Help! Some buget minded choices for a first-timer (wedding videography questions)

G

Garmonbozia

New member
After flirting with the idea of low-end documentary film-making (I shot a few things on Canon point and shoots that I was happy with but they, of course, didn't look professional) and with the people I made the low-end stuff for happy with the product I thought I could step up my game a bit. I purchased the Canon T2i mainly because of the high quality videos I'd seen online, ease of use (as I am still new to DSLR) and the fact that it could attach an external mic. My sister will be getting married at the end of the summer and asked me to shoot her wedding. I thought this would be the perfect chance to make something that looks better then my previous work...

...however, the catch...is that I don't have the $$$ to step-up my game as of yet to the level of professionalism I have seen on some videographers sites...I have about $500. So, the trick here is what can a first time user add to his T2i / 18-55mm kit lense and 55-250mm lens / 2 Batteries / 2 16gig memory cards / 1 laptop to transfer files on to shoot his sisters wedding for $500?

So, that said, I have been researching and putting together a basic kit that I wanted to get some comments on.

1) SOUND: I knew the mic on the Canon wasn't going to cut it so my original intent was to pick up a RODE Shotgun mic (Rode Microphones Video Mic Condenser Microphone Directional Microphones VM - Vistek Canada Product Detail). After posting on another forum, people suggested me away from that mic and towards a ZOOM H4n Handy Recorder (Zoom H4Next Handy Recorder Microphones - Vistek Canada Product Detail). Though it got me rethinking that I should get something that didn't have to stay attached to the camera restricting sound mobility, that recorder was out of my budget range. I then discovered the Zoom H1n ( Amazon.com: Zoom H1 Handy Portable Digital Recorder: Musical Instruments
Amazon.com: Zoom H1 Handy Portable Digital Recorder: Musical Instruments
) which WAS in my budget. In fact, I could get TWO of them for less then the H4n. Thus be able to record from two different places or pop the records into pockets and LAV mic Bride and Groom. Seemed like more options. The sound quality seemed alright to me from Youtube vids. Their reception is going to be outside so I thought I'd pick up a $14 Furryhead windsock (Zoom H1 Black Bear - FurryHead Windscreens) to cut out wind noise...again, Youtube tests looked great. Of course, money being a factor, I may be able to only get ONE H1 in this case it would sit on a tripod recording the vows and such and then be attached to my camera the rest of the time.
NOTE: I could use a cheap suggestion on what can be used to attach the ZOOM to the hotshoe on the camera.
NOTE 2: I am also thinking now that it is still cheaper to get one Zoom H1 and the Rode Shotgun mic then one Zoom H4n but unsure if I need the Rode mic and the quality of it for what I would be using it for. I could also mic up the groom with a lav and use the other H1 as ambiance. Thoughts?

2) SLIDER: Up until last week, I had no idea these existed. I saw videos online with wonderful reveal shots and knew I wanted to create some of those. This lead me to the Glidetrack Shooter (Shoulder support video camera slider - Glidetrack Shooter SD) which, sadly, became out of my budget when factoring in shipping costs from overseas. After pecking around some more I found the IndiSliderMini (indiSYSTEM - indiSLIDERmini) which, for $200 less, would do the trick AND it includes a pistol ball grip. I would have had to purchase some kind of mount for the Glidetrack so with the IndiSlider coming with one it saves me $$$.
NOTE: Also entertaining the Micro Motion Slider (Micro Motion Slider Camera Slider) with legs. There are also a few on Ebay I am thinking about like the Dual Dolly RS.
However, I am starting to get frustrated that places like INdiSlider and Motion Slider are not returning my emails.
Also looked into the ZaZaSlider but with other, cheaper solutions out there, I am not sure.
Of course, there is no shoulder mount like the Shooter...which brings me to:

3) SHOULDER SUPPORT vs MONOPOD: The Cowboy Studio Shoulder pad... seemed like a good buy for the price: Amazon.com: CowboyStudio Shoulder Support Pad for Video Camcorder Camera DV / DC: Camera & Photo
Amazon.com: CowboyStudio Shoulder Support Pad for Video Camcorder Camera DV / DC: Camera & Photo
-I have been told to nix the shoulder support and get a good Monopod instaed. Thoughts and monopod suggestions?

4) TRIPOD: The current tripod I have is very low end. Though compact, the legs are not sturdy and would probably wobble with a slider on it. Any suggestions on a good tripod (which can shoot both horizontal and vertical photos) in the $100 range? Bonus points if it has a detachable head. :p

5) EDITING: I have Sony Vegas with Magic Bullet Looks.

6) LENSES: Adding this last because purchasing new lenses is really out of my budget range but I have the kit lens for the Canon and the 55mm-250 IS lens.

