Is my setup good enough ..

ksadani

ksadani

Active member
Namaste fellow af-100 warriors,

After years of seeing panasanic launch the dvx100 and move to hvx200 and finally follow the launch of the af-100 ... After 8 years of blood, sweat and tears, I have finally been able to save up enough to start my own videography services... I probably have teared through most of the posts on this website and compiled my initial requirement list of essentials to begin ym freelance work ..

Initially , I will be mainly working on corporate videos (got a few gigs lined up!!) and look to graduate into commercials, music videos and narratives..

I just wanted to feedback (specially on the lens kit) if I headed in the right path ..

Initial setup

- Panasonic Af-101
- Lens Kit - Voigtlander .095 25mm / Tokina 11-16mm / Sigma 30mm f/1.4 / Canon or Nikon 50mm 1.8 ( which one is better ??)
(Would you reckon I would need a rod system to assist these lenses?)
(Are there specific thins I should look at when purchasing lens adapters?)
- Headphones - Sony MDR7506
- Tripod - Sacthler FSV8 w. Dolly ( or should i go in for the Manfrotto 504HD,546BK )
- Wireless Seinheiser EW112 G3 * 2 ( Would reccomend I should get and external recorder ?)
- Edit Suite - Windows i7, Adobe Cs5.5

Lighting equipment would be rented based on requirement..

Phase 2 ( 6 months later ) , I would be working on mainly Music videos and advertisements
- SmallHD DP6
- Nanoflash HD
- Modula 7 stabilizer (www.edelkrone.com) (would you recommend I purchase this in the first draft?)
- Follow focus

Would appreciate your feedback if you feel I should look at adding/deleting any items which are mentioned above ..

or is this good enough to start up ?

Thanks in advance..
 
That's a pretty good setup .. I think you're good to go.

Audio-wise, you might want to think about a boom mic (Sennheiser or the Rode
NTG-3 or 8).

When you get into music videos .. you'll probably want to think about sliders, jibs, tracks, and
steadycam-like stuff. There's a lot of movement in music video shots ( and green screen ).

Also, the Samurai has been working out pretty good for us too.

Best wishes .. Masalama,
jeff
 
Hey thanks Guys !!

that really put my mind at ease ..

a couple questions that are running through and would appreciate your feedback on the same ...

- Would you reckon I would need a rod system to assist these lenses?
- While purchasing lens adapters, are there any specific things I should checkfor are all adapters generic in nature ?
- Would recommend I should purchase and external recorder for my audio or can I hold the purchase for later ??

Thanks you for your support....
Kunal ..
 
You really do not need a rod system unless you intend on using... A: follow focus / B: Matte Box / C: Lens Support Bracket / D: Other rod mounted item.
 
Congratulations! Overall your equipment plan sounds good to me.

I do corporate videos with an AG-AF102 and a portable studio set up, usually doing interviews in meeting rooms and offices.

In addition to (or in place of) the wireless lavaliers, I'd also recommend picking up a shotgun mic and stand with a boom. I personally use a Rode NTG-2 and am quite happy with it.

Personal opinion, but I think that even to an average viewer, seeing a lavalier mic clipped to the shirt says "set up" shot. Of course, it usually is set up, but I try to avoid reminding viewers of that fact.


Rods are not really necessary. I have to admit that I got a Redrock Micro rods, follow focus and matte box purely for the looks and they never fail to impress people. Of course it is functional equipment, but in controlled corporate videos they are overkill IMO.
 
The lenses you have are not heavy so you don't need rods to support them.

As far as adaptors and lenses - I think you need to make a decision as far as Canon vs Nikon. I already had some Nikon glass so it was a no-brainer for me. I think it was a good choice as Nikon haven't changed their mount in decades and their older glass is widely available with manual aperture control. I really am happy I haven't had to worry about the Canon lens issues.

When you do buy an adaptor don't cut corners. The cheap ones on Ebay are not up to the job.

