Hi ya!
I'm an actress who's been writing and producing her own scenes for a while, but always with someone else's gear. I think it's time, though, to get my own camera in order to have more freedom to shoot my crazy ideas whenever they come to mind.
Sooo, I was wondering if you guys could recommend me the best cheapest semi-professional camera to make shorts and such. =)
Thanks so much already!
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We just had a great conversation about this in the cinematography lounge: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/cinematography/Entry-level-DSLR-cameras-t...
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Rebecca Kemmer very exciting!
There are so many choices now I think it's helpful to chart out a budget bracket.
But before you go into spending for purchasing (or renting) camera equipment, also maybe we could know more about what type of production values you'd like to create?
Even the preliminary concerns about audio equipment are important as well.
Will you have integrated audio capture or separate audio engineering?
I think one important breakpoint is, do you envision your video going to film festivals? because that is one tech/specs compliance boundary that warrants some research.
However, if you're thinking let's say a good look for maybe some screenings but mostly distributing to social media, online viewing platforms, etc., keeping in mind that you'll spend on accessories and possibly a new laptop for editing as well,
the long-standing Canon VIXIA camcorder line can still be picked up new for under $1,500, if you'd like to spend less, then shooting with smartphones is a convenient alternative that's very workable, especially if you already have a cloud-based upload for post-production.
If you can spend more, you'll see prolific options with other attributes, lenses and characteristics going up from there.
DSLR is certainly a time-tested option for a set of equipment that can provide a superlative and flexible array of production values, however if you're shooting in all sorts of conditions in the field then a camcorder or integrated kit is simply more convenient?
Will you be purchasing insurance for your equipment, anything over a few thousand can make that an important consideration.
The DSLR option might be cool as you could probably find a ton of used equipment at marked-down prices to leapfrog to loftier production values.
It's fun and empowering however to own a camera that is affordable and captures decent work but won't be a tragedy if it gets dropped off a rooftop or whatever, and accelerated tech development means whatever we buy is some way obsolete in a few years anyway, so you will find your sweet spot and go to it !!
"Best cheapest semi-pro" can mean different things to different people, however the Canon VIXIA camcorder line has been accurately positioned as a "prosumer" camera that I can attest is fun to work with, has plenty of features, and a decent integrated optical zoom lens that turns up nice values on-screen, shoots at a variety of frame rates;
also there are many other companies making similar products so choose your fave brand or a recommendation from a friend or local filmmaker and of course you can also consider Go-Pros, flying drone-cam copters and all the other fun stuff out there!!
Oh yeah and did I mention the integrated stereo audio capture on the VIXIA is excellent and/or it can also of course receive audio from external microphone source set-up. So unless you want to capture audio with a separate device then it's convenient and workable.
Now I'm excited to go out and buy a new camera! But I just got the new iPhone 14 Pro (roughly the same price around $1,000) and that's partly what I'll be using to shoot my proof-of-concept reel this year! See you at a fab film fest when we all get famous!
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Amanda Toney that's exciting, a moderate move up in price provides access to a lot more features at a higher level of quality!
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I shoot on a blackmagic pocket 6k. Love the images i get
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Thanks so much, everyone! And Daniel especially as you wrote the next gret aemerican novel on your post =)
"Best cheapest semi-pro" can DEFINETELY mean different things to different people, however the Canon VIXIA seems like a good option!
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Such a great question that I'm sure a LOT of people have. Thanks for asking Rebecca!
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Rebecca Kemmer haha I obviously love procrastinating on script-writing by getting warmed up writing post comments lol it's a great enjoyment for me!
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Niki Hayes, anytime!
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Hi, Rebecca Kemmer, I asked a similar question awhile back in the cinematography lounge. It wasn't necessarily budget related but there was some great advice mentioned that might be helpful for you.
https://www.stage32.com/lounge/cinematography/Thoughts-on-Cinema-Camera-...
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I guess it would depend on your budget and the look / feel you are going for. Lenses for cameras also make a huge impact on the look of your film. I started off with a Panasonic Lumix GH4 when first making my own short films and have since transitioned to Blackmagic cameras for a more cinematic feel. Depends whether you're thinking of spending just hundreds vs. a few thousand.