Top Image Courtesy of\u00a0Sony<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n As you know, if you want to start a production company<\/strong>, you’re going to need production equipment. Now, the first thing you need to keep in mind is to not go crazy and just buy random gear. I made that mistake and soon realized I would’ve been better off with a great tripod instead of a cool, fancy gimbal. With that in mind, consider this quote from photographer Julian Cardona<\/a> that he wrote in an article for\u00a0Transom<\/a>:<\/p>\n The camera is only a tool. Nothing more. You have to master photographic technique.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n While he was speaking directly about photography, the same logic should be applied to filmmaking. It doesn’t matter if it’s fictional, documentary, commercial, or industrial \u2014 you need to master the techniques of visual storytelling<\/strong> versus buying a long list of film gear.<\/p>\n So,\u00a0let’s look at some camera options that can get you on your way to fulfilling your new client’s requests.<\/p>\n The Panasonic GH4<\/strong> is a great camera to get you going on a smaller budget. It can shoot both still photos and \u00a0video. Its video capability is quite impressive, as it can capture UHD at 24-30fps and full 4K at 24fps. Keep in mind that it is a Micro Four-Thirds camera, so, if you currently\u00a0use EF lenses, you’ll need to get your hands on an adapter for\u00a0$60 from B&H Photo<\/a>.<\/p>\n Here is a short film, In the\u00a0Middle of Norway\u00a0<\/em>by\u00a0T\/\/Motion<\/a>. In this short, he uses the Panasonic\u00a0GH4 with a\u00a0Panasonic 14-140 Zoom Lens<\/a>,\u00a0Tokina 11-16mm Micro Four-Thirds<\/a>,\u00a0Walimex 7.5mm<\/a>\u00a0and a\u00a0Metabones Speed Booster<\/a>.<\/p>\n https:\/\/vimeo.com\/groups\/gh4\/videos\/131964344<\/p>\n Load-out Total:\u00a0<\/em>$3435.87<\/strong><\/p>\n Sony’s Alpha a7RII<\/strong> is one of the most popular cameras on the market right now. Using the Sony E-Mount, the a7RII can record full 4K HD\u00a0internally unlike the a7S or the\u00a0Sony FS700, both of which use an external recorder. One interesting note about the a7RII is that it can record up to 60fps in 1080 & 120fps in 720<\/strong>, which is far better than the Canon 5D Mark III.\u00a0The image quality of this camera is pretty incredible. Look for the\u00a0Sony Alpha a7RII to release August 2015<\/a>.<\/p>\n In this short commercial for the new Sony a7RII, we see a group of skydivers using the camera in mid-free fall. While some of this commercial was, in fact, shot with the Sony a7RII, the slow motion sections were shot using a RED EPIC DRAGON. The video below from\u00a0Cutting Edge<\/a>\u00a0gives us a little behind-the-scenes footage in addition to the commercial itself.<\/p>\n https:\/\/vimeo.com\/82261362<\/p>\n Load-Out Total:\u00a0$5311.21<\/strong><\/p>\n Everyone knows about Old Faithful<\/a>, right? The geyser in Yellowstone National Park? Well think of the Canon 5D Mark III<\/strong> as Old Faithful. This camera has been in used on hundreds of documentary, short indies, and even big-budget films for years now. It’s a tried and tested camera that gives you really great imagery. So, if your want to build your production company around Canon, then this is the best place to start<\/strong>.<\/p>\n There are literally thousands of short films and videos shot using the 5D Mark III, but here’s one of our favorites:\u00a0Imers\u00e3o<\/span><\/em>\u00a0by<\/span>\u00a0Morgan Jouquand<\/a>. In this video, Morgan is using a Mark III with a\u00a0Canon 24-70mm 2.8<\/a>\u00a0zoom lens and a\u00a0Zeiss 35mm f2<\/a>. To get the smooth shots, he used a\u00a0Wondlan Mini Steadicam<\/a>\u00a0and a\u00a0Zoom H4N<\/a>\u00a0for the sound.<\/p>\nPanasonic GH4<\/h3>\n
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\n\u00a0Sony Alpha a7RII<\/h3>\n
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\nCanon 5D Mark III<\/h3>\n