Getting back into the game and need advice

[Mark Suszko]

I agree with you about DSLR. There are options now in many form factors for conventional video cameras with sensors and lenses providing tight depth of field control equal to what a DSLR gives you, but with better audio and no quirks like overheating, limited record times, etc. I would take a tour of the B&H web site, setting the search criteria to order by price, and see what stuff comes up within the limits you’ve set yourself.

Think about not just one, but two cameras, or a prime camera and some cheaper b-roll sources like go-pros. Redundant gear and shot angles are vital in event coverage where “the barn only burns down once” and you HAVE to get the shot, no excuses.

Since you’ve been to this rodeo before, I’ll skip the speech about all the OTHER stuff one needs besides a camera or two. Since your last go-around, wireless mics and free-standing digital audio recorders got smaller, better, and cheaper, multiplying your options for clean audio coverage. Likewise, hot tungsten lighting that sucked lots of power has largely given way to low-light cameras and lighting with LED and fluorescent tube instruments, often battery-powered.

Maybe your biggest issue isn’t tech, but the changes in expectations and formats for “modern” wedding coverage. I used to shoot them in the era just before you got yer fancy DVX1000, I was still shooting in VHS and SVHS, and back then people wanted wall to wall documentation of everything, but today’s millennials, with their mayfly attention spans, seem to prefer quick, short montages with overly-grandiose jib and slider moves, cut to look like movie trailers, and goofy staged parody dance videos. Or maybe that’s the impression I get from what pops up on youtube. Still, it may be important to study what’s different stylistically these days, and what the clients want.

[Dwain Williams]

Thanks so much for such a great reply.

I’m definitely gonna get two cameras, even if it means upping my camera budget.

I don’t have much experience at all when it comes to selecting/purchasing audio equipment. Would love to have some suggestions on reasonably priced options.

You bring up a great point concerning the new styles of wedding videography. That’s the first thing I’ve noticed when taking a look around.

Thanks again for the reply and I’m open for more suggestions.

[Mark Suszko]

Well, if you don’t mind synching audio in post (and FCPX makes that a snap),and you’re afraid of RF nose, the ZOOM audio recorders, inside a groom’s jacket pocket, with a wired lav mic, will get great coverage of the vows. Countryman lav mics are so tiny they’re easy to hide in the groom’s boutonniere. lavs need not always point up at the face to get a good pickup: indeed, the BBC guys wear their lavs pointed at their shoes, to avoid any breath sounds and plosives.

[Dwain Williams]

Thanks, again! I’m sure i’ll have more ?s after digging around for a bit.

[Dwain Williams]

Any thoughts on Canon XA10 (1,499) XA20 (1,999) or the Panny AG Ac90A (1,899)?

[Mark Suszko]

Well, I will always prefer actual shoulder-mount form factor camera bodies; these cameras you mention are held out in front of your chest and though they have eyepieces, they’re more likely to be used with their flip-out screens as the main VF…. which can get you in trouble sometimes… this form-factor also will get your arms and back tired faster, unless you add a shoulder pod or a fig rig or similar stabilizing grip system to them.

I like the Canons for their lenses, but this Canon camera has a single image sensor – albeit, styled like the sensors on a DSLR. The Panasonic uses three image sensors and has optical image stabilization, where the Canon, arguably the master of electro-optical image stabilization, surprisingly, doesn’t seem to mention if it does. They both record AVCHD, which fcpx now handles natively without conversion.

If I had to choose between only these two, I think I’d go with the Panasonic. But Sony has a camera in this same market space, which you should also check out.

[Dwain Williams]

How would a Go Pro footage look mixed in with one of these options. I have access to one and could use it on a balcony, etc for a wide static shot.

[Mark Suszko]

Should not be a problem, after you apply a fisheye remover and color correct it.

[Dwain Williams]

thanks….

Thinking about renting my camera for the first couple of gigs, which would allow me to purchase my computer at this time. Any suggestions for camera rental?

[Dwain Williams]

I see Panasonic HMC 150 is available to rent for a reasonable price. Would this camera still be capable to do the job for an upcoming wedding?