ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

10 years, 7 months ago - John Lubran

It seems to me that buying an expensive camera might not be sensible in pure "can I get enough use out of it to justify not renting" terms, but every circumstance has its own elements. It may well be that the flexibility and hassle freedom is worth the cost; or if like me you operate out of a relatively remote location where rental houses are a 100 odd miles away. We will rent high end kit but find we can use our in house cheapies quite effectively most of the time. As the proverb suggests, “it’s not how big it is, it’s what you do with it!’ The rich just don’t have a problem but for me I've taken a hybrid approach; we own quite a bit of our own equipment but restrict camera ownership to broadcast acceptable camcorders costing no more than about £5k plus VAT. We get enough use from them to more than justifying owning. It’s important to have an ear to the ground with regard to current and emerging technical requirements affecting ones aspirations, such as the EBU standards applied by most broadcasters. The fact that some cameras that don’t actually meet EBU are on the BBC list is a caution. I’d say default to the EBU standards.

For 1K HD the EBU minimums are;
1080 x 1920
50mbps
3 x ½” (not 1/3") CMOS or CCDs or a full frame sensor

So that’s pretty clear and there are only a handful of cameras that actually meet all of those specs at that c.£5k plus VAT limit. Annoyingly, and for no good reason other than protecting their mega buck cameras, manufactures have produced a range of cameras that appear to be up to spec because they might offer 4K or some other spec that seems good but are actually a sandwich short of a picnic in other respects. I’m particularly suspicious of current cheap 4K offerings. As with the term HD, the term 4K does not necessarily mean at broadcast standard. Until EBU has specified exactly what that requirement is I won’t take the 4K plunge accept for things like the cheap as chips GoPro 4K and the intriguing little 50mbps, single 13.2 x 8.8 large sensor, 4K ready, Sony PXW-X70 XDCAM Compact Camcorder which at £1,550 plus VAT sets a new bench mark for absolute cheek. Clearly the big manufactures can’t hold out for much longer if they want to stay in the market and a low cost FULL SPEC 4k camcorder with interchangeable lenses that provides the sort of versatile user friendly run and gun with cinematic pictures, without requiring the lego bolt on extra bits construction, anti ergonomic and crap audio currently offered at low prices, is all but with us. Game changer I reckon, hold on to your cash.

10 years, 7 months ago - Lee 'Wozy' Warren

I think so too... unfortunately!

10 years, 7 months ago - Alève Mine

If you shoot 4K you may need a new editing computer and/or software. Add that to the costs.

10 years, 7 months ago - Karel Bata

I mean trust them not to: drop the thing and not tell you; let someone handle it who might (for instance) decide to clean the sensor; get it back to base on time; never leave it anywhere unsafe: etc etc

You can build that into a legal agreement, but I know very few people that I can be 100% sure they wouldn't do any of that, and taking them to court after you find a dent, and the sensor has slipped ("It was like that before" "No it wasn't") and they say it's nothing to do with them..?

Sounding like a bad idea now...

10 years, 7 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Depending on your situation, this could well mean you suffer the VAT and cannot pass it on. Eg buy for £1000+VAT (£1200) but you MUST NOT charge VAT on sale unless you're registered, so if you say £200 for depreciation/wear/warranty then you have to sell for £1000. As a VAT registered business, I can buy a new unit with warranty etc for that price, so to buy secondhand I'd have to see it closer to £800, so you could suffer £400, not £200, by 'baking in' the VAT as a consumer.

Could be an expensive rental!! ;)

Also, you may not be able to pass on the warranty but remain liable to be middle-man to sorry out repairs.

Just a heads-up!

10 years, 7 months ago - Jamie Kennerley

I have an F55, and was one of the first to buy in the UK. That was almost 2 years ago. Luckily it's still a great camera, and will still be relevant for 3 or 4 more years at least (which is a LONG time in this market as we know!). But then I'm a cameraman, and I can charge it to jobs, rent it out etc. Even so, I still only use it on about half the jobs I do.

If you're not going to use it LOTS, then don't buy one. As technology continues to change and the whims of producers, directors and broadcasters with it, being lumbered with an expensive camera (that maybe people don't even want you to shoot with) can become a financial weight around the neck.

10 years, 7 months ago - Karel Bata

Anyone can voluntarily register for VAT. Just do it and claim it all back. Sure, quarterly returns are a pain, but at the end of the accounting year all your accounts done and more or less ready for the tax man.

So I'm now putting together a hackintosh. Up-front cost:£1,500. Cost after VAT repayment £1,125.

A complete no-brainer!

10 years, 7 months ago - Junaid 'Jay' Syed

Anything more than 2 week use, I would rather buy it and sell it once the project finishes straight away.

10 years, 7 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

There's a very popular alternative to what you suggest - renting!

I hear what you're saying about shared ownership, but there are a couple of problems that manifest quickly. What if you and I want to use it on the same day? Who gets priority? Do we limit use to x days/year to be 'fair', or do we fight over who gets weekends? Who maintains the kit? Who gets to chase everyone up for the repair bill? Where does it live when not in use? Who pays for that insurance? Who owns it when it's no longer the fashionable model?

Yes, these are all surmountable by agreement upfront, but it becomes a big deal ... when for a little more you can make all of those problems somebody else's problem ;-)

10 years, 7 months ago - Nigel Rogers

I would suggest owning a camera is more about learning and developing your skill in which case how much can you afford to invest in that? As to which brand or model at any given time is the best to go for is part of the risk we all take when we make a choice. The reality is you can get good results from many of those on the market but it is your skill and talent with a hint of self promotion that will get you work if that is your end goal?

10 years, 7 months ago - Karel Bata

I hear you. Trust is a big thing.

The thing about rentals is the hassle, and there's the cost. Renting is not cheap - and not cost effective for a quick pick-up.

10 years, 7 months ago - Lee 'Wozy' Warren

Dont trust! Even friends or family. They will defend their position as fast and as easy as you will. I've seen it before, first hand!!! Don't leave it down to trust. Get a legal agreement as to responsibilities etc... it'll be worth in in the long run.