The Best Cinema Cameras?

[Hurm...]

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone knew anything about cinema cameras here. I was looking into purchasing the Red One Mysterium-X, and wanted to know if anyone has used this before. Are there other cameras on the market that match or exceed the quality of this one? Also, how does one go about getting impressive production values like the one displayed in this video? Any tips or information please reply. The more knowledge, the better.

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[The Squirrel]

I can't speak for the camera, but the footage looks good. As far as the "look" of a film, many factors go into that. Everything from lighting on the set, to color correction in post to your camera's aperture setting.

 

[Ponyboy]

That is one good looking camera, especially for all those low light shots. What exactly are you getting for the cost, though? It seems you're only getting the "main brain" of the camera. (how are you gonna view what you're shooting?) Make sure you're getting all the extra goodies from Red along with it.

 

[Asteroid-Man]

Film is more warm, vivid and will give you a noticeably more "professional" look - it's also expensive as **** and requires a LOT of resources... Red lets you process and render clips in Camera and has extremely high quality resolution. It is also cheaper to process videos with but is prone to freezing, crashing and multiple glitches. I've held and seen both in use right before my eyes and heard talks from experts on both sides, but ultimately it's your call I guess. A lot of new (and I mean graduated within the decade) DOPs prefer RED but DOPs from further back prefer film.

 

[jnmx2000]

is that the same one fincher used? watch the special features for the social network and they have a whole segment dedicated to the look and cinematography. they talk about the Red camera that they use and the new chip it has that captures a more saturated image. but just as awesome as the camera is you need to get an editing system that is also up to par to edit that footage. Professional color grading applications are also a huge part of the look of a film.

 

[PWN3R]

Have you looked into the DSLR realm? The Canon 5D Mk II is a beast of a camera and can get you film quality footage at relatively low costs, especially considering that you're looking at RED. RED's lower end camera, the Scarlett, is probably never going to come out, and if it does, it's going to be more than $5,000.

Google Canon 5D mk II, or its baby cousin, the Rebel 550D 2ti (or the 7D). Great cameras, man.

Of course the problem with these are mainly audio solutions. You'd have to run a dual system setup -- visual and audio recorded separately -- and sync it in post. Not hard, just annoying.

However, you can use a wide range of lenses at a fraction of the cost of the RED.

 

[Microchip]

I like to shoot on a 7D which is pretty much equal to the 5D mk II in terms of footage. THe 5DMII is superior for taking stills, but the 7D's good at that too.

If you've got money to throw around, why not make a list of a few top cameras, rent them and see which you like best?

 

[PWN3R]

I have a 7D too, it's great. The two reasons why a 5D mk II is better than the 7D is the full frame sensor and the magic lantern hack for more video controls ( zebras, audio monitoring).

How do you like your 7D? I've had mine for about a month now, I wish I had some quality glass though.

 

[Microchip]

I don't have one! I have an old Canon hv30, but when I do projects that I want to look good, I always rent a 7D because I have a really cheap student source. But yeah, I really like it. I use it with a sort of steadicam that helps create some pretty darn good shots.

 

[PWN3R]

Nice. Merlin or glidecam? Is it hard to balance with a small camera like the 7D?

 

[Microchip]

It's just a shoulder rig for more stability. I can't remember what brand it is. It's not as good as a steadicam but it's better than just holding the camera in your hands.

 

[PWN3R]

Gotcha. You should post your stuff, I'd love to watch.

 

[black_dust]

I have a 7D too, it's great. The two reasons why a 5D mk II is better than the 7D is the full frame sensor and the magic lantern hack for more video controls ( zebras, audio monitoring).

How do you like your 7D? I've had mine for about a month now, I wish I had some quality glass though.

Ive got the 550D, with magic lantern, its a great lil hack

 

[PWN3R]

Exposing must be so easy. Do you even use the meter system anymore??

 

[Hurm...]

Yeah, I heard about the 7D the other day. I'm trying to make myself more aware of the different products out there and how they work, before I go to film school in a few years so bare with me. The good thing about the 7D as compared to the RED one camera I posted in my original post is definitely the price. That way I can spend more cash on the lenses without sacrificing an arm and a leg. Thanks for the help, PWN3R.

 

[Hurm...]

What do you guys think of Final Cut Studio from Apple?

 

[CelticPredator]

^ It's good. Once you learn it, it's a pretty good tool. I use Adobe Premiere, which is basicly the same. Not exactly though. Both have features different from each other, and either one can be useful.

Although I do like the key framing system on Premiere...but I LOVE the masking on Final Cut. Mostly because it evens out the edges, unlike Premiere, which keeps that rough and jagged.

 

[Hurm...]

I heard they used it to edit True Grit. Is it possible to achieve that professional quality?

 

[The Squirrel]

True Grit was probably filmed with real film stock though. You're not going to get that quality with no budget and no film. You can get good digital quality though. Stuff you see winning short film competitions all the time.

 

[Hurm...]

Absolutely. What if I managed to get the Canon 5D Mk II (the one mentioned earlier) as well as some fine lenses and the additional attachments, is it possible to attain a visually awesome final product with the Final Cut Studio?

 

[CelticPredator]

Any camera with a good filmlike setting can be used perfectly. It just matters how you shoot, and edit it.

 

[Hurm...]

It just matters how you shoot, and edit it.

I agree

 

[CelticPredator]

Here's a flick I did on my little camera....

It's not that great, but I think it "looks" ok.

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[Hurm...]

Wow, that looked like it was fun as hell to film lol.

 

[CelticPredator]

It was OK......hehe. The editing was a *****. It had to be 3 minutes exactly.