What Next?

spencer

spencer

Well-known member
Ok, here's my list of stuff i'm going to buy pending on everyone's thoughts:

-Tripod: Bogen 501 head and 3046 legs
-Stabilizer: Merlin
-Mic: AT4073a

i'm placing more emphasis on the stabilizer than tripod because i freaking hate trying to do steady shots by just walking, it's ridiculously annoying. static shots, for the most part, I don't dig as much as movement shots. therefore, i'm going with a somewhat cheap tripod. and the mic sounds like my best bet, although I don't know if i need something special for a phantom power source (do i)

there's no lighting because that stuff is way expensive, and i'd rather stay cheap with clamplights and worklights and stay creative with it. i'm not going to buy one good light and blow my current budget.

Does this all sound reasonable? Tell me what wrongs I am doing in going about this. Thanks.
 
Last edited:
My two cents on this: audio is 50% of the picture, always very important, so some basic audio gear is always a sound investment.
 
Spencer - you have hundreds of threads here. Read them. Then come back
and ask more questions.

Charli
 
I updated the first post, and am now "bumping" this thread back to the top. sorry if i'm being annoying.
 
might look at the rode ntg-2 for a mic as well. I dunno what lighting your looking at but gathering a simple 3pt lighting setup really is not that expensive... not when your willing to dump $800 on a gimble mounted on a stick (aka merlin)
 
I was looking into the glidecam too, but i mean the size of the merlin and it's capabilities are astounding.

Wanna point me in the direction of a good and cost effeective lighting setup?>
 
What does size matter for a stabilizer? I've used the merlin and it is very difficult to use. After about 30min of fumbling around attempting to get the camera balanced i ran around trying to make the thing get an astounding shot for me. It didn't work, like anything practice makes perfect but you have to REALLY want to learn to use a merlin to make it work. And for the price I just can't see it myself.

as far as lighting go look through the bhphoto lighting section. They have some fairly inexpensive kits in there. It all depends on what kinda lighting you need. But something cheap and basic will do wonders compared to ambient lighting.
 
Size makes it easier to take around. i'm not gonna be doin big production stuff. it's most likely gonna be mariachi style, so the less i have to carry around the better.

What would you suggest in place of a merlin?
 
I dunno i'd say if you really are concerned with getting smooth shots i'd use a dolly. If you really want a steadicam i'd go with the really cheap setups, or even diy kits. They all balance the camera and do about as good a job as the merlin. Or if your doing run and gun documentary style stuff i'd just grab a spiderbrace and call it good. Lots and LOTS of run and gun stuff is bouncy, but usually ppl get away with it because it is just accepted in that style of video.
 
Gotta disagree J5

Gotta disagree J5

Hey J5,
Sorry the Merlin didn't work well for you. I gotta disagree though. I got some great shots with it, smoother than the pro dolly we had on set, although more difficult to control.
With no set up time, you can grab a shot in a few seconds rather than convincing the Director to hold things for 20 minutes while you lay a dolly track.
And if I understand, he's talking about run and gun documentary stuff. I can't wait to get back out later this year on another doc using the Merlin.

Just my two bits.

Overall, get the lighting gear first, then the Merlin.

-M
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top