Getting Started

[Danny O'Neill]

We have one cam with a Sennheiser Shotgun mic and the other has the Wireless G2. I cant tell you how good it is to have 2 different sources and sometimes mix them both to give a much richer sound.

Sometimes the wireless lav mic picks up things far away the shotgun seems to have missed. Just dont do what I did and ensure the groom knows about the mute button. Suprise toilet trips can be weird.

[Jeff Kellam]

Another vote for Vegas Pro8.

And don't forget the Quad core machine for HDV editing power.

And a CF recorder.

Go with Lectrosonics 100 series for wireless.

Don't forget weddings are a two camera shoot.

As others said, you can't underestimate the need for a good tripod ($1,500+).

[Noa Put]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kellam

Don't forget weddings are a two camera shoot.

It's always better, yes, but you can do weddings just the same on your own. It just takes another approach and I know because I have been going solo the past years.

[Jeff Kellam]

Originally Posted by Noa Put

It's always better, yes, but you can do weddings just the same on your own. It just takes another approach and I know because I have been going solo the past years.

I agree, I did a single cam wedding last weekend.

[Charles Baisden]

That is a good point. Just like everyone starts out, we're going to have to start with one main camera, and a small backup.

But it does seem like the industry is moving towards teams for most parts of the day.

~ Charles

Originally Posted by Noa Put

It's always better, yes, but you can do weddings just the same on your own. It just takes another approach and I know because I have been going solo the past years.

[Charles Baisden]

Excellent advice there! Thanks Martin!

In the photography world, we say the exact same thing about lenses. The bodies seem to change every 3 months, but we've been using the same lenses now for 4 years without any need to change whatsoever.

~ Charles

Originally Posted by Martin Mayer

...remember audio in general it is a more mature technology than video, and so your audio gear will probably outlast a few changes of cameras

[Charles Baisden]

Two follow ups for you Jeff...

1) What is a CF recorder?
2) You prefer the Lectrosonics to the Sennheisers...any particular reason why?

~ Charles

Originally Posted by Jeff Kellam

Another vote for Vegas Pro8.

And don't forget the Quad core machine for HDV editing power.

And a CF recorder.

Go with Lectrosonics 100 series for wireless.

Don't forget weddings are a two camera shoot.

As others said, you can't underestimate the need for a good tripod ($1,500+).

[Charles Baisden]

Thanks Noa!

I actually had a chance to play with the XH-A1...is was kinda like riding a bicycle. Our knowledge of aperture, exposure, focal points, composition, shutter speed, and ISO (gain) all seem to transfer pretty naturally.

Of course, I will definately put everything through its paces before taking any sort of paying gig, but I didn't feel uncomfortable at all!

Are you an XH-A1 user?

~ Charles

Originally Posted by Noa Put

The xh-a1 does deliver the best bang for buck but expect a steep learning curve, it's not a toy camera. It does have some semi to full auto modes but each with stupid limitations so you have to learn how to operate it manually to get the best from it.

[Noa Put]

Originally Posted by Charles Baisden

Are you an XH-A1 user?

have been a sony vx2100 user, still actively being a panasonic dvx100b user and since some weeks a constantly testing xh-a1 user. :)

[Jeff Kellam]

Originally Posted by Charles Baisden

Two follow ups for you Jeff...

1) What is a CF recorder?
2) You prefer the Lectrosonics to the Sennheisers...any particular reason why?

~ Charles

1. Compact Flash, or really any portable digital recorder. Come to think of it, my Sony PCM-D50 uses a a Sony MS for memory. These things are great. I used mine last weekend to capture the wireless output.

2. The Lectrosonics sounds better, has better range and seems to reject any interference and drop outs better. The Sennheisers are certainly the best value there is, no doubt. Some things are better with the Senns like the controls. If you put a Tram mic on the Senn, it would probably sound much better, but then you would have spent what the LS 100 series costs.