Help with budget setup

David Benett · July 6th, 2010, 03:09 AM

First of all, thank you all for the amazing resources on this board.

I am a traveling DJ and I am looking to do high quality video work for promotion, etc. I recently performed in Taipei and the cameraman there was using a 5D with a larger lens and a home made LED lighting rig. There was no stabilization as far as I could tell. This is the finished product:

(please excuse editing, was my first attempt at cobbling something together)

I am now assembling my own budget set up with the aim to film in a variety of clubs and lighting all around the world. I have purchased the following to date:

T2i body
Sigma 30mm 1.8
Protective lens filter

I am hopeful to get by in low light situations without the need for additional lighting but I appreciate any thoughts on lighting solutions. I believe that I it is critical that I add some stabilization and have considered the Hague Mini Motion Camera stabilizer as a viable solution. Are there other better options out there?

What else am I missing (aside from the obvious batteries and cards)?

I intend to add a nice flash and an R strap for doing stills but want to concentrate on video.

All advice, leads and comments sincerely appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

db

James Donnelly · July 6th, 2010, 06:49 AM

The problem with balance stabilisation systems like the one you listed is that you can't touch the camera during shot, for instance to follow focus.

For that reason, if I had to buy one rig to begin with, it would be a shoulder mount. If it is counter balanced, your results should be good enough.

This also means you can attach your lighting gear to the rig, and also shoot for longer periods without fatigue.

Terry Lee · July 6th, 2010, 10:45 AM

James brings up a good point. You have to be able to focus your shots and with that stabilizer you cant touch the camera or you'll knock the shot all wobbly...I've been hand holding all my shots but with great muscle control..I shot in a night club for an hour straight just holding the camera..the shots came out still but if I had something to brace (like a sholder mount) everything would have been alot smoother. Probably a 1 handle stabilizer would best suit your needs because you can hold the cam with one hand and pull focus with the other..

David Benett · July 6th, 2010, 11:20 PM

Thank you for your replies.
I thought of this actually overnight. The counterbalance mount seems like it might not work for my application for the reasons stated in your replies. Can you suggest an appropriate stabilization tool/shoulder rig? I have been reading blogs like Cheesycam, etc. but do not know what is a viable cost effective solution for my application.

Do you think that I will need lighting as well or will the Sigma 30mm 1.8 be ok in low light settings comparable with the clip in the original post?

Thanks again.

db

Tom Bostick · July 7th, 2010, 12:43 AM

i don't have any personal experience with the t2i ,but i think if you could get a lens with an f stop of 1.4 you would have way better results ,even with a light

David Benett · July 7th, 2010, 07:48 PM

I realized I mistyped in the first post.
The Sigma 30mm is an F 1.4.

Thoughts on stabilization?

Thanks

db

Nigel Barker · July 13th, 2010, 03:40 AM

The best stabilisation tool is a tripod. Given the limited space in the situations where you will be shooting a monopod would be a great alternative. I can personally recommend a http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/618351-REG/Manfrotto_561BHDV_561BHDV_Video_Monopod_with.html

July 6th, 2010, 03:09 AM	#1
David Benett Tourist Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Osaka, Japan Posts: 3	Help with budget setup - Nightclub Filming First of all, thank you all for the amazing resources on this board. I am a traveling DJ and I am looking to do high quality video work for promotion, etc. I recently performed in Taipei and the cameraman there was using a 5D with a larger lens and a home made LED lighting rig. There was no stabilization as far as I could tell. This is the finished product: Coming Soon . . . Diamonds Taipei with DJ Bento on Vimeo (please excuse editing, was my first attempt at cobbling something together) I am now assembling my own budget set up with the aim to film in a variety of clubs and lighting all around the world. I have purchased the following to date: T2i body Sigma 30mm 1.8 Protective lens filter I am hopeful to get by in low light situations without the need for additional lighting but I appreciate any thoughts on lighting solutions. I believe that I it is critical that I add some stabilization and have considered the Hague Mini Motion Camera stabilizer as a viable solution. Are there other better options out there? What else am I missing (aside from the obvious batteries and cards)? I intend to add a nice flash and an R strap for doing stills but want to concentrate on video. All advice, leads and comments sincerely appreciated. Thanks in advance. db

July 6th, 2010, 10:45 AM	#3
Terry Lee Major Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 691	James brings up a good point. You have to be able to focus your shots and with that stabilizer you cant touch the camera or you'll knock the shot all wobbly...I've been hand holding all my shots but with great muscle control..I shot in a night club for an hour straight just holding the camera..the shots came out still but if I had something to brace (like a sholder mount) everything would have been alot smoother. Probably a 1 handle stabilizer would best suit your needs because you can hold the cam with one hand and pull focus with the other.. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=38313004

July 6th, 2010, 06:49 AM	#2
James Donnelly Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chelmsford England Posts: 287	The problem with balance stabilisation systems like the one you listed is that you can't touch the camera during shot, for instance to follow focus. For that reason, if I had to buy one rig to begin with, it would be a shoulder mount. If it is counter balanced, your results should be good enough. This also means you can attach your lighting gear to the rig, and also shoot for longer periods without fatigue.

July 6th, 2010, 11:20 PM	#4
David Benett Tourist Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Osaka, Japan Posts: 3	Thank you for your replies. I thought of this actually overnight. The counterbalance mount seems like it might not work for my application for the reasons stated in your replies. Can you suggest an appropriate stabilization tool/shoulder rig? I have been reading blogs like Cheesycam, etc. but do not know what is a viable cost effective solution for my application. Do you think that I will need lighting as well or will the Sigma 30mm 1.8 be ok in low light settings comparable with the clip in the original post? Thanks again. db

July 7th, 2010, 12:43 AM	#5
Tom Bostick Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Austin TX Posts: 292	i don't have any personal experience with the t2i ,but i think if you could get a lens with an f stop of 1.4 you would have way better results ,even with a light

July 7th, 2010, 07:48 PM	#6
David Benett Tourist Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Osaka, Japan Posts: 3	I realized I mistyped in the first post. The Sigma 30mm is an F 1.4. Thoughts on stabilization? Thanks db

July 13th, 2010, 03:40 AM	#7
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	The best stabilisation tool is a tripod. Given the limited space in the situations where you will be shooting a monopod would be a great alternative. I can personally recommend a http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/618351-REG/Manfrotto_561BHDV_561BHDV_Video_Monopod_with.html