I am new and need help - with my HDR-FX1E
 

Right - I am not a camcorder buff, but I am a film buff, and was just wondering what kind of equipment I would need. I mean in terms of getting smoother shots - good lighting - mic's - to make it look professional. Any other reccomendations would be welcome. I am only 17, so I may these pieces one at a time - due to money. But please, name a range of prices and a range of equipment.

Sorry if this sounds a tad amateur, but I really do want to get my images - but in style, not just like it is being handheld etc.

Thanks in advance.

The first things I would recommed are a good, sturdy tripod with a "fluid pan head" like the Bogen 501 or 503 (~$200-400+); an on-camera diffused light from Bescor or others with a rechargeable battery (~$100-200+), a UHF wireless lavalier microphone kit (~$300-400+), a Beachtek XLR adapter (~$150), and a tripod-mountable "LAN-C" camera controller (~$150).

One of the best places to shop for anything like this is the first link on the DVinfo sponsors page (B&H photo video): http://www.dvinfo.net/sponsors/

great range of equipment to start with.
oliver, do you have an idea of what type of filmmaking you'd like to be doing? if so we can direct you to more specific equipment that would be useful now and later, after you've built a movie making empire for yourself.

I am just trying to make a short film about my city, Wolverhampton in the UK. I want to retain a gritty feeling in my shots of people talking - the camera is restless, like the characters. Although I hate the city, I want the shots to be romanticised, so any shots of the city must look good.

You should be aware that LANC controllers cannot access the full range of zoom speed on the FX1 and Z1 unfortunately. See the following:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=55047

Also, if you plan to shoot a lot of handheld stuff you might consider a shoulder rest. I have one of these and it works very well:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

thanks for the info.

You have set yourself a bit of a challenge i'd have though trying to make Wolverhampton look good.

lol - i hear ya. terribly bleak little city. But I found this great spot that overlooks the majority of Wolverhampton - and all you can see are buzzing lights - red, blue and white. I mean, it is so searing. I stood there and it instantly reminded me of Heat and Crash (2004). Then you turn around...and the city is terrible.

:(

BTW - I just noticed that you posted your FX1 question to the HC1 forum so I moved it to the FX1 forum where you may get some more input.

ah - thanks there.