Please advise on lens and cheap sound equipment

T

taaltrek

Member
Right now I have a GH2 and some basic equipment

GH2 and 14-140
Manfrotto 055xdbpro and 701hdv
Olympus OM 28mm f2
Olympus OM 50mm f1.8
Polaroid 62ND and stepdown rings for the OM lens.

I'm looking to get some better sound equipment and possibly some more cheap lens. Right now I've been thinking about the following for sound

Zoom H1 or the equivalently priced tascam
Wired lapel mic (something around $100)
Rhode Videomic Pro

and for additional lens possibly some cannon FD or Nikon Nikkor lenses.

My questions are

1)Will my proposed audio set up get me decent sound for short narrative films and documentary work?
2) is there any reason to spend the extra money on the zoom h2 or h4, I don't think I'm going to have the money to buy fancy audio equipment that requires phantom power anytime soon.
3)Can someone recommend a decent cheap lapel mic?
4)Is a cannon FD 50mm 1.4 worth buying if I already have the olympus, and are there any fast wide angle lenses (either canon or nikon)?
5) Am I likely to want longer primes for narrative films (i.e. 85mm or 100mm)?
6) What else would you recomend? posibly a cheap slider, or a follow focus?

Basically, I have a little bit of money to buy some more stuff but I would appreciate any suggestions on what would be the wisest way to spend that money. Thanks!
 
1) It's hard to answer your questions because we do not know what your definition of "decent" is.

2) There are clear reasons to spend more on audio capture devices that can work with XLR, phantom power, and better mics. You're going to get better quality audio.

4) Not sure what "fast" means to you but the Nikkor 24/2.0 AIS is pretty fast. Not very wide.

5) If you're going to use an 85 or 100mm lens, it had better be on a tripod. Hand-held you'll find it very hard to keep still.
 
taaltrek said:
1)Will my proposed audio set up get me decent sound for short narrative films and documentary work?
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Yes, just make sure you learn how to properly use your audio gear, and always try to get your mics as close a possible. You may want to get the Rode 10 ft extension for the VideoMic Pro so you can use it on a boom just out of shot.

taaltrek said:
2) is there any reason to spend the extra money on the zoom h2 or h4
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No. The H2 has noiser audio than the H1, and the H4n is un-necessary for a basic kit.

taaltrek said:
3)Can someone recommend a decent cheap lapel mic?
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Sorry, I don't know much about $100 mics.

taaltrek said:
4)Is a cannon FD 50mm 1.4 worth buying if I already have the olympus, and are there any fast wide angle lenses (either canon or nikon)?
Click to expand...

Stick with your Olympus lenses, they are just as good as Canon or Nikon. No cheap wide angles, so you are stuck paying around $400 for the Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 or just buy the cheaper 14-45mm kit lens. ( better than the 14-42mm kit lens )

taaltrek said:
5) Am I likely to want longer primes for narrative films (i.e. 85mm or 100mm)?
Click to expand...

An 85mm or 100mm can be quite handy. Since you already have two Olympus lenses, I would try to find an Olympus 85mm f/2.0 or a 100mm f/2.8. ( the 100mm f/2.0 is rare and will likey cost a fortune if you can find one )

taaltrek said:
6) What else would you recomend? posibly a cheap slider, or a follow focus?
Click to expand...

Don't blow your money all at once. Expand your kit, and then see what you think is missing. Two suggestions to check out:

HaloRig Mini $129

I own a full size Manfrotto FigRig, but the HaloRig looks like it might do the trick for half the price.

Manfrotto Fluid Video Monopod W/Head : $290

This is my favorite piece of camera stabilizing gear. It's very portable, does very smooth pans, and you can use it like a semi-stedicam by holding it just below the camera and using the weight of the monopod to stabilize the camera. Just make sure you get the new model with the RED fluid-panning base. ( the old Black panning base binds and sticks during pans )
 
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