Can I get some help getting started please?

Luis Caffesse said:
Oh, well ff you have a pole and a stand and get the rode just outside of the frame line then I would think you'd be fine for interviews.
Given that most of your interviews are going to be indoors (I assume, as most of them are) I wouldn't worry so much about the directionality.
Click to expand...

sounds good.
 
modified list:

GH13 w/ 14-140mm f/4-5.6 x2 $already owned
Panasonic Lumix 20mm f/1.7 x2 $315.00
Panasonic DMW-FL500 flash $401.00
ZOOM H1 $99.00
Rode VideoMic Pro (the new PBloom one) $230.00
indySYSTEM indyFOCUSmini w/ indySNAP gears - $150.00
IKAN ID 500 LED 3 light kit $1550.00
Flycam NANO $150.00
Matthews Camera Tripod with Fluid Drag Head $180.00 *still contemplating this one
50KG slider dolly track $285.00
 
Consider 7D, 24-70mm 2.8L, and 70-200mm 2.8L. I like GH series, but I would not use the pancake or the kit zoom to shoot live wedding event. You can't use extra lighting during the event. You need to raise the ISO. Prime lenses are not practical for live event. You need a fast zoom. FF isn't practical for live event. Sturdy setup will stabilize the camera without FF. http://www.orangeweddingfilm.com/ the guy is a pro wedding videographer. Check out his setup and tips. Good luck~!
 
stonebat said:
Consider 7D, 24-70mm 2.8L, and 70-200mm 2.8L. I like GH series, but I would not use the pancake or the kit zoom to shoot live wedding event. You can't use extra lighting during the event. You need to raise the ISO. Prime lenses are not practical for live event. You need a fast zoom. FF isn't practical for live event. Sturdy setup will stabilize the camera without FF. http://www.orangeweddingfilm.com/ the guy is a pro wedding videographer. Check out his setup and tips. Good luck~!
Click to expand...

I was looking at a dual 7d or 5d setup... it would just increase my budget by almost twice though... still thinking.
 
check out how out of budget my canon setup will be... I am liking this setup though. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/wl/3C261170F1

those +
Konova video Camera DSLR Slider $285.00
Video Camera Tripod with Fluid Drag Pan Head FT9901SLV $129.99
Fluid Drag Tripod Head 717AH $75.00
Rocketfish CF monopods w/ quick release plates $75.00 x2
IKAN ID 500 LED 3 light kit $1550.00
Rode VideoMic Pro (the new PBloom one) $230.00


So I'm looking @ about 12K starting out... kinda scary since the market is very competitive.
 
Last edited:
Can I get some help getting started please?

Ok so I work part time @ a local electronics retailer and it boggles my mind how many people come in to purchase unnecessary equipment for their "professional" job. Example... a woman buying a 70-200mm f/4-5.6 nonIS lens for a low lit indoor reception. Keep in mind I asked what lighting she will be bringing(flash or strobes)... she replied with none. She said she doesn't need a flash and this lens is all she needs for her nikon d3000. Another example, a man coming to purchase a sony handycam nonHD for club videos, no led lights, no audio recorders... sad.

Anyhoo, this has motivated me to get off my ass and start producing some quality work for the area.

SETUP 1...

GH13 w/ 14-140mm f/4-5.6 x2 $already owned
Panasonic Lumix 20mm f/1.7 $315.00
Panasonic DMW-FL500 flash $401.00
ZOOM H1 $99.00 x2
Rode VideoMic Pro (the new PBloom one) $230.00 x2
IKAN ID 500 LED 3 light kit $1550.00
Flycam NANO $150.00
Konova video Camera DSLR Slider $285.00
Video Camera Tripod with Fluid Drag Pan Head FT9901SLV $129.99
Fluid Drag Tripod Head 717AH $75.00
Rocketfish CF monopods w/ quick release plates $75.00 x2

Totaling me about 5k. not bad split between my bro and I.

OR I can go with a new setup...

SETUP 2...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/wl/3C261170F1

+

Konova video Camera DSLR Slider $285.00
Video Camera Tripod with Fluid Drag Pan Head FT9901SLV $129.99
Fluid Drag Tripod Head 717AH $75.00
Rocketfish CF monopods w/ quick release plates $75.00 x2
IKAN ID 500 LED 3 light kit $1550.00
Rode VideoMic Pro (the new PBloom one) $230.00
Flycam3000 $170.00

So I'm looking @ about 12K starting out... kinda scary since the market is very competitive.
 
