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Question

advice on prosumer gear for shooting videos

Oct 9, 2014 10:14PM PDT

Hi,

I came across this forum doing a web search and it seems good so thought I could ask some advice.

I am an American living in Germany; I have a video background and have recently been contacted by a local health clinic about creating short videos for them (4-7 min). The thing is, my background goes way back and I'm not so up on the latest equipment - I shot in the late 80s & early 90s on professional equipment (i.e. Ikegami 55L camera) and spent many years as a broadcast TV video editor in NY (Grass Valley switchers, Sony 9000 editor, Abakus, Chyron, etc).

I've taught myself non-linear editing and because of my background that's really no problem (I'll probably use Premiere).

When it comes to the camera, tripod, mic(s), lights, etc, I'm at a bit of a disadvantage. My prospective client has a small budget (looks like 5000 EUR each for 3 videos) and they want me to buy the equipment with that budget. A lot of the videos will consist of animations and stock footage which need to be licensed (I'll need to license some music as well); I'll also shoot some mock discussions (real discussions between staff posing as clients) and show some of the location. I can do VOs myself. So here are some specific questions and I'm very open to concerns I may have left out:

For the camera itself, as much as I'd love to go pro or semi-pro, I'm thinking of going high-end prosumer because A) it's coming out of the budget that pays me and B) I don't think the highest quality is really necessary as the videos will mainly live on the client's website and youtube channel. (they've talked about offering them to local TV stations as a PR tool when related topics are in the news, and for this I'd render the highest quality possible, but that's really a secondary concern). I've heard that nowadays the quality has improved so much that these top-level prosumer camcorders look pretty damn good especially as the finished product will be seen on the web - am I really off on this?

For audio, I will need to shoot some conversations but never more than two people at a time. Can I get away with an externally connected shotgun mic on the camera or do I need to go with two Lavs (clip-ons) and have a separate mixer and recording medium (I assume the prosumer camera won't have more than 1 mic input, though it would be great if there were two). RE: voice-overs, could I use the shotgun mic for that (if the shotgun makes sense as I wrote above) or do I need a separate USB mic? I have mic stands already.

I want to make sure to get a good tripod as nothing bugs me more than fighting the tripod to get a smooth pan/tilt. I'll be shooting in pretty tight spaces so I don't think I need a dolly or sliders. Am I wrong on that?

Their lighting is pretty good so I was hoping to go without external lights. Saving the money is a concern, but also transportability. They told me that recently they started having a photographer who shoots in natural light and it's been working well. I also feel like as I'll be using staff and not real actors, they'll probably relax more without external lights on them. I've heard that the prosumer cameras adjust well to low light. True?

I have a decent pair of Audio-Technica headphones that are very comfortable and already have a mini/1/4" jack adapter, so I think that should be ok there.

I very much welcome feedback and gear suggestions, i.e. what camera (I was thinking panasonic, JVC or Sony), tripod and mic(s)/audio equipment to purchase. I would really like to keep the price for the gear under 1500 EUR (I realize many reading this may be rolling their eyes at this, but at much more the job just isn't worth it). I figure I'll make very little on the first one but more on the 2nd & 3rd and any subsequent videos that come along (they said there is a very good chance for more if these do well for their marketing department).

Thanks in advance for any opinions.

Erik

Discussion is locked

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Answer
I'll start at the end
Oct 10, 2014 1:15AM PDT

and work up. Thank you for acknowledging that some of us are rolling our eyes - won't get into the details of that as you already know. 1,500€ budget.

Tripod: Fluid head. Not "fluid-head like" or any other "almost" unit. Davis & Sanford or Magnus in the states. These are low-end, but can do the job. Budget $150-$170. (I know, $ not € - I don't know what you may have available in Germany, so just providing budgetary numbers).

Mic: Your budget does not allow for decent wireless lavs. Since you said the "talent" will be in close quarters, a shotgun mic will work, but decent shotgun mics use XLR connectors and the consumer grade camcorders you are probably looking at will have a 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo audio input. You have choices. RODE makes some camcorder/dSLR mics that use a 3.5mm connector. Or you can put a XLR adapter between the mic's XLR connector and the camcorder's 3.5mm audio input. Audio Technica for the AT-875R (needs phantom power, so be sure the juicedLink or BeachTek XLR audio adapter can provide that). Third option is to use an external audio recorder. I just got a Zoom H5 (replaced a H2). Synch the externally captured video in post.

