Documentary gear solution...

L

LittleTreeMedia

Active member
Hi Everyone

In June I will be embarking on a 3 week journey around the country on Greyhound (I know, I know, I have heard it all...) to shoot the first segment of my new documentary, "One American Dream?" and I need some advice for camera solutions.

I plan on purchasing a Panny HMC-150 as my primary A cam but I am interested in using a DSLR as the B cam. I am going this route because of the amazing results I have seen on the web with DOF and quality. I will also be taking stills through out the entire trip that will be included in promo material, the website, and possibly a companion book.

So that being said I need some advice on what camera (I'm pretty sold on the 7D over the T2i or GH1, but i would like to hear otherwise- buy the T2i and use some of that money for better glass?) and what lenses to buy. Since my asst producer and I will be carrying everything on our backs I would like to keep the amount of gear down. I'm also looking at a budget of about $2500-3000, depending if i get any funding. I would like the lenses to work in a variety of situations, obviously for video (mainly interview and some run and gun stuff) and for stills (I would love to be able to take low light photos as well).

I know I'm trying to get alot for a little bit of money but I'm interested in what you all would recommend. And from what I have gathered the B&H kit lenses are not worth the money. So any advice would be amazing. Thank you!

-Dave
LTM
 
GH1 for a doc...

GH1 for a doc...

I own both the GH1 and the REBEL T2i and if I was making a doc, I'd use the GH1 over the REBEL. But for narrative work I'll use the REBEL, because (without going into complete detail,) I just like the look of the Canon's. But the GH1 has a lot of amazing things going for it, specifically for non-fiction work.

For one, it's still the smallest HDSLR (as far as I know,) It's smaller than the REBEL and feels great in your hands, it has that flip screen!, that is probably one of the greatest features in any HDSLR, it's too bad that we can't have them on the Canon's. I'm able get some amazing angles because of the flip screen, so if you go with a Canon, consider getting an on board HD monitor.

But I think the main reason to choose the GH1 is because it can record for a hell of a lot longer than the Canon's. I did a single take interview, while connected to an outlet, that was over an hour long. The REBEL only goes for about 12 minutes (or 4GB). Not bad when you're controlling the environment, but I would hate to be in the middle of shooting amazing footage and for the camera to just stop recording. Don't put yourself in that situation!

Another great thing the GH1 has in it's favor is the 14-140mm kit lens, make sure that you get that lens because it's remarkable. I'm mainly talking about the focal length and the variety of angels you can get with it, and not so much the look, which is fine, but there's better glass out there if you want the prettiest picture. (The only real flaw is that it opens up to an F4.0-5.8 only, depending on focal length.) So get a couple of primes that open up wide. A few batteries and an extra power adapter will save you from some headaches. All that should still be within your budget range.

So that's it in a nutshell, for a doc get the GH1, for a fictional piece, use a Canon. (Until the GH2 comes out, I'm hoping that Panasonic gets their act together.)

if you have specific questions feel free to ask.

Regards,

Eduardo
 
If you'll be using it for stills alot as well, I'd be inclined to get the 7d. Use the rest of the budget to get a cheap prime and a nice zoom, and maybe something super wide which will let you shoot those confined spaces where the HMC-150 can't go. You should have just enough left for some kind of LCD loupe.

For interviews, I would run both cameras and use the HMC-150 for Audio. That way you don't have to worry about working through the limitations of the 7d or purchasing any extra audio gear.
 
Thanks guys! My plan was exactly that Del. The HMC will be the primary A camera in the interview and will be the audio camera. I already have all the gear since I am upgrading from a DVX100b.

The DSLR will be the B camera for all the money DOF shots and cut aways. I already have a mic that will be attached to the DSLR so I can sync the cameras in post. I think with this approach, if i do go with a Canon, I can work around the 12min record time since the HMC will be shooting the entire thing and just sync in FCP afterwords. However the unlimited record time of the GH1 is most ideal.

As for the GH1 vs Canon, which i have found is one of the most on going discussions on this forum, there are features of both that I really like. I have read Barry's article comparing the two numerous times and I've been weighing which options are more important to me. I really like the GH1 for the LCD screen and especially the recording time. The 7D for its low light capabilities, optimal post work flow, and still camera abilities. However, which one will match the HMC better, the 7D or GH1?

Also, Del, so you are recommending buying the body only 7D... do you have specific lenses you recommend?

I'm trying to research my options as much as possible so I can get the proper gear and get accustomed to it before I depart.

Thanks again for all your help!
 
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