NB: Links and pictures haven’t been put in yet, still work in progress
BEFORE WE BEGIN
Who is the moron? Well it’s me. And it’s you too. Yes. You are a moron. Just like me. I researched and researched and researched and I still made mistakes and I still don’t know anywhere near enough because I haven’t shot enough and this is all very new and that makes me a moron. Or a cretin. Or an idiot. Whatever you like. The arrogant little chap or chapette inside you will think you can jump straight onto a DSLR and start shooting like pro. I did. And I was wrong. So bury that arrogance, get humble and prepare to learn something because I’ve done all that idiotic fumbling around for you.
When I was setting out to invest in a 7D I was looking for a camera that I could use professionally. Guys like Philip Bloom, Shane Hurlbut, Vincent Laforet have all proven this can be done, but you can’t just buy the camera and expect to be creating professional work. It takes time to get used to the kit, to work out what works for you, and to get your head round all the other bits and pieces you’re likely to want, or need, to take the camera confidently on set with you. I’ve dug hard and discovered all sorts of incredible solutions and workarounds that I believe can genuinely make this a viable video camera for all applications. Yes, for drama most of all, but also documentary (I would say broadcast is not quite there yet, it’s a codec thing) and wedding videographers in particular should sit up and take notice – stills and video in one camera, genius. This is a director’s perspective on what it takes to get the most out of your DSLR. I’ve collected together hundreds of links to equipment, gadgets, articles, great films and debates about what you need. I’m not a reviewer, companies are not lining up to send me their stuff so I can tell them how great it is. I don’t have the time. What I have done though is gather together the options. Most people don’t have the money to spend on Zacuto gear for instance, but you don’t have to buy the Z gear, whatever your budget there’s always plenty of options, if you know where to look. Now you do. I’m an all or nothing kind of guy. When I decided to buy this camera for serious video use it was a considered decision and I’ve now researched and researched it to death so I know a lot about it. Feel free to ask me questions. I will respond. The bigger the community that builds around DSLR filmmaking the better the products will be next generation along.
THE DIGITAL SLR FILMMAKING MANIFESTO: WHAT YOU SHOULD BEAR IN MIND WHEN CONSIDERING THESE CAMERAS
1. A stills camera is NOT a cheap ticket to filmmaking nirvana
2. Beautiful images, on their own, do NOT make beautiful films
3. Shooting video on a DSLR is NOT easy
4. Shooting professionally on a DSLR is NOT easy
5. Trust no-one. DO your own research, be prepared to make mistakes. This is a new Wild West in filmmaking.
6. The camera is cheap, but the camera is just the beginning
7. Forget everything you thought you knew and be prepared to make mistakes
8. The DSLR community is small and it wants to talk to you
9. There is no correct answer, do what works for you
10. Things can only improve from here
11. Don’t worry about what may or may not come out, APS-C vs Full frame, 7D vs 5D vs 1D vs future models vs Sony vs Panasonic. Nothing will ever be perfect so just get going, one lens at a time, and build slowly, because you can build. Make no mistake, this is a hobby, and if you’re lucky, it’s a job too. If you’re prepared to work at it, it can be very rewarding. The compromises are what make it fun, and remember, you have an audience. No-one gives a toss about an EX1 video on vimeo…
12. Buy a stills camera and you are buying a camera that is phenomenally good at taking stills. Never forget that. 2 cameras in 1, that’s a fantastic investment.
13. Zacuto is too expensive
This is a page for the burgeoning number of people out there looking to buy the 7D for shooting video. It’s completely daft of course because there’s any number of great cameras out there for the same money you’ll most likely spend on this kit that shoot video, in a compact body, easy. So why bother? Two factors – Bang for your buck on image quality, and obsolescence. What does that mean? It means I’ve just forked out six and a half grand of my own money for camera equipment and I want to know that if something comes out in a year’s time that’s a lot better it’s still going to be worth something. By going down the stills camera route yes it’s going to be a faff initially but this is an emerging sector and it will improve. You buy the lenses and the support and if you want to trade up to a newer model then you flog the old body, just the body, buy the new body with all the new whizz bang circuitry and low-light capability and you’re there, lenses still fit, support still works, everything’s good. One problem… definitely worth mentioning. I definitely intend to move up to a 5D when the Mk3 comes out as I want that full frame image and the better low light capability. Any APS-C lenses you buy for the 7D you’re going to have to flog when you sell it. Yes, you can buy EF lenses and they’ll work but never forget to do the 1.6x conversion to work out the equivalent lens you’re using on your cropped sensor. It makes a difference.
My kit is slowly coming together in dribs and drabs. I hunted around and found good prices saving myself nearly £700 on the whole shebang by doing so. Downside, it’s taking forever for everything to turn up. Dig dig dig, you can generally find someone doing an absurdly low price. That’s one good thing about shopping in the stills market, there’s just a lot more punters and a lot more deals. I will admit I didn’t really know enough when I started buying my equipment and I’ve probably made a few mistakes along the way so don’t take anything you see here as a recommendation or a review. I’m simply giving you lucky people a shortcut to the products I’ve found out there. I bought my camera for shooting drama but I still wanted my kit to be flexible enough to enable me to shoot doco style stuff if need be. Again, I was looking to the future with some purchases, trying to be as modular as possible. All I can say is – do your research. The 7D is not a video camera but it shoots damn fine video. That’s your choice, but be prepared. I did a buttload of research before buying stuff and it still wasn’t enough. My philosophy is, if you’re going to commit to something, then commit to it. One’s thing for sure, there’s no simple solution to all this so be prepared to do a bit of lurching around before you find the setup that works for you.
I’ve listed everything here in terms of the kit decisions you’re likely to need to make. Lots of stuff just isn’t available in the uk, but buy it abroad and you’ll get a good price before getting stung with the import tax. Tough, basically.
Finally, this is one of the most exciting periods of technological convergence since those first iMacs started shipping with firewire ports and iMovie. Get one of these cameras and start shooting, it’s never been easier.
