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Seconded. It's all about the lighting. Took me a long time to realize this in my own career coming from the run 'n gun world of broadcasting. If you're willing to listen to advice from an older dumbass like me that has made all the mistakes, right now at the outset, then you're going to leapfrog over all other newbies that put their efforts into acquiring gear. Acquiring gear isn't always a waste of time, but it's a wildly low priority. Learn to light. Learn to know when to not light. Learn to "see" what light is doing and offering; exploit it. Learn to recognize what sort of lighting works for motion pictures. Pay attention to your frame like you're making an oil painting and, my god, you'll be so much better at this stuff than most of us. Nothing drives me more crazy than when I see cheap indy shoots that have NO notion of lighting AND can't even bother to dress up/clean up the location they're shooting in. Everything on frame is visual information. It's your job to control it and make people see the important stuff, not random visual vomit. That said, slap a 50mm lens on your T3i, put it on f2.8, set your frame rate at 24fps, set your shutter speed at 40, use the neutral color profile, get some ND filters to control your exposure, and you'll have a good technical baseline to make things happen with your camera.

The PC industry is full of BS these days, Intel is struggling to innovate since 2015 and the graphic card market is dominated by Nvidia but Radeon is making a come back. I wrote about that in detail: https://fstoppers.com/originals/little-lies-and-big-problems-computer-industry-lack-innovation-artificial-351357 For the rest, as someone mentioned, there is not such thing as "best" CPU or GPU, etc. It depends of your use and your budget. The key is to pick the right gears for your user profile and maximize your money. Build a balanced setup and avoid bottlenecks like spending a lot of money on memory when your CPU is the limiting factor. As for Intel vs AMD, it depends of your editing app and your expectations (want to improve editing experience or focus on rendering?). The way to go is to check these benchmarks: https://www.pugetsystems.com/recommended/Recommended-Systems-for-DaVinci-Resolve-187/Hardware-Recommendations https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/What-is-the-Best-CPU-for-Video-Editing-2019-1633/#DaVinciResolveStudioCPUPerformance Long story short, for Resole, AMD tends to be better than Intel but this app relies mainly on GPU. For Premiere and adobe in general, it relies mostly on CPU frequency and does a poor job with parallelism. Better have a 4-8 cores CPU for Premiere, you would mainly waste your money beyond that. FINALLY, please make sure to purchase a good power supply and have enough ventilation in your computer. I cannot stress enough the importance of installing a good power supply unit (PSU) in your PC. As a rule of thumb, do not even consider a power supply below $40. Cheaply made units have poor efficiency, they will waste energy by producing a lot of heat requiring a noisy fan to evacuate this thermal load. Finally, low-end PSUs generate bad quality voltage and amperage which will stress the precious electronic parts of the PC, in turn reducing their lifetime. In the worst case scenario, the machine may become instable and crash. Don’t be cheap and save yourself a lot of trouble by investing a little bit more on a decent PSU. Rely on established brands and spend between $50–$120 depending of the power needed.

Maybe its true, they just didn't leaked the crop factor yet 🤣

Again, it depends of the App , but generally video editing software struggle to efficiently use more than 4-8 CPU. Past this number of cores, the correlation decrease sharply between the performance and the price: Eg: an 8 cores CPU at $100 would give you 100 points of performance but a $800 16 cores would only reach 120 points. So you would have to spend 8 times the money to gain only 20% of performance. Sure, Puget would say "buy the monster 16 cores for absolute performance" but you may want get the 20% slower CPU, save $700 and put this money on NVMe SSD, additional DDR and better GPU if you use resolve. That what I said previously about balancing your rig. Don't waste your money on "status" items. As for the card, I think that you are talking about SLI and Crossfire? Be careful with that, make sure your app really use that. Last time I checked, most software are not optimized for parallel GPU use so it might be completely useless. Again, look at the benchmarks online. Also, you are entering in a different world with dual GPU in terms of cooling, space and power supply.. First make sure that your tower can fit two large cards and you must scale your PSU accordingly. PS: be carefull about video game benchmark (most of the bench online actually) as video games are very poorly optimized for parallelism. Said otherwise benchmarks based on video games tend show better scores on fast frequency / low core counts CPU. And GPU is what matters the most for video games.

