Why Film Your Projects with a DSLR

To achieve a film look, DSLR's are the closest thing you can get, unless you have $50,000 in your back pocket to buy an Alexa digital cinema camera that is used by some of today's best directors, because it mimics the natural look of film better than most of it's contemporaries.

The cinematic look, partially created by shooting at 24 frames per second looks much smoother and more organic.  Many newer camcorders do offer 24 FPS shooting, but they consumer camcorders don't yet offer the sensor and lens capabilities in a larger camera.

Shallow depth of field is seen everywhere in professional cinematography, from blockbuster Hollywood films, to indie films, to current TV commercials.  DSLR's paired with f/4 or faster lenses can provide shallow depth of field that looks like something shot for the big screen.

Low light filming that was not possible prior to 2008, continues to get better each year with DSLRs.  Full frame sensors are the best option, and can be had for about $2,000 and up if buying a new camera.  Sony and Canon have been offering great full frame camera options.  However, several other companies compete with them, so in a few years, Nikon or Panasonic may offer something even more appealing.

Color profiles will allow you to shoot your footage flat (less color saturation and lower contrast), allowing you to fine tune the look of your project during editing.

Manual settings set DSLRs apart from prosumer camcorders.  Aperture, ISO, Shutter Speed, and Mic recording level can all be controlled in full manual mode.

DSLR cameras with full frame sensors can shoot footage that still looks great at 3200 ISO, something that wasn't possible before 35mm size sensors became affordable and Canon democratized them with the Canon 5D Mark II in late 2008.

See the benefits visually of DSLR Filmmaking in this tutorial.

Kylin Stabilizers - affordable camera gimbal

An IndieGoGo Campaign this spring offered a Gimbal for lightweight DSLR and mirrorless cameras for only about $200 + shipping. Now that the campaign has ended, the cost of the gimbal has jumped to $350 for the base system that can support cameras up to 1300g or 2.87 lbs.  According to their IndieGoGo Campaign page selling the gimbal, it is "compatible with almost all mirrorless digital cameras on the market, as well as mobile phones, action cameras and even some models of DSLR cameras."

Here's a feature comparison of both the regular Kylin M and the Kylin Pro gimbal systems:

Kylin M Cost (April 2018): $349 for base system (shipping is $48 to the U.S.).

Kylin Pro cost (April 2018): $599

Weight of Canon 6D setup

My Canon 6D lens setups and their weight:

These setups include the weight of the memory card and battery.  Yes, it's small, but it matters when balancing a camera on a gimbal or stabilizer.

Canon 6D body only (with memory card and battery)
26.8 oz. (760g)

Canon 6D with 50mm f/1.4 lens

Canon 6D with 24-105 f/4 lens:

Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens ($330 version)
10.23 oz (290 g)

?? - * with UV filter

Canon 24-105mm f/4 (version made before 2016)
1.47 lb (670 g)  [B&H Photo]
27.820 oz. (788.6g) [Ken Rockwell]


The total weight determines which gimbal systems can be used to effectively support the camera.


Other items to consider when weighing your camera rig:

Lens filters
Shotgun mic

Professional LED Light Panels for under $300

Neewer LED 500 Ultra High Power Dimmable Video Light with Built-in LCD Panel with Remote Control
$130-140
Mounts to a tripod
Color temperature is adjustable from
Remote control operation
Adjustable brightness (light output) from 10-100%.

Neewer Dimmable Bi-color LED with U Bracket Professional Video Light

$95-110
Mounts to a light stand with the included U Bracket.
Tilt adjustments
Color temperature adjusts from 3200-5600k
Includes a travel bag
CRI 96+ (provides truer color than cheap LED light panels)






Softboxes for LED lights
Use these reduce harshness and provide a high-end look for video interviews on a low budget.

Kamerar D-Fuse Large LED Light Panel Softbox: 12"x12" Opening, Foldable, Portable Diffuser
$30
This is "Amazon's Choice" for LED softboxes as of October 2017.
This LED softbox was a related item when looking at the above LED panels.
As of 10/24/17 it has 4.1 star rating and 28 reviews on Amazon.
A customer review from 8/27/17 confirms that this fits the Neewer light with the barndoors.




