quote:

---

Originally posted by sernewto

the big screen..what would u all recommend if i want to shoot a documentary that will eventually air on the big screen...also- which ones are good and also for a good price?

---

What do you mean by "big screen"?

I hate to assume, but I will assume that you mean "theatrical release," as in, you want to project your final product in a movie theater.

There really are only two real choices if quality images mean anything to you. The first option is film. Ideally, 35mm which will give you the clearest highest quality image. Anything else is less unless you somehow are ready to shoot in IMAX.

So, going in knowing that fact, the next step "down" would be to shoot uncompressed HD (4:4:4) with a camera like Genesis or the Sony F35. (see more here: http://www.fletch.com/09digitalcamcomparison.html )

After that, you get into formats that start to "fall apart" when blown up to a big screen. Grain really begins to show up when you project 16mm film and formats like HDCAM (Sony F900) that shoot at 4:2:2 compression.

Dropping down the list into cameras like the Sony EX1 or EX3, the cameras become "affordable" for lower budgets, but there should be no true expectation that an image from a compressed camera will project in any way that you will be happy with.

Now, you could theoretically shoot on any format and scan your final edit to film (a filmout), but your picture will still only be as good as the way you acquire it. Ideally you'll be able to acquire images in the best way possible, but if you can't afford the "best," then you have to accept that your image will almost always be "compromised" in a way that you have to accept.

"Good price"? That's a subjective phrase, but again I'll assume that you're intimating "cheap." Without question, you simply cannot shoot a project for theatrical projection with a cheap prosumer camera. Even the professional cameras, like the F900, that capture with compression are shaky when projected. An F900 will rent for around $1,000 a day and that is the base line of what format you could get away with for theatrical release. A "good price" on a 4:2:2 camera is around $800 a day.

And one more "item." You say "air on the big screen." I'm not sure I understand. If by "big screen" you mean "theatrical projection," those movies don't "air." The term "air" refers to electronic transmission through air or cable to a television monitor. So again, I'm confused by what you're precisely looking to achieve.

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com