Video Production Starter Kit « Videomaker Community Forums

freeman
Member

For anyone interested I put together a list of inexpensive video production equipment for those getting started in video production.

Video Production Starter Kit

Possible Vendors Include:
FullCompass
Industrial Video
B & H Photo

DV Cameras

(Canon) GL2 Camera

(Canon) XL2 Camera Kit (The camera kit comes with several accessories such as batteries, AC Cable, Video Cable etc.)

Note: Purchase the CanonÂ MA100Â XLR Mic Adapter / Shoulder Pad for professional XLR connections and shoulder mounted shooting.

Wireless Microphones

(Azden) WLX-Pro System which Includes:
(1) WL/T-Pro Bodypack transmitter (WM-Pro) for talent
(1) EX-503 lavalier microphone (this attaches to the bodyback transmitter)
(1) WR22-Pro 2 channel VHF Receiver (to mount onto camera). This receiver allows you to connect two wireless mics.

Note: If you need two lavalier mics you will need to purchase an additional WL/T-Pro which is not included in the WLX-Pro system package.

Lights

(Lowel) Go Tube Kit Light Kit With LB-35 Soft Case Code: T1-90LBZ
This Kit contains:
2 Tota-lights (T1-10)
2 750w, 120v lamps (EMD)
2 Omni-stands (01-33)
1 Tota-brella (T1-25)
1 Tota-frame (T1-20)
1 Assorted Gels (T1-7
1 Tota Lampak (T1-61)
1 Tube Case (T1-82)

Tripod
(Manfrotto) Tripod Kit No:Â 501,525PKIT

For cameras/DVCams weighing up to 13.2 lbs.

Tripod Head
501 PRO VIDEO HEADÂ

Tripod Legs
525MVB PRO VIDEO TRIPOD

Kit includes:
525MVB Tripod
501 Pro Video Head
3284 Half Ball
3138 Spreader
3282S Padded Bag

Note:
I purposely did not include pricing on the items I listed because it will date the information plus prices are different depending on who you contact or which company's website you visit . I did however include vendors that you can get the information from. That way you can get the lastest pricing on video equipment. For quick pricing go to http://www.fullcompass.com to view an on-line catalog with prices or visit http://www.bhphotovideo.com for pricing. If you can't find what you are looking for visit http://www.bogenimaging.us for Tripod information and http://www.lowel.com for light kit information. If you are really interested and have time call a rep because they can sometimes give you lower pricing than what you see on-line. Hope that helps.

Posted 7 years ago #
compusolver
Member

Great idea! But I'd argue about the inclusion of the XL2 in an "inexpensive" listing, and the GL-2 is perhaps getting a little dated and not sure if it offers the manual control of other models.

For an "inexpensive" listing, I'd include halogen work lights from Lowes or Home Depot & Video editing software by Pinnacle Studio 9.

JW Photo & Video (on eBay) sells a great Smith Victor light kit for a super price.

I'm glad to see you listed B&H and not those other rip-off, bait and switch companies that do full page ads in magazines with unbelievable prices (and I DO mean unbelievable).

Good choice on the Azden system for rural areas - UHF with more channel options might be better for metro areas.

How about an on-camera light/battery recommendation?

Also, I'd caution newbies away from used camcorders. Electronics in these things are notorious for going bad after three years or more. Out of my four used camcorder purchases, not a single one was worth the money.

Posted 7 years ago #
freeman
Member

You are welcome to put together another list as a video production starter kit for recommendation to new folks. The more perspectives the better. The list that I put together is from my perspective and from my experience. Some of the items you suggested I would never recommend not that they can't work.

No, I don't have any recommendations for an on camera light/battery combination. Do you have any?

Posted 7 years ago #
komlor
Member

I couldn't find the Tripod kit you recomended on B&H but I did find this one
Bogen / Manfrotto 3001BD Deluxe Tripod Legs (Black) with 3433 (501) Pro Video Head - Supports 7.7 lbs

Do you think this will work for shooting wedding video with the Canon GL2?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=353284&is=REG

Posted 7 years ago #
freeman
Member

That tripod will work fine. The tripod head appears to be hard enough. Plus the tripod supports about 7 lbs while the camera weighs roughly 2.5 lbs. Good choice.

