Anything Goes : New Camera Equipment by Albert J. Filice

There are so many variables, a lot depends on what you plan to shoot. Here's a llink you might find helpful. http://www.digitaltrends.com/camcorder-reviews/

Awesome! Thanks for the rec.'s Peter. I'll check them both out!

In addition to Sony, JVC and Canon Panasonic makes great cameras. since you're looking for a "pro" camera I would suggest going to HD. SD is pretty useless today - even an iPhone shoots HD. Any camera from the four main manufacturers will be excellent choices. The closer you can get to your 5k max the better. I'm a JVC user but I have owned Sony and used both Canon and Panasonic. I would say get the JVC HM 150 or a used JVC HM710 - I own both of them. Excellent cameras.

If you are on a budget stick with the 5D. Or even tighter Nikon and Cannons camera's have gotten so much better the D3200 is the lowest I would go from Nikon or the Cannon T3i. Both shoot in HD at 1080p. Still intro cameras too.

Peter, I too, had issues with the GY-HD101. Yes, JVC has greatly improved their pro cameras since 2005. HDV was a notoriously poor system and none of the JVC HDV cameras were very good. But they changed everything with HD. But I know many people really like Canon and they make fin cameras, too. I didn't like the XL2 but it didn't leave a bad impression of the entire Canon line. The XF100 is a fine camera.

Stay away from DSLR's!!!!! They are designed to shoot "still" images.... not moving images!!!!!!!!!!!

@Patrick, so what you are saying is that you would rather use a "photography" camera to shoot a movie than an actual camera that is designed to shoot a moving image??? I know my equipment, and I wasn't knocking it. I would love to do a PHOTO SHOOT with a DSLR, but I wouldn't make a movie with it. Just because the "iphone" shoots video, better than a DSLR, does it make it right? The question that this post asked was for an opinion. With that being said, I'd take the $1-5k budget and get a camera that was designed to shoot a "moving image" before I would ever use a DSLR..... But, as I just mentioned.... that's my opinion.... As far as the so called "Film look".... The only way to get that is to shoot on film. Now, you can emulate the aesthetics of film by shooting in 24fps, adding filters in post, etc.... By no means did I knock anyone's "preferred" method of shooting, so "Know" what you are talking about before commenting

Also, you mentioned that you'd rather shoot on a 5d than a RED?????????????? Didn't you also say that, " What matters is your FPS for the film look is 24 fps and your res. shooting in 1080p. " Being a moviemaker, why would you rather shoot at 1920x1080 instead of 4k???????

Ray I know what I am talking about. Thank you very much. It all comes down to budget and preference. By you saying stay away from a capable piece of equipment for beginners is something a filmmaker shouldn't do. And the 5D is designed to shoot moving pictures. I grew up with an SLR background and also have gotten on hands on the Panasonic 3D line both hand and shoulder cams. So don't say I don't know what I am talking about because I have a damn good idea. Had cameras in my hand since I was 4 over 20 years experience. I might be young but I am extremely educated in theory and field testing. Thank you very much.

To everyone out there a red camera was know years ago as the "high speed camera" it can shoot a better image and more fps. The reason I wouldn't want to shot on a red IF I had one is continuity. Shooting on multilple camera will give me the chance and my actors a chance to preform. Film isn't about image but about connection of the actors to the audience. And also resolution doesn't matter if you are shooting for tv or web because 1080p is the highest res they can handle. The human eye can't pick up the resolution we are shooting on. @Ray how is that for answers for you? Film is art not about who has the biggest and best camera. Shoot smart!

It's designed to shoot still images, it just happens to shoot moving images, but then again, so does my phone. SO, with that, I'd spend the $1-5k budget in front of the camera and shoot with my phone.

@Ray believe what you want. I can see you just are hard headed on your opinion. Doesn't mean it's a fact. And I do also shot in my phone. It's called stylistic choice. ;-)

So, with all that being said, let's try to help Albert with his actual question!!!! Albert, It really depends on what you are shooting. With that budget, I'd look into the Canon XF100 or 105. Also, the Panasonic HMC150 Sony fs100 would be best in my opinion. You have the ability to change lenses, records 24p, it records to SD cards, and has XLR inputs. Plus, it's actually designed to shoot a moving image.... I'd also check into the Panasonic AF100

@ray I set up a discussion on the cinematography tag. Albert it comes down to preference. I have this argument with my hardcore film friend all the time. For me if it's good enought to shoot prime time tv shows like house it's good enough for me to use. Newer models like Nikon d3200 and canon t3i have the power of that camera that shot House years ago. And in most film school around the country. They are learning on the 5D's and shooting their projects on it. The only problem is audio if you can record from and external source the better you work will come out but most webisodes don't even do that. YouTube.com/hollywoodishard shoots on a t3i with in camera audio.

"Good enough to shoot prime time TV"..... If you have that type of budget, then you can afford to hire a GREAT GAFFER...... in which case, with that type of budget..... why not just get a real camera????????????

What a real camera to you? For me a real camera is something with a Len, view finder, sensor to capture an image. The human eye can seeing a moving image at 16 fps. You tell me a real camera. I give you something I can film on. I'm a storyteller. What are you ray. A camera Nazi?

And Ray I have gotten my hands on the new Panasonic 3D line. Where is was the group I was working with and JAMES CAMERON testing it out the same 2 units. You tell me what a real camera is.

Hahahaha! Camera Nazi???? Really???? I just listed a few cameras...... I'm not a storyteller... I don't write books... I'm a moviemaker. I can and will use anything as far as capturing a moving image... except a DSLR... again, as you have stated previously, it's a personal preference. The limitations of shooting with a DSLR are enough that I wouldn't waste my cast/crew's time by trying to fix problems that arise from DSLR's. Again, I was not calling you names or doubting your abilites, I was just stating MY opinion.... And if you did in fact work with James Cameron, who is a genius...... why would you be so stuck on photography cameras????

No we were the other group testing it out. And again if you know your equipment you know how to shot your vision. My background is photography. You are to tied up in this. I say just give me a camera and I can create. Next time you look at your camera and see that button called still you probably didn't know that was there. I like to use that button too. A filmmaker is a storyteller. By saying your not a storyteller is contradicting what a filmmaker is. So please look up that definition again of what it means to be a filmmaker.

A "filmmaker" is someone who makes "films".... DSLR's shoot digital.... not film. So why don't you take the time to look things up

HAHA man IMDB doesn't post everything up and it also matters about the quality of work you have done. This pasted year I have been in 2 film festivals one being Sundance and the other with a script I WROTE AND IT WON where I have the teaser shot and on youtube a friend of mine did check it out youtube.com/theriseofkings. I have been studying tv and film since the time I could understand what tv was! So lets say 20 years. O yeah I just didn't have a project in sundance this year I also I was also the producer of 2 of the events and one of the lounges. I forgot to mention I have worked on presidential events (you might of heard of it as the The Carrier Classic on ESPN) as the Executive assistant to one of E'sP. And interned at 2 movie studios one being Paramount! And film is the format of the medium we use. You are a "movie maker". I'm a storyteller and filmmaker. Nice to meet you. PS. I forgot to talk about my modeling career on top of acting. You watch the trailer I directed it too. Cheer PSS Check this out too. I forgot I sing too. http://soundcloud.com/concentratedlife/runway Was just trying to help you save face. Time for you to see if you are on the right path.

And so you know. I am waiting on about 5 more credits to pop on there. And music video don't go up either. You will see me in 3 of them the biggest DMX and MGK's new music video. Thanks who I am, who are you? I forgot to mention I did this in a year without knowing a soul in LA.

Based on my current project, a feature, that I wrote, will direct, am the lead actor, producer, editor, special fx.... and the talent that is attached, I'd say I'm on the right path.

I'll send you both here and leave it at that. http://www.zacuto.com/shootout-revenge-2012/revenge-great-camera-shootou...

Whats the budget we are talking about on that? Self funded or do you have finical backing on it? Action movie, comedy, drama? What type of talent do you have attached? Is it all indie and named actors looking at your work?

Thomas, that's pretty funny!!! LOL! I've seen that... several times.... again, it all boils down to personal preference....

And when you get to part 2, which camera and look did Francis Ford Coppola prefer?

Can't disclose the budget, I'm sure you understand. We do have financial backing. It's an action movie. As far as talent, again, I can't disclose that yet. There are a couple "named" actors.

I don't care if all of my favorite directors prefer to use a DSLR... I'm not them. I'm me, and I wouldn't use it!

That's the whole point. The poor guy that wanted an opinion ended up being thrown into a pissing contest with opinions and bull shit that were probably less than helpful and nothing to do with the topic. Point the man in the right direction and let him find his own path. Just a as you found yours and I have found mine.

If you read all of the posts, I said that a while ago... and left my suggestions.....

Albert J. Filice, I hope that my link helps you decide what method of image acquisition is best for you. Just know that there are many ways to make film nowadays. You need to spend the time researching and sorting out which way is best for you and your situation. I wish you the best of luck as a filmmaker and if you need help being pointed in the right direction, hit me up. If not, that is okay too... I wish you well. http://www.tomguilmette.com/ http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/ http://ninofilm.net/blog/ http://philipbloom.net/ Here are a few good places to start.

"Give a man a fish he eats for a day, Teach a man to fish he eats for a lifetime." This is what we should be doing teaching and helping people on this sight who are looking for there way to do there dream.

Key phrase... A while ago! And it got lost in the mud.

Thanks to Dawson!

If you don't mind, I would like to bring this topic back from the Romper Room. People are actually trying to find information here.

Please do.

Here's another good filmmaking blog. http://filmmakeriq.com/

this has been fun to watch. I'm just some guy but i think whatever tools can be used to tell the story the way its envisioned is the right tool for that story weather it be a vhs-C camcorder, a t3i or a Arri.

You hit the nail on the head Wayne. I'm an old buzzard and prefer 35mm but I've seen incredible stuff in other mediums including an iPhone.