Cameras for filming!

Media and Arts is the proper place for this. There are lots of threads on how to go about buying a camera. Having quality glass with a decent camera is better than having shitty glass with a top of the line camera.

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1) What is your budget? How much money can you spend right away, and do you think you can get more money to invest in the future?

2) What experience do you already have with cameras? Have you ever even used one before? Have you helped your friend out with his camera? Have you owned your own?

2) What gear, if any, do you currently have? (tripod, old camera lenses, mics, etc)

4) What are you planning to shoot and how do you want to use your camera? Are you going to use this with the sole purpose of shooting skiing? or do you think you might try other stuff as well (movies, documentaries, short films, etc)

5) Do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming?

6) When filming skiing, how do you tend to shoot? (follow cams, leave it on record on a tripod and hike, film from a tripod, etc)

7) What computer do you currently have/use to edit (if not currently editing, what would you most likely use)? If you can provide specifics, such as hard drive space, RAM, processor size, that would be great.

7) What program do you currently edit on? How familiar are you with it (1- just learning; 10- I can make tutorials and know the keyboard layout)

---------------------------Optional Section, for those seeking a more intensive upgrade/purchase------------------------
1) Do you think you might consider using a DSLR?

2) Do you have any knowledge about the HDSLRS?

3) Do you know the limitations to using HDSLRS?

4) Are you willing to take the time to learn about a DSLR, and how to shoot with manual lenses?

5) Again, do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming?

My budget I'm gonna say is $400. I'm probably not getting the xl1 because I found out it uses tapes. I'm probably mostly gonna be using it for skiing but I'm going on a trip and I wanna get some pictures so I think like a dslr is for me. I have a tripod but ill mostly be doing follow cams I think. What camera do u reccomend for me? I can also probably get more money if that's an issue

you will need more money for a dslr. Also, a dslr isn't like another video camera, where you can jsut turn it on and go. You need to set the exposure and focus, and stabilization equipment is also very important. For a realistic dslr set up, I would suggest you stretch your busget to closer to $1000 so that you can get a decent, stabilization equipment, maybe a mic, and extra memory cards and batteries. This isn't the absolute minimum, but it will make getting good quality shots much more attainable

Tbh I have no clue what a dslr is I just thought that's what most cameras were lol. What would you reccomend for me?

For an example of a DSLR just look up a Cannon t3i, that seems to be a pretty popular one for people filming skiing. I personally have a Sony A65. But as previously stated youre going to have to stretch your budget probably over $1000 for a DSLR

I would not recommend a DSLR for you. I think your best bet is to pick up a Camcorder. Something like the Canon Vixia HF-R would be pretty easy and simple to learn. Much easier than a DSLR.

dslr's are what most people think of when they think of a camera. They are primarily still cameras, and now, they can take some pretty awesome video. For the price, they are great because they offer the possibilities of things like interchangeable lenses (and shallow dof) at consumer prices. They also typically offer more manual control (at the price point). Video cameras are still better, they have dedicated video AF, among other things. They are also superior for filming long continuous shots (like a live event). When I was at hood a few years ago, one guy set up his hmc-40 pointed at one rail, and let it roll for the afternoon, then cut through it all later. You can't do this with a dslr. With that said, if you want to be able to do it all with one camera, a dslr is the way to go. You can be taking pictures one second, then throw it on a tripod or glidecam, grab a mic, and start making an edit. I would personally recommend dslr's if you are willing to put the time in to learn how to use it for this reason alone. There are some really good video cameras, but the flexibility a dslr gives you is why I'm making this recommendation.

A few things to keep in mind:
there can be a steep learning curve depending on your background. Learn to use it all manually, feel free to pm me (and I'm sure there are others) for questions, gear or settings.

it will cost you double what you think. There is always something else to buy, a mic, a tripod, a glidecam, a slider, more lenses, more memory cards and batteries, etc.

you have to be willing to see it as a learning process. If you want to be able to take a run and upload it to youtube, get a gopro, or a hanycam if you want zoom. If you want to be on the frontpage, it will take work.

I'm really strung out, last final tomorrow, so this might not all make sense, but feel free to pm/post here with questions

T3i tokina 11 16 cheap directional mic /thread

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