Okay, so those of you still with me after that long post any thoughts, comments and suggestions are much appreciated.
 
Check out lensrentals.com or borrowlenses.com. You'll be able to get that zoom h4n, wireless mics, lenses, tripods, and second camera body all within your budget. I'd definitely recommend renting all the gear you'd need instead of just buying a small portion of it. The final product will be much better and you can use the money from the next wedding you book to buy some of that gear.
 
Here is some personal advice. Don't shoot it. This is your sisters wedding! This is a once in a lifetime event (hopefully) and there will be lots of friends and family trying to grab your attention just to say hi. While they are just taking a "minute" of your time, your going to miss the shots you need and want. Also, you'll miss out on enjoying the event. It is one thing to be physically present, it is another to attend!!! I had a good friend of mine enlist me to help an unprepared and inexperienced audio engineer setup for their wedding. Well the job ballooned and I ended up doing a $2,000 audio gig for $200. I wanted to attend and be social, but for the ENTIRE event I was assisting with Sound in one way or another. From this and my own sisters wedding I know you cannot have it both way's. Either your working or attending and there is NO MIDDLE GROUND. I know that sounds like I'm an absolutist, but this has been my experience.

Now on to gear for actually shooting video, a couple notes. Dump those terrible zoom lenses and reinvest that money into prime lenses (or rather a decent prime lens). Zoom H1 is the way to go for recording audio on a budget. Also, have you thought about how much light will be available? I have the indisystem mini slider you mention. It's ok, but not a great tool. It is not anywhere near as smooth as a $300 ball bearing slider. Just keep that in mind. For tripod, it up ebay and grab a $130 717WF, it'll get the job done. Monopod or shoulder mount, your choice. That shoulder mount is pretty bad though. Also, depending on how bright it is (like for stuff during the day) you'll prob. want to have an ND filter, filter set, or variable ND filter. Basically something to knock down the ambient when your at base ISO. Lastly for equipment, have you considered and LCD viewfinder like the LCDVF you can find on ebay? about $100 and great for making sure you're getting spot on focus. Nothing like getting home and seeing all your video is soft and unusable.

Lastly, actually shooting the thing. Are you up for this? You really need to feel extremely comfortable with the equipment you have and how you can use it effectively. You can get as much advice as you want online, but sit back and honestly ask yourself if you might be getting in over your head. Perhaps your not, and in that case, go for it! You can't get experience without shooting, but I caution against getting that experience in the crucible that is wedding video. Shoot something similar, but with less pressure before to get your feet wet. Thats all I've got for you, good luck!
 
What is the time limit on clips with the Canon? If it is under say 15-20 minutes, or if you have a cooling off period, you might want to reconsider your camera choice. A slider is great, I have one, but I doubt you will use it for a one cam wedding shoot. A tripod is always good, but at a wedding, where mobility is key, you might want to think monopod or a shoulder rig. And I disagree with Nismo, for a wedding you REALLY need a zoom. Do you think you are going to change lenses and catch everything? I don't know about the quality of the lenses you have, but changing lenses in the middle of a ceremony is crazy. Still shooters get away with it, but they have less to worry about. Scout the location before the ceremony to see what kind of lighting and sound issues you might encounter. In this case, if you don't have a accurate way to focus during the ceremony, think about increasing your DOF as possible to avoid focus issues. You might want to have a cam mounted light for reception or other times if things are indoors

Audio is 70% of a good video. If you use recorders that you can't monitor during the shoot, then imagine what you will tell Sis when you missed her vows.....
There are a lot of choices for capturing audio, but you are dead with a capital D if you can't monitor the recording, so passing out a few H1s and a prayer is pretty risky. You will probably want to strap a recorder to your body or shoulder rig and use a couple of wireless sets like Sennheiser G3s and a set of earphones. You don't have the budget to buy this gear, so renting is probably it. I have simplified this, but before you go off imagining slider shots or the like, you need to worry more about the basics.

To summarize:
Make sure your cam is up to the task
Use a monopod or shoulder rig (monopod = $100)
Maybe buy a recorder (Tascam DR100 for $300) and rent a couple Sennheiser G3s and or other mics
Scout your shoot for lighting and audio
Consider a light for before and after the ceremony (Chinese LED = $75)
Practice how this will go down before the gig

That will eat up your budget and a little more, but the purchases will be stuff you will use later.

Good luck
Grant
 
Just love it when the OP asks a bunch of questions and then disappears from the face of the earth. I hope someone else got some info from those that took the time to respond.

Grant
 
ggrantly said:
Just love it when the OP asks a bunch of questions and then disappears from the face of the earth. I hope someone else got some info from those that took the time to respond.

Grant
Click to expand...

Well, it did take nearly 3 weeks for him to get more than a single response, so you can't really blame him.
 
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