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Around 2k euro (or dollar) documentary kit

Started Jan 10, 2022 | Discussions thread
Jon555 Veteran Member • Posts: 7,715
Left-field...

Mazpol wrote:

Hello,

Background first:

Photography hobby has been my bread and butter for last 10 years, but for a last couple of years i have been more interested in film making.

I have done lots of research and today´s decision making is somewhat easy (or very hard). Cause almost every camera kit could give me good enough results, but difficulties rise when starting to dig deeper and looking trough prizes.

I have experience with almost every camera system and sensor size (expect medium format).

My goal is to make documentary about my hometown, focus would be on nature, wildlife and maybe couple of interviews with people. It would 90% outdoor and different seasons, changing from +20c to -30c, from dusk till moonlight/aurora videos.

There are things that i as a person who have not shoot video, would think that would be good or needed to do this project, but i am interested in a opinion of people who might have done similar project or have more experience.

If you would have a budget of around 2k, what kind of kit would you assemble to do this project or is it possible with this kind of money?

- Camera + 2 lenses (wide to normal and tele)

- Gimbal?

- Light?

- Mic?

- Cage?

It would be good if packet would be light enough to carry almost everyday.

Sorry if this kind of post has already been done, if that is a case would you leave link as a reply? Thank you all for answering and have good new year.

I'd consider a GoPro Hero 10 Black for the VLogging-style shots (the stabilisation is excellent and the 5k resolution is great), a Panasonic GH5 (2nd hand) and a used 35-100 2.8 for further away stuff, plus a good microphone for your PC to record commentary.

This is a Hero 9 Black doing stabilisation pretty well...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-X8M-kW324

More VLoggy Hero 9 Black content for microphone consideration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cOPf5-HySI

I use a Yeti Blue microphone, but it's pretty old now and there are many newer models... also you need a PC that doesn't make a ton of fan noise... or a long lead...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002VA464S

Oh and this is a still from a 5k Hero 9 (so the older model) video...

 Jon555's gear list:Jon555's gear list
Nikon Coolpix 950 Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3 Sony RX100 V Canon EOS 5DS R Panasonic GH5 +31 more
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