Suggestions on a beginner camera

H

Helena Teixeira

I'm sixteen years old, I'm going to start studying multimedia and I hope to enroll in a film school sometime. I don't have that much money to spend on a camcorder so I've been saving as much as I can to get one. The one I need to get now needs to be good enough to shoot independent short films looking as professional as possible.
I had my eyes on the Sony NEX-VG10E, but I came to the conclusion that the camera has many flaws. I would like to hear your opinion on whether I should spend my money on the Sony NEX-VG10E or wait until I have enough cash to buy a more professional camera such as the Sony HDR-AX2000.
Can you suggest any good cameras for an aspiring filmmaker on a low budget?
I want to make an effective and worthwhile buy.
 
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There is a very nice beginner camera out there right now called the AF100

It's about 5 grand. My advice is that when I was on my way out the door to college, that was the peak of my parent's lifetime generosity. Hit them up for a nice film kit, justified as school supplies, and ask them to get it early, so you can get some experience to help you apply to a better film school.

Parents tend to overfund education and underfund everything else. Get the good camera while you can, it's as or more important to your film education than school itself. Say that, and they might help out.
 
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I keep seeing these posts asking what camera and that you have 5Gs to spend on a camera when you haven't put a story on film yet?

My god. Here's what I suggest if you're about to spend 5 Gs:

Canon T3i or 60D

Couple pieces of Zeiss glass

some good sound gear.

Now that will look pretty professional (I've seen it done).
 
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That's not a movie camera, that's a still camera.

If you don't know why you should use a movie or video camera instead, ask around.

I'm just advising the cheapest video camera that performs ok.

If quality is literally no issue, I saw some really nice cell phone footage the other day. If it is, invest in your future.

Aside from that, the bigger your camera is, the more seriously people take you out in the field. Does that matter? Absolutely. One of the biggest skills you need to develop as a director is confidence. Don't know why no one ever talks about it on this forum.

I started off with a Cannon 30d and old ladies were shooing me off public property with a broom. As my camera and confidence grew, I become stronger in the field. These days, I can back a cop off my film set with a harsh glance. Score.

Confidence, A building block of direction
 
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ROC said:
asking what camera and that you have 5Gs to spend on a camera nd 5 Gs:
.
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I don't have 5Gs to spend on it, I've been saving as much as I can, the only reason I want to buy a good camera is because I'm going to study multimedia in a few months and I need a good camera to support my school work.

I don't like the idea of buying a DSLR because of the amount of acessories you need to shoot with it and the fact that it's not nice to shoot handheld with it.
Can anyone give an opinion on the Sony NEX-VG10 since is a camera with interchangeable lenses with good quality and is not that expensive...
what about the JVC GY-HM100E ?
 
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Nate North said:
And there is no reason not to buy a 5k camera equipment to go to a 100,000 dollar film school. Would you go to Julliard with a Casio keyboard from Radio Shack?
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The OP said they were 16 and about to start studying multimedia… and that they hope to go to film school one day.
 
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chilipie said:
The OP said they were 16 and about to start studying multimedia… and that they hope to go to film school one day.
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My mistake, I interpreted that as "I'm prepping to go to film school in 2 years"

I mean no harm, just trying to give an alternative viewpoint to the poster. It seemed that they are at a time in life where they could use those once in a lifetime resources to get a leg up, and avoid the frustration so many like myself have experienced.

to poster, I am very sorry if I offended you in any way

I didn't have 5 grand when I started either, so don't feel bad. The cameras you mentioned are fine to start on.

Best of luck, and I do hope you make it to film school one day

PS. The quoted line was more directed at the general community, which tirelessly advises people to go out and shoot movies on cheap plastic still cameras. I hope to one day sit in a theater and watch a real movie from each of you, including her, to increase that chance I advise the best equipment in a range.
 
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Having a good camera doesn't make you a good filmmaker.

Learning how to tell a story through pictures and sound is infinitely more important...

@Nate - A camera is a camera. The DSLRs I've seen look pretty good and have produced perfectly good films.
 
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ROC said:
Having a good camera doesn't make you a good filmmaker.

Learning how to tell a story through pictures and sound is infinitely more important...
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I have to agree with this. I am also 16, and beginning film with a tiny budget. Before dishing money out on super nice equipment, you have to learn the ropes first. I got the HV40 for around 800, and it isn't bad for starting off.

Toss some of that money in your savings account until you can effectively invest.

That's my two cents. :P
 
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ROC said:
@Nate - A camera is a camera.
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I wish I could believe you ROC, It would save me a lot of money.

When you're shooting for the small screen, or especially for a youtube window, and there's no money at stake, I think DSLR's are fine. I made a film with one. If I was going to commit to film for 6 years, I'd want a video camera with at least 4:4:2 color depth

Here's where the limitations are, in easy terms, so you can make an informed choice

Still camera - Can't pull focus, low weight makes shots off tripod extra unstable

Inexpensive video camera- very low color depth

So really it depends on what kind of filmmakers you guys want to be
 
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Defjon said:
I could probably hand my sister's flip cam to one of the many members on this forum and they could probably be a better film maker with that than I could with a RED
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I'm sure that's true, and I'm not encouraging anyone starting out to buy a RED.

I get a lot of these comments when I'm talking about buying a good camera. The response seems to be the immediate assumption that anyone trying to buy a better camera is compensating for a lack in other areas.
That's incorrect. Once you've made film for a while the camera becomes the limitation instead of you. It's at that point you should buy a good camera.

I talk about the RED sometimes because I did months of detailed research, and it is the least expensive option to get the next level of production quality. For people who are at that stage.

I do serious film jobs where people give me money and expect results, so I constantly work to improve those results. Having good equipment just makes difficult jobs easier.
 
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SinEater said:
I can, and have, mounted cine lenses on my GH2.
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Why would you put a 4000 dollar lens on such a camera? I guess it's possible

Also no one said NEED. But sometimes if your young and someone buys you, lets say, a nice quality guitar, you practice with it more because having that extra quality makes it more fun.
 
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