Transforming DSLR Cameras Into Cinema Rigs
The orders are going in this week for a whole new rig to turn my compact little Canon 5D mkII and 7D into hulking cinema production beasts. After dozens of hours of research, and a week of renting gear, I thought I would share with you my strategy for assembling the ultimate video rig, and how I prioritized my needs.
Step 1
Camera, a little prime lens kit (35mm, 50mm & 135mm for me), tripod with a fluid video tripod head, monopod and external audio system (Zoom H4n or H1) - $2500 to $9000
With these basics, you could go shoot world's next big indie flick. You might have to fight with the gear a little more than you would like to, but with this kit, there are no excuses to produce something great. Although excuses can always be found.
Step 2
Viewfinder (Z-Finder or LCDVF), dolly/sliding/tracking system, boom and/or lapel mics, extra memory cards - $700 to $2500
These few items can kick your production levels up to 11. Executing simple camera moves, keeping your subject in focus and producing super clean audio on set will convince the world that your budgets are way higher than they are.
Step 3
External monitor, shoulder support system, video lighting, variable ND filter, on camera shotgun mic - $1500 to $3500
These tools will help you work faster, and give you more options when crafting your images.
Step 4
Follow focus, matte box, crane/jib, steadycam, more lenses, more lighting - $3000 to ∞
Now it's just gravy. If you want to get serious about producing content that will deliver exactly what you and the client are expecting, these will help.
This is roughly the path I have followed in my move from photography to video over the past, and I think (for the most part) I made the right decisions. How would you have done it?
Tue, February 8, 2011
Reader Comments (8)
Nice article! Love the lens choices. I did find it interesting you had the follow focus under the gravy section--I thought it would be a vital piece of equipment.
It depends on the type of work your doing, but generally you can't pull focus without a proper viewfinder or monitor first. I have very rarely used an FF up to this point.
I like how you break it... I am also creating or gathering my tools for film... this beakdown really helps.. thank you.
Pretty good breakdown, though I find the Z-Finder (or any viewfinder) to be crucial when shooting outside... it was one of the first things I bought after buying my camera.
I'm really interested in film and got a T2i in August of last year. The only problem I've had is that I'm young(teenaged) so it's kinda hard to get new equipment. But I do plan on getting a 70-200mm 2.8 for my birthday in April. But thanks for the post, it really helped me out on some guidelines on what I should buy next.
Are you planning to shoot more stills, or video? I can totally relate to how hard it is to come by gear when you are starting out. Invest in quality glass, like the 70-20mm, and it will last a lifetime.
Or at least until we all have bionic eyeballs.
More video than photos nowadays. And I wasn't able to get the 70-200, but I think I'd rather invest in a nice L prime lens instead. Which would you recommend?
I would put fairly high up some sort of handheld rig / steadycam. I guess it depends on your style but I use handheld shots way more than I find myself whipping out the tripod.