Shooting documentary solo suggestions...

S

Soldier

Well-known member
I'm heading to Cambodia soon to shoot a documentary. I come from a narrative film background and this is my first attempt at a documentary film. I'm a one man band, and imagine I'll be shooting cinema cinema verite style. I'm looking to get a camera/audio recorder. I wondered if anyone had any suggestions about gear.

I'm considering getting a DSLR like the GH2 or the d800 just because of their compactness, but lack of ND filters, form factor, rolling shutter etc could just be a major PITA. My other option, I guess, is a HD camcorder with XLR inputs.

I've probably got up to about $5k to spend at this stage. I already own a rode ntg-3 mic, which I was considering partnering with a zoom h4n or the tascam dr-40 if I went down the DSLR route...

In terms of camera, ideally I'd like something that is good in low light, is versatile and not too bulky, and of course has a great image. I own a fast set of Nikon - AI prime lenses, but don't really want to be worrying about changing lenses or focus pulling all day!

The FS100 and the AF100 look like pretty decent options, but something like an EX1 might be good too... so many great cameras out there!

Any suggestions about gear or tips on solo shooting would be greatly appreciated!
 
I promise you that shooting a documentary and using an H4N for your audio will either drive you insane in edit or be a complete pita when things are moving fast. One man xlr in is the way to go and having inbuilt ND will get you far more shots when something comes up quickly.

In addition to that, yeah that rode is a solid performer - but anyone who you interview must be seated at all times. For this kind of thing I find a wireless system very handy. And while people may go ooooh. The lmuix 14-140 for the af100 will take a lot of weight for you.

Make sure you've also got a great set of cans you need to be on that audio as much as your image.
 
Sound is going to be very important in your film. In addition to camera gear, you'll need pro and semi-pro audio gear: high quality headphones (critical), a mic for use in reflective environments (critical, unless you shoot only outdoors), a lav system (critical for narration, and if you go wireless, best to have a wired system as backup), and a standalone mixer (not critical if you have a recorder with a built-in preamp better than that in H4n, but always highly recommended for pro audio results).
 
I'd like to see you clap the sticks on a slate as a one man band without a tripod. If you're serious about working alone, get a camera that will allow you to do more with less. A small video camera with XLR inputs and long shoot times will be much better suited to what you're describing.
 
Thanks for your suggestions everyone. I'm not too worried about syncing because I've been using pluraleyes with some success over the last 12 months or so but the preamps in the zoom sound like they'd be an issue - I could get a small mixer I suppose but then I'm dealing with too much equipment to move quickly... Hmmm... the af-100 is looking pretty good, but then 14-140 seems pretty slow. Food for thought though... so thanks!
 
To my knowledge the Ex-1 is a little more expensive (esp when you factor in the cards), but I've shot with one before and I loved the image quality. If I could get a decent one second hand, that would definitely be an option.
 
FS100 ? proper sound XLR, Cinema look, a decent vari nd will help with the lack of ND, cheap media, cheap batts

One thing I really like with the sound is the ability to record one mic into two channels at different levels - very 'safe'

Id get the kit lens and a couple of small primes like a nikkor 50 1.8 for example

S
 
David W. Jones said:
Is this doc for broadcast? If so it would make sense to use a camera that meets the requirements of the network.
Click to expand...

Great advice. You can find the approved camera lists from networks like BBC & Discovery on their websites.

I doubt you'd be sorry if you went with an AF100 or FS100. If you don't like Panny's zoom, remember that there are adapters to go from micro 4/3 to pretty much everything else.
 
Which zooms?

With lens mount adapters you have access to a number of different lens options.

I probably own a dozen different zoom lenses.
 
Sorry David.. I meant the kit zooms. They both appear pretty slow though. Could you suggest something around 18mm-70ish that is fairly fast?
 
Do you have a price range and lens mount preference?

The Red 17-50 is a good low cost PL mount zoom.

Or you could go with something like an uber low cost 3 lens solution, 11-16, 16-50, 70-200.
 
There is one reason I'd never use a DSLR for interviews. Your subject is finally getting emotional and giving you the "gold" you are looking for then....OOPS! Ran out of the 12 minute limit on FAT32 formatted cards! Can you start crying again please? I use Canon DSLRs so maybe this doesn't apply to all, but its enough to keep me from using them on anything other than short, semi-scripted stuff.
 
Cambodia? Cinema verite? Shooting solo? 5K?
Forget DSLRs. AF & FS 100 is too expensive for your budget. I suggest Sony VG20, or if you can wait a month next Sony VG in line. You'll have plenty money left to complete your set(audio, high quality on camera led, lightweight support systems, better lenses, better hostels etc)
Good luck...
 
The Panasonic hpx250 gives you broadcast codec, NDs, good xlr sound for about 5k. Small chip means deeper DOF, but easier focus on the run.
 
Consider the canon XA10, also the gh2 is very good for filming. Are you solo filming don't get scared about what some of the people are telling you. There have been SUPERB documentaries shoot with a really basic equipment and solo: Street fight.

Also have you seen Darwin's Nightmare it is kinda famous and it has a horrible image quality, even sound isn't so good, but the story is so compelling that you just ignore that.

GH2 DOESN't overheats when filming.

Watch this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8sr1CswWcE and this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXWnCv_VUos

As you can see SOLO Documentary is totally possible.

On the other hand I have known a Singapur girl traveling the world at bycicle filming a documentary just by herself.You know how she does it: Panny gh2 + zoom h1
 
My advice: as others said, go as easy as possible... Forget 5D, forget 7D, forget the "cinema look".... think of your convenience..

A camera with xlr plugins...
 
buy a used HVX200a HPX170 or HMC150. You need a fixed lens given your budget and lack of manpower. Then get a very good directional shotgun to mount on it. Get a wireless lav that you can put on a subject or on the other side of the room, even verite it is helpful. Have an H4N that you can drop on a table in the middle of the action if need be. Buy an abundance of batteries, chargers and bus powered storage to download to. Those LACIE orange drives work well. Decent tripod for b-roll. a small battery powered light source. If you have money left over, get a used DSLR for a second cam. It is good to have the DSLR when you want to be less conspicuous in public filming. If you are in cambodia and your camera breaks or is stolen it is important to have a backup that allows you to keep going.
 
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