Heartfelt thanks to everyone on here who backed the First Wave release of the PBC and please click the link to download some light reading ahead of your units being dispatched over the next few days. https://tinyurl.com/PBC-USER-GUIDE The fact that this single screen application with two buttons has ended up with enough functionality for a fifteen page manual is testament to how something that started out as a record start/stop controller ended up getting waaaayyy out of hand

Guys, guys. This is the videography and photography world. You have to teach him to be really toxic first so he has a fighting chance in the first place. First of all, you can't use more than one camera brand. IF you do, you're lost. You have to choose one brand and then go all in...buy brand merch and invest at least 10K into the system. You then have to shun and look down on anybody that uses a different camera, why? Because they are dumb and not smart like you. Got it? Good. Second, EVERY camera that is NOT YOUR CAMERA has terrible color science. This is fact. Third, it's always, without exception, all about the gear. Dropping 3K on a new camera WILL make you a BETTER photographer/videographer. Don't believe anybody that tells you otherwise because they probably shoot on a point-and-shoot (this is very, very bad). Fourth, never talk to a Pentax owner. This rule has no exceptions. Do not break it. Fifth, and final, when you switch your camera brand you have to start from step 1 all over again. Good Luck and fast shutters!

i recommend watching this : if you want to get into production... lighting is much more important than any camera/lens

EOS R -like most MILC systems- is aimed at photographers first, videographers second. Again BM isn't even in that hybrid market, so they aren't competing with it let alone dominating it. Canon have two cameras coming (R5 & R6) one will be expensive, the other less so. Seems like a sound strategy, not to mention if the specs are true it very well might be the class-leading FF units for 2020. Only wild card left is Sony and I don't really see them topping this.

I believe I've had a chance to own one of many rebranded versions of this Tokina - Vivitar 19-35 mm f/3.5 - 4.5 Series 1. And I must admit it's one of the lenses I regret selling. Build quality was horrible, handling was cumbersome. But, man, the images coming out of it were gorgeous (at least to my eyes, hahaha). Here are some photos I took with it and a7 III: (FYI, the B&W photo depicts Gdańsk Town Hall, whereas the last two show Malbork Castle). As a matter of fact, right now I'm eyeing another copy of it and most likely I'll end up buying it.

@BrunoCH looks pretty good to me! Why is the boom operator in your short? Maybe @IronFilm can be a movie star after all!!

Re: Alexa Mini

Nah, I actually don't like the 180 shutter rule. A tiny bit more motion blur in the image and it looks more like film to me. I shot a doc once with 25ss and 24fps. Liked that too even though the motion blur is more pronounced. To each his own, but it's a style/look that I think really takes the edge off the "video" quality of a video camera.

I should note the circle in the bottom right is the best value for the money...its probably a Sony F3 or something....or some other older, used, cinema camera that has seen some shit.

The camera is basically the LAST thing you should upgrade. First: Lighting - get some basic lights and learn how to use them Set design - get some much crazier lights and learn about set design - music videos go all out on this so don't hold back Composition - learn about framing, camera angles, camera movement Directing - learn how to work with talent to get the best performances from them - writing and even performing music are very different to knowing how to look good in an extreme close-up Business - making a good film isn't the same thing as making money Yourself.... learn about colour theory, learn how to edit ('cut on the beat' is one style - learn 15 other styles), learn to colour grade, learn about in-camera special effects and only then start to think about camera equipment... or, at least, don't think about spending more than a few hundred. A good way to be practical about it is to only use money you earned from shooting videos to invest in more equipment.

