PBS doc series POV equipment survey

[Eric C. Petrie]

This is really interesting. POV asked documentarians to share their experiences with equipment and documentary tools - from cameras and lenses to animation software and mobile apps - to create a comprehensive equipment list based on what filmmakers are actually using in the field. I'm not saying that what is popular is always the best or we should all do what they're doing. But it's really interesting to see trends like this. Speaking as someone who sells all of this gear at great prices i can say that my experience would back up these numbers. POV's 2013 Documentary Filmmaking Equipment Survey | POV | PBS

Eric Petrie, epetrie@provideoandtape.com

[Shaun Roemich]

It's a shame that 28% of the respondents have only 0 - 5 years in industry... NOT who I'd use as a reliable source of inspiration for gear suggestions, as evidenced by the preponderance of Manfrotto camera supports compared to Sachtler.

Nothing against Manfrotto as a budget minded solution but the budget-minded producer bias is quite evident in this poll.

I'm 15 years in as a doco producer/shooter/editor and the first five years I frankly should NOT have been relied on for REAL insight, even though my clients asked what I thought often and I answered based on their declared budget. Thankfully, I started out working for a broadcast rental and post house as a freelancer and had access to higher quality gear than the average new producer/shooter these days who goes down the DIY route...

[Les Wilson]

I find it notable that:
1) So many overwhelmingly don't use FCP-X
2) A good chunk use Sony's venerable EX camcorders
3) A bunch responded with merely "5D". Apparently not knowing anything more about their gear.

[Dave Partington]

/I find it amazing that so many are using Mac and FCP7 / FCPX vs how many are using Adobe, which also includes the Windows users.

Also notable was the FCPX equalled or out numbered CS6 & CC usage where specified and only trailed Adobe by the other versions in the middle. If you listened to Adobe they were the absolute overriding 'standard' now that 'everyone' who is 'anyone' is using. I guess they're slowly picking up the 'renters' while those who refuse to rent are sticking fast with earlier versions or migrating elsewhere.

The Canon DSLRs (5D/2/3/7D/60D) just about equal the entire Sony usage, without including any other Canon systems. There are so many people out there that have only ever shot with DSLRs and simply don't understand why proper camcorders can be so much better in some (but not all) situations.

Interesting stuff.