Upgrade recommendations at DVinfo.net

Mike Beliveau · March 21st, 2013, 04:18 PM

I've been a magazine writer and still photographer for 30 years. About two years ago I started a YouTube channel, but I'm dumb as a rock on video equipment, so my stuff is no great shakes.

This year, besides my YouTube channel I've been getting contracts to do videos for a website. I've got contracts for five videos and I've submitted four so far. And I may be getting a contract for multimedia website articles for an outdoor sports cable TV channel's website.

I'm doing all my video with a Canon Vixia HF R20, a Vixia HF R10 and a Midland Radio XRC-300 action cam, along with mics, et al.

I think I need to upgrade, but I don't want to break the bank because video is still only 20% of my revenue, and cost matters.

I wouldn't mind suggestions.

Here's a video showing my stuff and how it is used.

Thanks for the help.

Don Palomaki · March 22nd, 2013, 05:19 AM

Two business questions:

What is your budget? (that sets a limit on what gear you should consider)

What additional capability do you need that your current kit does not provide? (If you cannot come up with serious answers here, then there is no real business need and you can save some money. But often we want to upgrade for non-business reasons - then it becomes partly a hobby.)

Carl Gilbert · March 22nd, 2013, 07:15 PM

Video really lays out your situation. Nicely done.

Your not shooting in low light and your not shooting moving targets so I think the cameras abilities are sufficient to me. Hoping to hear others opinions.

Maybe invest in some camera protective equipment.

March 21st, 2013, 04:18 PM	#1
Mike Beliveau Tourist Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Etters Posts: 4	Upgrade recommendations I've been a magazine writer and still photographer for 30 years. About two years ago I started a YouTube channel, but I'm dumb as a rock on video equipment, so my stuff is no great shakes. This year, besides my YouTube channel I've been getting contracts to do videos for a website. I've got contracts for five videos and I've submitted four so far. And I may be getting a contract for multimedia website articles for an outdoor sports cable TV channel's website. I'm doing all my video with a Canon Vixia HF R20, a Vixia HF R10 and a Midland Radio XRC-300 action cam, along with mics, et al. I think I need to upgrade, but I don't want to break the bank because video is still only 20% of my revenue, and cost matters. I wouldn't mind suggestions. Here's a video showing my stuff and how it is used. My video gear - YouTube Thanks for the help.

March 22nd, 2013, 05:19 AM	#2
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	Re: Upgrade recommendations Two business questions: What is your budget? (that sets a limit on what gear you should consider) What additional capability do you need that your current kit does not provide? (If you cannot come up with serious answers here, then there is no real business need and you can save some money. But often we want to upgrade for non-business reasons - then it becomes partly a hobby.) __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

March 22nd, 2013, 07:15 PM	#3
Carl Gilbert New Boot Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 16	Re: Upgrade recommendations Video really lays out your situation. Nicely done. Your not shooting in low light and your not shooting moving targets so I think the cameras abilities are sufficient to me. Hoping to hear others opinions. Maybe invest in some camera protective equipment.