MichaelFrymus

I live within ontario, Canada. I am currently with iatse 873 as an electric permit. However, I want to be working as an underwater videographer. The camera union is 667. But im wondering, do I need to go through the union, with the very long training process in order to be an underwater videographer? Or is there a way to work as freelance and be able to work, on special gigs on the union? I'm studying in school, and I'm doing lots of diving (marine biology), and I like filming. So I'd like to combine both... I have done this before, but not to this extent.

I've asked this on numerous forums, but I'm trying to get the widest opinion possible. Working freelance dop/camera at my age, I feel the need to own the camera to obtain most of my jobs. Sucks, but oh well. A lot more people rely on the DOP/Camera op to own their own gear than spending extra on rental. Which is fine. I need a camera anyways. I'm in need of a professional cinema camera that wont let me down and will last me years to come. I shoot music videos, commercials, and films., a lot of times smaller productions where I'm working solo with limited resources. Some things with big budgets and great lighting, sometimes very low budget with limited lighting. I have a budget, but I can break it if its worth it. Being young still, it would be the biggest expense. Other may think I'm crazy. But I need it for business. To make money and not just own a camera to be a big shot. Sony F5 + R5 - $35,000 Sony F55 - $28,500 Scarlet + Dragon + Motion Mount - $35,00 Epic + Motion Mount - $35,500 *Epic + Dragon + Motion Mount - $45,000 *Arri Alexa HD - $50-65,000 *WAY over my budget, but may be worth it? The Sony F55 seems to be the cheapest. Has great features (Global Shutter), but no raw, unless paired with R5 recorder bringing it to about $37,000. In a way, these cameras are almost the same price. Give or take a few. Id love to get the cheapest one and get accessories for it, which id still need. PROS: Sony F5 + R5 - high frame rates, raw Sony F55 - Cheapest, global shutter, high frame rates Scarlet + Dragon + motion mount - High DR, global shutter, raw, most popular choice Epic + Motion Mount - High frame rates, global shutter, raw, most popular choice Epic + Dragon + Motion Mount - High frame rates, High DR, global shutter, raw, most popular choice Arri Alexa - Best overall image?, raw?, high frame rates? CONS: Sony F5 + R5 - No global shutter, not as well known :mellow: Sony F55 - No Raw, not as well known :mellow: Scarlet + Dragon + motion mount - Noise, Limited frame rates, many user problems <_< Epic + Motion Mount - Noise, many user problems <_< Epic + Dragon + Motion Mount - Noise, many user problems, High in price! :( Arri Alexa - unknown about arriraw, no global shutter, HIGHEST in price :angry: Id get the Sony, F55 or F5 + R5, but it isnt that well known. Isnt as in demand as I hoped for. If its all quiet and not used for cinema as much as broadcast, Id probably want to go a different route like RED as they are well known and used in cinema primarily. But performance is a let down.