Posted 7 years ago #
komlor
Member

Thanks, I really needed help with this one and appreciate the help

Posted 7 years ago #
komlor
Member

Lights

(Lowel) Go Tube Kit Light Kit With LB-35 Soft Case Code: T1-90LBZ
This Kit contains:
2 Tota-lights (T1-10)
2 750w, 120v lamps (EMD)
2 Omni-stands (01-33)
1 Tota-brella (T1-25)
1 Tota-frame (T1-20)
1 Assorted Gels (T1-7
1 Tota Lampak (T1-61)
1 Tube Case (T1-82)

============

Do you have a suggestion for an on board or hand held light source? Do you set these lights up around the reception hall? Have you ever come across a complaint from a bride for setting this equipment up? Can you tell lighting is a mystery to me

Posted 6 years ago #
sierranomad
Member

compusolver Wrote:
Also, I'd caution newbies away from used camcorders. Electronics in these things are notorious for going bad after three years or more. Out of my four used camcorder purchases, not a single one was worth the money.

Agreed. A word to the wise.

Posted 6 years ago #
komlor
Member

bump

Posted 6 years ago #
compusolver
Member

Always try to not use lighting (other than available) at ceremony (especially) and reception. When its an absolute "must" (like a nighttime outdoor wedding reception where parts are not well lit), I use a Bescor 50watter mounted on-cam. Our 2nd cam follows so as to use the same light.

I recommend Sony VX2100, 170, etc. so you do not need extra lighting.

I never bring studio lights, but sometimes may bring a "Home Depot" type outdoor halogen set to setup an interview area, or light garter toss, etc. These lights are sturdy, have yellow stands that are quite visible and shielded lights. Be sure and use bright-yellow extension cord that is not run where there will be traffic and is well pinned down to the ground.

If you find you're needing extra light at an indoor reception, you are not using the low-light cams.

Never setup studio lights at a reception. Not only will guests & bride not like it, but you're setting up for an accident when kids & drinking guests bump into the lights, etc.

Posted 6 years ago #
ocvideo
Member

I get most of my goods from Edgewise Media. They always seemed priced right and it seems like they carry everything.

http://www.edgewise-media.com

Posted 6 years ago #
compusolver
Member

Warning about that 501 tripod head - it's not a true fluid head. There are tons of complaints about its unevenness. I use a 503 & love it. Also, heavier sticks are called for if you do pans and tilts. Mine weighs 13 lbs (3251 Manfrotto) and is stable enough to give a little tension to the pan/tilt controls and still not have to hold the tripod down while controling the camera.

I don't know if this would qualify for a starter kit, but there isn't much info out there on choosing good tripod systems, so I thought I'd pass this along as I've gone through four tripods now.

Posted 6 years ago #
faqvideo
Member

Adding to your equipment list some advice on videotaping the wedding.

I put together some guide addressed to video enthusiasts as well as to professionals new to wedding business: FAQ Video.

Enjoy!
Shoot-It-Yourself Wedding Video Guide, http://www.faqvideo.com/siy_book

Posted 6 years ago #
ishootparties
Member

Hi!

At the recommendation of this thread (thanks!), which of these mic sets should I buy, and why? 8-O

Posted 5 years ago #
ishootparties
Member

oops!

here is the link:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&shs=%28Azden%29+WLX-Pro+System

also, do the wireless mics plug into the external mic socket? :-?
if not, where do I plug it into?

Posted 5 years ago #
ishootparties
Member

Compusolver,
which bescor do you use?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&shs=Bescor+50+watt&image.x=6&image.y=12

Posted 5 years ago #
compusolver
Member

It's the MPL-325BAC AC / DC

It takes a 50watt bulb on DC and 100watt on AC.

I don't know how long the battery lasts, but it's still going strong after an hour. The battery is heavy, so I put it in a small backpack which I either wear or hang on my tripod.

Posted 5 years ago #
mcsmiley59
Member

Ok, I have about $1200.00 left to spend on a production room for a brand new elementary school, I have already purchased 3 video cameras, lighting, wirless and wired mics, two tripods, a steady cam, a still Nikon digital SLR camera with lenses and speedlight, Final Cut Studio 5.1, Omega Desktop Studio (audio recording), an 88 key MIDI keyboard, and 6 mics. Since it is a new school, if I don't spend it, I will never see the opportunity to spend it again.

Since my qualifications for setting up and running this production room for the school are - I can use a computer and I can run a video camera I need suggestions on what else to purchase????? :D

Posted 5 years ago #