fuzzynormal

Fundamental, supplemental, totallymental...point is there are more than 2 ways to convey information in today's filmmaking.

35mm or 16mm?

What the hell is going on here? I've totally lost track. Bring back film!

Thank Alfred Hitchcock for that one.  Well before the 80's too.

If you want to be a DP then I suggest truly fretting about lenses, cameras, and all that.  
 
However, if you want to be a true filmmaker, get your hands on anything and make something compelling with it.
 
Can you tell a story?  Ideas are free.
 
Organize and shoot a compelling narrative, let the tech stuff follow.  The stream doesn't always flow so much in the other direction.  It does sometimes, just not as often as tech-centric websites would have you believe.  Cart.  Horse.
 
I've recently been shooting documentary B-Cam stuff with a GM1 and a Pentax auto 110 lens.  Every time I look at the footage I think, man, I could easily shoot a narrative film with this thing.  
 
Perhaps that's next...? 

I do often.  Because it fits the type of corporate gigs I'm doing these days.  It's a short slide 24."  For my jobs that works.
 
I don't do a lot of it though for my personal work though. 
 
However, I recently tested emulating dolly shots hand held with an Oly E-M5 and was very satisfied with the results.  It requires some tai chi body control, but it's very do-able.  I was trying to figure out if I could use the camera on an upcoming documentary that'll put me in the field hiking 15 miles every day for two months.
 
Obviously in that situation I want my kit extremely minimized.  I'm just taking the camera and two lenses... I might have limited gear on that assignment, but with that 5-axis stabilization I don't feel like my shot abilities will be.

It's even better when they jack up the shutter speed to 1000 when they're outdoors on a bright day.

I, for one, appreciate the sentiment this thread has evolved into.  As the technology rapidly becomes more democratic the tools become a commodity.  What you do with that tool matters more.
 
I love watching the march of development as much as the next guy, and I like to buy video/film cameras. Canon, Panasonic, Nikon, Hitachi, JVC, Sony, Fuji, Bolex, Arri...  I've owned 'em or rented 'em all.  But I'm not a fan boy that projects their purchasing commitment/ownership into some sort of brand proselytizing.
 
It's not too hard to imagine that in a decade we'll all have access to numerous small DSLR cameras shooting over 4K with incredible low-light sensitivity, full frame, uncompressed internal flash card recording, 5 axis-stabilization, and over 15 stops of dynamic range.  And it'll be pretty cheap to boot.
 
Digital moves fast and we'll have those goodies before you know it.
 
Those that concentrate on the craft rather than the tech will stand out from the numerous numerous people that will also own this gear.  As it has always been and and it will always be.
 
It used to be that purchasing a superior camera got you into the realm of "pro" simply by ownership.  After all, six figures for a well lensed and rigged camera is serious business, and DOES have value.  However,  I really think that legacy of the industry will be more and more irrelevant.

I, for one, appreciate the sentiment this thread has evolved into.  As the technology rapidly becomes more democratic the tools become a commodity.  What you do with that tool matters more.
 
I love watching the march of development as much as the next guy, and I like to buy video/film cameras. Canon, Panasonic, Nikon, Hitachi, JVC, Sony, Fuji, Bolex, Arri...  I've owned 'em or rented 'em all.  But I'm not a fan boy that projects their purchasing commitment/ownership into some sort of brand proselytizing.
 
It's not too hard to imagine that in a decade we'll all have access to numerous small DSLR cameras shooting over 4K with incredible low-light sensitivity, full frame, uncompressed internal flash card recording, 5 axis-stabilization, and over 15 stops of dynamic range.  And it'll be pretty cheap to boot.
 
Digital moves fast and we'll have those goodies before you know it.
 
Those that concentrate on the craft rather than the tech will stand out from the numerous numerous people that will also own this gear.  As it has always been and and it will always be.
 
It used to be that purchasing a superior camera got you into the realm of "pro" simply by ownership.  After all, six figures for a well lensed and rigged camera is serious business, and DOES have value.  However,  I really think that legacy of the industry will be more and more irrelevant.

