What Would You Do? Used 5DM2 or something cheaper?

prexdealer

Well-known member
Hi,

So a few of us were going to shoot a short but kept running into a hard time finding a DP at an affordable price. Sometimes the man hour cost was affordable but the kit fee wasn't. The one guy I am working with has a DVX100 so he has some familiarity with framing shots etc. I have a friend, who I met on here, and have just been bugging him with so many questions, starting to feel guilty.

My dilemma is the 5DM2 used and with some decent lenses might run up to $2,500 to be reasonably ready to use. The reason for the 5D is the better censor and people say they are more in demand than 7Ds to rent (if we wanted to make back some of the investment.) we are in LA and it seems like CL is flooded with them. So I am really wondering if they are that easy to rent.

Or I could go for a T3i, T2i, 7D, or 60D and be running for around 1K possibly (obviously more if it was a 7D or 60D). Or go for a GH2.

Now the guy I am working with says that actors know about the cameras you are using, but I sort of doubt that. This point is being raised because he might try to dp some low budget stuff to make a little money and I don't mind that.

So I am sort of picking between 1) Spend $2.5-3K get a respectable camera and hope to recover through rentals. Might take between 20 to 30 rental days to recover - how feasible is that in LA? or 2) Just get a lower end DSLR, rent when I can but do it for almost 1/3 the cost.

I do want to get something so we can shoot and not be constrained by trying to find someone. The guy I am working with is would sort of do the DP/Director thing. But I am wondering how easy is it to really rent out your own gear? I really like the look of the GH2 and I think one is being sold on this board, but it sounds stupid, but people know the Canons but not the GH2 so much. Even though I think the GH2 has a richer fuller look.

What would you do? Thanks a lot. I tend to over process data but just trying not to make a big mistake lol.

Thanks!
 
The most important thing is lens'. I've used the t2i for the last year (magic lantern is a must), and just picked up a 5dmii and rented a miii plenty of times. If you are shooting in daylight with a nice lens, the two cameras match up pretty good. Obviously if you are shooting any low light places the 5d is great, the markii is ok, the markiii is amazing in low light.

One thing you could do if you are looking to buy a 5d with lens'. Is find a good or new DP with no or old equipment. And pay him with the camera gear at the end.

Although you could probably rent the 5diii with a handful of lens' for $1200 or less for a month. Came out to that on lensprotogo.com and local rental places (or online ones you can walk into) will do it cheaper than that.
 
Whats the Priority here? Shooting your short and making it look good or buying gear so you can conveniently shoot it with "a dp/director guy" and rent out our stuff to recoup later on? I ask because far 2 often people don't want to spend on a proper DP who will make your film look good but settle for a friend who can shoot. When the project turns out to not look how you envisioned then they wonder why. A decent compromise ( not knowing anything of your budget) is get the DP that has a reasonable man hrs rate rate and buy lower end gear to give him (obviously Im assuming his work is good). GH2's are selling cheap. Kholi's selling his cheap with some nice accessories http://www.bmcuser.com/showthread.php?2657-FS-GH2-w-64Gb-Cards-Batteries-Los-Angeles. Rent lenses or buy a cheap 17-50 (tamron 17-50 f 2.8 nikon mont with nikon adapter) lens and any DP worth his weight can make something happen with a gh2 a decent lens and a good tripod and some light.

I'm sure if you go around to film schools there are will be some eager and decently skilled DP looking to get his feet wet for little $$. They may even have all the gear they need already. I don't live in LA but i'm sure by now 5d's are like sand on the seashore...i don't see you getting much for rental from any of these dslr's hence why i think you should just get the best one to make your project look great. ie GH2. Also I couldn't care less if an actor knows cameras or not...they are not the DP.



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For some reason I didn't see that you had a 3k budget. Def get a gh2...you are left a decent amount for lenses. I'd get:

gh2 used with accessories $700
nikon 17-35 f2.8 ED-IF version which has aperture ring- $1500 (new...so if you get used it would be less)
rokinon 35mm f1.4 cinemod lens $550
supertakumar 50 f1.4 $100 (I love this little lens..and it matches the Rokinons well)
Rokinon 85mm f1.4 cinemoded lens $350

$3200 total...but I'm sure you can look around and get deals. Also the non cinemoded rokinons are both $50 cheaper saving you $100 if you like. That is a killer set up. Pair that with a decent DP and rent a GOOD tripod+lights and your film will look great
 
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I have heard the Gh2 is pretty hard to learn as a noob. Harder than a canon product. I just have this weird feeling a 5D won't be as easy to rent as some people I have been talking to think. I am just trying to make the best "value" decision. If I had someone lined who rented to rent a 5D for a couple of weeks, it would be a no brainer since that would help cut the cost. But we don't have that. I agree find someone with talent and have them use the gear. Thanks for the insights, just need to kick it around a bit. Thanks!
 
Yeh I get you on the rental thing. its kinda like where I am...everyone has a dslr...the rental $$ is in support gear cuz they dont really have stuff to go with the cameras like rigs or lights and grip equipment ect. If you find a decent DP and they don't know the gh2 (or whatever camera you get), then just give them for about 2 weeks (and point them to gh2 threads :) ) so they can learn it. I had to shoot a commercial with an fs100 and I had never even held the camera in person nor had any experience with sony cams in the past. But I read stuff online, watched tutorial vids and asked some questions ect. The morning of the shoot was the first time I was holding the camera. However because a camera is a camera is a camera and I know lighting ect, i was able to hold my own. https://vimeo.com/56646815 Could I have done better had I known the camera more...I'm sure I could have. But they wanted to work with me...and they wanted to use the camera they owned and there was no way to link up before the shoot (far distance). So get someone who knows their stuff (and wants to do the project) and you can concentrate on other things.

Goodluck with your decision.
 
I'd buy a used Canon 5D Mark II if you can find one with low/moderate usage for under $1200 or a package deal with a lens/accessories you need with a significant savings on both the lens and camera and any included accessories. So far the best deals going for max savings are lens and camera deals.
 
I don´t know if the hassle of renting out is worth it. I´d get a used t2i for almost nothing and some budget lenses. Put MagicLantern on it and enjoy 7D footage on the cheap...
 
I was looking at this t3i refurb. http://www.adorama.com/ICAT3IKR.html and then slap a warranty on it since it was pretty cheap.

But I hear if I mess with the os (like magic lantern) then I void the warranty. My biggest fear is getting a used camera and it dies on me lol.

I am definitely leaning toward getting a T2i/T3i - renting stuff out will be a pain I think. Especially in LA.
 
If i were buying now I wouldn't be considering canon when the gh2 image crushes canons ( and little to no moire) ...plus they are also cheap. Of course unless you prefer the canon look more.
 
Jambredz thanks for your help on this thread. But as a total rookie which one will be easier to figure out and get respectable results? I am being told the gh2 is harder to figure out. Thanks.
 
I´d say you get better skin tones out of the box with Canon. I like both Canon APS-C and GH2. Where I live (Europe) the 550D/T2i just sells A LOT cheaper than the GH2. No need for an insurance, the only thing that could brake is the shutter mechanism - sth you don´t need for filming.
 
Jambredz thanks for your help on this thread. But as a total rookie which one will be easier to figure out and get respectable results? I am being told the gh2 is harder to figure out. Thanks.

Buy a GH3 for $1300 or a GH2 for $600 used and then rent some lenses or do as Jambredz suggested. GH2/3 provide much higher resolutions than the Canon's and basically you can adapt any lens to them. Furthermore do not even think about renting your gear, if you need money do something else.....

This film was shot on a GH2 and is currently in Sundance

 
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