Canon 5D Mk II
If you’re serious about video, this is the camera you want. It’s the original, and it’s still the best multipurpose DSLR video rig. It has fully adjustble settings, is easily handled, and can shoot some stunning video. I think Hollywood would agree. $3299 RRP in Australia.
Canon 35mm f/1.4 Lens
Lenses are the reason why DSLR video is in style right now. And as far as lenses go, 35mm is the standard focal length for the movie world. Canon makes a very nice 35mm lens that will let in plenty of light, yielding respectable results in dim locales while only slightly breaking the bank. Approximately $1900 in Australia.
Lensbaby Movie Maker’s Kit
So you have the camera body, and you have a lens. But what about effects? Lensbaby’s kit, chock full of filters and optics, will give you everything you need to have your film oozing style. It still won’t make you the next Truffaut, but it will help. $US2900.
Dot Line DSLR LED
If you’re an aspiring documentarian, or maybe are filming the next Blair Witch Project, you’ll need a lighting solution. LEDs provide a bright, clean glow that will give you plenty of wiggle room in post-production. $US100.
Steadicam Merlin Stabiliser
If you’re putting together a guerrilla film effort, chances are you’ll be employing the cinema verite technique quite a bit. And while the shaky cam can be cute for a few scenes, you’ll still want your footage looking fluid and stable. Get a metal frame mount that uses your shoulder for support and keeps your DSLR steady with a metal frame. $US800.
Hoodman HoodLoupe and Cinema Strap
Trying to get a feel for how quality your shot is can be tricky with the LCD screen. An external viewfinder can be an exorbitant expense. But the Hoodman loupe and cinema strap can turn your LCD into an inexpensive viewfinder, providing a more detailed view of your lighting, focus and composition. $US130.
Top image: Shutterstock/Carlos Yudica
EckyThump
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 10:12 AM“If you’re serious about video, this is the camera you want”
Hmmm.. $3300.00 against the less than $600.00 I paid for my ‘Canon EOS 550D’? #]
reece
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 10:16 AMI have to agree, this article is rather over the top, a 550d with something around about the 28mm focal length would be fine
Mr Mack
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 10:18 AMFull frame =P Even my 7D can’t touch 5Dii quality.
Also dunno about the Lensbaby kit, I still see it as a cute gimmick rather than something you would use in a half-decent production. I wouldn’t say no to one if it was given to me though!
Mr Mack
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 10:21 AMAlso remember crop factor, so to get an equivalent 35mm length on a non full-frame camera you are looking at around a 24mm lens
Francis Coral Mellon
Friday, October 7, 2011 at 9:46 AMWhy are you even buying into the fact that 35mm is the film standard. When you seem to have a basic knowledge… Of what a 1.6x crop does to an equivalent focal length. You shouldnt be trying to achieve 35mm in the first place! Every focal length has a different job, but 35mm cannot be called a standard, 50mm is the field of view of your eyes, i cant even call that a standard but its as close as your going to get.
This article is nuts.
z3d
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 10:20 AM5d Mk2 + Magic Lantern is an amateur (or budget) movie maker’s dream.
The 550d also has a version available with reduced capability of course.
Mikey
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 4:51 PMThat’s it dude, you can’t knock a full frame camera until you’ve tried it. After you do, you won’t go back.
Lensbaby is for hacks though. Seriously. You want me to reduce the function of my $2500 lens so that it looks like an iphone? Hell, the writer of this article should just have put a picture of an iphone here for numbers 1-6 and called it a complete digital video solution.
reece
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 10:18 AM20mm* sorry
Graeme
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 12:55 PMThe guy at the top isn’t going to be creating anything other than a mess. Magnetic tape and cine film cameras don’t work well together.
jim
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 8:45 PMwhat a total load of tosh..the merlin is terrible, but the glidecam, 24-80mm 2.8 Canon Prime is better than one lens that does one job and final cut pro x..do some research before you embarrass yourself!!
Francis Coral Mellon
Friday, October 7, 2011 at 9:34 AMI agree this is really really off.
First huge mistake. Saying 35mm lens is the standard focal length for the movie world.
I think the writer is confused with 35mm film being the standard. Has nothing to do with the 35mm lens. On a 5d Mk II , 50mm is the standard and a lot less expensive than the lens you put there. Way too wide if you ask me.
And a full lensbaby kit?? Are we being serious here?
Agreed that the merlin is not that great but is not even close to the worst thing on this list.
The words cinematic masterpiece do not come to mind with the equipment you have here. Im sorry. LED light?? Yes you can light an entire film with an LED light..
Since you recommended such an expensive camera and lens, why not put a couple of softboxes, china balls? or something capable of some semblance of 3 point lighting.
People should take no heed to this list. Also for beginners who are taking this list seriously, should be starting with a canon T3i or canon 60D camera first, not a 5d mk II.
And saving lots of money on most of the useless stuff on this list. Getting a decent range of inexpensive prime lenses and other essentials. Not one expensive lens that isnt even the right one for the 5d..
Also hoodman houdloupe?? Is the worst veiwfind on the market, no self respecting filmmaker uses it. It is meant to check your photos with.