Alex Payne
October 14th, 2009, 09:56 AM
Okay, some quick background:
I'm new to filmmaking. I've studied plenty and I'm ready to hit the ground running. The best way to learn is by doing. So, I got a little $ together and I've decided to put together a kit to get me started. I plan on making short films for a little while, one every other week or so, and then in the winter I'm going home to shoot a feature with some friends. Here's the list of things i'm planning on buying right now to get me started so that I can shoot, edit, and distribute (if I choose to) my work. These are the bare minimums, as I see it, that's required to get this done. The advice I'd love to have from you guys is a) if you see anything VITAL missing (for instance, if I get the canon 7d but don't get any memory cards... that'd be something VITAL that's missing. A lens hood would not be vital, because I can get by without that for a little while if I have to. you can argue that a lens hood IS vital, but keep in mind I'm mostly just trying to learn here, one step at a time). Secondly, I plan on slowly adding items and accessories to my kit to really get something good going, and be fully rounded so that if someone needs me to do sound on a project, I'll be set, if someone needs me to photograph a project, I'll be set, etc. So, lens hood would be in here. Thirdly, if you see anything I can get a better deal on or think I should spend more on X item and less on Y item, tell me!
I hope this thread can be a good resource for those to come as well.
On to the stuff I'm going to buy!
CAMERA:
Canon EOS 7D /w 28-135mm lens: $1899 + tax = $2100
(not sure about the lens, but it seems the best for the price)
(if I can find this used I'm going to jump on it. I've seen it once or twice used for like $1000-$1300)
Wide angle lens: ~$400
(I hope to find this used, I'm probably lowballing the price though... I'm still looking into what I should get, suggestions would be helpful)
Tripod: $40-$80
(I hope to find this used as well. Right now I'm not terribly concerned about a great tripod since I plan on having mostly static shots for the time being)
2 Transcend 16gb 133x CompactFlash cards: $50/each, $100
(They're not the best brand, but I've heard there's really no problems and they're cheap. I'll take my laptop with me and be transferring the data from one while recording on the other. Worst case scenario, I get some corrupted files and I have to re-shoot it. I can deal with that)
Kingston CompactFlash card reader: $15
CTA Rechargeable battery: $50
Lenscoat Camera Bodybag: $25
Total approximate camera costs:
$2100
$400
$60
$100
$15
$50
$25
-------
$2750
Audio equipment
Shotgun microphone: $300
(I don't want to spend a ton of money on a microphone because I'll probably end up upgrading before too long. I figure a nice, used Rode or Sennheiser, or even audio-technica will be fine here while I'm still learning)
Zoom H4N 4 track audio recorder: $250
(used)
Microphone boom pole: $100
(used, or i might just make my own for now)
Shock mount: $50
Audio total:
$300
$250
$100
$50
-----
$700
Lights:
Work lights from hardware store: $50
Chinese lanterns + stands and bulbs: $30
Foam boards + shower curtain for diffusion: $20
Total lighting
$50
$30
$20
----
$100
TOTAL
$2750
$700
$100
-------
$3550
That's what I'm looking at for right now. It seems like any other issues I may have may be worked around, i.e. I'll use natural lighting or only shoot static shots. I'll add to my kit as necessary, but this should get me started. Anything else vital you think I need? Anything you think I DON'T need? Any other comments?
Thanks a ton, and I look forward to being an active member on the board.
I'm new to filmmaking. I've studied plenty and I'm ready to hit the ground running. The best way to learn is by doing. So, I got a little $ together and I've decided to put together a kit to get me started. I plan on making short films for a little while, one every other week or so, and then in the winter I'm going home to shoot a feature with some friends. Here's the list of things i'm planning on buying right now to get me started so that I can shoot, edit, and distribute (if I choose to) my work. These are the bare minimums, as I see it, that's required to get this done. The advice I'd love to have from you guys is a) if you see anything VITAL missing (for instance, if I get the canon 7d but don't get any memory cards... that'd be something VITAL that's missing. A lens hood would not be vital, because I can get by without that for a little while if I have to. you can argue that a lens hood IS vital, but keep in mind I'm mostly just trying to learn here, one step at a time). Secondly, I plan on slowly adding items and accessories to my kit to really get something good going, and be fully rounded so that if someone needs me to do sound on a project, I'll be set, if someone needs me to photograph a project, I'll be set, etc. So, lens hood would be in here. Thirdly, if you see anything I can get a better deal on or think I should spend more on X item and less on Y item, tell me!
I hope this thread can be a good resource for those to come as well.
On to the stuff I'm going to buy!
CAMERA:
Canon EOS 7D /w 28-135mm lens: $1899 + tax = $2100
(not sure about the lens, but it seems the best for the price)
(if I can find this used I'm going to jump on it. I've seen it once or twice used for like $1000-$1300)
Wide angle lens: ~$400
(I hope to find this used, I'm probably lowballing the price though... I'm still looking into what I should get, suggestions would be helpful)
Tripod: $40-$80
(I hope to find this used as well. Right now I'm not terribly concerned about a great tripod since I plan on having mostly static shots for the time being)
2 Transcend 16gb 133x CompactFlash cards: $50/each, $100
(They're not the best brand, but I've heard there's really no problems and they're cheap. I'll take my laptop with me and be transferring the data from one while recording on the other. Worst case scenario, I get some corrupted files and I have to re-shoot it. I can deal with that)
Kingston CompactFlash card reader: $15
CTA Rechargeable battery: $50
Lenscoat Camera Bodybag: $25
Total approximate camera costs:
$2100
$400
$60
$100
$15
$50
$25
-------
$2750
Audio equipment
Shotgun microphone: $300
(I don't want to spend a ton of money on a microphone because I'll probably end up upgrading before too long. I figure a nice, used Rode or Sennheiser, or even audio-technica will be fine here while I'm still learning)
Zoom H4N 4 track audio recorder: $250
(used)
Microphone boom pole: $100
(used, or i might just make my own for now)
Shock mount: $50
Audio total:
$300
$250
$100
$50
-----
$700
Lights:
Work lights from hardware store: $50
Chinese lanterns + stands and bulbs: $30
Foam boards + shower curtain for diffusion: $20
Total lighting
$50
$30
$20
----
$100
TOTAL
$2750
$700
$100
-------
$3550
That's what I'm looking at for right now. It seems like any other issues I may have may be worked around, i.e. I'll use natural lighting or only shoot static shots. I'll add to my kit as necessary, but this should get me started. Anything else vital you think I need? Anything you think I DON'T need? Any other comments?
Thanks a ton, and I look forward to being an active member on the board.