There's also a larger LED softbox made by Neewer that fits their 600 and 650 LED light panels.

Neewer LED Collapsible Softbox for LED 650 600 Light Panels, Foldable, Portable Diffuser
$27
Outer dimensions: 20 x 20 inches
Inner dimensions: 11 x 11 inches

Best DIY Video Gear and How to Build It

$15 DIY steadicam in 15 minutes!

by Indy Mogul

5 minute video

For a $15 build the footage is very good and would allow you to get running shots and other moving shots that are otherwise impossible without a stabilizer.

How to Make a Professional Camera Slider

by DIY Perks
15 min. video
(more professional and flexible than the $10 Film Riot DIY Camera Slider.)

LED Light Panels for Indoor Filming

On Camera or Stand/Tripod mountable mini lights (for a little fill light)

NEEWER CN-216 216PCS LED Dimmable LED Light
$43
weight: 16 oz (likely without a battery)
Battery: 6x AA batteries (not included) or NP-F550, NP-FM55H, NP-FH60 battery

NEEWER® 160 LED CN-160 Dimmable LED Light
$32

LED Light Panels for Indoor Shooting

Fancierstudio 576 LED Light Panel LED Video Light
$100

StudioPRO Photography Continuous Premium Daylight LED 600 Light Panel Aluminum Casing
$212
Daylight 5600K balanced light output

Dimmable, flicker free dial 

Includes diffusion filter 

Shipping weight: 7 lbs

Microphones for Interview and Outdoor Recording

Unidirectional Lavalier/Lapel Microphones
When filming wedding interviews and business promo interviews, background noise can be a problem.  Unidirectional microphones do a great job of eliminating background noise.  The only thing to watch out for is that the person speaking does not turn their head too far away from where the lav mic is pointing.

Olympus Microphone ME-52W Noise Cancellation Mic
$20
4.1 stars on Amazon
* 3.5mm microphone jack for uni-directional recording in high-noise environments.
* Requires "plug-in" power in your recorder (Works with the DR-05 and the Zoom recorders that have 3.5mm jacks.)
* Some reviewers have said it does not work with smart phones...probably because it's not the right type of connection for an iPhone or because of the plug-in power requirement.


Handheld Wireless Microphones

Fifine UHF Wireless Handheld Dynamic Microphone
$50
4.2 stars on Amazon
* Seems to be one of the only inexpensive wireless handheld mics on Amazon that actually has a good rating.
* Reviewers said it was heavy and seemed to have a solid build quality.
* Does not have an antenna cable hanging off the end of the mic (most cheap wireless handhelds have this).







Hisonic HS308L Portable Wireless and Wired 2 in 1 Microphone
$25
3.4 stars on Amazon
* Primarily for Karaoke use
* Build quality is mentioned in a few reviews where people were suprised how good it was, but the weight and overall build quality is probably lower than the
* Silver color is not as professional



For Smart Phones:

iPro-Max pro Lavalier Lapel Microphone Clip-on Directional
$34
4.5 stars on Amazon
* Uni-directional
* Includes two windscreens, two clips, extended mic wire length, velvet protection bag and Smart Conversion Adapter Cable for ultimate connection with all devices


Unidirectional Handheld Microphones

GLS Audio Vocal Microphone ES-58 & Mic Clip - Professional Series ES58
$30
4.4 stars on Amazon
* No on/off switch

77mm Neutral Density Filters for Outdoor Filming

For filming weddings and other outdoor shoots, a Neutral Density filter is a must-have.

Outdoor filming requires about 6-10 stops of light reduction to allow filming at wide apertures (below f/8).  



Breakthrough Photography 77mm X2 Solid Neutral X2-ND6-77MM
$99
Each glass surface includes four layers of anti-reflection coating
Nano coating provides an improved beading effect with water
Hoya 77mm ProND64 Filter XPD-77ND64 B&H Photo Video
$83
4.5/5 stars
Metallic ACCU-ND Coating
One-Piece Aluminum Ring

Tiffen 77mm Digital Neutral Density Filter Kit 77NDK3 B&H Photo
$119
4.5/5 stars
Neutral Density 0.6, 0.9, 1.2 Filters

Hoya 77mm Pro 1 Digital Neutral Density 64x Filter XD77ND64 B&H 
$120
Almost 5/5 stars
 
B+W 77mm SC 106 Solid Neutral Density 1.8 Filter (6 Stop)
$73
4.5/5 stars
(single coated)
Brass filter ring

Total Cost of Buying a Panasonic GH3 for Wedding Videography

Using a static camera to focus on the bride or groom's face when filming weddings can mean the difference betweeen a profesisonal final product or an amateur effort.

