ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXSecond hand camera
2 years ago - Manuel Arenas
I am an independent Peruvian theater director, who wants to pour his experience into film. I am developing a script for a short film "The Antigone Syndrome" and I need a second hand camera .
I'm looking to purchase a decent second-hand camera. So if you have equipment in working condition that you want to replace, don't hesitate to contact me.
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2 years ago - Zan Barberton
Hello! I'm a filmmaker in South East London - I've just listed my old cinema camera on ebay. It needs a lens and some good sound equipment but I think it's a great (HD) camera: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305168569810
I'm about to list the micro 4/3 lens that I used with it, and an old GH2 camera too.
There are loads of options out there - this one is not 4K but it is really nice to shoot on and you don't need to buy lots of extras for it.
While I'd love you to buy my camera, and it's a good one in my opinion, I'm not sure though I would recommend buying a camera as a first step - you will need a good DoP to start shooting and maybe they should be the one to advise you on camera choice?
2 years ago - A.L. Nott
Hey Manuel,
Wishing you all the best with your project. I'm a writer director and I agree with Zan re camera. I shot a couple of shorts myself in 4k on an iPhone with 3rd party lenses attached but most of my stuff I've had a DoP and they used their own camera that they know well and like. But if you're thinking of shooting it yourself or want to go ahead a buy a camera anyway, I saw this on eventbright - Hands-on demos of different cameras around the country that might be helpful figuring out what's best for your needs / budget then you can look for second hand:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/wex-photo-video-8037326192
All the best,
Anion
2 years ago - Manuel Arenas
Thank you, Zan.
Your input is spot-on, and I'm sure you've done an excellent job with your camera. However, I'm specifically looking for a 4K camera to shoot some scenes myself, which comes at a higher price. Still, I truly appreciate your help. Thank you very much.
Manuel
I hope this helps! Let me know if you need further assistance.
2 years ago - John Lubran
The differentials between camera types costing less than £3,000, and megabuck types costing twenty times more, is becoming increasingly moot and immaterial. Meaning that the percieved quality of the camera department on the 'final print' is far more to do with skilled artful camera and lighting skills than it's about the cameras and lenses relied upon.
It's an Emporers new Clothes thing.
However, beware blunt assertions of 4K. Particularly 4K camera phones. Some low cost 4K options really aren't as good as some HD cameras. Apart from pixel count resolutions there's other parameters that define quality, such as;
Bitrate, or processing speed. Below 100mbs (megabits per second) unwanted motion artifacts can spoil ones aspirations. For example EBU (European Broadcast Union) standards that define "broadcast quality", also referred to as "broadcast legal", states that 4K should be at 100mps or faster.
Then there's contrast ratios. Many low end 4K cameras have poor contrast handling, unable to recreate the natural look expected of the minds eye.
Talking of the minds eye. Very few otherwise excellent theatre directors know how to shoot theatre. Typically it's down to the futile aspiration to keep everything that's on the stage in the frame. Frame not according to the choreography of the auditorium but according to the minds eye of it's screen viewing audience. The two audience are entirely different.
Wide shots are boring and two dimensional. Unless one has a complete OB multicamera set up. Single camera theatrical conversions to film or video require a special skillset, that in my decades of experience of such, ought steer well clear of stage directors, particularly if such a director is stridently without practiced skill in single camera drama. Angles and heights also differ from theatrical practices. Start stop single camera direction is a big job. Single camera continuous, or long segmented takes can be excellent, effective and economical, if a skilled self directed camera person is available.
Right now one of the cheapest high quality 4K 100mps cameras rated as EBU compliant is the Sony PXW Z90, about £2,600 new. Figure another £500 - £1,000 for basic grips and audio. Other types are available.
2 years ago - Manuel Arenas
What about the Lumix S1H , Netflix approved. It could be good to run it back in Peru.
Panasonic has leveraged its extensive video experience with the Lumix S1H, bringing many high-end VariCam features to the Lumix S range. The controls, interface, and hardware have been specifically designed for video and cinematography, making it a versatile tool for professional video productions. Additionally, the camera's 24MP stills capabilities are a valuable bonus. It's a fascinating 'bridge' between conventional system cameras and higher-end cine gear, particularly for Panasonic videographers. However, its power and capabilities make it an excellent choice for any professional video production.
1 year, 12 months ago - Ian Vernon
I have the S1H. It is an excellent camera. Not just 4k but 6K full frame 35mm sensor. Other than shoots, I use it for greenscreen. It seems to have far less noise than any other DSLR I have worked with. The only slight downside is although it's a DSLR it is much heavier than my previous camera - a Panasonic GH5.
1 year, 12 months ago - Manuel Arenas
I have the S1H. It is an excellent camera. Not just 4k but 6K full frame 35mm sensor. Other than shoots, I use it for greenscreen. It seems to have far less noise than any other DSLR I have worked with. The only slight downside is although it's a DSLR it is much heavier than my previous camera - a Panasonic GH5.
1 year, 12 months ago - Manuel Arenas
That's great to hear you're enjoying your Panasonic S1H! The 6K full-frame sensor and reduced noise are definite advantages. Could you share more about your experiences with it for greenscreen work? How does it compare in terms of color accuracy and flexibility for your projects compared to the GH5? And have you found any workarounds or tips to manage its weight during shoots?
1 year, 11 months ago - Manuel Arenas
Do you think I'm not real? Well, how about we meet for a chat in London, near White City? Is that okay with you?
We can have an intriguing conversation about cameras. I started my journey with a 16mm camera, even developing my own black and white film for it, covering just a few meters. Later on, I owned a JVC HD101. What camera equipment have you used throughout your photography or filmmaking journey?
English is not my native language, I use a translator to correct my grammatical errors, so I must sound a little rigid to you.