This played in my town a few weeks back. The thing I find ironic about the film is that Wiseau made a movie that'll be more popular and memorable than anything most people with actual talent will ever do.

Even when I own the magic GH4, I'll most likely never achieve his level of success.

where did you remember this movie "the room"? you know they hold screenings in cinemas to go see this epic cult, probably one of the worst movies ever made... as for the gh4 footage, everyone can have a pencil not everyone can write a book.

Nothing's going to be superior to lavaliere mics.  The best microphone in the world will sound lousy if it's not placed correctly.  If the camera is far away from the subject, don't expect great sound.
 
Physics.  You can't deny it. 
 
Booms and Lavs exist for good reason.
 
Since you're on a budget, I suggest getting a nice long pole, a smart PA to hold it, and putting the best 200 euro mic at the end of it.
 
Also, a decent (self) education on how to record audio and WHY sound does what it does ... it's such a good investment, don't overlook that part.

Speak for yourself.  Now I'm really worried.

Hey, the GM1 works for a lot of stuff.  I'm using effectively and I'm happy with it; shooting a lot of night city stuff without a light kit and it does the job...  Ain't perfect, but no camera is, so you learn to work with what it offers.
 
BTW, I've set my F1 button to control the ISO for quick exposure adjustment.  Be sure to get in there and customize the thing to your liking.  That does help.

Since you're looking for a lens that does video, and all video shooting on Canon is MANUAL, look at good old manual lenses in your focal length/f-stop range for options.
 
Lots of glass to consider.  Anything from Pentax to Hasselblad could be used.  Nikon lenses, especially the famous 35 1.4 from the 70's/80's (and still made today), looks good insomuch that it has the visual traits of that era of lenses, for better or worse depending on your subjective opinion.
 
And since you're in the market for a lens with character as well as affordable... Think about it, borrow one and try it.  It's around $500 used.
 
Otherwise, the Sigma or the Samyang/Rokinon is probably the best bet for a new lens in the budget cost/performance range.

Here's a "low-res-for-web" video I did as a quick favor for a friend a few years back.  Shot on a Rebel Ti, no lights.   It's far from perfect, but shows how available light can be utilized with some shooting strategy and concessions:
 

Hard to see what the subjects are doing through that overwhelming lens flare.  What is it exactly?  Looks like two Dolphins and a CHP police officer trying to wrestle a giraffe in flip flops.  Am I right?   

Hard to see what the subjects are doing through that overwhelming lens flare.  What is it exactly?  Looks like two Dolphins and a CHP police officer trying to wrestle a giraffe in flip flops.  Am I right?   

Hard to see what the subjects are doing through that overwhelming lens flare.  What is it exactly?  Looks like two Dolphins and a CHP police officer trying to wrestle a giraffe in flip flops.  Am I right?   

Hard to see what the subjects are doing through that overwhelming lens flare.  What is it exactly?  Looks like two Dolphins and a CHP police officer trying to wrestle a giraffe in flip flops.  Am I right?   

I don't have a mustache I can wax nor do I live in Echo Park and visit NAB on trust fund money.  Am I still allowed to buy the camera?

Hey Sony.  You're sweet and all.  I just think we're in different places right now.  
 
I know you'll meet someone that'll love you for who you are, (*cough* high maintenance *cough*)  but I need a more down to earth camera to hang out with and accepts me for who am am and what I want.  I just need simple and easy 4K, you know?
 
Don't worry though, lots of fish in the sea.   
 
Call me again sometime.

IP TV seems to suck  :rolleyes:

This is a bit of a misnomer. The fast CF and SD cards required for raw video didn't exist 'years ago', which is likely why the DSLRs of yesteryear didn't have it as an option. Even now with the tech we have in 2014, raw recording is still very hit-or-miss and unstable. These cameras were released in '08. Developed with tech at latest from '07. It's not so much that camera companies were 'hiding' raw video... it's just that there was no way they could make it consumer-friendly. The tech did not exist then, in a stable and economical form.
 
But yea, the rest of your stuff is on point. 

Yes I can confirm that using AF for video is f***ing stupid