Anything Goes : Film Equipment by Paris Holmes

Because people often think the camera is what makes the movie; not the person working it. It is sad when "creative people" allow a box to make their choices.

A lot of techies get too into the equipment rather than the creativity. On one hand it is good because the super techies can learn about it and get the new stuff. The down side is when they don't hook up with a creative that tempers that "new, new, new" urge and get with some schmuck who has lousy ideas. But then who cares because they put out a bad film and well its just that. Personally I have found them irritating with all their tech questions about my camera. It becomes "who has the biggest cock" tale. Seriously, it is about showing off-BORING. But that tells you a lot about me-I don't like hype and bullshit.

Why do people spend too much money on a camera when they can rent what they need?

@rachael you're right, you can rent these things out and save a lot of money but I'm talking about people who buy camera after camera. Just buy one and keep using it. Buy one good one like the Sony F3 or Red One, or Sony NEx fs700

some people i guess like to spend money? Or have clients who can cover the cost in their shoots.

Yeah @Jay that's what I'm talking about. All I want is a camera that displays a great indie look and has super slow mo, that's all I need for the type of film I want to make. Whether I buy a Sony F3, Sony Nex fs700, Canon c100, or Red Epic or Scarlett, it's going to be a camera I'll continue to use unless all movies then become played in 3d. It's guys who'll buy a camera to film, and then buy another one to make another film, and keep on buying these new cameras. It's different if people are giving them to you to test, or you have clients but if you are just making film of your own I just think it's nuts...but thats my take on it, people think i am nuts for making a feature film with a canon 5d mark ii

@rik carter I never asked why people think, I know that I want one of those cameras. Im asking why do people worry about the next camera when they just buy one that's putting out good video quality. Im not talking about someone who has a 5d and is thinking about getting a red or sony f3..Im talking about people who worry about having the newest camera because it's new. ONce i get my hands on a camera that has quality like the quality in Dirty Laundry, that indy look I love, i am not changing....a dp does not have to worry about buying new cameras, they just need to know how to work them and create lighting for the film. They don't even hardly touch the camera...idk, I'm off this topic, theres too many people who buy cameras because they are new. I know that the cameras i have in mind are the ones that put out good quality, if I get my hands on the sony f3 or the red, that's it unless i hit big and get some big big big budget

I guess I don't know anyone who buys a camera because it's new and then hardly touches it. You weren't clear in your first post. I apologize for offering my opinion. I have removed my post and won't bother you again.

No man, I'm not touchey like that, you can say what you want and I wasn't clear in my post. Its cool dog lol

That's a quick way to loose money. A camera, no matter what it is, won't give you any skill. That takes learning-- from books, from others, from screwing up. I got lucky that I started working on sets when I was 10 sweeping floors! And I learned more with a push-broom than I did with an Epic, or a 435. Yes, some jobs want you to have a camera, which is why you rent the camera for the job. And if you can't afford to rent it, then you certainly can't afford to buy it if that client is only going to hire you once. Now if it's an ongoing thing, you buy what will pay for itself. Also; if the job itself just wants you for a camera, do you really think you're going to be working with someone from whom you can learn? Or who is going to trust you as a shooter? With web-sites like Borrowlenses.com and the like, it's trivial, trivial, to 'have' any camera a shoot may need-- you've just gotta work the numbers out and it'll come out a lot cheaper than buying/kitting out a whole system. now this kind of goes out the windows with vDSLRs, but even then you'll need: Camera/batteries/multiple cards/monitors/cables/lenses/follow focus/rails system/ mattebox (if you're smart you'll need/use that for all outdoor shooting day exts) ND Filters, grad and solid, diffusion ect.... Tripod, shoulder set if you want to go hand-held... man that list goes on! By the time you buy it all you're talking thousands of dollars. I, for giggles, recently made up a Black Magic Design camera kit-- as I was actually considering picking one of them up to work as B cam on some shoots I have. The camera is $3000, which is dirt cheap for something shooting 2.5K RAW (and pro res), especially with the software it includes. But, truth be told; after all the bits and bobs were in the kit (ssds ain't cheap!) it was around 8000$.... and that's even with me already owning a tripod and matte box and follow focus and lenses ect.... If you really wanna get good I honestly recommend shooting stills and learning how to tell a story in 36 frames visually. You can do that with a damned disposable camera! Do it a few times, get it developed. keep notes on what you did. Get a SLR camera, and one lens, now you can control exposure-- so do it, try that again in 36 frames. Practice. Learn the discipline-- not the camera system. And for god's sake, forget about any camera "making" you anything. The box is just that, a box which you point at things.

No camera on Earth will magically cover up a lack of skills.

I dunno Rachel, I heard RCA is going to make a comeback with a new Digital Film Polaroid IMAX 3D camera. They partnered with Staples and put on an Easy Button; right next to the "Bay" button and it comes preloaded with Abrams Filters. ;) Someone once said you need 10,000 hours doing anything to really get an idea wtf is going on.

My question is... why the hell do you care? Is it effecting you in a negative way? If I had the money, I would. Why NOT? Seriously, to hell with money. If you can't spend it, what good is it? Now, I don't have the money, so THANK GOD for the people who do, because that means when I finish saving up, I can buy a high quality, barely used camera for hundreds if not thousands off.

WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I'm not saying you shoudlnt want to buy a expensive camera. I want one myself. People can do what the want. Its just stupid to buy camera after camera thinking its gonna make you a good filmmaker when its not...

Your original question had nothing to do with the camera making you talented or not. You asked why someone would buy a camera, and shoot a film, and turn around and buy a different camera. There's lots of reasons to buy a camera, shoot a film, and then turn around and buy a new one. Different films have different requirements. Some films need super slow mo. Some films require a better low-light recording, or you may need to do your next film in 3D, or the production company you hire may require a specific media. There are tons of reasons to change camera's quite often. And it doesn't cost nearly as much as you think. You buy a $5000 camera, shoot your film, flip the barely used camera for $4500 and you can buy a new camera for difference. Depending on how long you need the camera - it can potentially be much cheaper than renting a camera for an extended period of time. As for whether the camera makes you a good filmmaker or not - I have never, in the films I have worked on, talked to a filmmaker who credited or blamed the camera for the success or failure of his film. I've never talked to a filmmaker who said - "well, if only I had THAT camera... my movie would have been better". I think the attitude of being negative towards people who do this stems from people who are jealous they can't do it themselves. While I am SURE there are is a VERY SMALL number of people who do focus too much on which camera they need.... I don't believe it's enough people - or anyone who is actually noteworthy enough - for someone like you or I to be bothered by them. My point is.... don't worry about what others do. Right or wrong, they have their reasons. Focus on what you need to do and leave it at that.

well I've been using my Canon 5d Mark II since I first purchased it. A lot of new cameras out there that offers a lot more things but I've learned that purchasing great lighting can give you a good look. Check out the trailer for my new film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38SPxpYXimQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38SPxpYXimQ