Sounds like this is going to have a fully articulating screen. Fuji is going for the jugular.

What cameras I want to have in my arsenal is always on my mind. I've become to much of a gear head. However I realize the camera is far from the most important part of a production. That said its still fun to think about and certain cameras can certainly aid in production. So here is my plan for 2020 Keep my XT3. It will really be my camera for when I need decent auto focus. Nothing else can really compete here besides maybe a C300 MKII which doesn't have 4k 60p or a Sony FX9, which is way out of my budget atm. Buy an URSA mini Pro 4.6k old model. These are going for stupid cheap nowadays (often under $2500). Nothing really competes with this camera for shooting in daylight at least at this price. I was seriously considering an Alexa Classic, but looking at dynamic range comparisons between the two the URSA really does well. Of course the Alexa does still blow it away but the URSA will cover almost any dynamic range situation you can throw at it. Plus they are half the price of an Alexa classic, more than half the weight, way less power hungry, way higher resolutions, pretty much ready to go out of the box without kitting it out. So yeah it really seems like a no brainer. Sure the Alexa might get me a few more jobs, but an URSA would be so much more versatile. I can easily throw it on a Ronin M, throw my Nikon AI lenses on it and still get an image that can match an Alexa, apart from dynamic range, which is rarely an issue when you have 12.5 stops to work with. Buy an S1 The S1 seems to have an unmatched image quality for the price. The high ISO performance, full frame sensor, codec, and dynamic range are all incredible. Again I feel like its a no brainer camera. The codec and sensor aren't as great but the high ISO performance would beat out cameras that are 10 times the price. That is pretty insane. Plus the dynamic range is probably right there with something like the FX9 or C500. The value for $2000 is just amazing. Anyways its going to be a good year regardless of my kit, I am investing a lot in lighting gear as well.

When the shutter is slower than the multiple of the frequency, I've not witnessed it showing up much in the footage. So, under 60hz you can shoot 24fps, 25fps or 30fps with a 40ss and not see any of those sync issues, for instance. At least I don't. Anyone else notice this? Do try. See if you like it. I think it's an undervalued film emulation technique.

I’m really interested to see where the actual specs land. If it offers 4K/60p no crop and pixel binned then that’s good enough for me. 4K120p with a heavy crop and no AF is fine with me. Oversampled 4K24/30p would be amazing. Dual pixel in every mode up to 60p would be killer as well as roughly 13.5 stops DR to compete with S1H.

I don't know if I can add anything useful here but this is my set up and I can run a full day on 3 Sony batteries. I also use the black 1TB T5's for consistent look. I LOVE this set up! (don't mind the apple plug, I took this for my instagram back in december for my Instagram) (Also, I know the cog is on the zoom, so no need to point that out 😂)

Yup, these are fantastic. Blacks are black and neutral (just the way I like it), but there is still a lot of detail in the shadows. Skin tones look superb. Since you are already grading it, I assume you finished cutting it? When do you plan on releasing it? Can we count on some shooting and editing first-hand experience?

5000x crop in all modes including stills.

Hooray for things getting out of hand and being as useful as possible!

Canon open up about R strategy in their latest financial report: “Although we have launched two full-frame mirrorless cameras as well as ten dedicated lenses, our lineup is still insufficient. In order to recover from our late entry into the mirrorless camera market, we have plans to launch a model that incorporates a newly developed image sensor and image-processing engine that offer even more advanced features. We will work to raise our presence in the mirrorless camera category, leveraging large trade exhibitions around the world. Even amid increasing competition, we will expand sales of higher-end models driven by new products and aim for top market share even in the mirrorless camera market.” ..Stars are aligning!

And for people still unconvinced this is actually happening, this is what CanonRumorsGuy posted on Twitter : Wich raised a question from a user. Watch the answer : I think it's safe bet to assume that CanonRumorsGuy had new information he will double check and share soon (according to the emoji).

