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tom.benedict
86
Dec 4, 2017
I'm having a hard time replying because I really don't know where to start. What equipment do you already have? And what kinds of projects do you want to take on?
The reason I'm asking is that good video production requires video (the camera) as well as sound. Depending on the kinds of projects you plan to take on you may also eventually need lighting, light modifiers, additional sound gear, camera supports, dollies, etc. etc. etc. At the very least you'll eventually want more than one lens. The $600-$700 figure you quoted will start to run extremely thin.
If you can, try to find a decent quality used DSLR that'll shoot HD video. There are DSLR bodies out there that'll do 4k video, but those will stretch your budget to the point that you can't get anything else on your list. I've got an older Canon T2i that'll do HD video. I think they go for about $250 used. Every other manufacturer has something comparable for about the same price, used. It's not super-capable, but it'll get the job done until you can afford something better.
Try to pick up lenses that'll give you at least 24mm to 100mm. If possible, try to go a little wider than the 24mm, maybe to 18mm or more. This will give you the ability to do establishing wides while still letting you do tight shots. Unless you have a specific need to isolate a subject, don't throw a lot of money at longer lenses right from the start. On the subject of lenses, this is where camera money tends to get spent. Camera bodies get replaced over time. Glass tends to stick around forever, so try to pick good lenses from the start.
Sound can make or break a video project, and the built-in microphones on practically all DSLRs aren't up to the task. Chances are you'll need an external mic. I won't advise you on which one to get because that choice is so dependent on what kinds of projects you want to take on. If you're doing interviews, lavalier mics or a shotgun on a boom would work, though you may need a field mixer to interface them to your camera. If you're doing nature documentaries a stereo pair and a shotgun or a parabolic would work better. If you're doing action films you'd need a shotgun or some wider cardioid on a boom pole (with a boom operator!) and a field mixer. Each situation really requires different tools. There's no one right way to record sound.
I guess what I'm getting at is no matter what you choose, try not to spend your entire budget on the camera. Give yourself some buffer room to pick up whatever gear you wind up needing, like a tripod with a fluid pan head or a shoulder rig for hand-held. No matter how careful you are, there will always be something you missed.
Sorry I couldn't help more. It's a pretty open-ended question.
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