For me, if you are going to do weddings, predominantly, then I'd say, camera, and if the GH-1/2, then mic+recording system, and mobile 'lights', tripod are the essentials.

The Bogen tripod I used for years no longer is made. The replacement is the Manfrotto 058B. It needs a 'head', so select one appropriate for videos. In addition, I'd recommend
a monopod as well. For 'mobile' stability, I have seen people with a harness and the video camera seems stable enough to work. Unfortunately I don't have a brand or model number,
but definitely cheaper than a real 'steady cam' rig.

Since you are going for a shoulder rig, one begins to wonder if the GH camera is the 'right' one for your anticipated use. But if using interchangeable lenses is 'good', then probably
adding such to the GH does get you into that category cheaply.

Audio recording. If you're ok with the Zoom H1, why not go for the H4n, as it can accept XLR inputs in addition to 1/4 connectors, and so, allow for various mic options.

As for lights. Again specifically 'wedding', for video work, camera mounted lights, and roving mobility sort of force an 'on camera' solution. For stills, if you want that sort of coverage, you can get
a bit more creative with strobes, and with a radio sync setup have several strobes on stands around the event, and trigger them from the camera.

For 3-point 'interview' lighting, I don't have too much in the way of specifics... it was never my 'bag' baby... but if your mix of activity is 80% wedding, 20% corporate/interview, I'd spend less
on the lights for that specific activity. The name Lowell comes to mind for a 'cheap' setup.

In terms of still photography, at one time I bought a full up four head flash system that could deliver about 2400 Ws of flash power... I ended up using one head, mostly at about 200-400 Ws with a PhotoFlex
softbox...

The 2400 Ws did come in handy when the Wife was doing underwater model shoots... well, actually two banks of 2400 Ws flashes... but that was pretty rare...
 
j1clark@ucsd.edu said:
For me, if you are going to do weddings, predominantly, then I'd say, camera, and if the GH-1/2, then mic+recording system, and mobile 'lights', tripod are the essentials.

The Bogen tripod I used for years no longer is made. The replacement is the Manfrotto 058B. It needs a 'head', so select one appropriate for videos. In addition, I'd recommend
a monopod as well. For 'mobile' stability, I have seen people with a harness and the video camera seems stable enough to work. Unfortunately I don't have a brand or model number,
but definitely cheaper than a real 'steady cam' rig.

Since you are going for a shoulder rig, one begins to wonder if the GH camera is the 'right' one for your anticipated use. But if using interchangeable lenses is 'good', then probably
adding such to the GH does get you into that category cheaply.

Audio recording. If you're ok with the Zoom H1, why not go for the H4n, as it can accept XLR inputs in addition to 1/4 connectors, and so, allow for various mic options.

As for lights. Again specifically 'wedding', for video work, camera mounted lights, and roving mobility sort of force an 'on camera' solution. For stills, if you want that sort of coverage, you can get
a bit more creative with strobes, and with a radio sync setup have several strobes on stands around the event, and trigger them from the camera.

For 3-point 'interview' lighting, I don't have too much in the way of specifics... it was never my 'bag' baby... but if your mix of activity is 80% wedding, 20% corporate/interview, I'd spend less
on the lights for that specific activity. The name Lowell comes to mind for a 'cheap' setup.

In terms of still photography, at one time I bought a full up four head flash system that could deliver about 2400 Ws of flash power... I ended up using one head, mostly at about 200-400 Ws with a PhotoFlex
softbox...

The 2400 Ws did come in handy when the Wife was doing underwater model shoots... well, actually two banks of 2400 Ws flashes... but that was pretty rare...
Click to expand...

Thanks man. I want to do more than weddings, but it seems like it is where the money is. I do photography and video so I was trying to find a good medium with the GH cameras, Might go canon though. looking at adapters and lens options at the moment to utilize the GH cameras.
 
