First camera recommendations? $2000 budget

[Bill Bruner]

Hi Erin – with the advent of the latest large sensor, interchangeable lens 10-bit camcorders, older 8-bit models such as the $2499 Sony NEX-FS100 (body only) and shoulder mounted $2299 NEX-EA50 (with the 18-200 power zoom lens) have dropped into your price range.

These cameras have built-in pro XLR jacks and production quality in-camera sound.

The FS100 especially will give you much better image quality than the 60D.

Here is what this camera can do in a documentary setting:

Portrait of a Boxer

MOULTON BICYCLE COMPANY – MADE IN ENGLAND

The biggest downside to this camera is its ergonomics. It is essentially a “cube” with a lens mount on the front of it. You will have to buy a shoulder mount or a cage to do handheld work with it.

If you want a camera that is built for handheld work, you might want to consider the EA50 instead. It can produce DSLR quality video similar to your 60D – with a built-in shoulder-mount and pro quality sound.

Here is what this camera can do when intercut with the 60D:

TELUS – “Spread the Love” for Valentine’s Day 2013

Linnéa Benson plays “Abegg variations” by Robert Schumann on Steinway Grand Piano (shot with Canon 60D, Sony NEX-EA50 and Sony NEX-FS100)

I have shot with Sony NEX camcorders – they produce high quality video and are a very good value for your money.

Hope this is helpful and good luck in your transition from editing to production!

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

[Kevin Rag]

Since Canon came out with C100 Mark 2, you can get really good deals on the C100 Mark . It is still a very good camera. You could start out renting lenses, and buy a few primes along the way.
p.s: I’m in the same boat too. An editor starting my own (small) productions. The yet-to-be-released BM Ursa mini looks like a great option.
Kannan Raghavan
The Big Toad Films Pte. Ltd.

[Al Bergstein]

I’d certainly buy used, maybe off Ebay. I’ve always had good luck with eBay. I agree with the notion of a used C100. I own one and it’s one of the best video camera’s I’ve ever owned. It’s small enough to be great on a doc. But I don’t see them going for under $2000 yet on eBay. If you don’t want to stick with DSLR then you can buy cameras like the XF100 on bay cheap. They are nice portable camcorders that allow a secure Mic to be mounted. I used to have one.

If you like your camera’s shots, have a limited budget then why not focus on a better recorder? Why not buy a Tascam DR70 for a couple of hundred dollars, attach your camera to it, and a good shotgun mic to the camera’s hot shoe? It wouldn’t add much weight to it, and would get you better audio quality. You then could monitor off the Tascam. A good shotgun could cost you $400 or so. Check out the AudioTechnica AT875r. And don’t minimize having to use a lavalier. A decent package from Sennheiser is about $600.

If you really want to be able to do a better job capturing sound on the fly, then you should probably invest in the audio gear rather than the camera. Not a lot wrong with the 60d from a picture quality POV. Lots of folks do good work on them.

Al

[Pauline Schram]

I’m an editor come director, even though not a big time but luck has favored me with few commercial advertisements and are looking forward other shorts in our list. Canon 70D is a good cam with auto video focus setting. One of the better ones in the specified range. A wide lens, prime and a normal lens will serve the purpose for the shorts, and renting will be much wiser. Rhode mic will also be a good add-on for capturing your audio. This was literally my gadgets for a demo ad done for the junk removal service in Toronto and they are quite satisfied with the project.