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.
As a multimedia student
+ film school hopeful
+ not much money/low budget
+ shoot short films
+ professional as possible
= lotta homework!
First, whatever tech is available now will be superseded by the time you (maybe) get to film school.
Second, if/when you get to film school odds are that they don't expect you to show up first day of class with 100% pro equipment and a portfolio show reel. Not that they EXPECT you to show up empty headed or handed, but... just don't be in such a rush.
Third, learn to do as much as possible with as little as possible.
Fourth, don't be afraid of tech already two to four years old.
The basics I looked for were:
- manual focus (focus rings are super cool, digital selection forces that "creative solutions" element).
- manual aperture
- (bonus) manual shutter speed (FWIW, what I have now only prioritizes one of these three at a time, so I gotta use some figuring out how manipulate other variables to get the effect I want or want to avoid).
- SD/SDHD if possible, miniDV if you have to
- 1.8f aperture (I noted the
SONY NEX-VG10E only goes down to 3.5f. Can't drill out a bigger hole to let in more light!)
- the biggest CMOS sensor you can find
- up to 1080p, preferable, 1080i, if you have to.
- there is no possible way to collect super fantastic audio onto any consumer/prosumer camcorder that I've run across. The problem with the on board mics is that they are fine for only a meter out, external shotguns like the VideoMic plugged into the camcorder's miniplug jacks allows some extra maneuverability as well as unfortunately some extra cracksNpops. Best bet, to go the pre-pro route, is bite the bullet and resign yourself to eventually getting separate audio equipment. At that point you're looking at a dedicated two man operation for camera and audio.
As a 16yo student... screwit. Just learn to do the best you can with a camcorder and onboard mic. For really.
Frankly, some of these DSLRs out there actually seem pretty cool.
There really isn't a one-size-fits-all obvious basic camera.
Seems like you can easily find six or seven out ten things you want in a single camera. Mostly, though, is you
need manual controls.
Everything else is gravy after manual focus and aperture + 1080p or i.
And I'd try to keep your total package, including a nice fluid head tripod, case, extra batteries, et al (minus NLE-worthy computer!) well under $2,000 US. (A >$2k camera isn't going to magically make your stories any better, and story creation is by large the weakest point of most everyone's product).
No offense, at 16yo... maintaining passion/interest is considerably less likely than shifting/evolving interest over the next few years. I wouldn't bust the bank, but I respect you need something greater than point-and-shoot mass consumer pablum as well.
