The next big purchase?

S

sbryan

Well-known member
So it all started with the computer I built myself and the installation of the Adove Video Collection (the Premiere Pro 1.5 Bundle).

Then I purchased a DVX100a and the LA-7200G 16:9 Lens along with a Sennheiser ME67 K6 Shotgun mic.

As for a tripod, working was throwing one out because they no longer used it and I adopted it. Nothing special, but it could support 15lbs., and at the time it was suffecient.

My questions is: What's next? I'm pretty good on the camera and editing sides of things... I would settle on one of these options: (Around $2,500 - Give or take)

1. A lighting kit - all I use right now is a shoplight (that's right singular form) and gels.

2. A better tripod - I find the newly reviewed Focus tripod to be appealing. If I were to go with this option, I might also buy an external monitor because with the lens, the camera's LCD is not accurate.

3. A steadicam vest - Any suggestions on this one? While shooting the current short film, I noticed how much I wished the camera could move!

Opinions?
 
I'd recommend a lighting kit to be your next purchase. Steadicams are awesome to play around with but you won't need them for every shoot you do. Lighting, you SHOULD need for every shoot you do. Is the tripod you adopted a fluidhead tripod? If not you might want to make that your top priority. Fluidheaded tripod and a basic light kit. You could most definitely get that for around 2500
 
The tripod is a Promaster 6600. Methinks it is "bleh" at best to you guys here.

dj, can you think of any specific packages offered by an online retailer? For the most part, I've dealt with BHphoto in the past.

Also, i caught the typo "working" instead of "work" earlier... it's still too early.
 
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There are a lot of packages on ebay like this one... I don't know if I would trust them though. There's a site that has some really good deals on lighting packages similar to these though... I just can't think of it. When I get back from class I'll do a search through my bookmarks for it and post a few packages up here.

In the mean time, I'd suggest checking out the kits that EVS has to offer. When I get home, I'll get you that link.
 
I'll chime in with the other advice. Lights and Tripod first - and the Production monitor you meantiond is a good 3rd.

Also, don't forget about audio!

- Mikko
 
mikkowilson said:
I'll chime in with the other advice. Lights and Tripod first - and the Production monitor you meantiond is a good 3rd.

Also, don't forget about audio!

- Mikko
Click to expand...

What would you recommend besides the shotgun mic I am currently using?
 
I've always wanted to know, I also wanna get a 16x9 lense, but if I get that, I can't use an adapter right?

I also have to buy lights, and good audio..so Ill keep checking this post
 
I have to chime in here about lights. I orignally bought a lowell kit for 1500 dollars and thought it was great. Only to find out after about three shoots that depite how I tried I could not get the lighting that I wanted. I bought a single ARRI 650 on Ebay for 275 dollars and BANG, there was the answer. You just can't substitute for a great set of Fresnels. Sure they are alot more expensive than your standard openfaced lights and those cheap Britek/Rostronic softboxes, but they are what you need. If you buy one of these cheaper kits, you will be sorry and you will be wondering why you can't make your shots look like a hollywood shot, it's because the lights that you have aren't very good.

I know nobody likes to hear that they should spend the entire $2500 on like three lights with stands/doors etc, but you will end up doing it eventually if you really want to make your stuff look "correct". Some guys will claim that they get good results from these briteks and rostronic lights but perhaps their standards of good results is lower than it should be. Uncontrollable (i.e. open faced multiple shadow casting) light is not good for most purposes.

Spend the money once and cry once. I wish I hadn't purchased that $1500 dollar Lowell kit, and it is quite a bit better than those Britek/Rostronic things. Just my .02 from experience.
 
I have a Britek kit, purchased with a DVXUser discount. The Britek has done okay for my purposes...but the build quality is suspect. The most useful part of the kit is the softbox. If I were buying again I would make certain I got softboxes.

Naanan's advice is well taken. When you buy the cheap stuff, you often end up buying the good stuff later. (I bought a cheap tripod, and later replaced it with a nice Miller.)

Might as well start with the good stuff, if at all possible.
 
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