Why buy a Panasonic DSLR for wedding videography?
They are the only DSLR manufacturer that allows their cameras to record for longer than 30 minutes continuously.  If you're filming wedding ceremonies or any other live event that runs longer than 30 minutes, other great DSLRs from Nikon and Canon may create production challenges.

Regular DSLRs can also overheat if they are used continuously throughout a day for too long.  Panasonic has engineered their GH3 and GH4 cameras to withstand longer video recording times.

If you're considering buying a Panasonic GH3 for wedding videography (as a second camera), here's a cost breakdown for the camera and accessories you'll need.

Panasonic GH3 camera body
$800-850 new or about $620 used in very good condition.

Panasonic 35-100mm f/2.8 lens (70-200mm equivalent)
$1,095 to 1,500 new or about $940 used.
This lens will allow you to get tight close-ups that are essential to capture the emotion of a wedding ceremony.  This type of cinematic look will separate you from videographers that are using camcorders.

Panasonic DMW-BLF19 Lithium-Ion Battery (extra battery)
$51
If you're shooting long events, keep at least three batteries for each camera.  Four batteries will probably ensure you don't run out of power.

Tiffen 58mm Variable ND Filter (fits the Panasonic 35-100mm lens)
$110
Anytime you're shooting outdoors and want to keep a fast aperture to get the cinematic look, you'll need an ND filter to reduce the light reaching your lens to allow f/2.8-f/5.6 to be possible.

Shotgun mic (to pickup scratch audio for syncing later or ambient audio when filming things other than the ceremony)
$200-300

Panasonic MS2 Shotgun Microphone
$230

Rode VideoMic Pro
$203

Rode Stereo VideoMic Pro
$259

Here's a cost summary for buying the Panasonic GH3 to shoot medium telephoto footage. Again, this assumes you would be buying the GH3 as a second camera when you already own a Canon, Nikon, or Sony DSLR.

Camera $800
Lens $1,200
Two extra batteries $102
Variable ND Filter $110
Shotgun mic $230
-----------------
Total: $2,442

Gear to Capture Stunning Wedding Videos

New cameras come out every year, but any DSLR made since the Canon 7D released in 2009 or the Canon 5D Mark II from 2008 can capture amazing cinematic video when paired with the right lenses.

Invest the most in your lenses

Cameras come and go, but your lenses will be capturing incredible footage for years to come.  Spend money on the fastest (widest aperture) lenses you can afford. You won't regret it, and every good lens you purchase will benefit your projects in different ways.

Some great lenses for video:

Fast Standard lens
50mm f/1.4 made by Canon or Nikon.
* Great for isolating your subjects against a beautifully soft and blurry background.
* The most cost-effective way to capture tons of light.  Critically for anything indoors after sundown when you can't use lights.

Telephoto Zoom
70-200mm f/2.8
Perfect for keeping a more comfortable distance from your subjects when filming weddings.  Use a tripod when using this lens to keep your shots stable.

Wide Zoom
16-35mm f/2.8
An excellent wide-angle zoom to capture landscapes, or to pair with a GlideCam.

85mm f/1.8

Use Neutral Density filters during daylight hours

Video cameras are capturing much more light by shooting at a slow shutter speed (1/50th of a second, or 1/125 of a second for slow-motion), you can only get the exposure right by stopping down on your lens.  The problem with stopping down to f/8, f/11, or lower is that the image looks less cinematic and more like video coming from a consumer camcorder.  The more you can shoot between f/2.8 and f/5.6, the better.  Your shots will look more cinematic with beautifully blurred backgrounds.

