This has always been the burning question of video production. If the equipment or gear fits your needs then there is no wrong answer.
First there are important factors to consider:
What is my realistic budget? This is the budget or money available not the money you would borrow to buy gear or hope for funding somewhere, but what’s in hand ready to purchase.
What is the primary use? What type of videos will you produce? And for what destination? Home movies? Youtube videos? Documentaries? For client services? Or full blown feature films?
What is the quality of this equipment? Will it last? Is the image good enough for my project? Will this cause more issues than it’s worth? What else would I need?
Will I need other equipment? Is there an all-in-one solution? Will buying this handcuff me and limit my flexibility?
Also important is how to buy. Now this one is tricky.
•Do you need gear now, or can you wait?
•Either way you need to find a reputable vendor with warranties and return policies.
•Read the reviews on equipment and on the vendor.
•When in doubt, wait.
•Ask others who have purchased similar gear, what they like and don’t like about it. Ask to borrow if possible just to get a feel for it.
•At times buy used. You don’t always need to buy new, in some cases used is better especially misc. equipment and equipment that doesn’t go out of style. Microphones and lights fit in this category. •Some people are looking to upgrade, so they may sell their old equipment at a low price.
•Don’t try for the top of the line, this is expensive and may not fit your needs.
•Compare prices. Be patient.
•Don’t forget to explore what support equipment your gear needs. For example, if you want a DSLR, then you will need a lens among other thing.
Now here is a basic breakdown of some equipment:
The categories are:
•Professional : This is professional gear usually out of reach for most of us. This is for mainstream, commercial or Hollywood level. We won’t explore this level
•High-End: expensive, for a production company doing regular commercial work
•Mid-range: this is still expensive but more reasonable. This is for small production company
•Low-end: This is equipment that may still be expensive for some, but is the basic level for showing your work outside of Youtube.
•Shoestring-Budget: this is where most of us are, “My story getting out trumps everything”
Cameras:
High End: Panasonic AF100 $4500 or Sony FS100 $5800 or Canon 5D $2500 or Canon XH-A1s $2800
Mid Range: Canon 7d $1200, Canon Xa10 $1900
Low End: Canon Vixia R20 $300, Canon T2i $600
Shoestring Budget: Flip cam, Smart phone, point & shoot.
If buying DSLR: You will need lenses, the kit lens is of low quality. This is where you should buy used. Check ebay. There are thousands of lenses and each camera and use is different. And with adapters you can use older lenses. But use the kit lens until you get more practice.
Lighting:
High End: Arri Fresnel Compact kit $1800
Mid Range: Lowel DV Core $900
Low End: Lowel Mid LB30 $450 or off brand like Cowboy studio $250
Shoe String: Halogen Shop lights $50/light
Lavalier Audio:
High End: Sony wireless lavalier UWP-V1 $450/per mic
Mid Range: Azden WLX Pro wireless lav $200/per mic
Low End: Sony WCS 999 wireless $100
Shoe String: Pearstone wired mic OLM-10 $25 or on-camera
Shotgun Audio:
High End: Sennheiser ME66 $500
Mid Range: Audio Technica AT875 $250
Low End: Azden SGM 110 $150
Shoe String: on-camera
Other Audio: If you have a DSLR, you may need a digital recorder.
Hi-End: Zoom H4n $300
Mid Range: Tascam DR40 $150
Low End: Zoom H1 $100
Shoe String: on-camera
Tripod:
High End: Manfrotto 190 CX3 $500
Mid Range: Manfrotto 055 XDB $200
Low End: Manfrotto MKC3 $60
Shoe String: monopod $15
Computer:
High End: Apple iMac i5, 4gb ram, 1TB drive $1400
Mid Range: Apple macbook Pro i5, 1gb ram, 250GB drive $1100
Low End: Any newer Window PC with more than 2gb ram $600
Shoe string: borrow one or go to library or lab.
Software:
High End: Final Cut Studio $999 if you can find it Adobe Creative Suite $900 Educational
Mid Range: Final Cut X $349 with Motion and Compressor or Adobe Premiere Pro $500
Low End: iMovie or Moviemaker (comes with computer)
Shoe String: Open Source or On-line editors
Misc: Other gear you may need Memory cards (varies depending on your camera), audio cables, power cable, extended batteries, grip bags, maybe a handheld mic, some light gels, other software etc. The list goes on forever, so only get what is necessary.
IMPORTANT! The list above is not all-inclusive and by no means implies that this is best for you. These examples are to illustrate the ranges in price and quality. And are examples of my preferences. So they may not be best of you or best in quality & price, these things change daily, so keep researching until your final purchase date.
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