DSLR -> Do you need a 5D to be taken seriously (professionally) ?

S

Stab

Well-known member
Me and a friend started a company that will make business / corporate movies and advertisements. We really liked the look of the 7D and we decided to buy equipment in stead of renting for the benefits of it.

So then the 60D came out, which is more suitable for video in terms of use than a 7D in my opinion and we bought it.

As you understand our, at the moment our company is really small and there is not much room for investments but a couple of assignments should fix that.

Until that time, the 60D is our 'main' camera. Dont get me wrong, I really like the look of what it can produce but I started to doubt...

Do clients take you seriously with a 60D HDSLR? Do they care / know about camera's? Is the 5D the only DSLR you can show with a proud face?
And last but not least, is the image quality of the 5D that much better (noticeable) or is the 60D's image sufficient enough for professional use?

Thanks!
 
Wouldn't clients be more interested on a shiny reel than a shiny camera?

If you're worried and want to cause an impression, IDK, attach a mattebox to the camera, hehehe. :D
 
Most clients don't know what is a 5D, 7D, 60D, GH2, etc. They are just curious about the cameras, technology, if it is HD, etc. Do a good marketing...
Many clients would be impressed with gear (camera size, matte box, monitor, camera motion, lights, etc)
Good clients look for final result, quality and objective.
As a starting company, what you need is respect. Do a great job, show results and probably the camera will be only a tool, which you'll have to adapt for each job.
5D vs 60D ? Again, post a great video done on 60D and most people will think 60D is wonderful, post a bad video and 5D will be the winner.
Just my opinion.
 
ulisses said:
Most clients don't know what is a 5D, 7D, 60D, GH2, etc. They are just curious about the cameras, technology, if it is HD, etc. Do a good marketing...
Many clients would be impressed with gear (camera size, matte box, monitor, camera motion, lights, etc)
Good clients look for final result, quality and objective.
As a starting company, what you need is respect. Do a great job, show results and probably the camera will be only a tool, which you'll have to adapt for each job.
5D vs 60D ? Again, post a great video done on 60D and most people will think 60D is wonderful, post a bad video and 5D will be the winner.
Just my opinion.
Click to expand...

+1 In Lebanon there is the same 'trend'. the 5d is the 'pro' one. the '5d' is the cinema one. These are the terms used to describe the camera that I hear in a professional setting. They don't know. I had this problem, cause i was touting my gh13, and there was no way i could sell it to a non-camera-person who'd heard that house was shot on the 5d.

So I started showing people footage and never mentioning the camera. It works better. They see footage they like, and they'll ask for 'that'. Use your camera, and that's how they get 'that'.

They really don't care to know the details or workflow or anything. As long as it doesn't translate into 'it'll take longer' 'it'll cost more' 'it's better this way or that way coz it'll save money now or in the future' along those lines.

Footage. And don't set up, just hit play. It should stand.
 
Yes I agree with that... A good real / portfolio should to the trick. But its still bad that people see the 5D as the professional one and then you have to 'defend' your 60D (or GH1 in your case) that it is equally as good :)
Because they are so small it's even harder, because I think that most people think 'the bigger the camera, the better'
 
Pietro Impagliazzo said:
If you're worried and want to cause an impression, IDK, attach a mattebox to the camera, hehehe. :D
Click to expand...

you're joking, but seriously, most clients are not in the know of what camera is the hottest and would be impressed by seeing a mattebox attached and think "oh wow, yea, i am definitly getting my money's worth!" smh. it doesnt take much....but let your video suck and they won't care if you had Steven Spielberg on set with you. they'll want their money back, lol.
 
I agree, the gear is not what sells...it is your work. Buy what you can and let them see the finished product. The gear will come later after you have picked up business. I have to say however, the 5D, it was one of my company's best purchases. It paid for itself quickly and has been making me money every since. A great workhorse. I have filmed 2 hour lectures with it, had it at the end of a crane. Many times it was the only camera I would bring. I am sure the 60D would do the same thing though. There, I have confused you perfectly!
 
Stab said:
Yes I agree with that... A good real / portfolio should to the trick. But its still bad that people see the 5D as the professional one and then you have to 'defend' your 60D (or GH1 in your case) that it is equally as good :)
Because they are so small it's even harder, because I think that most people think 'the bigger the camera, the better'
Click to expand...

My parents (and lots of other people) didn't understand when I sold my FX7 to buy a GH1... I had to explain to everyone why it was a better camera even though it was tiny. hehehe

FilmBoy77 said:
you're joking, but seriously, most clients are not in the know of what camera is the hottest and would be impressed by seeing a mattebox attached and think "oh wow, yea, i am definitly getting my money's worth!" smh. it doesnt take much....but let your video suck and they won't care if you had Steven Spielberg on set with you. they'll want their money back, lol.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know man... It may seem silly to us, but why not put a little show for the client? :D
 
One thing in favor of the 7D that I don't see come up to much in these discussions is the fact it has an HD signal when recording via HDMI.

This comes in incredibly handy when you have to do a difficult focus pull and also when you have to feed multiple/client monitors.
 
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