The sentence that caught my attention was this: "I looking to get into making commercials for small local businesses."

Do you want to be the DIRECTOR or PRODUCER or CAMERAMAN for these commercials?

All of those titles? Just one of them? Two of them?

If you want to DIRECT them, then you shouldn't be too concerned over the technicalities of CAMERAS, though you SHOULD be concerned with FORMAT and DELIVERY specs.

But if you want to be a Cameraman for a living, then your concern is for what your CLIENT needs, which means that instead of asking anonymous internet forum users for advice, you should be asking your clients what they need.

Which leads to the point that you MUST base all rental/purchase decisions on what your clients require instead of making purchase decisions on your own. There are LOTS of cameras out there but the only ones that matter are the ones that deliver the specs that your PAYING CLIENTS can use.

Asking "what camera is best?" is a useless question. What YOU need to know is what your clients WANT which means that you may not benefit from purchasing anything, but rather, hiring a CAMERAMAN and renting the appropriate equipment on a per-job basis.

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

I don't intend to be "mean," but based on your initial question, you really don't appear to have the experience necessary to put yourself out there as a professional Cameraman who asks for pay.

If your intention is to BE a CAMERAMAN, then you MUST learn much more before selling yourself to paying customers.

But if you wish to be a Director or Producer, then you HIRE an EXPERIENCED CREW (camera, sound, grip, electric, wardrobe, makeup, props, sets, transportation, etc.) to complete the necessary tasks.

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

Hello to all, I am new here, and I apologize for piggy-backing on this thread - but essentially i am seeking similar advice. I'm looking to get the basics needed for start-up documentary film-making. I have been browsing cameras, and it seems there's many digital, "all-in-one" packages out there. Any feedback would be appreciated, thank you.

Hi Paul

You are going to need a camera and at least one mic and a few lights.
There really isn't an all in one solution.

In order to help how about giving us a price range.

=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

Hi, thank you for responding. Well, limited budget - few grand. About lights: I recently was watching the documentary Salesman (from '68 and a great film), and on the commentary the director noted that if shot in B&W, natural lighting could be used. I wondered if this type of thing still applied to the age of digital? I would be looking to shoot B&W as i prefer it for my aims, but how true is the lighting issue w/B&W? How much can be corrected in post production?

Sure, if you would rather not use lighting - only natural
light - you can. Lighting, especially with digital and B&W
is very important. Yes, you can get an exposed image if
that is all you want.

=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

A better question to start with is what kind of documentaries are you going to shoot and do you have any ideas on where these will be distributed/exhibited?

Instead of starting with "what camera should I buy?" you should first find out what the delivery requirements may be for your intended target and work backwards. You really don't want to go to the trouble of making an entire project to find out that it doesn't meet delivery specs.

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