How to Choose the Right Camera for Filmmaking Process
The sky-high cost of a filmmaking camera is overwhelming, especially to many newbie filmmakers. Luckily, good stories don’t have to get filmed with an expensive camera, a budget in the millions, and a team of hundreds. The costume, story, sound, acting, and lighting are equally vital to the success of filmmaking. But without a good camera, you cannot capture your movie.
So to help you choose the right camera for the filmmaking process, here are great tips from professional filmmaking producers, like Mark Murphy Director.
Look at Your Budget and Needs
Before you consider certain types of cameras, you need to know your budget and needs. If you are relatively new when it comes to filmmaking, start with an affordable option. Luckily, getting cinematic results has become affordable, thanks to the rise in video abilities of mirrorless cameras and DSLRs. You should also be aware of hidden costs. The cost of a camera may seem good at first, though it may require a separate shoulder rig and electronic viewfinder, making it more expensive in the end.
Consider Sensor Sizes
Before the DSLR revolution, student and indie filmmakers used digital cameras with around 1/3 inch sensors or something similar. For reference, 1/3 inch sensors have a 6.9x crop factor than full-frame sensors. A shallow depth of field was out of the question when it came to cameras with no expensive adaptors. Apart from the price tag, the depth of field adapters introduced certain problems, including significant image degradation and light loss.
Check the Recording Format
In most applications, you will only require 1080p HD. However, filming in 4K’ UHD’ comes with some benefits. A 4K footage may look better when you downsize it to 1080. Plus, it will give you a cropping option, ranging from a closeup to mid-shot.
Determine the ISO Performance and Pixel Density
Pixel density doesn’t necessarily refer to a photo resolution. Rather it refers to how many points of light every sensor may detect. As technologies advance, pixels become more packed tightly on the sensor. This means you can fit more in the same space. Normally, this directly impacts ISO performance. As pixels become smaller, the light amount of every pixel collected also becomes less as well. That means noise becomes a greater proportion of information gathered by every pixel.
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Prioritise the Image Stabilisation
Stabilisation is a vital part of filmmaking. This may mean the use of tripods with a design made to move properly for videos. Cameras with in-body stabilisation will allow more freedom of motion, enabling you to add a little bit of dynamism to all your projects. Many image-stabilised cameras come with models made to cancel modes and shake, which smoothen things out as you move the camera.
In a Nutshell!
Basically, there are many options you can choose from. According to many experts, a high quality camera normally represents more value for cash as far as personal use is concerned. High-quality cameras are also the right pieces of equipment, which may fit into your tour bag, ensuring you don’t miss out on any shot. However, in the end, the right camera narrows down to your unique requirements, preferences, and budget.