I have rails, mattebox, grips, shoulder support and follow focus and I do use them but I also sometimes find myself just using the camera and a lens on a tripod. The lack of accessories don't stop the camera from working (I was working at an event last weekend with a friend who had a 5D MkII, he had no support gear so I gave him my rails, grip and shoulder support and I just used the AF101 on a tripod. It didn't look quite as impressive but I still got the job done and he got a steadier 5D experience)


A shotgun mic is essential - I too use an inexpensive Rode mic and boom and it has been an invaluable part of my kit for years.
 
Regarding support, you will need rods to support the follow focus. You mention a dolly, so if you move it you'll need to follow focus. I think you've chosen good lenses. For real dreamy portrait ECUs you may consider an 85mm but you can certainly do it with the 50.

Congrats on the gigs.
 
Thanks guys ...

I went ahead with the sachtler and got the FSV8.. It was simply considerably better than the Manfrotto and the distributor was having a special deal on the price so took the plunge ... I had similar thoughts on the follow focus / rod system but just wanted clear all doubt ... I'll probably get a redrock once i have made some money of my equipment ...

I think I will get myself a shotgun mic ... rode ntg-2 was something that was also in my mind but I was just concerned about the moise pickup of shotgun vis-avis wireless lav so chose to go with the lave initially but I think I should be able to stretch my budget a bit and pick up the shotgun anyway !

I am however, having issues finding adapters in my city .. Can you guys guide to some sites where I can look at the options for the lenses I have purchased .. I was able to get a basic canon adaptor with which I will initially work but would'nt minding upgrading that if I had a better option
 
IMHO don't waste money on the Nano, great product, but Panasonic did an awesome job on the codec for the af100. Wait until you get a paying gig that requires 4:2:2, then revisit that purchase. Also I would look for a longer lens, something in 70/80-200 territory. However, then you will likely need rails and lens support, for that I would check out Berkey Systems, great hardware at a reasonable price.
 
I haven't had any issues with cheap lens mount adapters bought off eBay, but I bought 1 adapter for each lens and leave them on all the time rather than switching them around between my different lenses.

If you are working with a seated subject, you can position the shotgun mic on a boom above and slightly in front of the subject, aiming it down towards their chest -- getting it as close as possible without being in the shot. This should generally give you a nice strong pick up.

If you're doing corporate videos, offices tend to be noisy with things like footsteps from people walking by the room, jewelry making noise, paper ruffling, air conditioning, traffic outside, etc. I always spend time cleaning up the audio in Soundbooth after the shoot. Just sort of a fact of life when doing this kind of work.

A lavalier may be cleaner, but I just hate seeing them in the shot. One of my personal hang ups. ;-)
 
Satsuei said:
I haven't had any issues with cheap lens mount adapters bought off eBay, but I bought 1 adapter for each lens and leave them on all the time rather than switching them around between my different lenses.

If you are working with a seated subject, you can position the shotgun mic on a boom above and slightly in front of the subject, aiming it down towards their chest -- getting it as close as possible without being in the shot. This should generally give you a nice strong pick up.

If you're doing corporate videos, offices tend to be noisy with things like footsteps from people walking by the room, jewelry making noise, paper ruffling, air conditioning, traffic outside, etc. I always spend time cleaning up the audio in Soundbooth after the shoot. Just sort of a fact of life when doing this kind of work.

A lavalier may be cleaner, but I just hate seeing them in the shot. One of my personal hang ups. ;-)
Click to expand...

You can always hide the lav, although doing it well (ie: not having clothing noise picked up) takes practice.


Also, be wary of the cheap ebay adaptors. I have had problems with EVERY cheap adaptor I have used when it comes to flange distance, causing me problems with focus, often not being able to focus at infinity.
 
Oliver Rush said:
You can always hide the lav, although doing it well (ie: not having clothing noise picked up) takes practice.
Click to expand...

True. It really depends on what the subject is wearing, though.
For versatility, I think it would be best to have both a lavalier and shotgun mic available.


Also, be wary of the cheap ebay adaptors. I have had problems with EVERY cheap adaptor I have used when it comes to flange distance, causing me problems with focus, often not being able to focus at infinity.
Click to expand...

Good point. I rarely shoot at infinity when doing corporate videos, so it hasn't been an issue with the cheap adapters.
I guess it depends on what type of work you do.
 
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