How to use C-Stands on your video productions

C-Stands are used for holding:

Lights
Reflectors
Flags (light blockers)
Microphones
Diffusion panels
Green screen

What to know about using C-Stands:

• If you're extending your the arm on your C-Stand, be aware that you probably want sandbags to stabilize the stand to prevent lights or gear from falling on your actors or your set.
• They are one of the most versatile pieces of grip equipment and most film industry professionals will recommend having your own if you do your own freelance video production.
• Hold microphones without extra hands.  Suspending microphones should be relatively easy with C-Stands as long as you remember to bring long enough audio cables.
•  Position reflectors.  Keep reflectors in the exact spot that you want them by attaching them with a clamp.
• Suspend overhead lights.  Suspending softboxes or other lights above your talent (actors) can mean achieving the lighting setup that you want.

Indy Video Lighting for $100 or less

Many low-budget and indy filmmakers like to build their own lighting setups.

With the wide availability and affordability of CFL lights, building your own lights is no longer a necessity since CFL bulbs are inexpensive for their comparative light output.

As of this writing (August 2014), the #1 selling continuous lighting kit on Amazon.com is a set of three 45watt CFL 6500K, Daylight Balanced bulbs with umbrellas and stands. This kit is only $47.95 and produces the equivalent of 600 watts of light output while only using 135 watts of energy.

 

Why use CFL bulbs for your indie lighting?

• Cheap.  CFL's cannot be beat for their price and light output.
• Will not produce excess heat.  CFL bulbs will keep your actors comfortable because produce very little heat and will allow you to take down/adjust your lights safer because they are mich cooler to the touch.
• Small form factor.  Pack your whole lighting kit in a bag and maybe a small box to protect the bulbs.
• Flexible.  Your bulbs can be swapped out for higher or lower light output.

CFL to incandescent equivalents for video lighting:
45w = 200 watts
85w = 300 watts
105w = 400 watts

The lighting kit I just ordered is the Cowboy Studio Softbox Lighting Kit, 600 watt output.  I chose this kit because it was inexpensive at $76, provides a 5500k daylight balanced light source, and includes softboxes with stands, which are generally more useful than umbrellas for video lighting.

If the two 85 watt bulbs (300 watt incandescent equivalent) provided in the kit do not provide enough light for my video setups, I can simply purchase standalone 105 watt bulbs from Cowboy Studio or LimoStudio to bump my 600 watt lighting kit to 800 watts for $30 or less.


Great Videos on Indy Lighting

How-to: Powerful DIY video light (800 watt equivalent) - YouTube (March 2012)

$60 DIY video light created by Griffon Hammon from Indy Mogul

85 watt CFL bulb provides 300 watts of traditional light.  Indy Mogul uses this for some videos.

Three Point Lighting example from Indy Mogul.

Color temperature scale.  5,000k balanced lights mix well with sunlight.

Setting up your lights/precautions

• Screw in your CFL bulbs by the base to avoid breaking them and releasing mercury vapors
• Know how to dispose of CFL bulbs in your area in case you break a bulb.

Standalone CFL Light Bulbs to expand your lighting kit:

LimoStudio 2 x Photo Studio Photography 105 Watt 6500K Day Light Fluorescent Full Spectrum Bulb - $18.46

LimoStudio Set of Two 105 Watt, 6500 K Fluorescent Daylight Balanced Light Bulb for Photography and Video Lighting, AGG878 - $28.50

CowboyStudio Set of Two 105 Watt, 5000 K Fluorescent Daylight Balanced Light Bulb for Photography and Video Lighting - $29.25

If need a 1K light (1000 watt) equivalent, here is one for less than $100:
StudioPRO 1000W Photo Studio Continuous Portrait Video Lighting Kit with Light Stand, Five 45W Daylight Bulbs, and Softbox - $71.95
-- this kit has five individual on/off switches for each of the light sockets.

Gear list and checklist for DSLR film shoot

After a handful of shoots, here is my checklist for gear when prepping my DSLR for a shoot.  At this point I've done three outdoor shoots and four indoor shoots.

