mercer Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 I thought it could be fun and informational to get some thoughts about what cameras are good for narrative filmmaking at different price points. • Up to $500 • $500 - $1000 • $1000 - $1500 • $1500 - $2000 • $2000 - $3000 • $3000 - $5000 • $5000 - $10,000 • $10,000 and above... Obviously, most of us believe that a great film could be shot on a used EOS-M for a hundred bucks, if the idea and filmmaking is good, but I am curious to hear, from a technical standpoint, what everybody thinks is the best at those price points? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinegain Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Think up to 3000 bucks gives you a nice camera to own and lens & accessories selection (which doesn't even really matter on what exact camera you spend it, depends on your style, could be anything from a G7 to an A7S with external recorder). Everything upwards from that I think is better off spent on some kind of rental package and then more money towards the production and including more people to help you out: like someone dedicated to the lighting or sound, actors, craft services, getting everything and everyone to a special location to shoot at, maybe hire a aerial video specialist, that sorta thing. For me, if I wouldn't be restricted by a strict budget, the ARRI Alexa Mini would probably be the way to go. Such a cool, flexible cinema camera. That's my jam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hijodeibn Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Mercer, XC10 will the best in 1000-2000 range if it wasn`t for the ghosting, so sad Canon is not doing anything to fix it, XC15 is a little expensive, when that camera go bellow US$2000 will be a killer, if that happens. GX85 for cameras between 500-1000 is the best by far, even is better than several in the 1000-2000 range. I would like to hear others about they though for best cameras in these ranges ether Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercer Posted November 23, 2016 Author Share Posted November 23, 2016 6 minutes ago, hijodeibn said: Mercer, XC10 will the best in 1000-2000 range if it wasn`t for the ghosting, so sad Canon is not doing anything to fix it, XC15 is a little expensive, when that camera go bellow US$2000 will be a killer, if that happens. GX85 for cameras between 500-1000 is the best by far, even is better than several in the 1000-2000 range. I would like to hear others about they though for best cameras in these ranges ether I have both of those cameras... But I agree that the GX85 for it's price is a great narrative tool. I am kinda glad I haven't sold it. Up to $500, I think the D5500 is really good. The XC10 is a great camera, but I think a 5d mkiii with ML (especially with current developments) is the better pick. hyalinejim 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hijodeibn Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 1 minute ago, mercer said: I have both of those cameras... But I agree that the GX85 for it's price is a great narrative tool. I am kinda glad I haven't sold it. Up to $500, I think the D5500 is really good. The XC10 is a great camera, but I think a 5d mkiii with ML (especially with current developments) is the better pick. 5d with ML is a powerful machine, but to process the files from it is suck a pain, and the price is in the next range from 2000 to 3000, so it will be competing with the URSA mini 4K, the XC15 and others Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Panasonic fz200 for under £300. Will need lighting for indoors, mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnowsNothing Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 23 minutes ago, hijodeibn said: GX85 for cameras between 500-1000 is the best by far, even is better than several in the 1000-2000 range. Why do folks here act like the G85 doesn't exist, or is it too new? IronFilm 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hijodeibn Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 G85 also looks very good, to be honest I have not watched videos about that camera, what are the main differences with the GX85?, does it have the same skintones?, any advantages? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimor Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Advantages are weather sealing, IBIS 2, and Cine profiles. Better ergonomics too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hijodeibn Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 One think that really amaze me, is the fact how low is the depreciation of Canon cameras, C100 mark I have kept the same price in the second hand Market for almost a year, and also the skintones are so great in all Canon lines, the only think keeping me to get one is that I love to shoot in 4K, WHY CANON YOU SCREWED UP THE XC10? 