WHICH IS THE BEST USED CAMERA INVESTMENT UNDER $10000 ? -Newbie

[PatrickFaith]

For me the lens/glass is just as important as the camera, i would prefer just having one solid pl lens and a good camera. It all depends the on the genre your interested in, but i think its hopeless to learn while renting, takes thousands of hours to really "get" it.

 

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Hi everyone, I have a liking for cinematography and videography, and currently looking to invest under $10,000 in a decent, USED professional camera package, that I can learn how to operate very well and potentially rent out and make some money, or getting small gigs with it.


So my questions regarding the cameras below are as follows:

1) what would be a better buy in your professional opinion based on these camera packages and why?

2) What will be a good step below these camera's in terms of quality and lifetime value?

3) Are these prices reasonable?

4) Which of these will you grab off the shelf?

5) Is there a better option that I am not aware of?



First, I found a Sony F5 package for $6500, ready to shoot with 4K upgrade and viewfinder. Lenses extra. Under 400hrs.

Also, a Canon C300MK 2 package selling for $8000

Next, the Red Epic M X ready to shoot package for $9500 shipped.

Then, Arri Alexa EV / Alexa Classic (with high speed license) selling for about $8500, with memory and about 1300hr. No batteries.

Sony Fs7 MK1 selling for about $6000, with hand grip, viewfinder and batteries. No lens, no memory.

Finally, a PMW F55 package, ready to shoot for $10000.


Your opinions will be greatly appreciated as I am looking to pull the trigger within the coming week. Thanks

Ps, I am new to the forum.

People here will answer based on their bias. You have to decide your strategy. Decide what you want to do. If you want to learn how to use it then you can simply buy a cheap camera. I would have said buy a Canon C100 Mark I at some 1500 USD. Buy a lens and then start shooting. Learn. Don't run after how many K resolution your camera offers and don't even think about cropping in post. You still can shoot corporate videos with a full HD and earn money. Shoot whatever you want to shoot and create a showreel so that you can send it to clients. However, you have 10K at your disposal and you may not like this route. So buy a C300 Mark II new at 9K. Used C300 Mark II is around 8K. Buy a lens and few cards and shoot.

When you feel you have a sufficient body of work, and you start getting steady income then decide how you want to take it forward.

Thinking about rental is too risky. If don't get rental then it will put a lot of pressure on you.

 

[John David Pope]

I have to wonder if anyone recommending a C300 has ever operated one. :001_tongue:

 

[M Harvey]

Yes the F5 /55 are modular, is that a bad thing? My reasoning is that right now within $10K I can get an F5 with internal 4K upgrades and still have enough left to buy a Fujinon MK 50-135mm. Sure I will need to buy an additional sxs media card, it has a PL adapter and an EF adapter, viewfinder and under 300hrs. Did Sony put a spell on me?? I understand their color science is no where near canon's but if I went the Canon route $10000 won't take me far.

No, it's not necessarily a bad thing that the F5/55 are modular. In fact, it can be a strength. But it may make it a more challenging camera to use if you're a crew of 1, or it may be bringing expansion features that you don't need. (Haven't worked with it myself-- these are things to evaluate.) Also, you'll generally pay more for things like media and batteries. This is why it's best to have some set experience with a camera before you make the purchase.

Also, I don't believe that the Fujinon MK lenses are available in the FZ mount of the F5/55 (nor PL or EF, for that matter). They come in e-mount for the FS7/A7S, etc. You'd need an adapter for it like this one from Duclos:
https://www.ducloslenses.com/products/sony-fz-mount-kit-for-fujinon-mk-zooms

 

[Ash Worth]

I have to wonder if anyone recommending a C300 has ever operated one. :001_tongue:

More people have operated these cameras than any other pro making money so there's that. Congratulations on the dumbest comment.

 

[dio Zafi]

If it’s in your budget I would get a raven and a super 16mm film camera

See where they take you

 

[Takor Arrey]

For me the lens/glass is just as important as the camera, i would prefer just having one solid pl lens and a good camera. It all depends the on the genre your interested in, but i think its hopeless to learn while renting, takes thousands of hours to really "get" it.

Thanks Patrick, I agree with you, renting for a month would buy me a Camera. The market is just too saturated that its hard to make a choice.

 

[Takor Arrey]

Dio, a film camera?!?

 

[Matt W.]

Dio, a film camera?!?

Imo by far the best thing to learn on. And a good way to differentiate yourself from other DPs.

I hear they're a popular rental item, too, but wouldn't know.

Of course if you don't like the look (of Moonrise Kingdom, Black Swan, etc.) definitely not the direction to go in.

But again, depends on the market you're in. Not much demand for 16mm on corporate videos from what I've seen.

 

[Takor Arrey]

What if I just don't have a feel for Canon? Should I not "like" the equipment I'm using or is that just plain pettiness?

 

[John David Pope]

More people have operated these cameras than any other pro making money so there's that.

Never for the ergonomics but rather, despite them. And not always by choice.

 

[Audy Erel]

Hi Audy, how much will it cost me to get your kit in this day and age?

It depends on the accessory, but the Scarlet-W body only price is around $8000-$8500 with low hours.. Of course we are going to need all the necessary kit to make it work and it will easily rise to beyond $10K. I see one complete set for sale on the FB group for $15K, others maybe lower.

