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Help!!! From Argentina help me to buy my 1st Camera

Damian Moon

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Hi. I'm a film making student from Argentina, i'm in my second year now.
I'm going to buy my first affordable videocamera. i'm counting with aprox 10k to 11k US. I have 3 options here.1) Sony XDcam Ex 3 or Ex1. 2) Pana HVX- 200 A or HPX- 171. 3) Wait 1 year for the Red Video Cameras. Big problem. :alien:
Here is my doubt. I need this camera for 2 things. 1st to film my short and long films and 2nd i need a videocamera to use for publicity (to make with some friends a small production company) and make money:clown2: . So it's hard for me decide for what's my option because i can buy the pana 200 very cheap and with the rest buy accesories (i mean tripod, extra memorieis, ect)
but if i buy the Sony's. I have to gain some money in order to buy the accesories. I have known people from whom i can borrow acc. like adapters, ect. if i have to use them for work. So in quality the Sony is better, no doubt, but in matters of versatility i'm not sure the sony can acomplish all my expetations. ( i'm praying that God release the Red Cameras before i buy another one, i will be very happy:clown2: )
Another issue, in my opinion, i think that the hybrid LCD screen for the Sony EX3 its very annoying. VERY!!! Please let me know what you think about that. And the last thing. it justifies that the Sony EX3 is almost 2K Us mor expensive that de EX1. just because it has interchangeable lens. Sorry if i sound stupid. but specifically what i gain if i have a camera with interchangeable lens when comes to film movies or work for publicity??

Thank you for your time to answer me. I already read other forums, but i need advise for real professionals. ( No offens to my other team mates) Sorry but is that im using a life time savings i need to be more that sure when i buy my first camera.
 
other suggestions are more than welcome. :turned:
 
Have to agree with Kaya there. Better spend the money on a DP with equipment, that way you can free yourself to tell the story, and let professionals deal with the technical sides. On directing your first films you really have enough other things to worry about than the camera dpt.
 
Hey Damian, si queres mandame un PM y hablamos en castellano mas en detalle.

I think you would need to tell us more about your situation. Do you have possible customers? If so what would they hire you to do? The HPX-171 with a new adapter like the SGblade would be a phenomenal piece of equipment that should please many customers, but what is more important is to look at whether it would make you money. Also whether it would do so before it became obsolete in terms of what your competition might have available to them. Well, don't buy anything that won't help you earn more money that what it costs.

I know of several Red Ones in Buenos Aires and other places in Argentina... you could easily rent one of those if you felt you needed the quality of a Red One, just don't forget to look at post because it isn't easy to manage the heavy RAW files... you could rent a cheaper camera also.

The possibilities are endless so I think it would be necessary for you to share a bit more about your business outlook before anyone can give you proper advise.
 
If it were me and that was my budget, I would buy (2) Sony HVR-Z7U's. No questions asked. Only weighs 5.3 pounds so you can use inexpensive fluid heads, 24p HD but records on to inexpensive HDV/DV tape and you can always use a BlackMagic Intensity Pro card if you need uncompressed HD. You can also free-run timecode sync two of these with the infrared remote. Quality is excellent, audio is professional.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/532558-REG/Sony_HVR_Z7U_HVR_Z7U_HDV_Camcorder.html

-shooter
 
I second that you should rent and save $ until Scarlett comes out...

Hi Tim:

Keep in mind that his rental options may be limited depending upon where he lives in Argentina and his ability to provide insurance or security deposit. Because current Red owners through serial numbers 5,000+ will be the first in line to receive a Scarlett (if they don't buy an Epic), it could be awhile before he gets his hands on one. Renting for a year could prove inefficient.

-shooter
 
Hey Damian, si queres mandame un PM y hablamos en castellano mas en detalle.

I think you would need to tell us more about your situation. Do you have possible customers? If so what would they hire you to do? The HPX-171 with a new adapter like the SGblade would be a phenomenal piece of equipment that should please many customers, but what is more important is to look at whether it would make you money. Also whether it would do so before it became obsolete in terms of what your competition might have available to them. Well, don't buy anything that won't help you earn more money that what it costs.

I know of several Red Ones in Buenos Aires and other places in Argentina... you could easily rent one of those if you felt you needed the quality of a Red One, just don't forget to look at post because it isn't easy to manage the heavy RAW files... you could rent a cheaper camera also.

The possibilities are endless so I think it would be necessary for you to share a bit more about your business outlook before anyone can give you proper advise.

como estas?? gracias por la info. Pregunta soy nuevo es esto de los foros. que es un PM???

I think the 171 pana is a good option, but also i like the Ex series, because i like more the workflow. Maybe i should try the pana first.

Another issue is that I'm worried about the compression of 20 to 1 in the SxS cameras. Also i heard that if i use a "h264" codec i can have very good results.
 
I agree on the SXS compression, I love control in post and even DVCpro HD doesn't give you enough at times... then again you do get tons more recording time... it all depends on the project needs.

I also think that a MUCH cheaper camera like Shooter suggested might be an excellent option to consider if you are stuck on getting a Scarlet when they come out. Just make sure to consider the requirements for .R3D post before you set your sights on going Red. The benefits are insane but you have to be able to shoot.

I would say a 171 + SGblade (or 200 with enough light to control noise) is a sick camera for the Argentina market. You are sure to get work with a set of nice lenses. The numbers pile up though... and an adapter will be mostly irrelevant with a Red as the smaller sensor is still a 2/3 and it can give you decent DoF control with a nice set of fast lenses.

Still the vision and the crew are a million times more important than the gear and one can't say that enough. I am sure you know that but it is a great thing to hear over and over again before you pull the trigger on your first rig.
 
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