Main gear

• Camera
• Lens(es)
• Video tripod(s)
• ND filters
• External audio recorder
• Mics 
• Monitor
• SDHC Memory cards (empty and formatted in-camera)
• Boom Pole
• Boom/Reflector holder
• Shoulder mount
• AA batteries
• 9-volt battery (if using Rode VideoMic)
• AC Adapter for camera (if you own one)
• Headphones
• Air blower
• AC adapter for External audio recorder
• AC adapter for second camera

Miscellaneous tools

• Gaffer tape / artists' tape
• Surge protector
• Extension cords
• Notebook
• Pen and pencil
• Water bottle
• Protein bars
• Sack lunch
• Pillow/foam pad for comfort

Gear prep checklist

• Charge batteries
• Dump / backup / format memory cards
• Blow dust/debris off of lens filters
• Pick-up rental equipment

What Gear to Buy First

Camera
If you're just starting and have no money to invest in a camera, borrow or rent until you can buy.   Renting is expensive, though, as you'll probably pay $80-150 per day for a current DSLR model.
Suggested models: Canon 6D [full frame], Canon 70D [touchscreen autofocus], Panasonic GH3 [1080p at 60fps], Panasonic GH4 [4k], Nikon D610, Nikon D7100,
Your lenses and other gear (lighting, camera support, etc) will make your project look better, so don't blow your entire budget on the camera.

Note: As of April 2014, only a few DSLR cameras can shoot full 1080p at 60 frames per second.  In the next 2-3 years, many more models will arrive to fill this feature gap.  If you plan to do lots of slow-motion, best to get a camera that shoots full 1080p at 60 fps.

50mm lens
Even the cheaper, 50mm f/1.8 from Canon or Nikon is one of the fastest lenses you can buy for the money (less than $150).  If you can pony up the extra dough for the 50mm f/1.4, you'll get better build quality, faster focusing, and a little more light into the camera. [$399 for Canon or $334 Nikon D/$430 for Nikon AF-S]

Tripod
Having a stable camera will make your shots better instantly, and will be required for any interviews and most indoor shoots.  Panning and tilting with a video tripod can add a professional touch to the right shots.

External Mic
Onboard sound on DSLRs will leave you sorely disaappointed.  It's critical to use an external mic to capture good sound.  Good sound can set your video apart as professional when other people are recording poor sound.

External sound recorder
Even when using an external mic, bypassing the sound on board your DSLR has many, many benefits.  External recorders will let you record at broadcast quality formats, let you adjust the input level during recording,  allow multiple mics, and let you record ambient sound without shooting video.

Now that you have your basics covered, here's what you may need next for video production:

ND Filters
You can buy one variable ND filter, or buy a few filters. Neutral density filters will allow you to shoot get shots with shallow depth of field during bright sunlight.  Without an ND filter on a sunny day, too much light will enter your camera and you'll be forced to stop your lens down to f/8-f/16 to get proper exposure.

Shoulder Mount
A must for extended outdoor shoots.  Great for wedding videography, video journalism, and events.  They're relatively inexpensive if you start with a basic model.

Viewfinder
Will enable you to shoot in bright daylight and actually see your LCD screen to check exposure and focus.
Onboard Monitor
When shooting for a commercial production, a monitor is a must to check focus and allow your creative team to help make decisions

Camera Stabilizer
Steadicam style shots can add an impressive look to your reels if you get things right.

Camera slider
Those sleek horizontal motion shots you see now in promotional videos and wedding videography are done with sliders.  They can be expensive, but if you only need basic functionality, they are available for about $200.

Additional items to help with production

Reflector
A white reflector can help balance shadows during outdoor shoots or bring beautiful, natural light for your indoor shots.

Boom / Reflector / Light holder
A must have if you are a one or even two-man crew.

AC Adapter
Very helpful for indoor shoots so you don't have to worry about having too many batteries.


Helpful accessories

Batteries
Always carry at least one extra battery with you.  Most professionals will have three or four batteries, depending on how many camera bodies they have.



What to rent until you can afford to buy:

Lights
(or use poor man's utility lights)

Wireless lavalier mic
The model recommended to me retails for about $600.

Digital SLRs vs. Professional Camcorders for Wedding Videography

The two big choices when deciding what video cameras to buy boil down to Digital SLRs and Professional Camcorders.

