BACKSTORY -- so you will understand what I am asking advice about. I have been a member of IndieTalk a long time, but have not created many threads due to a wide range of projects that I am involved with (most are not story-telling/film-making). I am not rich, famous or want to be, so my projects come from my fairly empty pockets. I enjoy making stuff... my favorite is going from script to screen (and every little 'job' in between). I hate spending/wasting time looking for funding, so I am limited to my own creativity. To me from 'script to screen' is a lot of fun... to my wife (of 35 years) it is an expensive hobby.
WHAT I DO -- Last year using a HDR PJ790 (tiny Sony HD camcorder), I captured 18 hours doing an observational documentary in a four-day festival. This ranged from 40+ interviews (some extremely emotional -- why the small camera helped) to the main events that took place at the Great Lakes FrightFest in Michigan. This was solo with no crew (even did all the contracts/releases). I edited the entire project in 3 weeks, authored to BluRay and DVD-R, made copies for those that wanted copies within a month of the fest. The GLFF is a non profit group that creates a haunted house in 48 hours, opens to the public with all donations going to Animal Shelters, Battered Women Havens and Food Banks, (last year they also contributed to Costumes for Kids and Cancer research). A portion of that Doc will go up on my YouTube channel, at the end of this month -- during the 2015 fest, (their final fest).
NOW MY QUESTION ON CAMERAS -- I am currently looking at purchasing 1 of the 3 following cameras. Keep in mind I am a solo, a Run and Gun user trying to expand the quality of final production (image and audio) within a specific financial range (with the possibility of future projects on a larger screen thus the need for 4K). I cannot use digital-still cameras for obvious reasons. What would my IndieTalk brothers and sisters suggest of the three I am looking at? All three are on B&H website... for consistancy. I do expect to have an opportunity for some access to these cameras BEFORE purchasing. But perhaps you can offer me some foresight before I leap? Pros and cons?
Sony PXW-FS7 4K XDCAM Super35 Camcorder Kit with 28 to 135mm Zoom Lens
Blackmagic Design URSA Mini 4.6K Digital Cinema Camera (PL-Mount)
JVC GY-LS300 4KCAM Handheld S35mm Camcorder
Thank you... Now I will shut up and read your suggestions.
WHAT I DO -- Last year using a HDR PJ790 (tiny Sony HD camcorder), I captured 18 hours doing an observational documentary in a four-day festival. This ranged from 40+ interviews (some extremely emotional -- why the small camera helped) to the main events that took place at the Great Lakes FrightFest in Michigan. This was solo with no crew (even did all the contracts/releases). I edited the entire project in 3 weeks, authored to BluRay and DVD-R, made copies for those that wanted copies within a month of the fest. The GLFF is a non profit group that creates a haunted house in 48 hours, opens to the public with all donations going to Animal Shelters, Battered Women Havens and Food Banks, (last year they also contributed to Costumes for Kids and Cancer research). A portion of that Doc will go up on my YouTube channel, at the end of this month -- during the 2015 fest, (their final fest).
NOW MY QUESTION ON CAMERAS -- I am currently looking at purchasing 1 of the 3 following cameras. Keep in mind I am a solo, a Run and Gun user trying to expand the quality of final production (image and audio) within a specific financial range (with the possibility of future projects on a larger screen thus the need for 4K). I cannot use digital-still cameras for obvious reasons. What would my IndieTalk brothers and sisters suggest of the three I am looking at? All three are on B&H website... for consistancy. I do expect to have an opportunity for some access to these cameras BEFORE purchasing. But perhaps you can offer me some foresight before I leap? Pros and cons?
Sony PXW-FS7 4K XDCAM Super35 Camcorder Kit with 28 to 135mm Zoom Lens
Blackmagic Design URSA Mini 4.6K Digital Cinema Camera (PL-Mount)
JVC GY-LS300 4KCAM Handheld S35mm Camcorder
Thank you... Now I will shut up and read your suggestions.
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