Newbie taking a plunge in the deep end

J

Jay Laville

Well-known member
Hi guys just purchased my first ever camcorder canon xh a1, Really took an interest in filming about 3 months ago (Im a graphic designer by trade) and am doing courses in FCP editing. I also have lessons booked to learn lighting and filming techniques as im a complete beginner. At the moment Im thinking of purchasing the Letus Ultimate as I love the look and the fact that there seems to be no limitations that the others may show:

M2: difficulty in low light, a nightmare to setup
SG Pro: Difficulty in low light
Brevis: Can over expose difficulty in bright light
Letus Extreme: Difficult in bright light and f5.6 is maximum advised

(I apologize if im way out on my understanding, just what I absorbed from forums, im dyslexic I could be totally wrong)

My only question is as a raw beginner am I trying to run before I can walk, does it take an experienced camera man to film with a 35mm adapter or if Im being taught should I just take a plunge in the deep end? Is it like someone who just passed their driving test going out and buying a Lambo with the high probability they will crash and burn? :huh:

Sorry if these kind of posts get repeated all the time but Im trying to figure out if I should wait and learn the camera first or buy it and learn as I learn how o use the camera.

Thanks for your time.

feel free to flame me :violent5: :)
 
Im trying to figure out if I should wait and learn the camera first
Click to expand...

Definitely. Be the best image maker you can be with the XHA1 by itself first. Remember, these are only tools, the real beauty comes from what is on the screen, not what is shooting it. Production design, lighting, composition, everything contributes to a great shot. Don't think that if you blow a couple thousand dollars on an adapter that suddenly you will be a great cinematographer. Take time to learn the basics and fundamentals of shooting, lighting and composition. Walk before you run, or else you might be sitting there in front of your Lamborghini saying "I really wish I knew how to use the full potential of this thing..."
 
ha ha thanks Andrew and great use of the Lamborghini imagery there. Okay will learn the camera first. Just wasnt sure if 35mm adapters were for the more experienced filmer or not
 
I agree. 35mm adds a lot of beauty but also a lot of technical difficulty. Learn your camera then expand your visual toolset.
 
What good is an expensive camera and adapter if you don't know how it works. The camera doesn't make the film maker.

Actually the adapter can be detrimental to the quality of the film if you can't use it right. Or over-use it. I've seen a great number of film be ruined by people using adapters with no idea how to use it.
 
JAy,

You are on the right track... You are here asking questions. This is one of the best places on the web to learn and collaborate.

Also check out Steven Dempsy's Posts (Disjecta) he has become the resident A1 superhero and has shot some really beautiful footage.

Just search Disjecta in users
 
While you are playing with your new camera you can watch our progress using the Brevis here.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=143112
We are definitely putting it through a lot of different lighting set ups and doing a lot of dark night shoots and also some day for night stuff where we need more detail. I'm hoping to get that new ground glass that just came out soon to see how that fares.
 
Hi guys thanks so much for your response I start my first lesson out of 3 this friday, guy is going to start by teaching me about the camera and angles of shots then over next two days after the basics of lighting. He then told me not to book any more lessons for about 3 months as told me after the 3 lessons to start experimenting with the little I would have learnt. Also told me to buy a mannequin head and practice at home different shots and angles and lighting in order to get a better understanding on how it all flows. Im really looking forward to learning all this and I appreciate the advice you guys have given me. i know you probably get loads of wannabes and people who claim to be the next greatest film maker, but to be honest i just want to do it as a hobby as something I can really get creative with thats pretty much it. Makes a change from training in MMA cagefighting which Ive done for over 7 years now lol. :Drogar-BlackEye(DBG
 
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