Allow myself to indroduce...myself

[Dynesh]

Hey everyone, I've been reading over this forum for about a week, and I've gotta say, looks like there are some really helpful folks in here.  I've learned a lot just from reading other people's questions and the answers given.

My name is Wes Haley, and I've been given a pretty good opportunity.  My previous employer, a local EMC, is in the process of trying to trim a few jobs, and offered the employees a six month severance.  So I decided this is my chance to so something that I enjoy, and it gives me the time to get it all set up.

So I want to go into videography.  I love shooting and editing video, and have been doing that for awhile.  I can use Vegas and premiere pretty good, and have really been doing some neat things with after effects, so I feel I have the editing side of it down, as far as using the programs go.

On to the business side.  I'm brand new to this part of it, but I feel I can make it work.  My wife is a CPA, so I've got a good start in the running of a business, I think.  But as far as a running a videography business, I know I have a lot to learn.

So hopefully I can pick the brain of some of you, and I will appreciate any help offered.

My first task is to buy a couple of cameras.  Having read on here for a week, It seems like the vx2100 or the pd170 are good choices.  So I thought about getting one of each.  I could really use some advice as to what other essentials I need.  How many batteries should I get.  Should I go with one of the B&H kits, or just buy everything separately?   I don't want to make anyone repeat stuff they've already answered, so I'll be trolling around looking at some other posts and making a possible list, but if you feel like posting some recommendations on here, by all means do!

Thanks for letting me introduce myself, sorry for the essay you had to read to get it done.

[Forever Endeavor]

Hi Wes!

Welcome to the forums! You are in the right place for video advice. We love to talk about ourselves!!! j/k.

That's awesome that you want to get into video (I assume you mean wedding video). I quit my day job 2 1/2 years ago and haven't looked back. I love what I do even without the income being steady. My wife doesn't work and I have 4 kids (twins were just born a month ago) so it can be tough not knowing how the bills will get paid but they always seem to and I get to spend a ton of time with my family. If you like doing video, there's no better job you could have IMO.

I think your camera choices are great. You can't do any better than those for anywhere near the price range and you will find very soon that having a low light capable camera will be one of the best decisions you made. As far as batteries, I would get at least one extended battery per camera (in addition to the one that comes with it). The NP-F970 is (I think) the largest capacity out there and go for name brand and not generic, I have heard horror stories about the generic ones. I have never needed any more than one extended battery for each camera (and the original one serves as a good backup if ever needed) since they seem to last forever!

As far as other things you will need, I'll let some of the other guys chime in there but you will probably get a pretty good idea if you look around the forum a bit.

Again, welcome and feel free to ask anything that's on your mind!

[HankCastello]

Welcome!

You'll find you get great advice here, but the advice can vary a bit.  I'm going to differ on some minor issues..

First - the cameras.  The two are essentially the same on the inside, but very different on the outside as far as the controls go.  Therefore I would advise to either get two VX2100s or two PD170s and not one of each.

Shooting weddings and events, you must be able to set exposure, focus, wt bal, audio, etc. super fast and without having to think about where the controls are.  This can be difficult enough learning just one camera - you do not want to have to learn two cameras right out of the shoot.

Batteries - yes, go with the NP-F970.  Be sure they are the ones with "infoLITHIUM" (they make a F970 that does not have that label and will not work in these cameras!).  BUT - do not buy Sony.  Yes, the Sony batteries are better and have a lifetime about half again as long.  But the lifetime of the off-brands is still about two years of heavy use and for 1/4 the price of Sony!  

Both Sony and the off-brands I buy on ebay, give me about 800+ minutes of use after a charge, for about the first two years.  After that, the off-brands will gradually drop to where they're only giving 600+ minutes.  Either way, it will get you through nearly any wedding.

I can't really say how long the Sonys will last because I drop them into lakes or onto pavement, etc., but I suspect they have about half-again the lifespan of the 3rd party batteries.

Don't make the mistake of blowing your budget on cameras and not having a really good tripod with a true-fluid head; on-cam light; good website to bring in business; advertising money; etc.

[Forever Endeavor]

Hank, good points about the batteries. I have heard of generic batteries actually leaking battery acid into the camera (voiding the varranty). That is the main reason I am reluctant to use them. However, if you know of a generic brand that you can vouch for or recommend, I may actually be willing to give it a try because, as you said, they are far cheaper.

[Dynesh]

Hey, thanks for the replies.  And yes, wedding video is what I will be getting into.  Though I'm not against doing anything else, just going to focus on wedding video.

Whew, you guys got me worried on the batteries.  Of course I want to go cheap, but I can't afford to mess one of these cameras up, that's for sure.  Hank, you said you buy batteries off of ebay.  Is there a certain seller you like to use, or just find the best price

Now, I know I need a really good tripod, but I could really use some name drops in the department.  Should I go ahead and get two, or assume that I'll be holding one camera for most of the time.

Anyways, thanks again for the good tips.  I have tons of questions, but I'm not going to overwhelm anyone.  I'm working on my website right now, and trying to come up with good ideas to advertise

[Forever Endeavor]

For the tripod, you can't go wrong with Bogen (Manfrotto). Actually, that's not quite true...Bogen is probably the difinitive brand name for tripods. However, they do make some cheap ones. Look for a head that is a true fluid head. Some say fluid but actually mean "fuid motion". In this department you get what you pay for. I would be prepared to spend at LEAST $300-$400 each. I would recommend getting 2 but you could get by with just 1 if need be. I would also look into getting a glidecam. They take some time to master but in the creativity department are priceless. Not trying to overwhelm you with details but it is easy to underestimate the amount of gear and accessories you will need to do a good quality job. I wanted to get started in this business way before I ever did and that was because I didn't want to start off doing crappy videos with cheap equipment and have that on my permanent record. Being prepared is the name of the game here. Also, it's easy to over do it too. When I started I spent $600 on a shotgun mic (thinking it would be invaluable) and never used it. So try not to spend unnecessary money either. Having a forum like this to run ideas through would have been a great help to me when I started.

