Can I get some help getting started please?

Jonathan12uiz said:
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.
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This is entirely the wrong mindset. Plenty of people have made incredible videos with just a camera and the kit lens. Your gear isn't what makes a good video, YOU DO. As for audio, you definitely need to pay attention to it, but good audio doesn't make a crappy video magically become worth watching, no matter how many sound guys will tell you that.

You can't buy your way into making a good film, no matter how hard you try.

Get minimal gear at first, then figure out else you might want over the first month or two. I'm not suggesting just a camera and IS zoom lens, but only buy what you can be confident you'll be able to pay for. Zim's advice is something you should take seriously.

Jonathan12uiz said:
I like... steadycam shots, dolly shots, jib shots... its what makes the video stand out from the normal.
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I like helicopter shots, explosions, crazy hot actresses, giant soundstages, 300-person crews, my own personal trailer... But I can't afford them... YET. Nor would I know just how to best use them (excepting the actresses, of course :P) until I've had a lot more experience.

Jonathan12uiz said:
I like dynamic angles and movement
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This can be done with just a tripod. You just have to learn and be good enough.
 
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Jester2138 said:
This is entirely the wrong mindset. Plenty of people have made incredible videos with just a camera and the kit lens. Your gear isn't what makes a good video, YOU DO. As for audio, you definitely need to pay attention to it, but good audio doesn't make a crappy video magically become worth watching, no matter how many sound guys will tell you that.

You can't buy your way into making a good film, no matter how hard you try.

Get minimal gear at first, then figure out else you might want over the first month or two. I'm not suggesting just a camera and IS zoom lens, but only buy what you can be confident you'll be able to pay for. Zim's advice is something you should take seriously.



I like helicopter shots, explosions, crazy hot actresses, giant soundstages, 300-person crews, my own personal trailer... But I can't afford them... YET. Nor would I know just how to best use them (excepting the actresses, of course :P) until I've had a lot more experience.



This can be done with just a tripod. You just have to learn and be good enough.
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Absolutely spot on Jester.

I have most of the gear and lenses on Jonathan's wish list and most of the time I just have my GH13, 14-140mm kit lens, Weifeng 717 tripod, and MAYBE my flycam nano that I hacked to work with my cheap Amazon shoulder mount. Most of my clients only want a short 7 - 9 minute highlight video of the days events and those shots are very easily planned with experience and do-able with just one person.

I think that the gear on your wishlist is very, very useful Jonathan, I'm sure you'll make good use of all that equipment at some point. Like I said, I have most of whats on your list, albeit some higher end stuff and I'm happy to say I don't let any one piece of gear collect dust too much.

But like Jester said, you just have to learn to be good enough to capture what you/client wants, and most of the time this can be done without dollies, steadicams, camera A and B shots, etc.
 
Ok so I've worked on my list a bit... what do you think now?

GH13 w/ 14-140mm f/4-5.6 x2 $already owned
Panasonic Lumix 20mm f/1.7 $already owned
Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 $already owned
Canon FD > m4/3 adapter $already owned
Panasonic flash $80.00
ZOOM H1 $99.00
Rode VideoMic Pro $230.00
ePhoto 500 LED 3 light kit $670.00
Flycam NANO $150.00
Ravelli AVT Video Camera Tripod with Fluid Drag Head $80.00
50KG slider dolly track $285.00

Totaling me $1600.00 probably 2000.00 after shipping charges.

prolly add a cowboystudio shoulder rig + rails and a indyfocuszoom follow focus into the bunch. still pricing out rails though.

How about that setup. Cost effective? Remember I will be planning on doing photo and video for weddings, corporate/local business, music videos, etc.
 
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Looks like a good list. I don't know about the Panasonic/Olympus flashes as I haven't got one yet, but the lowend nikon flash, the sb-400, was marginally worthwhile. When I switched to the GH2, and told myself is get a full on flash when I went to buy one.

The little flash was only good for small spaces, and being pretty close to people. For events and weddings, you'll want more power.
 
peripatew said:
Looks like a good list. I don't know about the Panasonic/Olympus flashes as I haven't got one yet, but the lowend nikon flash, the sb-400, was marginally worthwhile. When I switched to the GH2, and told myself is get a full on flash when I went to buy one.

The little flash was only good for small spaces, and being pretty close to people. For events and weddings, you'll want more power.
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its not an actuall panasonic brand flash, its just usable on a panasonic. its a cheaper flash, but it has bounce and swivel zoom head, and a sync port for my radio triggers.
 
I've recieved some new stuff and wanted to modify my upcoming list... should I make any improvements?

Camera / Lenses:
GH13 w/ 14-140mm f/4-5.6 x2 $already owned
Panasonic Lumix 20mm f/1.7 $already owned
Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 $already owned
Canon FD > m4/3 adapter $already owned

Sound:
ZOOM H1 $99.00
Rode VideoMic Pro $230.00
Audio-Technica ATR 288W x2 $117.00
Audio Technica ATR-3350 Lavalier x2 $19.00
AZDEN CAM-3 Mini Audio Mixer $45.00

Lighting:
Panasonic flash $80.00
ePhoto dimmable 500 LED 3 light kit $780.00
48LED Ring Light $5.00

Support:
ephoto heavy duty tripod with WF717 Fluid Drag Head $140.00
CowboyStudio Shoulder rig $already owned
Express35 offset adapter $88.00
Express35 adjustable Rail system $129.00
Express35 HD handle $47.00
IndiFocusZoom $99.00
Flycam NANO $150.00
IndiSlider mini $99.00
DIY rotational dolly $already owned

Filters:
46mm Polaroid faderND $already owned
58mm Nature faderND $30.00

Totaling me $2300.00 probably 2500.00 after shipping charges.

How about that setup. Cost effective? Remember I will be planning on doing photo and video for weddings, corporate/local business, music videos, etc.
 
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