What should I buy for $4k?

[Richard Harrington]

Go with 7D and put saved money into a few batteries and used lenses

Richard M. Harrington, PMP

Author: From Still to Motion, Video Made on a Mac, Photoshop for Video, Understanding Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Studio On the Spot and Motion Graphics with Adobe Creative Suite 5 Studio Techniques

[Christopher Mccron]

I am looking at Canadian pricing, but it looks like you would want to go with the 7D body as opposed to the 5D MK II if you are looking to use your 4k to get that wish list all in one pop.

Also, if you are looking to get all those items, I would say spend your money on an “as needed” basis. I think buying everything at once could possibly lead to having a few items that you won’t use very often, but felt you would at the time of purchase.

Looking at your list, it could be a bit difficult to get all that with 4k. Do you have any lighting or lenses in mind that you were leaning towards? Or are you looking for DIY lighting?

[Jonathan Ziegler]

I’d say go with the 60D, get a decent zoom lens and some primes (many primes), get a whole bunch of 8 and 16 gb class 10 sd cards ( I have fewer overheat problems with class 10 vs class 6). Skip the on camera mic, but pick up the H4n, a set of good lavs won’t hurt and a good boom mic and pole are nice. I build most of my own equipment for camera rigs, but get a tripod that won’t break the bank.

The big question: what are you gonna shoot? That will drive the gear.

Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293

[Christopher Mccron]

Judging from the responses thus far, it looks like the 5D MKII isn’t the best option. lol : P

[Al Bergstein]

What do you plan to shoot? Studio, advertising, sports? It affects the choice. 7 D is environmentally sealed, extremely rugged, ESP. For sports, outdoors stuff. Built like a tank.

Alf

[Bill Davis]

They are both fine cameras but they ARE different.

So I agree you need to define your work AHEAD of the purchase.

For example, most people can’t go out and buy a comprehensive set of glass because that’s too costly. So often, you’ll be looking for RENTAL LENSES. Those lenses will work just fine with both bodies, but there will be a crop factor to deal with on the APS-C sensor of the 7d NOT on the full-frame sensor of the 5d.

Also, if you’re going to shoot stills for advertising and need the MAX resolution possible for doing large format printing as in Duratrans kiosk work, vehicle wraps, or billboards, the resolution difference WILL be a factor in those areas – tho NOT in direct to video work.

Finally, the “ecosystem” for the transformative 5d is gigantic and growing. It’s the top of mind brand that says “serious DSLR video shooter” in general conversation. Anything less is a step down, but NOT necessarily a step worse. It’s perception. And sometimes perception matters.

One guy told me six months ago that he was selling his P2 Panasonic camera because in the space of a month, every call he got SWITCHED from asking if he shot P2 to asking if he shot a 5d.

It’s got that “kleenex” branding thing about it that no other camera has to date.

Whether any or all of this means it’s worth the extra $1k to YOU or the people who might hire you is hugely debatable. But you should realize that there are factors other than just cost in play.

They are both fine cameras. The choice is yours alone and no matter which way you jump, you can make some great looking video once you learn how.

Good luck.

“Before speaking out ask yourself whether your words are true, whether they are respectful and whether they are needed in our civil discussions.”-Justice O’Conner

[John Clawson]

Thanks for the input everyone. I would say that my heart is most set on a 5D. I plan to shoot ads for local businesses, short films, stock footage, and interviews.

I could wait on some of the other gear and first focus on the camera, lenses, and memory cards.

Any suggested lenses? Some say go with Canon L series and some say Nikon has good low budget choices.

[Frank Giardina]

Hi…

Nice list!!!

I agree with Richard. Get yourself a variable ND filter too… you’ll need it for shooting outdoors.

https://www.singh-ray.com/varind.html

Best Regards!

Frank Giardina
17 Video Production

[Richard Harrington]

Why?

The video features on 7d are better, easier buttons and have HD monitoring.

The lowlight performance is only marginally better, and in fact I find it harder to shoot under daylight with the 5D and maintain depth of field without significant filtration.

Toss in the fact that we’re not that far away from a new 5D…. and IMHO you’re wasting money.

Why spend your wad on one piece of gear… when you’re going to need other things to complete the package.

Richard M. Harrington, PMP

Author: From Still to Motion, Video Made on a Mac, Photoshop for Video, Understanding Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Studio On the Spot and Motion Graphics with Adobe Creative Suite 5 Studio Techniques

[Richard Cooper]

Another thing to consider is that the 5d does nt shoot 60p where as the 7d does…. If you want to over crank, this is a critical essential for us….. And as said earlier, the 5d does not put out an HD signal through the HDMI while recording and the 7d does…sort of. Also when considering gear, you must have an external hd monitor (if your serious about focus) it really makes all the difference…. And a Z-Finder (loupe) for when you are shooting hand held. Those two things alone will run you about $1500…. that, with the 7d, extra batteries and a few lenses and you $4000 will be eaten up before you know it…. Plus some!

Then there is the rail system and follow focus, again if your serious about focus….. DSLR lenses have a notoriously short focal range (amount the ring spins through the focal range) vs cine lenses…. A real pain w/o a follow focus…. Actually a real pain with a FF!!

My advice would be to go with the 60d and use the rest of the money to built “the essentials” to your DSLR rig, and THEN, once you have all of that, make some money, upgrade your camera body(s) to both a 5d and a 7d so you have both…. They are different cameras and shine at different things….. The right tool for the right job.

Now that all of that has been said….. You could just go out and get an AF-100 for just a little more money…. Once mine arrives I will be dumping all the DSLR gear, minus lenses of course….. cause damn, it is a pain in the ass to shoot on…. No matter how you dress it up, it is just not made for professional cinematography….. But the images can’t be denied if you know how to use it and can put up with all the challenges and limitations.

Just more opinions…. Really up to you to decide what is best for your needs.

Good luck!

Richard Cooper
FrostLine Productions, LLC
Anchorage, Alaska
http://www.frostlineproductions.com