What support gear would you pay extra for? What would you cheap out / go DIY on?

[David W. Jones]

I use DSLR cameras, along with Sony F3, AF100, and a few others that once you add things like IDX batteries, matte box, large zoom lens & support, monitor, the weight can double, triple, or even more. I regulary shoot with a kit around 30 pounds. Having a fluid head that maxes out at 5 pounds is fine unless you think you might be using a heavier camera in the future.

 

[Michael Carter]

With the Sachtler Ace at $510, skimping on a tripod seems like a thing of the past.

I think this thread points out there are very few universal "must-haves". I shoot mostly DSLR, but I use my HMC 150 often; and on DSLR shoots it's my audio capture device. I like seeing the slate when I'm looking for audio clips, and I'll usually set it up for a useable angle, which has helped me grab extra cutaways. So I'm a DSLR guy without the must-have field recorder.

Buying used has been great for me - set up saved searches on eBay - my like-new $650 hyper-cap mic came up "buy it now" for $150; I was able to buy it within 5 minutes of it being posted (and the guy was like "should I have charged more?"). Heavy stands & stuff aren't usually worth an eBay buy, but tons of stuff appear there from guys who tried this biz and bailed.

 

[wgzn]

I shoot mostly DSLR, but I use my HMC 150 often; and on DSLR shoots it's my audio capture device. I like seeing the slate when I'm looking for audio clips, and I'll usually set it up for a useable angle, which has helped me grab extra cutaways. So I'm a DSLR guy without the must-have field recorder.

ive been doing that lately was well. very handy! but im still having a hard time getting my head around listening to one and watching the other... well both actually. usually involves a long hdmi cable for hand-held monitor

 

[MikeFunktastic]

I use DSLR cameras, along with Sony F3, AF100, and a few others that once you add things like IDX batteries, matte box, large zoom lens & support, monitor, the weight can double, triple, or even more. I regulary shoot with a kit around 30 pounds. Having a fluid head that maxes out at 5 pounds is fine unless you think you might be using a heavier camera in the future.

Yeah, this is something I'm concerned with in the future as well. I'm definitely of the buy once, buy well mentality. But more specifically, I'm of the buy once, buy well, buy only if necessary mentality LOL.

With the Sachtler Ace at $510, skimping on a tripod seems like a thing of the past.

I think this thread points out there are very few universal "must-haves". I shoot mostly DSLR, but I use my HMC 150 often; and on DSLR shoots it's my audio capture device. I like seeing the slate when I'm looking for audio clips, and I'll usually set it up for a useable angle, which has helped me grab extra cutaways. So I'm a DSLR guy without the must-have field recorder.

Buying used has been great for me - set up saved searches on eBay - my like-new $650 hyper-cap mic came up "buy it now" for $150; I was able to buy it within 5 minutes of it being posted (and the guy was like "should I have charged more?"). Heavy stands & stuff aren't usually worth an eBay buy, but tons of stuff appear there from guys who tried this biz and bailed.

Great eBay tip! I haven't really thought of that but will definitely be doing that. I'm definitely gung-ho about buying used equipment. No reason to buy equipment brand new when stuff like tripods and rigs are built to last many years with minimal maintenance required.

 

[MikeFunktastic]

I shoot mostly DSLR, but I use my HMC 150 often; and on DSLR shoots it's my audio capture device. I like seeing the slate when I'm looking for audio clips, and I'll usually set it up for a useable angle, which has helped me grab extra cutaways.

I forgot to ask... what exactly do you mean by this? As in you use the HMC150's audio to sync back with the DSLR (primary device) and throwing in some cutaways to boot?

This probably just gave away that I am a complete noob to the whole post-production / editing workflow lol.

 

[wgzn]

Yeah. Lack of pro-audio inputs (xlr) is an ongoing weak link in dslrs. Many people use an external audio recorder then sync back in post (using a variety of techniques)

using a camera with proper audio input is a great method and gives u the bonus of another angle

 

[swingrays]

Great thread, Mike! I, too, am getting into the biz. I taught post production for 4 years and now I wanna do the production part! Got a 5Dmkii, getting a 7D and looking to do video, stills and web design. Been a musician all my life so I've been beefing up my audio production/making as well. Problem is there are so many paths for video and stills. I want to try them all! I have some nice lenses, got some good old strobes off Ebay for portrait stuff. I built a crane and a few other DIY things. Looking for a reasonable dslr rig right now. I'll be doing a video for a local band soon, something laid back, minimal production, and I'll probably be looking into some lighting as well. I just can't wait to start the project.

This is a great thread for where I am right now, so I'll be following along!

swing

 

[MikeFunktastic]

Yeah. Lack of pro-audio inputs (xlr) is an ongoing weak link in dslrs. Many people use an external audio recorder then sync back in post (using a variety of techniques)

using a camera with proper audio input is a great method and gives u the bonus of another angle

Ok cool that's what I thought. I read up on all the audio issues with the 7D and it looks like it can turn out to be a real headache in post. I may find myself quickly moving on to either a 60D or a 5D for Magic Lantern since it seems it can unlock timecode features. A decent camcorder will definitely be in the pipelines a year or so down the road. Glad I'm still young and single, haha!

Great thread, Mike! I, too, am getting into the biz. I taught post production for 4 years and now I wanna do the production part! Got a 5Dmkii, getting a 7D and looking to do video, stills and web design. Been a musician all my life so I've been beefing up my audio production/making as well. Problem is there are so many paths for video and stills. I want to try them all! I have some nice lenses, got some good old strobes off Ebay for portrait stuff. I built a crane and a few other DIY things. Looking for a reasonable dslr rig right now. I'll be doing a video for a local band soon, something laid back, minimal production, and I'll probably be looking into some lighting as well. I just can't wait to start the project.

This is a great thread for where I am right now, so I'll be following along!

swing

Awesome, this was a major reason I started this thread... to see how us production newbies should properly stretch our dollars as we invest in all the necessary gear. I've learned a fairly great deal from these vets. Good luck with your band production!