I’m constantly getting asked two questions. What camera did you use for “x” project and what camera should I get. Filmmakers in general are always wanting more gear. Having a better camera will make your shots look better right?. The industry as a whole puts a lot of hype into specs and it’s easy to follow suit. I encourage you to pick a camera based on your particular needs of what you will be and want to be filming.
There isn’t one camera that would be perfect in every situation. A few examples of this is if I want to shoot something that has plenty of special effects, then i’ll usually shot RED Helium or Monstro for the 8k resolution. If I’m on a bigger production commercially i’ll tend to shoot Alexa Mini because it’s a work horse and is proven in the industry. For my own projects based on lower budget requirements, i’ll pull out my Ursa Mini Pro. If I need great low light and a small foot print, i’ll go with the Sony A7 series cameras. So focus on your person needs as a filmmaker.
Ask yourself these questions. What kind of films will I shoot? Does low light matter? Am I going to have help or am I going to be primarily by myself? Does higher resolution matter for my projects. What type of lenses am I going to put on the camera. Do I already have camera support for the new camera that I am considering.
Because there are so many types of cameras, I’ll talk about some of the essential reasons why I would pick one camera over another.
Looking for a camera that is the most versatile?
If you’re a freelancer that shoots music videos, corporate and commercial videos, and narrative projects, then you’ll want a mid-range camera that can get most jobs done. If you need to purchase a single camera to handle a wide variety of productions, definitely consider these options:
Variables like low-light sensitivity, portability and camera size play a huge role.
– Sony FS5
CORPORATE, WEDDING & EVENT COVERAGE
STARTER CAMERAS
In closing, cameras are just tools to tell stories. If you have a great story and have a great cinematographer behind the camera, then any camera used will get the job done. Just remember that you’ll need support for the cameras, media to record to, and batteries to get you through the day. I’m sure what ever camera you decide will be the right camera for you.