Honestly, for what you want to do, I would buy an actual camcorder, with proper xlr inputs, that allow for GOOD wireless audio, God forbid, you get a nervous figity groom, that starts messing around with the zoom, in his pocket, without realizing what he's doing.( the h1 is a killer little recorder for what it is, but it's not pro gear) You could still use your gh2, for shallow dof shots, and on a slider easy enough. When you can combine most of your kit, by using a camcorder, It's a heck of a lot safer than a bunch of low to middle range pieces of gear. There's tons of guys that do it this way for a reason. (It's safe and easy). Believe me I have felt the anxiety of not getting a shot I was suppose to get, it's not fun.
 
maranfilms said:
Honestly, for what you want to do, I would buy an actual camcorder, with proper xlr inputs, that allow for GOOD wireless audio, God forbid, you get a nervous figity groom, that starts messing around with the zoom, in his pocket, without realizing what he's doing.( the h1 is a killer little recorder for what it is, but it's not pro gear) You could still use your gh2, for shallow dof shots, and on a slider easy enough. When you can combine most of your kit, by using a camcorder, It's a heck of a lot safer than a bunch of low to middle range pieces of gear. There's tons of guys that do it this way for a reason. (It's safe and easy). Believe me I have felt the anxiety of not getting a shot I was suppose to get, it's not fun.
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are there any non dv HD cams that can mix with gh13 well?
 
Sure is, look at the hmc150, you can use the same cards to record with, has xlr, good in low light, and now their pretty cheap because the guys moving over to the Af100, are selling them. This would be your master shot, master audio. And now you can run around with the gh2 and get some great inserts for a cut away. i Been shootin for many years, And I can honestly say I would be scared s**tless to do a wedding without a traditional camcoreder. Like most guys, Been onl shootin hdslr for a year or so.
 
maranfilms said:
Sure is, look at the hmc150, you can use the same cards to record with, has xlr, good in low light, and now their pretty cheap because the guys moving over to the Af100, are selling them. This would be your master shot, master audio. And now you can run around with the gh2 and get some great inserts for a cut away. i Been shootin for many years, And I can honestly say I would be scared s**tless to do a wedding without a traditional camcoreder. Like most guys, Been onl shootin hdslr for a year or so.
Click to expand...

yeah I was just looking @ the hmc150... thinking of going that route with 2 GH13's as b cams. looking at some options now. The only thing is that the photography side of the GH series cams dont impress me @ all, I might get a canon 50D with a sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8 for the photography.
 
Competitive is not even the word right now... go cheap, learn ALOT, and pick up jobs when you can. I would say a 12k set up for someone super fresh is a bad idea because its almost guaranteed you will not make enough to pay the gear back in the first year.
 
You have way to much stuff

GH13 w/ 14-140mm f/4-5.6 x2 $already owned
Panasonic DMW-FL500 flash $401.00
Rode VideoMic Pro (the new PBloom one) $230.00 x2
Video Camera Tripod with Fluid Drag Pan Head FT9901SLV $129.99
Rocketfish CF monopods w/ quick release plates $75.00 x2

or get a Nikon D7000 a good VR lens and a tripod
or the T2i or the Canon 7D with a good IS lens. Maybe get a shoulder mount and a finder. Forget all that other stuff for now
 
Zim said:
You have way to much stuff

GH13 w/ 14-140mm f/4-5.6 x2 $already owned
Panasonic DMW-FL500 flash $401.00
Rode VideoMic Pro (the new PBloom one) $230.00 x2
Video Camera Tripod with Fluid Drag Pan Head FT9901SLV $129.99
Rocketfish CF monopods w/ quick release plates $75.00 x2

or get a Nikon D7000 a good VR lens and a tripod
or the T2i or the Canon 7D with a good IS lens. Maybe get a shoulder mount and a finder. Forget all that other stuff for now
Click to expand...

On the contrary, I do not have enough. I don't expect anything good to come out of going in with just a camera and IS lens. AUDIO is the other 50% of what makes a good video. also I'm not providing just standard static work. I like dynamic angles and movement, steadycam shots, dolly shots, jib shots... its what makes the video stand out from the normal.
 
You don't want to make the mistake of investing in a lot of gear that you can't afford that ends up being obsolete before you can pay for it in the first place.
 
silentnoise said:
You don't want to make the mistake of investing in a lot of gear that you can't afford that ends up being obsolete before you can pay for it in the first place.
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Why would it be obsolete. I dont base my purchases on the latest and greatest, I base them off my needs and features. I can use that setup essentialy until they break
 
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