background on me and what im trying to achieve and would appreciate your comments and suggestions.

Basically I run a modest production company which like a lot of you guys, does various corporate, promo vids and when time is won - creative work such as micro features or shorts etc.

At the moment ive got this -

HVX200
16gb P2 card
8gb P2 card

Brevis Adapter, a bunch of Nikon Primes, 28mm, 50mm and 80 - 200 zoom sigma.
Decent editing computer,
Tripod Manfrotto 501 with old vinten legs,
Redhead Lighting Kit,
Blonde.

Not got it yet but intending to get the cinevate mattebox, rails and the CF3 diffuser (iiiim a coming Dennis)

So thats what ive got, but heres the things im looking to try and invest in and would really appreciate tips.

A decent liquid head tripod for some nice smooth action!
A portable monitor, maybe 8" HD sized one that can attach of the camera,
Dolly & Track system
Jib/mini crane

Also a more particular enquiry is about the kind of benefits (it may seem obvious but id love to know in more detail) between for example the Ziess primes (which redrock conveniently offer) and say the nikon primes i use presently.

Any other suggestions welcome!
 
Yep ive already got the CF1L that comes with it, sorry to hear about your experiences, it does require a lot of lighting though as far as I recall?
 
It's not too much worse for light than the CF1 but just the grain is an issue. I'd say check around the cinevate forum before you purchase as they're other people reporting the same thing. I'm going to go back to the CF1 I think.

I have the Cartoni Focus (from recommedations on this board) and am happy with it. But if you've got the cash then go to town. I have Miller Solo VJ legs which are brilliant, they require no spreader and go very high to very low and handle a fair bit of weight, check them out.

Not sure but I think on the Ken Rockwell site he did a comparison between ziess and nikkors.
 
yes, many posts like yours.

yes, many posts like yours.

lawriejaffa said:
So anymore suggestions lads or a few too many topics like this already out here hehe
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• Audio ?

• tripod head- Sachtler DV8SB

• Cam Tram dolly system- $3,200.00 (or better yet, rent as needed)

• another 16GB card

• A couple of ND's for your matte box- .3, .6

• A polarizer for your matte box

• Some grip gear: a couple of heavy duty stands, knuckles, arms, half inch white foamcore panels, and four 25 lb sand bags.

• Save the rest of your money and pay off any debt.

• If your in the U.S., buy some foreign currency such as the Euro or British pound, 'cause our monetary system ( and economy) is heading towards the downside of the outhouse seat.

The last two suggestions are on the house ;-).
 
Oh yeah audio, it just goes to show what a typical camera nooby gimp i can be to forget to even mention audio,

At the mo i've got a SE66, rycote and dead ferret, (now i need a boom pole lol)
However, mon amie can you recommend any good tie radio mics,

Call it theatre, but i love the free movement they afford actors, and that is definately a priority!

The grip gear is utterly important, thats where i end up sucking basically (as a cheap suit wearing producer) i get excited by shiney buttons, then what happens when, cos theres no sand bags a light high on its stand tumbles onto sean connery killing him instantly in a ball of flame!!!

Regarding currency ur damn right - im from the uk and im just really shocked at what £ can buy over there. I wish i'd just go grab a HPX but alas, its beyond my grasp as yet!

Now what NDs and Polarisers would ya recommend too?

I'll check out the tripod head tho too,

Cheers mate thats really useful, just gives me a bit to get started.
 
As suggested, you could always hire as a short term measure ? MiMAC-Rushes is purchasing some of these items as part of our spring re equipment programme. We haven't yet made firm decisions on lenses or broadcast models in the HPX price range but are open to suggestions.
 
Wait and Rent for work.

:D Save the money. Get new Camera soon, stay on top of the heap. ( If you use your cam for work more than play )
 
OOooh *drum roll* which items is Mimac-Rushes getting hehe?

Graeme/Laura its me - Lawrie! lol! Yup as far as i recall u guys are purchasing a Canon H1 for renting out and doing/community stuff etc - oh has it arrived yet?

Id be amazed if u guys can even consider decisions on the hpx, in the UK there ridiculously priced compared to the US (no doubt thanks to the exchange rates) costing some 16 - 20k (not to mention the necessary costs for setup, workflow, batteries, tripod etc for that weight of camera, probably totallying 25k - 30k. Of course in the USA its a far more attractive proposition.

But lets not fllllyyyy of the subject (like i am!) anymore specific technical suggestions im keen to hear, especially of folks experiences with kit type.

- Hey Kholi

Wise enough words, I already have a cam, and the basics more or less, but some stuff needs upgrading. I use the equipment all the time, and its a focus of training as well for my colleagues - basically its corporate and with what time is spared training and work towards creative stuff.

To be honest i think in cams of this lower price range it actually makes sense to buy (i mean i have an hvx already) what im keen on is what accessories people have found useful, in particular product suggestions to the type i was asking for (also Kholi are you in lovefest!?)
 
Lawrie - man of little faith.

The new equipment inventory for MiMAC-Rushes will include a range of cameras of which one is the Canon H1 which you have correctly identified. Other kit includes jib/crane/dolly/tracks etc.
And we are looking at kit in the HDX price range and would welcome opinions on this particular model. MiMAC-Rushes runs a hire service because alot of this kit is costly for your average film maker in Scotland to buy and the social enterprise sector has the means to fund it.

Only trying to be helpful to a fellow Fife film maker.

Respect.
 
Just realistic! I can say the same thing, i mean one day'll ill be bathing in red camera's, and having Barry Green serve me breakfast in bed, but till then we're buying our pants from walmart hehe.

I think most filmmakers can eventually afford a camera, I mean I did, never before is such decent stuff got affordable. I think the H1 is good for corporate/wedding, and obviously i wouldnt complain having it to make a film with, but for 'scottish filmmakers' the HVX200 would have been the obvious preference, with primes and an adapter, monitor etc etc.

But then again i notice on your site you say...

'The equipment available for hire includes a High Definition Canon XLHI and a Canon XH-A1. These are both excellent HDV pro camcorders suitable for television and corporate work. Neither use memory cards, so provide problem free uncompressed HD filming.'

Which makes me feel so foolish for buying an hvx what with... all its 'compression' and other problems relating to memory cards!? Wish I had those hdv tapes for uncompressed hd filming *ahem* lol




Annnnnnyway we're going a little off topic, you should start another topic about your organisation etc.
 
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lawriejaffa said:
Regarding currency ur damn right - im from the uk and im just really shocked at what £ can buy over there. I wish i'd just go grab a HPX but alas, its beyond my grasp as yet!
Click to expand...

note to self: trade dollars for British pound Sterling or Euros... ;-)

As for filters, I like Schneider filters, Tiffens are Ok too.
 
Cheers for that mate, Schneider Filters I'll check out, the venerable tiffen's too.

To be honest (stupid as this will sound to anyone with a matte box) but its the subtle use of ND filters on it than the camera functions, that is just one the many simple controls im looking forward to exerting. For the sun can be quite uncooperative sometimes!
 
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