Just because there is only a single 3.5mm connector does not mean only one mic can be used, but the XLR adapters are not inexpensive (and they cost more when phantom power is part of the feature set). They provide more functionality than just multiple audio inputs (including audio gain control knobs so you're not having to search through a menu to use that control). The "M"ono/"S"tereo switch is very useful, too...

Mic stand: Mounting a shotgun mic (or external audio recorder) to a mic stand will allow you to decouple the audio pickup pattern from the video framing. There is no need to camera-mount the mic and limit yourself there. The H5 comes with a stereo mic or you can use XLR mics or a single 3.5mm connector based mic... There is a screw-on adapter that allows the H5 (and H2, etc) to use a mic clip on the mic stand. $20 for the mic stand. $30 with a boom. Maybe a local music store has used gear for less.

Lighting: A couple of tripod mounted LED work lights from the hardware store should work. $100. Based on your background, you know lighting is a big deal. You also know that still image cameras and video capture devices behave very differently, so "working well with natural lighting" when comparing the two is not too useful.

We have 400€ to 700€ for the camcorder. Get the one with the largest lens diameter and imaging chip you can find. Probably the PAL version of the Canon HF R52. If the sequences are scripted/planned a dSLR (Canon, Nikon, Sony - with a kit lens) setup can work and you may not need the workarounds normally required related to overheating and file size.

You might have some leftover for a case or two...

For what it is worth, the least expensive camera or camcorder with built-in XLR connectors is the Sony NEX-EA50M (replaced the EA-50UH), so we know we can't get there.

You can get a slider later.

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thanks...
Oct 10, 2014 10:32PM PDT

... for the very useful advice. I will absorb what you wrote and start looking into options.

May come back with a question or two later.

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decided to rent
Oct 14, 2014 1:56AM PDT

Thanks for the repl(ies).

I've asked about this on a couple of forums and the advice to rent, not buy has been pretty consistent and I've taken that to heart.

I've found a great place here in Germany to rent from (recommended by a friend in the business); here is what I plan to rent, I'd love feedback and to know if any red flags come up, if I've missed anything, etc:

Camera:

Sony HXR-NX5E

They also offer the Canon XF 300 - whixh is more expensive to rent - but the guy on the phone is recommending the Sony after hearing about my project. I'd rent an extra memory card and extra battery along with it.

Tripod:

Sachtler System FSB (fluid head)

Lights (I will rent these as well as the suggestions to rethink my idea to go with natural light have been overwhelming):

LED Leuchtflaeche 1000 - obviously this is German and I haven't found out the English word for Leuchtflaeche (other than an illuminated area), but it is 1000 watts and can be dimmed. Seems somewhat similar to a lightbox (though not exactly). I'll rent some foils along with it.

Audio:

Two Sennheiser EW 112-C G3 clipon wireless mics. The Sony camera has two mic inputs so the guy at the rental place is saying I don't need a Zoom. These take standard AA batteries.

I'd also rent a memory card reader to ensure I can get what I shoot off the camera into Premiere Elements.

Also have one more question, although I'm a musician and have mic stands and SM-57s & 58s (as well as other, better mics), I'm using a mac mini which does not accept analog line audio (strange I know). It's a powerful little computer and I don't expect any issues with memory or ram, but it only accepts a usb mic input. So for VOs, I will either need a USB mic (any recommendations?) or do the VO (doing that myself) with the camera. This of course limits the ability to make quick changes once I've given the rental camera back. Thoughts?

Thanks again, very much appreciated.

best,

Erik

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Awesome journey!
Oct 14, 2014 4:47AM PDT

Started at "prosumer"; glanced off low-end consumer; landed at renting pro-grade.

As I recall, the HXR-NX5 uses Memory Stick Pro cards, not SDHC, or an "add-on" FMU (stuck on the back right side of the camcorder body like my NEX-EA50UH). If you are using a card reader, those are pretty inexpensive to buy
http://www.frys.com/product/7024591
Just a heads up on what they want to charge for the card reader rental...

