ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

11 years, 6 months ago - Michael Stirling

Is 'be really good at using a camera' really useful advice?
As a Colourist I'd have to say that camera body is important and the 5D is NOT good. I know people here love them but they are bit of a joke in grading circles. I really treat any project that comes from the 5D as a rescue job, even with a flat profile (which undoubtedly helps) I'd advise the BMCC for low budget stuff as you can shoot log ProRes HQ or RAW dng if you really want to retain quality. I'm then duty bound to say the a decent grade with take the project to the next level, along with creative use of sound.

But as for other things on set, use more lights than you think - are brighter scene is easier to manipulate in post than a scene that is under exposed.

11 years, 6 months ago - Pete Armstrong

Sorry i have not been able to answer everyone back… slight technical glitch. I am looking at Blackmagic, i have a shoulder rig just need a b/m brace, i am also looking at Canon xl 1h/xl 2 what are your thoughts?

11 years, 6 months ago - Markus A Ljungberg, FSF

Are you renting or buying for that budget? As other people have pointed out the lighting is how you achieve that look, get a good DP and make sure he's got the kit he needs to light your film. Lenses is the other factor that people often neglect, they are massively important to control the look of your film.

If you want to buy for that budget though, I would say get a Blackmagic Pocket Camera and get a set of 2nd hand Nikon prime lenses. If you find good deals on the lenses that might even leave you some pocket money to get a cheap handheld rig or a really cheap tripod. But yeah, buy cheap, buy twice. Better to get pro stuff 2nd hand then to get cheap plastic stuff that will break or that you will have to upgrade from within a year.

11 years, 6 months ago - John Maloney

I would concur with Jamie - good lighting, framing, camera movement is more important than the camera body, really. A cheap canon dslr with an old prime lens in the right hands will look better than an Alexa in the hands of an amateur.

11 years, 6 months ago - Pete Armstrong

Cheers guy's

11 years, 6 months ago - Peter Ward

I'd second Jamie. The biggest determiner of image quality that you can control is your choice of DoP. Any new camera in a given price range will do more or less the same thing as a competing model, with a few exceptions.

11 years, 6 months ago - Pete Armstrong

Thanks Ned will check that out!

11 years, 6 months ago - Chris Bogle

Hi Pete,
Yup I'd definitely go for a 5D for a film look on your budget, you can get a set of Canon or prime lenses with an adapter from a hire company fairly cheaply and with nice glass and a flat setup the results look awesome and are very grade-able. IMHO the EX3 with cine adapter is just a pain in the a**e to use. It's also got build in sharpening so you get a much more video-like image.

11 years, 6 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

How long are you renting it for? You could probably get an EX3 and follow focus for a couple of weeks. If you're using a ground glass adaptor the body still needs a lens to focus on it AFAIK.

Or if you mean to buy, maybe a DSLR and spend money on a decent set of bars to mount on.

11 years, 6 months ago - Paolo Black

I concur with Jamie too, but worth mentioning that I've been amazed at the quality of the Nikon D800 (with an XLR adaptor).

11 years, 6 months ago - Ned Hussain

If you want that film grain look i suggest an SG BLADE http://bit.ly/1bcPGuW

Also a skilled DOP will pretty much give you the "cinematic" look.

11 years, 6 months ago - Jamie Kennerley

Crikey Pete. That big buddget look is a combination of many things, more often than not one of those things being a big budget. Even if you buy a 5D, you'll need it to be operated and exposes by a pro, along with a stack of accessories to use that camera like a decent movie camera. Not to mention a good script/idea, well acted and directed, great production design, shot well, good sound design etc etc. Why not use that money to rent gear for your project, and find your collaborators on here? You'll end up with a much better result - I think - and a DoP is going to be more interested to work for free if you have an Alexa for them to play with than a 5D.