QuicksandMania wrote:So after retiring from a long and prosperous career in engineering, I have decided to explore a lifelong dream of attending film school at the age of 60.
Looking for any insights here from experienced people on best affordable hardware in terms of video cameras, laptops, etc.
The school loans much of this equipment, but if I can get my own affordably, it will make the logistics so much easier.
No, I do not intend to produce in this space, but I do have some other more mainstream ideas dating back to my obsession with the science fiction and fantasy space of my childhood, though I hope to focus mainly on the writing track of this particular program to make the aging process easier.
Welcome to the “Poor Film Makers Club”. Lol!
All kidding aside, you will love it. I haven’t stopped shooting honestly.
So first, gear wise, your selections are vast now. With the dawn of creators popping up left and right, the market has never been better to get into some decent prosumer level gear without breaking the bank. You will hear a lot of brand loyalty out there but honestly use whatever fits how you plan on shooting. Run and gun is not the same as static or dolly and both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Brands that stand out: Blackmagic Designs, Sony, and RED digital has become more readily accessible now that the Komodo is sub 3k. Canon R5c is another good consideration. All make great camera bodies under the 3-4k mark. What will kill you financially are lenses. You will never have enough LOL. I started with a decent set by Meike which covered full frame sensors and offered amazing bokeh considering the price point. I since moved on to DZO. Make sure you pick a body that will use lenses that you can take with you to your next camera upgrade. As I was taught a long time ago “You date the camera. You marry your lenses”
If you plan on shooting anamorphic, that presents another challenge but you will quickly learn what those are. Just make sure if anamorphic shooting is something you want to do that you pick a camera with desqueeze or have a decent monitor that has desqueeze built in. SmallHD, Atomos, and Portkeys offer this.
A good tripod, handheld rig and gimbal are a must. You can’t beat DJI Ronan series for the money and 3rd party support and you don’t want to trust a 5-10k rig on a flimsy tripod or camera base. Shoulder rigs are still relevant but again, these all depend on how you shoot and what you are planning on shooting.
One thing that cannot be forsaken is audio. You’re gonna wanna make sure you have decent audio covered. I use both a 32bit shotgun mic and 32bit Zoom field recorder with pole and Rode shotgun mic. Rode Go Pro II make great lav mic packs. I use them all reliably for everything from weddings to interviews.
Now, even on the low side, all this stuff can get incredibly expensive. Shop smart. MPB, B&H and Adorama used are great for passive gear like tripods, mounts, etc. I have never brought myself to buying a camera or lens used unless I personally know the seller. It’s just way too much to gamble to potentially buy someone else’s problem. That said, look at end of life products or check back during sales events for major discounts. Sometimes if you are part of a bigger group, a manufacturer can be convinced to do a group buy. It’s how I scored my Nanlite 600w bicolor mono lights for 30% less than retail.
The rest will come to you rather quickly, especially being in a classroom with people equally as talented or better. It’s the best way to learn honestly.
“We have no food.
We have no jobs.
OUR PETS HEADS ARE FALLING OFF!”