I like the Sennheiser gear - I use this same model (so you are right, no Zoom audio recorder and no shotgun mic needed). The base stations and body packs look similar (each uses 2 AA batteries, so 8 total), in nice "robust" metal cases, easy to use, sound great. Assuming they are camera mounted, a camera bracket or base station mount will be very desirable.

Sachtler sticks and heads are generally excellent.

VO adds... A third option is to get a XLR/USB interface. This way you can use your current XLR mics. An SM58 would be fine (I use those, too).
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Tascam-US-2x2-USB-Audio-Interface-J13885-i3903296.gc
or
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Blue-Icicle-XLR-to-USB-Mic-Converter-Mic-Preamp-105315832-i1427196.gc

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Funny - just seemed to make sense
Oct 14, 2014 6:32AM PDT

Yep, pretty funny indeed, but after really looking at it, renting this quality seems the smartest option.

This rental place really has amazing prices, for instance, the memory card reader will cost me all of 2 euro/day to rent, though at $6.99 (gotta check shipping) buying would make sense. I'll look around here for that.

RE: the sennheisers, I don't know if they come with a camera mount or or bracket, I assumed I could have them on me or my belt but sounds like that doesn't make sense. I'll look into renting that too, if necessary.

The xlr-usb adapter sounds good but I don't much like the cost. Wouldn't buying a good usb mic be cheaper or is there no such thing? I just went back to those guitar center links (before the top one showed me $149) and now both seem to be sold out. I suppose I can see what they sell for here in euro.

Otherwise I may end up recording the VOs with the camera - I'm writing the script as well, though like I said above I guess there's the danger of needing a revision later and being SOL.

Thanks - really appreciate all the feedback.

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Apologies for being unclear...
Oct 16, 2014 1:59PM PDT

The USB interfaces were pricing examples, only. There are others. (Some more, some less). I have no suggestions for sourcing this gear where you are and I merely wanted to point out that you have a third option over and above the two options you provided us. I have every confidence there are local sources for all this stuff (including an inexpensive flash memory card reader that can deal with Memory Stick Pro Duo cards).

Re: Sennheiser base station mounts - if you don't need to be portable, you don't need the camera mounts, just get some velcro strips and tie the portable base stations to the tripod legs. The cable tail that goes from the XLR connector (camera side) to a 3.5mm screw-on connector (base station side) is not very long (about 2 feet; assuming they provide the cables that came with the units and not third party after market cables). Sticking the base station(s) to your belt will be problematic. If they want to charge more for the camera bracket to mount the base stations you can turn that down... We assume the camera will remain on the tripod during video capture.

My definition of a "good USB mic" for voice over work is something along the lines of a large diaphragm condenser mic... like some of the models from Audio Technica, MXL, Blue and a few others around the $150-$200 mark. You already have good mics, so getting the interface reuses existing equipment. Using the USB-only mic in an XLR world can be challenging. I use my SM58 dynamic mics for voice over work and they are fine (with Audacity and GarageBand). There's a Presonus box
http://www.amazon.com/PreSonus-AudioBox-USB-Recording-Interface/dp/B00154KSA2
between the SM58 and the Mac.

(Just so you know, the Canon XF300 is a fine camcorder... it records to MXF files and needs special plugins for importing to an editor. I don't know if Premiere Elements can deal with those plugins - Premier Pro can. The AVCHD files from the NX5 should be relatively easy to import. Assuming it is a current version of Premier Elements, I don't think any plugins are required as iMovie and Final Cut Pro X can import directly from my NEX-EA50UH and the file system *should* be the same.)

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Great stuff
Oct 16, 2014 8:16PM PDT

Thank you again - not only answered my questions, but also some I didn't (yet) have! Invaluable.

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Answer
advice on prosumer gear for shooting videos
Nov 10, 2014 8:31PM PST

Tripod is that accessory of camera which hold the camera and heavy lenses firmly and avoid blurry images and videos.
Every equipment is used for different shots like slider for adding motion, low angle shots, jib for higher angle shots, handheld for shooting running videos etc.
So Gear should be purchased according to the shooting style.
Check out this site Proaimshop, may here you get gears which suit your shooting style.