Question by Grae: Independent film production & filming advice…?
My friends and myself are trying to get a film production company going (we’re getting LLC soon), and the thing I’m asking about is mainly filming. And also, mainly the camera. I recently came into a little bit of money, enough for a prosumer camera. I’ve wanted a Canon XL-2 for almost 3 years now (since my high school film class), and I am still considering it. I was wondering about anyone’s experiences with said camera, and any feedback for anything of production work. Pre- and Post- production, we have down, but we’ve never actually done such a project. We’ve run test shots with our nifty little Sony Cybershot (DSC-T1), and I feel we’ll do a good job, but how about this camera? I’ve read all the specs (I’ve mainly stuck with my original decision of the XL-2 because of the versatility/adaptability and cost). Does anyone have any advice, comments, or suggestions? Thanks.
Best answer:
Answer by evilgenius4930
Man, you’re lucky to have a film class. At my school, we only have a crappy radio/tv program that uses ag-dvc60’s and we do nothing but study guides. Anyways, it sounds like your in almost the same position as me. My friend and I are planning to start a video/photography company to make some money, and then I’m planning to have a separate film production company on the side. However, I don’t have that much money, so I’m only getting a GL2, which is a good cam, but cant measure up to the XL2. If I were you, I wouldn’t get an XL2 just yet (but this is my opinion, so feel free to ignore it). Although the XL2 has an advantage over other cameras by the fact that it has interchangeable lenses, a lens will probably cost you at least $ 200-$ 300. I think since your going to be using it for filmmaking, a dvx100b will probably be better because it creates a film-look. Im guessing you already know how a film-look can improve people’s first impressions of your film. Also, it is slightly cheaper than the XL2, so you can buy stuff to improve other aspects of your film, and not just picture quality. Yes, I know, you can do the film-look in post with Magic bullet or something like that, but rendering often takes hours if not days, even on a decent computer. So that’s my take on it. If you agree, go out and get a dvx100b. If not, stick with your original decision and get the XL2. Either way, its not a bad decision.
Anyways, I hope this helped, and I always like meeting other filmmakers, so feel free to contact me any time at evilgenius4930@yahoo.com
What do you think? Answer below!