Buying a camera with some half-assed notion of making a documentary (1 Viewer)

[CinnamonBoy]

The world of cameras is vast and baffling to me. I just wanna be able to shoot stuff that looks decent. I have pals with editing suites etc.

Any suggestions? I have about 1k to spend but I saw this and thought it looked like a good thing to get started.

Panasonic Lumix Dmc G6 161 Mp Digital Camera Black Body Only For Sale in Ongar, Dublin from dralum

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[mark]

If Omo (@Goodbye) was still around he'd be the man to ask. Maybe tweet him (@rshorts) or I can DM you his email.

 

[dudley]

Don't know anything about camera's but pretty sure you'd want to spend decent money on sound recording gear too.

 

[pete]

maybe @avernus could help too

 

[CinnamonBoy]

Don't know anything about camera's but pretty sure you'd want to spend decent money on sound recording gear too.

Yeah, people have been telling me that. Someone also told me I'd have to invest in lenses. I figured that'd be about 50 quid. I was very wrong. Very, very wrong.

 

[Jill Hives]

Yeah, people have been telling me that. Someone also told me I'd have to invest in lenses. I figured that'd be about 50 quid. I was very wrong. Very, very wrong.

Hahahaha!
I'm more curious about what you want to document.

 

[Anthony]

Rent really good stuff you can't afford?

 

[Scientician 0.8]

Don't interview any dullards, or people anywhere buses are passing by.

 

[dudley]

Is there anything left to document?

Documentary makers, I guess

 

[CinnamonBoy]

Is there anything left to document?

Documentary makers, I guess

I intend on documenting @Jill Hives 's search to marry a farmer from Munster.

It's to be titled "An American Girl in Pallas(green)."

 

[Jill Hives]

I intend on documenting @Jill Hives 's search to marry a farmer from Munster.

It's to be titled "An American Girl in Pallas(green)."

If my plan goes through that should be easy for you to document. Well, apart from me never getting married.

 

[CinnamonBoy]

If my plan goes through that should be easy for you to document. Well, apart from me never getting married.

That'll be a great story arc. "Will she? Won't she?" etc.

It's box office gold. Irish people love seeing what Yanks think of Ireland.

 

[Jill Hives]

That'll be a great story arc. "Will she? Won't she?" etc.

It's box office gold. Irish people love seeing what Yanks think of Ireland.

It's a long aisle to Tipperary.

 

[CinnamonBoy]

It's a long aisle to Tipperary.

Grand. I'll Facebook you next week to set up a screen test.

 

[David Kronenbourg]

a canon 7D or 5D would do the trick. probably pick up a second hand one for less than a grand
Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR Camera: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo

 

[ann post]

Video sound:

Directional boom mic with windshield. (looks like a cat on a stick)

About 20ft of xlr cable* to connect it to the camera.

*or xlr to 3.5mm jack. there are HD cameras that have mic inputs in 3.5mm format that will support one, phantom power and all.

 

[CinnamonBoy]

Video sound:

Directional boom mic with windshield. (looks like a cat on a stick)

About 20ft of xlr cable* to connect it to the camera.

*or xlr to 3.5mm jack. there are HD cameras that have mic inputs in 3.5mm format that will support one, phantom power and all.

How much €€ will it cost me?

 

[ann post]

How much €€ will it cost me?

thomann version about 100eu. Otherwise you are into 100's, unless you get lucky on ebay. i hadn't thought hard about money when i posted the advice, i've only used the stuff that costs 1000's. i suppose it depends.

are you going to be close to all your subjects and indoors?? then something smaller will suffice. once you hit about 1ft and crosswind outdoor sound is muck with non shotgun (directional) mics.

 

[thairock]

I use a Canon 550D DSLR camera. ( it's been updated since I bought mine a few years ago but is grand .)

You can spend the world on lenses but if you are willing to be creative in using it and plan carefully ( as careful as you can plan for a documentary ) you only need one lense and that would be the Canon 1.8 50mm " plastic fantastic " . Less the $200 Nz dollars , not sure what that is in old money.

On camera sound is not great but could be usable with a on board Rode Video mic.
Can also recommend the Zoom H4N audio recorder but you will need to sync the audio and video in editing.

But also, bear in mind. The subject matter is more important than the fancy gear.
Check out "Fake It So Real" doco, shot on a cheap dv video camera - the content is captivating and any lack of quality in the image is rendered unimportant.

If you have a good story to document, there is no reason why you can't do it with cheap second hand equipment.

 

[CinnamonBoy]

I use a Canon 550D DSLR camera. ( it's been updated since I bought mine a few years ago but is grand .)
.

I've put an offer in for one of these on Adverts. Comes with a lens which I'm sure will do the job.

Thanks to all for advice!