Tag Archives: camera

Blackmagic Cinema Camera

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Another contender for the “indie” cine camera: Blackmagic Cinema Camera (a few years back it was the RED camera).

Adam Wilt is asking: Is BMD the new RED?

So, is BMD the new RED? They’re certainly revolutionizing what it costs to get into interchangeable-lens, raw-recording motion-picture cameras, just as RED did—but I don’t see RED, Canon, Arri, Sony, or other camera makers quaking in their boots. The BMC Cine Cam looks like a great DSLR-killer, but it’s a smaller sensor (or so I’m led to believe, so far), it’s “only” 2.5K (thus none of the 4K cameras need fear obsolescence just yet), and it’s unclear if the camera has the systems-level capability to satisfy productions beyond the lone indie-filmmaker crowd.

But it’s early days yet; the camera won’t ship for a few months. And, fercryinoutloud, it’s $3000! One can live with a lot of compromises for $3000.

I can live with $3000 for a cine camera. Of course, you will probably have to rent the lenses to keep the budget down.

Canon C300 (discussion)

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Canon C300 might be outside the budget of most low-budget filmmakers but it’s such a nice camera that just reading about it makes you want to take your old Canon XL1 (or Sony FX1), go out, and shoot something.

I just found out that watching people discuss has exactly the same effect!

Video can be viewed here!

Canon T2i (550D)

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Depending on where you are, Canon’s new flagship might carry different letters but the the bottom line is the same: this photo is GOOD news for aspiring indie filmmakers.

According to DPreview:

The EOS 550D redefines the boundaries of Canon’s consumer DSLR range, incorporating technologies and features more commonly found in semi-professional DSLRs into the compact, lightweight body favoured by consumers. With a newly-developed 18 Megapixel (MP) APS-C CMOS sensor, coupled with Canon’s advanced DIGIC 4 image processor and the ability to shoot Full HD movies, photography enthusiasts are empowered to explore new levels of creativity.

Yes, full HD and an ISO range of 100 – 6400 (expandable to 12800) means you’ll get a lot mileage from scenes with natural (often poor) lighting.

The camera itself is too new, so the previews have been based on pre-production units but I’m pretty excited!

canon t2i

Sony HC3 for $500

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Sony HDR-HC3Sony HC3 is an amazing little HD camera for any aspiring filmmaker on a budget.

B&H have a used one (in excellent condition) for around $500. You can get it here.

While in B&H used equipment department, check out the other HD camcorders too. They’ve got discounted Canon H1, Sony FX1, and even Panasonic HVX200 but you’ll need more than $500 for these babies.

RED camera price and schedule

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There’s been quite a stir every time someone mentions the RED camera.

RED cameraFor one, its support for 4K video (4,096 x 2,160 pixels) made quite an impact last year when RED camera stole NAB 2006.

Another point is the price … point. The body will cost “only” 17,500. If you consider the average indie producer’s budget this seems quite high but at the same time, a good zoom lens could cost that much (and more). So considering the 4K capability, you’re getting an excellent deal.


So let’s go to the schedule part. The first batch of RED cameras (50 or so) will ship in August. From then on, it’s about 100 cameras per month. About 2000 have been pre-ordered already which means that if you order today, you’ll get yours in February 2008!

Which definitely is a long wait. Fear not, some of the guys who are buying it are OK to rent it for a week or two.