Equipment List Suggestions $10k-$12k

J

jrod81

Veteran
Hello
I had a job offer today. I have been doing side production work for a local law firm. They called me the office today and offered me a full time "video production" job to do online video campaigns, shoot live events in the community that they sponsor, and shoot documentary style testimonies. They asked me to comprise a list of equipment I would need to "do it right." I told them we could work off a $5000 budget or a $50k budget- they said to keep it around $10k-$12k. So I need some help with making out this list... I want to be as complete as possible to not have to end up buying my own gear for projects if possible.
Right now I am not sure if I am going with the 7d, 60d, or D7000 but more than likely the 60d I believe. I have my own T2i (they don't need to know that though) so I'd want to buy a camera that will match that footage for 2 camera shoots. Also, I have a Zoom H4n.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
thanks
jared
 
Buy a second T2i, that way everything will be the exact same. I would suggest lenses, but I don;t know enough about them to make a good recommendation.
 
You've got some considerations.

Sound
Lights
camera/Lenses
Editing
Tripod
Stabilizer (Shoulder mount, steadicam, etc.)
Software

Trying to get it ALL for 410-12k is going to be a challenge.
 
If I had that much I'd start with something not a DSLR- like a Panasonic AF100, HPX170 or a Sony EX1/EX3. You already have the T2i for depth of field porn whenever you need that effect. But a solid camcorder is a lot more useful for meat and potatoes heavy duty work. Then get tripods, sound gear, lights, post production gear etc. 12K is fine to begin with but realistically speaking you'll be spending a lot more than that long term to properly outfit a corporate video production dept.

Noah
 
I saw a used HVX200 for $2500 with P2 cards etc... on Craigslist. Save yourself some money and try to buy used where you can. A lot of these products will last a lifetime or beyond.
 
I'd get an HDV camcorder to run alongside your T2i - maybe something like an HV40. With a beachtek/juicedlink box and a rode shotgun mic, you're sorted for audio. You'll probably want a wideangle and telephoto attachment for the camcorder - i've got raynox glass for my hv30 and like them a lot. You can always pimp the camcorder with a cheap set of rails/mattebox if appearances like that count. Presumably you're going to have to be a one-stop shop - what about post production? A quad-core computer with at least 6 gb ram, 64-bit os and maybe look at the latest version of Adobe Premiere, it's getting a lot of good press with the way it handles native tapeless formats. And with the adobe package comes good sound mixing apps, dvd authoring applications and so on. Flatscreens, loudspeakers, audio mixer - and don't forget to budget for the cabling.

my 02
 
2 HMC150s, wireless mics and shotguns, 2 good tripods, batteries, and spend every penny of the 12k then tell them you need 3K more. (they're LAWYERS for Christs sake)

(I just went through this but I spent $6008 at B&H. 1 hmc, 1 60D and 17-55 2.8 batts, 32 gig sandisks etc)
 
I'm confused.

online video campaigns, shoot live events in the community that they sponsor, and shoot documentary style testimonies.
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The only thing I would even think about using a DSLR for from that list is the first item, and even then I'm not sure I would. I would seriously consider something like an HMC-150 with extra batteries and cards, filtration (UV/Pola), a MacBook Pro with a lot of extra drives and then spend every last cent you have left (which I'm thinking would be $6k) on support, grip, lighting, and sound. That isn't a lot for all of those things by a long shot, but if you choose your tools carefully there is a whole lot you can do with a small amount of kit.

You will always and forever be able to make better images with $6,000 of lighting/audio behind you then $6,000 of camera in front of you. Spend money on being able to make a good image rather then just record one.
 
guys thanks for all the help seriously!!! i had no idea that people would be pointing me away from DSLR. the advantages i think of with a true video camera would be no 12 minute limit and audio XLR inputs (but even this one is not too big of a deal since I plan on capturing audio separately with the H4n). the weight of the camera makes me think we would be forced to spend more on tripods and stabilizers and what not... there is so much inexpensive stuff for the DSLRs due to their light weight- thats why i was leaning that direction.
so now, let me ask this question...
what video camera is going to get the closest to matching my T2i? i see that hawk had mentioned the EX1 but man, that camera really kicks the budget in the crotch
 
...i see that hawk had mentioned the EX1 but man, that camera really kicks the budget in the crotch
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Well, the EX1 means you don't need a separate sound recorder, it's better with less light than most video recorders, you can stick SD cards in the thing with an adapter, no need to buy lenses. Buy a tripod and shoulder mount, a decent shotgun, and a few lights, and you're golden. The codec is SUPER easy to edit on nearly anything so you don't need beefy hardware.
 
why no separate sound recorder? its in camera audio is good enough to not have to record audio separately? no need to buy lenses cause the lens is that good or because it doesn't even offer interchangeable?
 
jrod81 said:
why no separate sound recorder? its in camera audio is good enough to not have to record audio separately?
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Yes, it's good enough. I usually bring a 24bit recorder, but for anything less than cinema, it's good enough. I'd certainly broadcast it.

jrod81 said:
no need to buy lenses cause the lens is that good or because it doesn't even offer interchangeable?
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Lens is not interchangeable, but it is on the EX3 and people still use it for broadcast.

The EX1 is still an amazing camera at it's price.
 
well after reading the prolost blog about the af100 i think i answered my own question... that camera is just not quite the answer for this budget (due to slow lenses that would be for that specific camera only). man, that sucks- that camera seemed to be the answer...
okay, back to the ex1 for now i guess, though i still like the dof of slr stuff...
what am i missing... why would i not get an slr for this? is it the 12 minute clip limit? is it the constant battle with focusing for the live events- hmm, might have just hit the nail on the head there...
i am only steps away from going hfs100 and a dof adapter... watch me now...
man, i am nervous
 
The AF100 is definitely not about 'slow lenses' you can pretty much adapt any lens you want to that camera- PL, Canon, Nikon, etc. It's a swiss army knife of lenses.

Noah
 
well if u were thinking dslr..then the af100 is def the cam for you. As noah said..u can use pretty much ANY lens on it. AF100 plus 4 nikon primes will be about $6000- 7000 ( or 2 zooms to cover that distance). Use the rest for your supporting gear. A simple 3 point lighting kit with soft boxes ( with relfectors and grip gear) , wireless lav and shot gun mic. no need for external audio recorder cuz is has xrl.
 
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The AF100 has a lot going for it. Just like DSLRs do. But if I am running and gunning on a shoulder mount, shallow DOF is the LAST thing I want to be fooling with. And yea, it's really not about slow lenses. You can get faster lenses for the AF100 than for the EX1. But are you going to want to pull focus on the move at F2? I'm betting no.

I think something like an EX1, or HMC150 is a FAR more flexible tool than an AF100. But the AF100 is a GREAT tool for what it is designed for.
 
yeh it really depends on ur use. while the af100 is a really good choice...i'm thinking of going used hmc150 route to replace my dvx for docs and pick up a gh2 along with my 7d for big chip goodness :) for films and such. but for the run and gun type docs i do, separate sound and lack of a proper video zoom lens is not very appealing.
 
sorry about the lens comment on the af100... that was just what i got out of stu's comments on the prolost blog...
i see what you are saying about the run and gun setup and i suppose that is what i would primarily be doing and for the times i wouldn't be doing that, i could just use my own t2i.
now is the ex1 worth the extra cash of its cost over the hmc150... are there other cameras that need to be discussed here?
 
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