I've got an HCM40 and $1000, what should I invest in?

J

jplevinski

Member
So, I picked up an HMC40 last fall. It wasn't in budget to get the XLR adapter or a nice microphone. I've saved up some money in the last five months and am ready to make some purchases. I am a beginner at all of this. I am interested in learning how to do wedding videography and making short films.

I was thinking of investing in the XLR adapter; however, I'm starting to debate whether I should get an external audio adapter or not? I also love the footage of both steadicams (commercial options, I dislike DIY steadicam footage) and the 35mm adapters (I really like how both give an "elegant" feel to the footage).

So I plea to the community to give me some advice on what equipment I would likely get the most "bang" for the "buck"?

In summary, I'm looking to upgrade:
1) My Audio Setup
2) Some equipment that would help me capture more "elegant" footage.

Thanks in advance!
 
For audio:

The XLR adapter is going to be the best way to save yourself a bunch of time in post, IMO.

Get some long XLR cables for mics or running to the DJ/mixer.

A wireless lav is a must to get the ceremony vows in a wedding, or any speaker.

Footage:

Do you all ready have a good tripod, good on-cam light, monopod or anything besides the camera?

You will need those for sure, which is about $1000 on the low end...

Elegant footage may be more of a post editing thing. Slowing 60p down to 24p is common. Or of course using the Halo Rig or something like a glidecam 2000 to get moving stable footage helps.
 
Thanks for the advice.

I have a pretty good tripod. Although I don't have an on-cam light or monopod. I also have adobe cs4 master suit, so I'm good with post production tools. I also have a mixer board, some XLR cables, etc.
 
With the mixer board and cables already, getting the XLR adapter for the HMC40 along with some mics would seem sensible. For a very practical low-cost mic, I think the Azden SGM-2X offers a lot of bang for the buck. It basically gives you two mics in one - a shotty and an omni via interchangeable barrels. That gives you a degree of flexibility which would otherwise require purchasing 2 mics, and the sound quality is quite reasonable for mainstream wedding videography in general.
 
Btw, an HMC40 is not very well suited for wedding videography in general (at least not as a primary cam). The low light performance just isn't there for shooting decent video, much of the time, considering typical wedding and reception venues. For shooting weddings, in general, you'd probably be better off with a used FX1 (at about the same cost as an HMC40). If you do use the HMC40 for a lot of weddings, getting an on-board light is going to be a must.
 
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Thanks for the tips.

I am aware that the HMC40 is not the greatest wedding camera. Mostly I just shoot for hobby/artistic expression right now and in the process of learning (hence the HMC40, broadcast quality with low cost recording media and low price tag), and I have been asked to shoot weddings (as a free favor for broke friends). If I decide to go into the videography business I will want to invest in a cam that performs better in low light.
 
As a free favor, I don't know if I'd go nuts running XLR cables around, but you could at least pop an SGM-2X on top of the cam (rather than use the onboard mic), if you get one (and the XLR adapter) anyway.
 
I agree with everyone else on the XLR adapter being your first big add-on. I bought the Audio Technica at875r shotgun mic with my HMC40 and I've been very happy with it so far.

The religious Jewish weddings that I'm filming here in Jerusalem are usually well lit, so a light isn't a big deal for me. I'm looking to get a monopod or other compact support system as my next wedding related accessory.
 
I would actually put a wide angle adapter pretty high on my list. The wide end of the HMC40 is not really very wide.

As for the XLR adapter, if you are going to camera mount a microphone the XLR adapter is only really going to buy you manual control of the levels (rather than the cumbersome LCD touch control you currently have). A Rode Video Microphone connected to the 3.5mm connector is going to give you pretty much the same results as an XLR Microphone mounted to the hot shoe - BUT if you run the mic on a long cable then the XLR is a must have.
 
I just ordered one of these for a little boost in lighting, when needed, indoors:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/552381-REG/Bescor_LED14_LED_14_14_watt_LED_On.html

I've got to think that's worth $30. Light output should be roughly equivalent to a standard 100W incandescent light bulb (LED is roughly 7x more efficient, right?), and it uses good ole AAA rechargeables (so there's no screwing around with expensive proprietary batteries) that should supposedly power it for an hour or so. Weighing only 2.2 ounces and generating almost no heat, I'm thinking I may find some pretty creative ways to use it too. Might be slick to get 3 or 4 of them and rig up some really lightweight stand with a relatively small piece of polystyrene (maybe 2' square) to bounce the light off of, for a cordless, super-portable, somewhat soft light.
 
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Robert M Wright said:
I just ordered one of these for a little boost in lighting, when needed, indoors:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/552381-REG/Bescor_LED14_LED_14_14_watt_LED_On.html

I've got to think that's worth $30. Light output should be roughly equivalent to a standard 100W incandescent light bulb
Click to expand...

That is a cute little light for the money... any examples? Maybe be ideal for the 40, but how about with a wider lens 150 - might get a little spot light ish..

I got to say Comer again saying its well worth the $$$, not cheap but very professional.

Tripod still being a #1 investment...
 
I haven't used it yet for shooting, but it did occur to me that it might be nice to have two of these mounted next to each other somehow, side by side. No doubt, it will be a little spot-lightish, mounted on top of the cam all by itself.
 
I thought this light looked a little interesting (for the price)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320466138527

Pro 144 LED Video Light (No heat) ​
Power consumption: 10.4 Watts (Super bright) ​
Color Temperature: 5600K​
3 feet @ 970 Lux or 90 ft-cd​
6 feet @ 300 Lux or 28 ft-cd ​
Dimension W x L x H : 6 1/2" x 7 5/8" x 1 1/2"​
Lightweight : 6.7 oz. (without batteries)​
Works with 6AA batteries: (2 1/2-3 hours) 6 AA Batteries are not included.​
Comes with 2 High Quality Soft Gels. (Diffused & 3200K) ​
Super Cool Light 2009 can use an external battery pack. (9-12 volts) ​
Package Dimension: 7" x 7 1/2" x 2" ​
Package Weight: 11 oz. ​
 
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