[HankCastello]

Ditto on the Manfrotto vote!  I use the 503 head and a sturdy set of legs.
I think we've got tripod recommendations here somewhere, so I don't want to repeat too much.  In short, look for -
 * sturdiness - you don't want the legs to lift as you tilt or pan, yet not too heavy either
 * quick release levers on the leg sections
 * ball leveller
 * rubber feet / spikes (both, quickly changeable)

My tripod has thumb levers that release all three leg sections at once - a big time saver!  Also, it goes to seven and a half feet.  Great for shooting over the heads of guests & photogs.

My 503 head and legs came to just over $700.  I'd purchased several cheaper (useless) tripods previously which were mostly a waste of money.

I recommend two tripods, so that you are never forced to go handheld, but do so only by choice.  Budget may dictate that one or more of your first tripods be more affordable.  In this case, consider the 501 head or (for the second, static cam) perhaps even a Velbon.

[Dynesh]

Ok, thanks for the tripod recommendations.  I'll snoop around find some more info based on what you've said.

I definitely want to get a glidecam. I love the shots I'm seeing on your site forever endeavor.  That whole smooth moving flyby shot is just awesome.

[Forever Endeavor]

Thanks! It took alot of practice to get good at it but it's definitely worth the effort. My next goal is to get a crane (which I will probably do at tax time). Not that they are necessary at all but I really love crane shots.

[Dynesh]

Haven't seen any crane shots. Do you have a link to a video with one it. I'd like to see what that looks like. I may have to get some input from you when I get the glidecam.

[HankCastello]

I'm getting an upgrade to my jib (technically, a "crane" is a jib large enough to ride on) this weekend and will be doing a full review on the new model next week.

Jibs are good for slow upward shots - especially where they reveal something, like starting low, shooting at a wall, then rising above the wall to reveal what lies beyond, and of course for the opposite downward moving shots.

Crane shots and other camera moves are detailed in a book "Shot By Shot", which I recommend highly.  If I haven't yet done a report on it, I will shortly.  I have dozens of video books to review and will try to do at least one or two each week.  I hope everyone out there will help me in this endeavor - if you've read a video book that you've liked (or not), please post a review here in these forums (in the Book Review section).

[Forever Endeavor]

Yeah, sorry, I have a habit of using the term crane to mean jib. But you can use a jib to do a crane shot, if that makes sense.

Kessler Crane is what I have my eye on. (http://www.kesslercrane.com/)

They have sample videos that show what it can do here: http://www.kesslercrane.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=53&Itemid=36

That will give you an idea of what a crane shot is.

[On a Roll]

Cranes, jibs; filming, taping; po-tay-toe, po-tah-toe! :lol:

Hi Wes, and welcome! It took me long enough to get here, and it looks like most of the important stuff has been covered, like:

-get two (or more) of the same camera.
-buy ebay generic batteries
-get a good tripod
-get a good tripod
-get a good tripod

The one and only thing I didn't see too much conversation on, that I am a stickler about, is audio. Before I was on my own behind my cameras, I was behind a sound mixing board, and so I like good audio. The truth is, crystal clear, true to life audio will often fill in for less than stellar video quality, but the best produced video on earth will be a pain and a suffering to watch if the audio sounds like it was recorded through a tin can.

For wedding videography, the number one audio tool is the wireless lapel mic. Let's face it, a boom pole operator might muck up live shots at your clients' weddings, and you sure wouldn't make friends with the photographer (though admittedly a little friendly razzing of the photogs can be a relief of stress at times).

In mics, you really truly get what you pay for. There are a lot of different ones out there, but at a glance, you have two options: VHF and UHF. Now, Hank (the Sheriff 'round these here parts) and I don't see totally eye-to-eye on this one, but I'll throw my two cents in and hope I don't get hauled off to the clink for the night. I really prefer nice UHF systems. UHF is head and shoulders above VHF for audio clarity, and it will have smaller dropout spots. On the downside, it is finicky, and a quality UHF system is a bit more pricey than VHF (Buying a cheap UHF system would be worse than just getting a VHF, IMO). But the big plus is that you won't have to do any audio retouching in post.

VHF, on the other hand, is admittedly handy for our more run-n-gun moments. It's fairly easy to set up, and dirt cheap (compared to VHF. The biggest downsides to VHF are interference (the VHF band is far more congested right now than UHF is), and also audio quality. Even a fairly nice VHF system with a good squelch will leave a faint hiss in the back of your audio. Virtually any audio software will be able to pull this out (I use the very free program Audacity for my audio work, and I like it well enough), but like I said, I'm finicky. Eventually, I imagine that one day we'll start using HD mic transmitters which will send a clear, crisp signal regardless of the band, but I'm not holding my breath on that one yet.

Bottom line on audio-it comes down to your taste. You don't want to give your clients crap, and at the same time, you do have your bottom line to look after, so look for something that's right for you.

Okay, enough of this. My Hard drive is almost done defragmenting, and I need to get onto another project!

[Forever Endeavor]

I purposely left audio out of my post just to give Jim something to talk about!  :lol:

[On a Roll]

Well, everyone needs a niche, I always say! :lol: