Equipment for start-up videographer

C

crawfordicon

New member
Hi,

I'm looking for equipment advice relating to kit needed for a videographer starting out. I have experience on lots of shoots (both in the UK and USA), but I've never owned professional level equipment myself. I was wondering what members here would recommend as required kit for someone starting out. Looking specifically for brand and model recommendations, rather than generic terms. Particularly in need of audio setup recommendations.

I'll be shooting corporate videos for local businesses, weddings, music videos, etc. on a commercial level, and I have a burgeoning client list coming together. I'll also be shooting short films on a non-commercial level, so I'm looking for a setup that allows scope to shoot both types of work on the same setup.

Budget wise is reasonably flexible. I'm not looking at renting cameras, but would obviously rent more specialized equipment when the need arises.

Any help would be much appreciated. Ideally, a link to a thread here or something offsite would be fantastic.

Cheers,
 
Hello,

Best of luck with your goals. Posting this type of question will get more targeted responses in a more relative forum. This is the news forum. I see this is your first post here - no worries. Just trying to help you get better answers.
 
Bassman2003 said:
Best of luck with your goals. Posting this type of question will get more targeted responses in a more relative forum. This is the news forum. I see this is your first post here - no worries. Just trying to help you get better answers.
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Thanks for the reply, Bassman2003. Appreciate it.

Wasn't sure exactly where to post it, so thought I'd just go for the most popular forum section and then staff could move it as they see fit. Did you mean on this site or a more relative forum specifically about videography?

Cheers,
 
- A good Tripod and Tripod Head
- A lighting kit with at least 3 decent lights (there are some pretty appealing LED packages around at the moment)
- A slider of some sort
- Spare batteries/media
- A couple of reflectors
- Gaffer Tape
- A camera/microphone (obviously)

Those are the basics to get started I think. LED lighting kits are getting a lot better and more affordable these days, and the fact that they can run off batteries makes them considerably faster and easier to use than conventional lights in a one-man-band setup.
 
crawfordicon,

It would get you more specific answers if you state more specific budget range. Is it under 20K, 15K, 10K, or 5K?
 
Breaking News: crawfordicon is in the market for a camera. Film... err... video from a yet to be specified camera at 11:00.

As has been said, wrong forum.

Based on your post, I'd suggest starting with something like a Panasonic HVX200 or HPX170. These can be picked up on the used market fairly inexpensively.

Best of luck. :)
 
Considering what we don't know about a budget, and that your stated shooting goals are pretty large, I would determine a purchasing strategy. A common mistake is for folks to blow their budget on a cam, and then run out of money on the essentials of production like lights, support, and audio. Cameras, though sexy and all, really come and go pretty quickly. IMHO, a good strategy is to spend more on lights, audio, and support in the beginning. This type of equipment doesn't change much and will last a very long time and hold its value if you buy decent quality. Again, not knowing your budget, but imagining if your are serious, you might consider 12-15k an entry level and then split that four ways; 25% each for a cam, stix and grip, lights, and audio. You can jiggy these numbers about but this is a minimum number to start. Used is good. Given your stated goals, anything much less than that type of budget, and you will be needing to leave out something important, or be forced to buy some cheapo junk that won't last.

Grant
 
In business you don't want to let people down - to me that is the start point

Work out what your services are and then do them to a high standard

The basic service is to record good clear shots with decent sound IMO - you can up the service level from there in time (bring in the fancy shots)

I guess you won't get hired again if you mess up simple shots

So IMO you need a video camera with XLR sound and a decent mic or lavaliere, or both, for example a Sony Ex1

Next you are going to need a tripod and enough media and batteries

OK - you now have as much gear as my mate from the BBC!

I would not consider a DSLR as an A camera BTW - too many issues..

But you probably have a desire to offer some fancy shots, nice depth of field etc

I would see this as a specific addition to your service,

At that point you might want to add a DLSR and maybe a 50 1.4 and some slider or something to your package

If you have a bit more cash and want the 'cinema look' you might go in with a large chip camcorder, FS100, CanonC300 AF100 etc - then you get sound and the big chip look in one package

Of course you should remember that focus is hard with a large chip camcorder, and that may compromise your basic offer of 'clear pictures' not to mention being expensive to kit out with lenses et al

I think the EX1/Canon550d combo can work very practically]

Best

SMM
 
I do a lot of local TV spots and I find that for the most part, a HVX200 or a 7D / 60D can give you the clean images you need. Audio wise, I have two Sennheiser G2 lav kits and an Audio Technica boom mic. Combine that with an ARRI Softbank IV light kit, some C-Stands, reflectors, lighting gels and a camera crane and/or slider and you've got the makings of a formidable yet lean production setup.

The only thing to consider though is that a HVX200 is more run and gun capable than a DSLR or any of the AF100, FS100, F3 options. Those cameras are designed for planned shots and if you're banging out multiple setups in a day and the client doesn't have a high budget, the run and gun HVX200 will serve you better.
 
Thanks for the feedback, guys.

As far as budget is concerned: I'm looking to come in under 15k. That's in dollars - I'm based in the UK, but I imagine the target audience here is mostly US based.

Anyway, I've been shopping around and making trips to a number of stores. I have my eye on a second hand Sony Z7. One store is offering an attractive kit bundle. Does anyone have experience with this particular camera?
 
Ah, I haven't mentioned lighting yet. I'm looking for an LED based system with minimal cables. How much should I be looking to spend on an entry-level 3-point lighting kit? I want something that will be versatile and efficient, but entry-level. Any recommendations on that?

Cheers,
 
Craw,

The Z7 records to HDV which is an antiquated format. It is just amazing that Sony still builds HDV cams considering how the market has changed in the last 3-4 years.. The replacement that format (codec) most manufacturers use is AVCHD, including Sony. There are other codecs as well in the 5k price range, so you have lots of choices. Do some serious research on this.

LEDs are improving, but I'm not sure I would choose them for a basic lighting kit unless you were doing mostly run and gun.. They are great if you need to run off a battery, or are looking for the most light, least power, lightest weight option. Otherwise I would choose something else. How about a couple of flo fixtures and some fresnels. You can get flo tubes to match the fresnel K3200 output, or daylight tubes are also availablle. The flos are great for interviews, run cool, don't take much power, but don't have much throw. The fresnels run hot, but are the only thing you can afford that have any long distance capability. If you purchased from Cool Lights (they make all types of lights) You could get a couple of flos and four fresnels for under $2500 with some economy stands and some modifiers included. I am keeping in mind that your stated goals were pretty enormous.

Grant
 
Hey ggrantly,

ggrantly said:
The Z7 records to HDV which is an antiquated format. It is just amazing that Sony still builds HDV cams considering how the market has changed in the last 3-4 years.. The replacement that format (codec) most manufacturers use is AVCHD, including Sony. There are other codecs as well in the 5k price range, so you have lots of choices. Do some serious research on this.
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So what would be the disadvantages with still using HDV? I've done a fair amount of research into this area and the disadvantages seem pretty minimal within the realm I'd be working in initially. If anything, the AVCHD seems to pose more disadvantages for varied use - at least in the reviews and comparisons that I've seen.

Just looking for your honest take on this. Is there really anything wrong with using HDV? I'm going to be working with FCP to cut, and everyone I've spoken to says the Z7 setup works smoothly with this workflow.

Also, and to be more specific on the inherent disadvantages, AVCHD seems to be a nightmare in the workflow. Whilst HDV seems to be able to edit natively in FCP, the AVCHD demands an extra wait-time for transcoding. I also see no evidence that AVCHD creates a significantly better image quality compared to HDV, and when you combine that with the wait-times and storage and compatibility issues with AVCHD, I just don't think I want to go that route right now.

Thanks for the recommendations on lights. I've worked with Kino-Flos before and always found them to be impressive as a fill light solution, especially in interview type situations.

Kind regards,
 
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As far as codec goes, hvd and avchd are both long gop codecs. Avchd is more efficient, and interpretes motion better. With regards to transcoding, for me, it just isn't a big deal, ymmv. In this price range, you can also consider a intra-frame codec cam like the hpx250, or the hpx170. Both use p2, which will add to your cost, but it is a rock solid system.

Grant
 
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