What kind of camera should I buy if I am just starting out?!

[Justin Aguirre]

I would say that if you want to shoot motion picture film, a film SLR is excellent.

If you never aspire to shoot motion picture film, a digital camera or camcorder is obviously cheaper, easier and quicker. But becoming an artist has nothing to do with easier and quicker.

Dan

Thank you puredrifting,

That is the reason I learned on film. I wanted to learn to light and compose beautiful images for both still and motion. By limiting my exposures to 36 if really forced me to think and plan out my shots. I have friend's in school who are learning on digital and are having a harder time getting the hang of it all. They believe photos are created in Photoshop and thus take mediocre shots. Same thing for motion, they believe they are created in Magic Bullet. As the artist you really need to learn how to paint with light and control the shot with blocking.

I'm now making Super-8 films and getting ready to buy myself an Arriflex 16mm. I know I would be a long way off to feel comfortable shooting on film if I didn't learn on film. Heck I'm still meeting kids who want to be cinematographers in school who still can't read a light meter.

You should always aim high and even if you don't plan on shooting film anytime soon you should learn. Because you never know if a project comes along and you will be forced to turn it down because they are shooting film and you don't have the skills needed to run the camera.

 

[David W. Richardson]

What camera should you buy? If it were me, the answer would be 'None!'

You're in Toronto. A fair amount of filmmaking goes on there. Volunteer to help the DP on a shoot -- any kind of shoot. Even shorts. Learn all you can from working with people who know what they're doing. See what equipment they like. Ask them for recommendations.

Learn all you can about the art and craft of cinematography before you ever BUY anything.

And once you've learned........then RENT! Surely there are rental houses there.

Good luck!