4 minutes ago, Grimor said: Advantages are weather sealing, IBIS 2, and Cine profiles. Better ergonomics too. did you get a better picture?, any comparison in a video? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimor Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 No, sorry. I only own a G85 and Gh4 to compare. I was looking at youtube and nobody seems to be comparing both colors/skin tones. If you find a Gx85 vs G85 colors comparison, please post it here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyalinejim Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Second hand 5d3 with ML plus cards and hard drives is probably do-able for below 2000. The pliability in grading the image is amazing and will knock any 8 bit image into a hat in that regard. And I think this is important for narrative work, to be able to create a stylised look that suits your film. A C series camera will be sharper and less noisy, but a well exposed 5D3 image is a dream to work with in post and, as this guy says, 1920 x 1080 is enough for a 2k DCP. http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=18286.0 mercer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 • Up to $500 nikon 5200 - Sony a6000 • $500 - $1000 BMPCC - BMMCC • $1000 - $1500 GH4 - FZ2000 (to be proven) - Samsung NX1 • $1500 - $2000 Fuji XT2 • $2000 - $3000 Digital Bolex (not built anymore) • $3000 - $5000 Panasonic HX1, Sony A7S II • $5000 - $10,000 Red Raven, 1DX MK II, • $10,000 and above... Panasonic Varicam LT - Arri Alexa - Red Scarlet W - Epic - ... Geoff CB, Inazuma and mercer 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Wake Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 the most important think in my opinion is be careful that the video file is strong enough that you can color correct/grade without problems (reject everything else). and then if possibile choose a camera that doesn't suffer aliasing and vertical stripes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anchoricex Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Putting the BMPCC/BMMCC in the 1500-2000 dollar bracket because it needs to be paired with at least an external monitor. I kind of want one for my main personal camera... is that weird? I feel like working with raw will help me learn a lot as a colorist. Idk. It just seems weird to consider a drone camera for passion projects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaylee Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 12 hours ago, hyalinejim said: Second hand 5d3 with ML plus cards and hard drives is probably do-able for below 2000 it sure is i did it!! ? 12 hours ago, hyalinejim said: a well exposed 5D3 image is a dream to work with in post and, as this guy says, 1920 x 1080 is enough for a 2k DCP. http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=18286.0 tru tru. i watched that guys trailer and it looks great! if you didnt know better, woudnt you think that it was shot with a MUCH more expensive camera? i would ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronFilm Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Rapid fire response off the top of my head just because it is fun: I'm only considering large sensor ILC here, thus I'm ignoring quite large markets and notable cameras such as GoPro or a Sony PXW-X70 or Panasonic FZ1000 or Panasonic LX100, which are all great cameras themselves and worth considering for many people. And now onto the answers: • Up to $500 Panasonic G7 • $500 - $1000 Panasonic G80 or BMPCC • $1000 - $1500 Sony a6500 or Nikon D500 or Nikon D750 or BMMCC or secondhand Sony F3 • $1500 - $2000 Hold off and wait for the Panasonic GH5 • $2000 - $3000 Sony a7S mk2 or a7R mk2 or secondhand Sony FS700 • $3000 - $5000 Sony FS5 or Kinefinity Terra 5K or BMD URSA Mini 4.6K • $5000 - $10,000 Sony FS7 mk1 or FS7 mk2 or Kinefinity Terra 6K or secondhand Sony F5 if you're lucky • $10,000 and above... This is a very very broad category as the sky is the limit! Thus it covers anything from a Canon C300 mk2 to Panasonic Varicam LT to an Arri Alexa Mini to a Sony F65, and lots more between those listed, and lots more both above and below! Grimor and Cinegain 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimor Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 I really miss the expert opinion of ES mercer and kaylee 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinegain Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 16 minutes ago, Grimor said: I really miss the expert opinion of ES Oh, that's easy, he would say: no money? No problem! You must find some creative way to afford a 1DC. kaylee 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Wake Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 3 hours ago, Cinegain said: Oh, that's easy, he would say: no money? No problem! You must find some creative way to afford a 1DC. isn't it only 8bit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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