Equipment Advice for a Novice

J

JimWin

New member
Hey all,

I'm pretty much a complete novice, but I want to put together a short film and am desperate for some basic advice. I have access to Final Cut and about $1500-$1800 to spend. I'm located out in the boonies and I know very few people who have anything to do with filmmaking, so any advice would be much appreciated - even if it's just a referral to another forum or website.

Basically, I just want to know what equipment I need to make a very basic narrative short film with a halfway decent production quality. And, given my budget, what camera will give me the best bang for the buck (I've been considering the t2i and the GH2). Any advice would be mucho appreciated.
 
Welcome to DVXUser, Jim!

I'd do some reading around the forums before anything else. Lots of the basics have been covered ad nauseum, and much of the key information can be found in yellow "stickies" at the top of each forum. Read up on the different cameras, but also check into the Audio forum as sound is half your picture.

I wouldn't get tunnel vision on a DSLR. The price can be right, at first, but there are other challenges. For starters, shooting with a DSLR isn't like shooting with any other camera out there. It takes a little bit more practice to get used to it, and it can be a different learning curve. Also, the camera may fit the budget but the kit lens may not be the best option. For example, the kit lens with the T2i isn't completely useless and I've seen some impressive things donw with it, but it isn't a very fast lens and there is certainly much sharper glass out there. Lenses can add up, and a good kit can cost 3x the camera body, or more. Last, audio in-camera on a DSLR isn't the best, but even with the software hacks available to defeat the AGC it still requires external equipment to be workable.

Don't forget that there are some very capable camcorders out there as well. Canon and Panasonic both have some HD cameras in the same price range as the T2i. You still need to get sound gear aside from it, but it can be a good place to start for a hobbyist.

You're going to want to get a good tripod with fluid head. Handheld can only go so far, and generally isn't the best way to shoot. The tripod will help you polish up your shots.

And just a note on sound gear: good sound can cost twice what you pay for the camera, if not more.

Again, read around and check out the stickies!
 
Welcome, Jim! And welcome to the wonderful/horrible world of filmmaking. :happy:

Truly, the most important thing is the script/idea. The second most important thing is the editing.

Once you feel you have something worthwhile, go on eBay and buy a used HMC40 with the XLR attachment. Also buy a Rode Videomic.

One other thing I would do -- and I know you are in the boonies -- but I would find a filmmaker -- someone with some real experience -- and pay for them to hang out for 1 or 2 days on set as a consultant. They will save you from making a ton of rookie mistakes. Pay them a $200/day consulting fee + their travel & meals. It'll be the best $400+ dollars you've ever spent. Trust me.
 
C2V said:
Welcome to DVXUser, Jim!

I'd do some reading around the forums before anything else. Lots of the basics have been covered ad nauseum, and much of the key information can be found in yellow "stickies" at the top of each forum. Read up on the different cameras, but also check into the Audio forum as sound is half your picture.

I wouldn't get tunnel vision on a DSLR. The price can be right, at first, but there are other challenges. For starters, shooting with a DSLR isn't like shooting with any other camera out there. It takes a little bit more practice to get used to it, and it can be a different learning curve. Also, the camera may fit the budget but the kit lens may not be the best option. For example, the kit lens with the T2i isn't completely useless and I've seen some impressive things donw with it, but it isn't a very fast lens and there is certainly much sharper glass out there. Lenses can add up, and a good kit can cost 3x the camera body, or more. Last, audio in-camera on a DSLR isn't the best, but even with the software hacks available to defeat the AGC it still requires external equipment to be workable.

Don't forget that there are some very capable camcorders out there as well. Canon and Panasonic both have some HD cameras in the same price range as the T2i. You still need to get sound gear aside from it, but it can be a good place to start for a hobbyist.

You're going to want to get a good tripod with fluid head. Handheld can only go so far, and generally isn't the best way to shoot. The tripod will help you polish up your shots.

And just a note on sound gear: good sound can cost twice what you pay for the camera, if not more.

Again, read around and check out the stickies!
Click to expand...

+1

I'll just add my 2 cents into the mix here: If doing narrative storytelling, you probably are going to want a separate sound recorder regardless of the camera you choose (DSLR or not). This is especially true if you plan to do multi cam or multi angle shots, but even on a meager one-camera budget, there are times you'll likely wish you could have a someone in charge of the sound who isn't also worrying about framing the shot in camera (might need to get closer to the talent, mic on a boompole, etc).

That being said, the Zoom H4N seems to be the standard recorder by which all others are judged. Takes XLR inputs, fairly robust and good size. Then you're going to have to invest in some good quality mics as well. If on a real tight budget, there are corners you can cut (for example, instead of buying a proper "boom pole", you can buy a $2 PVC pipe and duct tape a mic mount to the top, etc), but don't go too cheap on the actual mic, because it will negatively effect the end result.

As for the actual camera, if going DSLR for narrative work, the GH2 appears to be a gem. I've never actually used one for a shoot yet (I still prefer my T2i for the kind of documentary shoots I do), but if you can find one in stock somewhere, I'd give that a go if I were you.

The next thing is lenses. You'll need good lenses, not the stock ones. I'd vote for vintage glass with an adapter on your budget, as you can get excellent looking images for under $100. My current favorite lenses are a 50mm F1.4 Nikon from the 70s (about $60-$100 on ebay) and an old 28mm F/2.0 Vivitar Nikon mount (I think I paid about $60 for this as well). If I could only afford one, I'd have gone with the 50 1.4. Its just excellent at rendering colors and focus, and pennies to the dollar of a modern version.

Good luck!
 
Get this book... it's the cheapest item with the highest value you can buy for starters.

You can ask a million questions here, or get something to shoot with, shoot something, edit it, and then you'll have two million questions - but they'll be pretty specific.

I'd personally think about a real "video" cam vs. a DSLR for starting out. Something you can shoot manually with, with XLR mic inputs and manual audio controls. Even a used DVX.

With all respect to Dishe, while you may want to change camera angles and mic placement at the same time, if you have a camera capable of decent audio, just get some longer cables vs. a separate audio recorder. It doesn't look like there's a 2-camera shoot in your immediate future, and you have enough to learn without synching dual system sound. But that sort of thing is a miniscule detail in light of your experience (not slamming you, everyone starts somewhere). Start with the book - it's DSLR centric, but covers a whole lot of what goes into getting well lit and well framed shots.
 
I bought both DSLRs and a camcorder (HMC 150) but did my doc video (like you are talking about doing) on the camcorder. And I would do it again. It's a vastly better tool, and if you learn how to create DOF with the lens, you can get some good shots with it. It loses it's DOF on the wide angle shallow DOF shots. I still use my DSLR much more than my camcorder, but that's due to the types of work I do. I like to shoot stills a lot with my video, so even when I have my camcorder, my DSLR is with me. With a DSLR you really need to usually get a recorder like a Zoom, and record that way. With the camcorder, you don't have to, though it's preferable.

Good luck! Planning makes things come out much better. And don't get wrapped up in the tools. The story is the thing!
 
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