Equipment queries

[godspeed]

I was wondering if anyone could give me a few recommendations of cameras that might be useful for an amateur filmmaker like myself?
I'm not going to rush out and try and get a Z1 cause I just cannot afford that, but something abit cheaper might be useful to start with. I originally had been looking at CANON'S hv40 LEGRIA model which is roughly between £600 - £800, but should I just be trying to get as good a camera as possible to begin with?

The Canon model I looked at was hand held but looked quite good but I'd really like some advice on what to buy so I feel reassured that I'm not wasting my money and all.

Any help would be great.

David

[iandrob]

Hi David,

Yeah, you don't want to rush this decision because it's a big purchase! But buying your own camera will open so many filmmaking opportunities.

Low budget filmmakers are in the midst of a DSLR revolution, have you heard about this? Basically, people a buying Digital SLR cameras that record HD video (as well as take photos - which is their primary purpose). The beauty of the DSLR is that you can change the lenses. The lens is what makes your image look delicious (the camera body is just a box that can record - the lens is what determines the depth of field, the clarity of the image, etc...). So with a DSLR you will get a camera body plus some lenses, then you can either hire some excellent lenses (if you have a budget for your production) or you can borrow other people's lenses if you know anyone with SLR lenses.

Canon do excellent DSLRs (as do Nikon). The season finale of House was actually shot on a Canon DSLR! www.dpreview.com/news/1004/10041302canon5dIhouse.asp

The canon 5D MII and 7D are mega expensive, but what the professionals use
The Canon 550D is much more reasonable (around £700) and has the same recording capabilities as the 5D/7D but it just has a plastic chase.
The Canon 500D is even cheaper (around £600) and also records HD video, but the is no mic input, so you'd have to record sound on a separate device.

A cheap and good lens to get is the 55mm II f1.8 (£99). No zoom but great shallow depth of field.

Check out www.dpreview.com for reviews. Also check out jessops for prices - they're pretty reasonable and very helpful people. Also check vimeo and youtube for test footage by these cameras, to give you an idea of what these cameras can produce. Here's some sexy test footage from a 550D: vimeo.com/10829128

Well, that's my recommendation. Hope it helps. Of course DSLR isn't the only option, so hopefully some other people will have different ideas...

[excessnoise]

All the pro youtube channels are now running multiple Canon 5D set ups and using HDR footage to make their films look fantasmic.

It may be a fad just now but the footage looks gorgeous with the right lens and in the right hands. I would thoroughly recommend a DSLR that shoots HD video over a handheld camcorder. with a decent lens, some good software and a comfortable tripod you could be pushing out footage looking as good as this-

www.youtube.com/user/blackboxtv?blend=2&ob=1