You have $5,000 to start a COMMERCIAL/VIDEOGRAPHY BUSINESS, what do you buy?

Thanks for the detailed thoughts Nektonic!!! Very good info. I had no idea that there was a Panasonic G6! Wow. I was eyeing the GH2/GH3 as a possible option but the GH2 was discontinued on B&H and the GH3 were twice that of a T3i. So I figured maybe get a T3i with a better lens instead. Now you throw this into the mix and I'm going to spend some time looking into it.

It's crazy, it looks like it's actually a better camera than the GH3 for half the price? How is that possible, I must be missing something. Same sensor as the GH2 but you can shoot 60p just like the GH3. That was the main reason I was even considering the GH3 over the GH2, so I could also get smooth slow motion. And here they come out with this only a few months ago. I bet a lot of GH3 owners are quite upset.

http://www.eoshd.com/content/10172/...e-panasonic-g6-adds-108060p-and-focus-peaking
 
commercialguy said:
Wow, nice. I noticed it comes out at the end of June, I guess that's why prices haven't dropped yet on the GH3? Not sure why someone would get a GH3 for nearly twice the price? Anyone know the difference?
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Offhand: GH3 features optional higher video bitrates, headphone jack, more shutter speed settings, arguably improved sensor, better EVF & LCD, better AF system, greater battery capacity, weathersealing, greater degree of settings customization, probably some other stuff.

Regarding the bitrates (with hack) and settings customizability, the G6 may currently still be bested by a GH2. That said, either one would still be a good camera for beginning use... but plan on spending ~$2000 for camera, batteries, lenses, monitor/EVF and related paraphernalia.
 
filmguy123 said:
GH3? G6?
What about a used Panasonic Af100 for around $2000-$2500?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Panasonic-A...rofessional_Video_Cameras&hash=item20d26db202

Could get some used legacy glass KEH.com with adapters. Check out Metabones Speed Booster - M43 variant comes out in the fall. Used Nokton 25mm f/0.95 can be had used for around $900-$950. This will get you built in XLR input, ND Filters, cheap SD card recording, Focus Assist, etc. etc.
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Not a bad idea. The AF100 used is getting pretty low in price these days. I'm kinda tempted myself.

Then the G6 as an affordable B-cam perhaps.
 
I own an AF100, it's a very nice, fairly full-featured, self-contained solution. I worry that once you bought your lenses, you wouldn't have enough left over for proper lighting and support - keep in mind it needs a little heftier tripod than a DSLR - but you might find good used deals.
 
Spend the least amount of money you can, not saying buy cheap but literally buy as little gear as possible to get the job done. Use the money you have saved to fund some personal projects and rent some really nice expensive gear.

To me this would mean, buy production insurance so you can rent lights/camera/gear as you need- get cheap dslr with a few old cheap primes- a few nd's, a pola- cheap boom pole and stand, decent shotgun mic (or wireless mic instead)- a photo ball head tripod- some foam core. Shoot your personal stuff on your budget gear then when your doing work for pay, use some of the budget to rent nice stuff. That's what I would do anyway.
 
Lots of wisdom in that. Most very low-budget jobs I can do with HVX or GH2/14-140 + 25/1.4, wireless lav + shotgun, inexpensive Manfrotto 755/701, a Lowel RIFA, and a few $10 collapsible reflectors with stands & clamps. For handholding rigs, I never got beyond an $80 "DSLR Rig" bought through eBay.
 
hunter richards said:
Spend the least amount of money you can, not saying buy cheap but literally buy as little gear as possible to get the job done. Use the money you have saved to fund some personal projects and rent some really nice expensive gear.
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Good advice - first off need clients and here's a way to entice them with a quality piece of work. No point spending a dime without clients.
 
Other than the AF100, almost none of the cameras recommended have proper (XLR) sound inputs. THe AF is an excellent recommendation if you want to do any DOF shots. If not, get an HVX, HPX, or other used 3 chip camera that can do the job right. Unless sound is not that important to you.
 
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