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Production Kit Advice
I am looking for some advice on putting together a decent production kit as I am considering opening my own production house after years of working under different people. My aim is get just about everything I would need to create videos for corporate clients, TV commercials, and short documentaries.
I already own all of the necessary editing and post hardware I will need for now. The Camcorder I really have my eye on is the HVX200 as I plan on starting by shooting only SD until a usable HD distribution format makes its way out. I feel this camera should do an excellent job and will also allow me to go HD at a later date (when P2 prices come down and/or the Firestore is available).
So anyways, I have set up a wish list at BH Photo that I am hoping many of you can give me some good advice and recommendations on. I am trying to keep my overall budget to around 10-12 grand. A few of the items are true wishes (aka the steady cam). I also choose a Miller tripod as I have heard excellent things, though I cannot decide between the DS10 and the DS20, it is only a $200 difference, but is the DS20 complete overkill.
Well those are a few of my issues and I welcome suggestions or opinions to anything I have listed.
Here is the link: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=wishlisting&A=wishlistDetail&Q=&li=19457EB0CE
Thanks again for your help
Jared
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11 Replies
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I don’t have time to go through your whole list but I have owned the Sennheiser Evolution G2 100 Series for about 2 years and like it a lot. You need to check on their website for the list of frequencies that potentially interfere. Once you locate that you just set your’s on an open freq and everything is fine. If you don’t do that you will think the mike is junk….
Brian FitzGerald
FitzVideo.com -
One of the most important items in your kit would be the phone # of a good rental house! You’ll find that there are many things that you might need only once in a while, so why bother to purchase & store them? Also, since some types of technology change really quickly, you’d rather not be locked into this year’s (or this month’s!) “state of the art” when it’s obsolete in a year or less.
Arnie
https://www.arniepix.com -
I noticed you’ve given the lighting kit a low priority. That’s a big mistake unless you already have good kit. Lighting will make the picture pop much more than any camera. Assuming you don’t have a kit- I would chuck the Varizoom thingie and double-up on the lighting budget. You’ll thank me some day ;-)….
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Thanks for your advice, I guess I should have been a bit clearer is that the main items I would like to focus on are the necessities: Camera, Tripod, Mics, and Lighting Kit. The rest is nice and I may get when I have the money. The list is by no means in an order my preference, I think it just puts it there in the order I have chosen it.
The primary questions I have:
Best bang for the buck lighting kit, is the Lowell DV 4 light kit a good one? Experiences with it? Recommendations for anything better?
Same questions apply for the Tripod, Miller or Cantoni head? A good set of sticks? And recommended head sizes, I wouldn’t mind a larger weight capacity for those times when I do rent a larger camera. Has any one used these? Recommendations?
Same questions for the Mics
Thanks again for everyone’s help
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The Lowell kit is great for the money but you may want two kits to light that 8 foot wide green screen AND the floor AND your talent, or at least add a couple more lights for the screen to your one kit.
I use the Libec H50 Tripod Kit (Japan’s top camera support maker) – MSE and Zotz Digital carry them. About $400 less and totally comparable IMO.
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Randall,
Thanks for the advice, I plan on getting a few more lights as money permits.
As for the tripod, I currently use a Libec H60 setup and it has not held up well, the legs have fallen out of their mounts and the head has developed a loose spot. This has only been under light use for two years (started breaking down after a year). But maybe we had a lemon. So I am willing to pay a bit more for something that is of a higher quality build.
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I think the H60 is the euro version of the H50 – anyway, I had the same problem, remove the head and there are some set screws that need tightening between the ball and the head. Get some new sticks and you’re good to go (with more lighting money) Hope that helps.
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[jarheck] “I wouldn’t mind a larger weight capacity for those times when I do rent a larger camera.”
Go for heavier sticks, particularly if you’re going to use P2 cards and change them on the fly. You’ll still have hell to pay trying to do it without jarring the camera.
Ron Shook
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I have a Libec H50 (bought as B stock from Mathews after NAB), with gitzo 75mm ball carbon fiber legs, and the system has worked well for many years. They are right, the little screws can come loose and need to be “locktited”. BTW, I have been using it with a Sony DSR 300. I also have a larger Libec with O’Connor carbon fiber sticks for my Betacam…again, no problems.
For the FX1 I have a carbon fiber Bogen and low end Bogen head…the jury’s is still out, but I wanted minimum weight rather than ruggedness and good balance. I often use it for back country B roll, and the old knees or pretty bad.
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brian-
how well do the senn evo g2 100 series work in crowded metro areas, ie nyc, with the city’s electronic clutter?
how well does the mic system work indoors?
any and all war stories would be helpful
thanks in advance
rob katz
harvest film company
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