Since it's release in 2008, the Canon 5D Mark II quickly became a familiar camera on indie film sets and has even been used for small segments of feature films (Limitless (2011), 127 Hours (2010), End of Watch (2012), Black Swan (2010) and more.

Canon 6D with 24-105mm lens

Why buy a Digital SLR for commercial video:
* Low-light capabilities
* Shallower depth of field (from larger sensor)
* Great for photographers moving to the video world
* Usually less weight
* Time lapses (not all Camcorders can do time lapses)

Canon XA20 Professional Camcorder

Why buy a Professional Camcorder:
* Longer continuous record times (most DSLR's max out at 20-30 minutes when recording in 1080p.)
* Shoot in 60 fps at 1080p  (only a few DSLR's can shoot at 60 fps and true 1080p.)
* CCD based camcorders do not have the rolling shutter effect.  However, CMOS cameras, which are very common now, can still have this problem.
* Larger LCD
* Autofocus (some DSLRs now have autofocus during video)
* Zoom in/out with ease
* Lens is already built into the camcorder.



DSLR Maximum continuous recording time:
Canon 5D Mark III - 30 min.
Nikon D600 - 20 min.

Camcorder Maximum continuous record time:
Canon XA20 - 35 min. (8GB) or 10 hours 10 min (128GB).

More articles about Digital SLR's vs. Camcorders for commercial video and filmmaking:

 Video DSLRs vs Camcorders
* What We Do and Don't Currently Get with DSLR Video Cameras

Canon 6D and lenses for shooting video

The Canon 6D is the closest replacement in price and features to the hall-of-fame 5D Mark II. The 5D Mark II quickly became the camera of choice for many indie and low-budget filmmakers.  It was used to film episodes of the TV show House, as well as

Ken Rockwell, a professional photographer, says the Canon 6D is the second best DSLR available on the market as of 2013.

Ken goes on to say:
If you're considering the Nikon D600, don't bother. The 6D is superior for its far better ergonomics. I own both of these, and the 6D is much more fun, smooth and easy to shoot, while the D600 is a pain, and the D600's colors often have a green/magenta shift problem. The D600 is the best camera made by Nikon, but nowhere near as good in actual shooting as the 6D.

As of August 2013, the camera is $2,000.

Prime lenses for commercial video and film making:

Canon 50mm f/1.4
$399

This is considered the "human vision" prime lens because it is the closest view to what the human eye sees.  Many of my favorite images have been photographed with a 50mm f/1.4 lens.  At only $400, it's one of the smartest lens investments you can make.

Canon 28mm f/1.8
$449

Every professional photographer and filmmaker will have some kind of wide angle lens in their bag, and if you're shooting with prime lenses for an indie film project or commercial video, this lens can't be beat for the price.

Canon 24mm f/2.8 IS
$699

The image stabilization may not be worth the extra cost, depending on how you're shooting.  But if you want to be slightly wider than the 28mm lens above, this could be a good buy.

Zoom lenses for wedding video and event coverage:

Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L
$2,299

Most professionals shooting Canon or Nikon will have the 24-70mm lens.  It's a high-quality lens that includes a wide angle through a small telephoto.  It's perfect for weddings, documentary, and other situations where keeping the same lens on the camera body means getting the shot.

Canon 24-105 f/4L
$1,149

For a little extra focal range on the telephoto end, and a savings of $1,150, this lens may be a better buy instead of the 24-70mm.  For low-budget documentary work, this lens is very versatile and is the least expensive L series lens available.


Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L
$1,699

This ultra-wide zoom is loved my many professionals around the world.


If money is no object:

Canon 85mm f/1.2L
$1,999
Professional portrait and wedding photographers who have this lens in their bag say that it's the sharpest portrait lens available today.

Canon 50mm f/1.2L
$1,439
A higher-end version of the standard 50mm lens.

Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro
$1,049
Need to get close shots and want excellent optics?


Links:

All of the Canon L series lenses available from B&H Photo



Although the Nikon D600 ranks #3 on the DxOMark sensor rankings and the Canon 6D is much lower at #19, I would rather trust photographers actually using these cameras for their everyday work, rather than a table of data.



Weight: 26.8 oz with battery and memory card.