Going to Buy New HD Cameras and Switcher for Wedding Shooting Need Help

[Sunni Bhandal]

Hi,
Im New in Video Production line. and im going to start with wedding videos. i have already booked 2 weddings for 2011 Summer time. thats why im going to buy New cameras I need u guys suggestion which Camera, lens, Tripod Good for Hd wedding video shoot. Its Est indian weddings so lots In side shooting only we doing Park shots out side. Im planing to buy 3 more cameras with switcher (one camera for jib & 2 cameras for Triod) and one Camera i can use on glidecam That one i already order
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I already Order These Equetments

1. Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital Camera
2. Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Autofocus Lens
3. SanDisk 16GB Extreme CompactFlash Memory Card
4. Tiffen 52mm Digital Essentials Filter Kit
5. Cinevate Inc ATLAS 30 PKG/TERAIN LEGS/58" RAIL
6. Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone
7. Manfrotto 501HDV Head w/546B 2-Stage Aluminum Tripod System

Order From B&H

i already have Glidecam HD4000 & im going to rent Jib
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Now question is:-

Which anuther 3 camera shud i buy and with which lens???
Do i need to buy some els (More cameras, More lens or some think els)????

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PlEASE HELP ME AND I NEED U GUYS SUDDESTION


Thanks
Sunni

[Nigel Barker]

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L is a lovely lens but you will find it very limited if that is your only lens. A 24-70mm F2.8L zoom will be far more useful particularly using it at 24mm on the Glidecam. Add the 70-200mm F2.8L zoom for longer shots.

[Chip Thome]

Sunni it would probably help to let us know about your previous experience as what you have suggested here sounds awfully ambitious for someone just starting out. Also, what size crew are you expecting to have, or were you thinking you could man this all yourself ???

[Nigel Barker]

What do you mean by a "Switcher"? Do you mean a video switcher that is used for live mixing? That would be to say the least unusual for wedding videography.

[Sunni Bhandal]

Thanks For reply Nigel Barker and Chip Thome,

Yes Nigel i already bought EF 85mm f/1.2L. and that one 24-70mm F2.8L is this one http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/264304-USA/Canon_8014A002_Zoom_Wide_Angle_Telephoto_EF.html ??
So these 4 lens enuf for wedding ??
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Chip Sory about that i forget to write that down. I was working with different company now i decided to open my own company and i alreay did two small weddings but we done all wok on SD but i booked two more wedding for this summer. This time i want to make HD becuse these Weddings Big and im charging $7k from each. In my Crew we are 6 guys if i need more we can hire some more guys

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Nigel Yes Thats right its video switcher for live mixing

[Colin McDonald]

Nigel Yes Thats right its video switcher for live mixing

Now that's what I call living dangerously!

Live switching is a great idea - if you have an experienced crew with 2 way communications to each camera, a full camera rehearsal and of course a separate sound mixer. That's how it works on TV. Other than with incredibly good luck, using it with minimal crew at a wedding is inviting disaster in my opinion.

BTW, I have considerable experience in covering events in SD with multiple cameras and live switching. I used a Videonics (now Focus Enhancements) digital mixer which I would hesitate to recommend.

[Sunni Bhandal]

Originally Posted by Colin McDonald

if you have an experienced crew with 2 way communications to each camera, a full camera rehearsal and of course a separate sound mixer.
.

Thanks for reply

i used SD from last 2 year. wirh difrent company. now i decided to start my own with HD and i don't have any experience to shoot HD. Yes my crew they all new they have only lil bit experience thats why i wanna use Mixer so i can pick witch ever shot i need. yes i m using (Eartec Six-Person Wired Intercom System with Dual-Sided Headsets (TCS)) Intercom

Sound mixer: what usly i do i take one output from dj and i put one mic on stage

[David Schuurman]

sunni, it is better to let your NLE be your mixer, there are more non-destructive options available to pick whichever shot you need at any given point.

[Chip Thome]

Don't you need external feed port and recording capability for a switcher ??? I have done that many times with my earlier camcorders, but I do not think a DSLR has that output at all. I could be mistaken, but from what I have read, I don't think they do.

[Sunni Bhandal]

Originally Posted by Chip Thome

Don't you need external feed port and recording capability for a switcher ??? I have done that many times with my earlier camcorders, but I do not think a DSLR has that output at all. I could be mistaken, but from what I have read, I don't think they do.

Yes we need recoder im thinking to buy AJA Ki-PRO Portable ProRes File Recorder. Yes u r right There is no Opting in DSLR if we use HDMI then ur screen goes off and u can't see whats going on

How Hard is that If i shoot without Mixer and Put every thing together on Timeline. I naver Done this before thats why im lil bit scared to doing that Im using Final Cut Pro 7 can any one give me idea how hard to put 4 cameras footage Together

[Sunni Bhandal]

Originally Posted by David Schuurman

sunni, it is better to let your NLE be your mixer, there are more non-destructive options available to pick whichever shot you need at any given point.

Thanks Replay David, so u mean Non linear editing . I don't know i think im gona try without Mixer

[Sunni Bhandal]

Hey guys my friend he recommend me buy Two Canon 5D MK2 And Two Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder. he said Put one 5D on Jib, one on Glidecam and use Sony HVR-Z7U HDV on Tripod. No mixer add every together on timeline

What u guys say, Is this a good idea ???

[Chip Thome]

I'd get the Panasonic AF100 that is coming out shortly instead of the Sony. The Sony looks like it is going to shoot in HDV and you really want to be shooting AVCHD in everything if you are mixing on timelines. Your 5Ds are going to shoot AVCHD aren't they ???

[Johannes Soetandi]

Sunni,

For someone who just started up using DSLR cameras and with new crews.. seems like your setup will be very very complicated to operate.

Firstly, DSLR is not as easy to operate. It requires lots of training and trial/error.. you have to set the ISO, aperture, manual focus.. With DSLR you may also find yourself in a situation where you will need to change lenses to suit situations. 24-70mm f2.8 + 70-200mm f2.8L would probably be the best combination for each camera. A prime lens like 85mm f1.2L would give you excellent image but very limited use for events where a lot of movements are involved. I assume that's how it is with Indian wedding?

Secondly, 5DMkii on a jib will be very challenging as you can't autofocus. I don't know if there's a jib that can let the operator focus and zoom in/out a DSLR remotely... maybe there is, but this is something you really have to consider

Thirdly, I'm not sure how the Z7U would compare with 5D.. but I wouldn't really combine my DSLR with a HDV footages. Just for the sake of keeping the image consistency throughout. You might want to try compare the footage see if you are happy with the comparison.

Finally, I dont think you can use mixer with DSLRs.. so if you want to use DSLR, I say forget about the live mixing.

My 2 cents :)

[Jeremy White]

I went to a wedding in India once (really neat experience!) Sunni, there are two different styles of shooting. I shoot weddings, but I also direct a local tv show and am very familiar with both styles.

Style 1 (mixed live)
I'm guessing this is the style you are referring to (this is what they did at the wedding I saw in India). Basically, You're filming the wedding AND projecting it at the same time.

Style 2 (mixed in editing)
This is the style more common in the USA. Pretty much everyone here shoots this way. Basically you film everything and then edit it later on.

Both styles are drastically different and involve different shooting styles/gear. A DSLR (such as the 5D, 7D, T2i, etc) works great for style 2, but would be an awful choice for style 1 (actually, it wouldn't work at all).

HD is expensive. Especially when you start getting into switchers. Cheap HD switchers will run between 5-10k. (and that's for the cheap ones)

I guess a lot depends on what your budget is for gear...