The problem is not with Sonys sensor manufacturing department, but their imaging department. Just look at the Panasonic S1, S1H as well as the Nikon Z6 or the Sigma FP. They use Sony sensors and can do a lot of things Sony cameras can't. 4K60p, 10bit or ProRes RAW. I think Sony Imaging is clinging to their Bionz X, which I guess is the problem in their video department.

Oh, I don't know... the people who are wasting their life watching TV and movies are the ones (indirectly) paying your salary. I wouldn't be too critical of their life choices!!! Besides, if we only compare the number of people whose devotion to computer games is about computer games themselves, rather than the number of people whose devotion really lies to avoiding the rest of their life, or devoted to hanging out with their friends, or addicted to the thrill of crushing their opponents, or to getting stoned and amusing themselves, (etc etc..) then that ratio would be quite different. Some people got where they are by running towards it, and some got there by running away from something else. You can't sensibly expect jobs for everyone who got somewhere because that was the least worst option they found, so I'd automatically eliminate them from consideration.

I second everything. And would like to add this: lighting with intention does not mean you have to buy a lot of gear. Many household items will do just fine unless you try to overpower the sun. The key is to learn how to control the light you already have in your scene, so that you can augment specific parts in your frame, making them pop. Don't fall into the bottomless pit of camera specifications, settings, etc. Think more like a painter.

He deserves the success he gets! Keep up the hard work Potato

x1000 this! Lighting is very very important. Only thing more important than lighting is audio 😉 Errr.... no, set your shutter speed to 50 or 60 (depending on where you live)

I'm hoping to get an URSA Mini Pro G2 this year. I'll wait until NAB to see if they bring out anything new, as they've released some sort URSA update every year bar one since the original big URSA. I'm hoping they announce an USRA LF, not because I want full frame, but because then all the G2's will start hitting the used market and I can get one cheaper. G2 is the only camera so far that ticks all my criteria to spend money on an upgrade: 4K120p, V-lock batts, proper audio controls/inputs, 10-bit 422 intra, easily shoulder mountable, and around ~$10,000 for a full package.

So I don't speak russian, but anyway, using the automatic subtitles translation from youtube and watching the video is all you need to know ! It's an amazing test and comparison of the H264 vs Prores HQ 10 bits vs Prores RAW. Using different setups and different tools as well as a very nice chart

As others have said, lighting is the key to cinematic images. Learn to light with whatever you have available. Use sunlight/window light if you have nothing else, and practice shaping the light in mock scenes. Get a feel for how you can diffuse light, or bounce light. Practice, practice, practice with what you already have. If you do come across a few dollars to spend, get some cheap LED lights. Your current camera will be fine while you're just starting out.

CPU or encoder chip is really not the problem, you can cool that with a relatively small heat sink and you will be fine, it really does not take much to actually process an image. What heats up is readout of the sensor and blanking it, and the lower rolling shutter you want the harder it gets. Tiny sensors mean less distance and less resistance so less heat. That is why Sony needed BSI to stand a chance while gh4 shot 4k just fine.

I really like the look from the FS7. I'd probably go a different route if I had that kind of money. I just recently saw an amazing video shot with the FS7 and a Samyang 24mm cine lens... I'm really interested to see more from the FX9 and its little brother.

Nah, not buying any new cameras this year. I'm sticking with what I have. I'm fully aware that getting a newly released body would mean upgrading my PC as well, since it already struggles with 4K 10 bit files. Ain't nobody got money for that! Maybe I'll invest just a little bit into lighting gear: some reflectors, a softbox, a key light - a bare necessities for paid interview / corpo jobs. It's high time I began unleashing the true potential of my gear.

Perhaps. Of course, drama and tech aren't exclusive, and drama drives views! Totally. If you are doing a makeup channel then you need good skin tones, so it has to be ARRI.

And MFT. They would have sold thousands of that lens in MFT ....surely more than fuji X mount