$5000.00 to spend on equipment. What to buy?

N

Nomrulz

Member
I am stressing on what video production equipment to purchase with $5,000.00. I am looking for a wide range of video equipment to encompass commercials, short films and live events. I am used to having a full service equipment cage at my disposal with everything you can imagine, but now that I have moved I am needing to start building my own collection.

I currently own:


  1. Canon 5D Mark II
  2. 24-85mm
  3. 85mm 1.4
  4. Car Mount

As you can see I am needing a lot, haha. What I am looking to purchase as of today is:

1. JAG 35 Straight Rig - $499.00 Link

2. DjFocus V3 – $215.99 Link

3. Tripod Plate - $49.99 Link

4. Lowell DV Creator Kit - $854.99 Link

5. Audio Technica AT803B - $129.00 Link

6. Sennhesiser ME66 Basic Kit - $829.99 Link

7. SMALL HD Monitor $1,000.00 Link

8. Davis & Sanford Tri-Pod - $220.00 Link

9. Juicedlink CX231 DSLR Audio - $299.00 Link

I am looking to purchase an On-Camera LED and some extra Lenses.

What does everyone think of this list and is there anything you would add, change, or take away?

Thanks


 
$5k budget and you're looking at a $200 tripod? As has been said to several similar posts lately, why spend the money on lots of cheap things when you could buy a few really good items instead?

Lighting and sound are things that can always be rented (sound especially, and ideally with some one who knows how to use the gear). And, as an example, that AT lav mic is crap. At least it's omni... but the capsule unscrews easily which can hose you mid-take.

I'd beef up your camera support: a good tripod; maybe a shoulder rig with monitor and follow focus. Also, consider more/better glass. Spend $!000 on a tripod... it'll last you a long time (though, you could afford a $2k carbon fiber system). If you spend $1500 on a shoulder support system with follow focus, that leaves you $2500 for lenses.
 
Last edited:
Here's my take and I agree with C2V.

The SmallHD is not in stock. You'll probably have a better chance of getting the new Marshall 5" available in a week or so. SmallHD has always been hit or miss on stock of anything. save money with the Marshall and put that toward a better tripod, like the new Manfrotto 504 head and sticks: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...to_504HD_546BK_504HD_Head_w_546B_2_Stage.html

I think at this point spending money on the rigs, while needed is also a money pit. Once the non DSLR, large sensor video bodies are out, DSLRs will drop in desire along with a ton of rigs. Just go with the less expensive, light weight and decent rig you need. The JAG may be that, but a straight rail system doesn't allow any use of loupe.

Buy a good loupe. I have the LCDVF for not quite a year and find it one of the most important items for handheld shooting, moreso than a full rig. A 5DII, 24-105 and LCDVF with a Sennheiser MKE400 makes for one heckuva walk around video rig, steady footage and decent ambient sound.

If you are going to buy a Juicedlink get the DT454 or nothing, it has levels LEDs and you can match those to the 5DII manual audio (which can't be viewed while recording) so you can monitor your audio, see your levels and get phantom power, anything less is useless.

For around the cost of the ME66 setup, you can get a Zoom, a full Oktava 4 capsule kit, boom pole, and baby ball gag/wind fur. The Sound Room has 10% off with a coupon code form their Facebook page.

As for you lav, get an XLR version so it can be used with any higher end field recorder, Zoom or DT454, better than just the mini 1/8"

The AT875R is a really good shotgun mic. It's done quite well for me. That with the Oktava and you're covered for boom mics inside and outside.
 
I agree with C2V, Get The best that you can afford, if it is only a few items then so be it.
Rent lighting and audio kit and buy good glass, tripod/shoulder mount etc... and as long as you look after them then they will last you years!

T
 
photonashville said:
I think at this point spending money on the rigs, while needed is also a money pit. Once the non DSLR, large sensor video bodies are out, DSLRs will drop in desire along with a ton of rigs.
Click to expand...

So, wait for months on a camera you may or may not get? I don't know why folks are always hanging onto the next big thing, and using that as a reason not to invest in what they have.

Look, if your 5DmkII does what you need it to do and you're happy with it, get a support kit for it. Don't worry about what may come next. There are still plenty of folks getting paid work from their DVX cameras...

If you decide you want to wait on the AF100, that's a different story. But consider this: you'll be starting from scratch. The budget you have now will cover the camera, a couple extra batteries, and a lens; but you'll need to worry about extra lenses again, and you still won't have a good tripod.
 
Yeah, I used to be the guy who was worried all the time about having the best camera and equipment instead of going out and using what was available to just make films that we loved. You can spend a year waiting for the newest camera you think will make make your movie good enough for sundance or you can grab any camera, get some pieces of wood for a shoulder mount, any tripod to hold the camera and lights from home depot and just shoot, haha.
 
I would definately re-evaluate your audio choices, and spend more there. The ME-66 isn't highly thought of, and you might want to put some thought into whether a kit makes the right choices for you. Read all the stickies and listen to the side by side tests in the Audio section and then ask some questions.

Grant
 
You could pretty much get an NTG3 for that price couldnt you? ME-66 has never impressed me.

In addition, you have no boom on your list? Will you be getting the mic to just mount on camera? If so you could probably just get a Rode videomic and save some $$, no cam mounted mic is going to give audio thats very useful for anything, save maybe a sync track?
 
For what you get, I'm not a huge fan of the Lowel kit. I've used it but for the price I think you're better off starting with a 200W 3 light kit from Britek (they suck, but they work and look professional) and see if you can find a 1K fresnel used. I picked up 2 Mole Richardson 1Ks off of craigslist for $200 each and they've never failed me in 2 years. When I was starting out I built my own grip stands for them from a tutorial I found using plumbing supplies. Believe it or not they're pretty fantastic stands, you just need to make sure you reef tight all the pipe.

I have a relatively expansive light collection now and I still keep a few crappy Briteks around for background light of little consequence. This would also allow you to purchase some other higher end audio/mounting gear.

Cheers,
A.J.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top