Help on budgeting

Stephen Koogler · June 8, 2007

Hello, I am new here and I love it! I am starting from scratch and I need everything from lighting to cameras to sound, any tips on what to get? I have a $2,000 budget and I cant go over, however I can but things on eBay ad other sites like that. so any help would be great!

Thank you,

Stephen Koogler - Wagner Productions

Edited June 8, 2007 by Stephen Koogler

rik carter · June 10, 2007

Are you asking about equipment purchase?

For 2 large you aren't going to be able to afford much more than a consumer video camera like the Panasonic GS500 or the JVC GZ-HD7 and a shotgun mic like the Sennheiser ME-66 or an Audio-Technica AT835b. Not much left over for lighting. though you can get a few work lights, a few clamp on lights, a paper lantern and a couple of foamcore bounce boards for not too much money.

What cameras have you been looking at?

AdamBray · June 10, 2007

I'd go with a used GL1, a Rode Video mic, and clamp lights.

Jaime Toruno · June 29, 2007

If you trying to buy a camera I would say with the money you have go with the PANASONIC DVX100B perhaps used and go with nature light or, and I am not a grip and don't want to be either, but I heard you can use 40w bulbs to light your scene now I haven?t try it my self, I let the DP take care of that, I just tell him what I need and the feeling I?m going for.

This is just my opinion I'm a Director/writer not a grip, Good Luck! :D

Edited June 29, 2007 by Jaime Toruno

Nate Downes · June 29, 2007

Hmm, for $2000 I'd be buying this:

Panasonic GS-500

Shotgun Microphone

Light (need 2 at least)

Tripod with Fluid Head

This should get you well situated for a long while.

Mark Bonnington · June 30, 2007

Seems the Canon HV20 is the latest craze in the ultra-ultra-low budget range. 1080 res and 24p at only $1k.

Patrick Lawrence · June 30, 2007

Im in the same boat and I am going with the HV20. I can get one for about $926 even no tax or shipping. I can build a good vibrating type 35mm lens adapter for about $150 (35MM Adapter). I already have a nice set of EOS lenses and with adapters I can use just about any lense I like. Then I am going to cobble together a budget rail system like the image below. With a decent follow focus setup etc. And of course shotgun mike and basic lighting but I already have some of that from my still photography.

Nate Downes · June 30, 2007

Just be careful when you edit the HV20's HDV video. It's 4:2:0 compression, which means that once you start editing it your colors can get all funky.

The best way to use the HV20 is to skip using the onboard tape and to do a direct HDMI output right to a recording device. Of course these devices are more than the budget here.