Camera for starting back up!?

earwigy1990

earwigy1990

Hey Guys,

Brand SPANKIN new to the forum,

Ive always been into film making and pretty decent at it, but for lack of money, i had to give it up for a few years. now im making my way back up and ready to start AGAIN! YAY lol.

my questions this...

1) Whats a good HD camera to start back up with, for short films and feature length under $1500? I was looking at the Sony NEX-VG 10 but its a Tad out of my price range but it looks gorgeous!

2) Not keeping up with the times too well, anything new i should know about before i get back into this? new tools and techniques? its been almost 3 years lol

thanks guys!
 
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Hey, welcome aboard..
Hum, Id be tempted to save a few more bucks for the NEX-VG10

DSLR is all the rage of indie filmmaker though so don't skimp on your research.

standard responses will include:
Is this your entire budget? What about lenses, sound, lights etc. ?
why don't you just rent a camera for a weekend?
..
 
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wheatgrinder said:
Hey, welcome aboard..
Hum, Id be tempted to save a few more bucks for the NEX-VG10

DSLR is all the rage of indie filmmaker though so don't skimp on your research.

standard responses will include:
Is this your entire budget? What about lenses, sound, lights etc. ?
why don't you just rent a camera for a weekend?
..
Click to expand...

thanks bud!

im wondering why its so much more expensive than the actual camera version of it? i figured that buttons are more conveniently placed for film makers and the microphone on it is probably way better but about a grand more is alot? do you know why its so much more expensive? and anywhere i can get it cheaper than 2 grand?

what i figured is im gonna get this camera, learn how to use it very well, do short films here and there for fun and maybe festivals, and start a business doing weddings or something to make money on the side (of my other full time job) and use that money i make from my vids toward more equipment. etc. im 20 and dont plan on going to film school cuz i dont have enough money! just gonna try to get out there on my own

i have some lighting, i have a few other accessories but nothing super high quality! and i dont want to rent because the amount that i film on a social basis already is rediculous, lol i have a pocket camera on me and i film everything lol i especially like sneaking my camera in shows and recording them. but my point is im gonna be using the crap out of it, infact i dont plan on going anywhere without it lol
 
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earwigy1990 said:
my questions this...

1) Whats a good HD camera to start back up with, for short films and feature length under $1500? I was looking at the Sony NEX-VG 10 but its a Tad out of my price range but it looks gorgeous!
Click to expand...
Look at the Sony HXR-MC50U, JVC GZ-HM400, JVC GZ-HM1,
Panasonic AG-DVC20, Sony HDR-CX550V, Canon HF G10,
Canon HF S30, Sony HXR-MC50U

earwigy1990 said:
2) Not keeping up with the times too well, anything new i should know about before i get back into this? new tools and techniques? its been almost 3 years lol
Click to expand...
Many, many new cameras in the last three years. Specifically the
rise of the DSLR. Not really any now tools, a mic is still essential,
a tripod very important.
 
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directorik said:
Look at the Sony HXR-MC50U, JVC GZ-HM400, JVC GZ-HM1,
Panasonic AG-DVC20, Sony HDR-CX550V, Canon HF G10,
Canon HF S30, Sony HXR-MC50U


Many, many new cameras in the last three years. Specifically the
rise of the DSLR. Not really any now tools, a mic is still essential,
a tripod very important.
Click to expand...

i was watching a couple sample vids for your listed cameras and the MC50U doesnt look great with low light, the HM400 looks tits and holy hell its cheap! i also like the G10 can i get a handle and interchangeble lenses for all these?
 
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Cracker Funk said:
I was weirded out the first time I heard of people shooting video on cameras that were designed for still photography. Eventually, I was sold, and I like it. In my opinion, it's the best option for broke-folk.

http://www.indietalk.com/blog.php?b=103
http://www.indietalk.com/blog.php?b=104
Click to expand...

i was looking at doing just a normal DSLR to save some money but the thing you showed in ur cons about quick pan was a game changer for me, i plan on doing alot of action films so i think imma be stickin with an actual camcorder unless you know of an SLR cheaper than my NEX VG10 that wont to the bendy craziness
 
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My advice isn't based on sample vids or shooting in low
light. I mention cameras I've taken out for a test drive.
I always use lighting.

All of these small, inexpensive cameras have fixed lenses.
I didn't realize you were looking for body's only. Sorry about
that. I don't know of any camcorder in your price range that
has interchangeble lenses.

Looks like it's a DSLR for your needs. Check out Cracker Funk's
posts on those cameras.

EDIT: which I see you have....
 
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earwigy1990 said:
i was looking at doing just a normal DSLR to save some money but the thing you showed in ur cons about quick pan was a game changer for me, i plan on doing alot of action films so i think imma be stickin with an actual camcorder unless you know of an SLR cheaper than my NEX VG10 that wont to the bendy craziness
Click to expand...

The NEX VG10 has a sensor the same kind (CMOS) and similar size as the DSLRs, so the jello effect may be prevalent there as well. I haven't really had any problems with sensor skew when panning or doing handheld work, but your milage may vary. The Canon 550D is by far the cheapest option for shooting video with interchangeable lenses, but it doesn't come without compromises.
 
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I've shot action on a DSLR with no problem (check signature), just got to plan how you shoot around it.

At that price range, you won't find a "perfect" camera. Everything will have one limitation or another that you'll have to work around.

+1 for a 550, then use the extra cash for accessories.
 
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PaulGriffith said:
I've shot action on a DSLR with no problem (check signature), just got to plan how you shoot around it.

At that price range, you won't find a "perfect" camera. Everything will have one limitation or another that you'll have to work around.

+1 for a 550, then use the extra cash for accessories.
Click to expand...

very impressed! some of those effects i would love to know how they were done but that was all on a canon 7D?
 
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