Office video studio up to $1200

[pnowak2]

Hello,

Recently in our small firm we figured out that we could make our own promotional movies like the one below:

DIY Office Video Studio

The movie above shows pretty much we would like to achieve.

Our goal is to record short promotional movies about our solutions and making good quality photos.
The footage will contain a standing person talking to camera, maybe some flipchart drawing etc.

[FONT=Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]The quality required is full HD movie.[/FONT]

So the shopping list contains:

* DSLR camera
* lens
* microphone which could work with the camera, but we would like to use it with pc as well (some voice over recording).

Is anyone able to recommend something withing price range $1200 ?

 

[Big Mike]

Welcome to the forum.

I don't do much (any) video, so I don't have an idea of what to recommend, but I'd certainly look for one that has a microphone input jack. I'm not sure if the entry level DSLR models have that, or if you would have to choose something more expensive.

But I do want to point out that just getting a camera and a microphone, is a long way from producing good videos. Lighting will probably be on of the most important things, so you may want to account for that in your budget. What will you use for a background? You may want to purchase a stand and a backdrop. What about a good tripod or if you want some mobility, a stabilization rig?

 

[KmH]

Camera -Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3K 16.05 MP Digital Single Lens Mirrorless Camera with 3-Inch OLED - Body Only (Black)

Lens - Panasonic H-FS45150K Lumix G Series Lens (Black).
If you don't need to zoom this would be better - Sigma 30mm f2.8 DN Lens (Micro FT)

Tripod and head - Ravelli AVTP Professional 75mm Video Camera Tripod with Fluid Drag Head

Microphone - Audio-Technica AT897 Line + Gradient Compact Shotgun Condenser Microphone
Or the Rode VideoMic Pro VMP Shotgun Microphone

If the person in your videos is going to be moving around and writing on a flip chart, you may also need a follow focus accessory for when you zoom the lens.
Several other accessories make it much easier to produce good quality video.

Of course, don't forget you will need to include lighting, sound echo control, etc.

The trick is going to be learning how to use all the lighting, sound, and camera gear effectively.

I suspect you're going to discover you need to double your $1200 budget.

 

[brunerww]

Hi pnowak - KmH gave you a great list, bit I think you can do it for about $1390, which is a little over your budget, but it's the bare bones.

I have pretty much everything on this list, so I can personally vouch for it.

Camera and lens - Panasonic G6 with the 14-42 kit lens - $649 on sale at Adorama. As good as the GH3 is (I own one), it is too expensive for what you're trying to do. Note - do not get a DSLR. If you ever need to shoot a long speech or conference, they shut down after 30 minutes of continuous recording and have to be restarted. The Panasonic mirrorless cameras can shoot for a couple of hours continuously.

Tripod - $79 Ravelli AVT Professional - a little less than the AVTP Professional

Mic w Shockmount, Windmuff and cable - Audio Technica AT897 - $300 (same mic KmH recommended, but in a package)

Boom stand - OnStage Tripod Studio Boom Stand - $100 (if you don't want to spend $100 for a boom stand, get another light stand and cold shoe adapter and put the mic on it - it'll be a little harder to keep the mic out of the frame, but it can be done)

Adapter - $17 Hosa XLR to 3.5mm transformer/adapter to plug the mic cable into the camera

2 x 300 LED lights with cold shoes - $73 each = $146

2 x cold shoe to 1/4" adapters - $6.12 each = $12.24

2 x Light stands - $28.99 for two

Backdrop - $60 White/Green backdrop with stand

With this setup, you'll be able to approximate the "look" of that DIY office video - without breaking the bank.

Hope this is helpful!

Bill