 

[Dan Kanes]

Dear Takor,

Four questions :

1. If you were to define your style now or interest now as a cinematographer - what are your precepts / main interests ?

2. Would you do your own post production? If so, what kind of computer are you using ?

3. If you didn’t make any ROI inside a year, with a 10k spend , would it harm your lifestyle?

4. Who is your existing potential client base? Who is your desired client base and what are their financial guide rails / needs per project ?

Later, I can answer for you these same questions for me currently, and me 10 years ago - what I might consider a strong case study of transition.

 

[Takor Arrey]

Dear Takor,

Four questions :

1. If you were to define your style now or interest now as a cinematographer - what are your precepts / main interests ?

2. Would you do your own post production? If so, what kind of computer are you using ?

3. If you didn’t make any ROI inside a year, with a 10k spend , would it harm your lifestyle?

4. Who is your existing potential client base? Who is your desired client base and what are their financial guide rails / needs per project ?

Later, I can answer for you these same questions for me currently, and me 10 years ago - what I might consider a strong case study of transition.

Four questions :

1. If you were to define your style now or interest now as a cinematographer - what are your precepts / main interests ?

I like documentary type projects and reality. But my projects are all geared towards enhancing reputations and gaining attention.

2. Would you do your own post production? If so, what kind of computer are you using ?

I would normally hire an editor buddy for paid projects, but I am somewhat familiar with the editing process and will edit my personal hobby projects.
I will be using an Apple MacBook Pro.

3. If you didn’t make any ROI inside a year, with a 10k spend , would it harm your lifestyle?


If I did not make any ROI It will be disappointing, since I am looking to make it my full time bread/butter.

4. Who is your existing potential client base? Who is your desired client base and what are their financial guide rails / needs per project ?


Potential client base are investor/Inventors and some small businesses looking to expand, create product/brand awareness, etc. I want to stay along this alley for a long time. These are usually eerily concerned about their reputation and would go the extra planet to protect it. And I usually do not bill them per video, I bill per project with video being a part of the package.

Later, I can answer for you these same questions for me currently, and me 10 years ago - what I might consider a strong case study of transition.[/QUOTE]

 

[Takor Arrey]

Thank you Sabyasachi Patra, your suggestion is reasonable.

It is amazing how fast the price changes , once you begin to accessorize some of these high end cameras. I think the more modular they make them, the more expensive they are to accessorize .

 

[Allen Deckard]

Thank you Sabyasachi Patra, your suggestion is reasonable.

It is amazing how fast the price changes , once you begin to accessorize some of these high end cameras. I think the more modular they make them, the more expensive they are to accessorize .

which is why I noted to ensure you understand which AKS you need for either your clients or your shooting style

don't get big eyes looking at the camera brain (especially with RED) - you need to factor in the AKS. Other cams have more functionality directly in the body. Another issue on older cams can be finding EOL AKS on the used market.

Another thing to consider in general is the following:

cameras come and go, especially nowadays. Lenses stay with you usually much longer. Other equipment as well: lights, stands, audio etc. With audio you may get decades out of your investment.

So you may want to consider where to put your money in, especially if your stuff ends up on the web in 1080p compressed, where you could argue after Youtube squeezed the juice out of it, most cams look closer to each other (if exposed properly), so there may not be that much of an advantage investing more money in a more expensive camera and going cheap on other stuff (audio etc).

AD

 

[Takor Arrey]

which is why I noted to ensure you understand which AKS you need for either your clients or your shooting style

don't get big eyes looking at the camera brain (especially with RED) - you need to factor in the AKS. Other cams have more functionality directly in the body. Another issue on older cams can be finding EOL AKS on the used market.

Another thing to consider in general is the following:

cameras come and go, especially nowadays. Lenses stay with you usually much longer. Other equipment as well: lights, stands, audio etc. With audio you may get decades out of your investment.

So you may want to consider where to put your money in, especially if your stuff ends up on the web in 1080p compressed, where you could argue after Youtube squeezed the juice out of it, most cams look closer to each other (if exposed properly), so there may not be that much of an advantage investing more money in a more expensive camera and going cheap on other stuff (audio etc).

AD

THANKS for the explanation. Please sincerely do not know what AKS means. Thanks

 

[Phil Holland]

Please sincerely do not know what AKS means. Thanks

AKS = Accessories, just a short hand for it.

 

[Takor Arrey]

LOL, Allen, if I'm really trying to be frugal, $10k can get me very far for a start, and like you said, I can always upgrade as I go. What I am getting from this discussion is to throw away my sentiments about any specific camera and buy the most practical entry level camera out there, invest in better glass and trust that 1080p will do for now.

 

[Allen Deckard]

LOL, Allen, if I'm really trying to be frugal, $10k can get me very far for a start, and like you said, I can always upgrade as I go. What I am getting from this discussion is to throw away my sentiments about any specific camera and buy the most practical entry level camera out there, invest in better glass and trust that 1080p will do for now.

there's never enough money, as there's always something "better"

but just to extend one of my other posts: there's tripods, fluid heads etc that will last you a decade or more - well worth investing properly into that


isn't the Komodo in your price range ? not sure if it is with AKS though

AD