I've finally decided to get serious about filming, after using an older family camcorder and my iPhone for the past few years. Since I'm new to this, I'm not quite sure what else I'm going to need. I'm a college student to I can't spend a ton of money. Mostly looking for the essentials to get some quality video. Camcorder: I'm 99% sure I'm going with the Canon Vixia HF G20. I was thinking about a DSLR, but figured it would be difficult self-filming. Arm: Debating between the 3rd Arm Bandit Tree Arm, Muddy Outfitter, Lone Wolf, and Hunting Beast Arm. Thoughts on these? Head: Some of the arms I'm looking at have heads already. Will these suffice? If not, which should I be looking at? Any decent inexpensive models? LANC Controller: I'll be mostly self-filming, so I'd like a controller. I've been looking at the VariZoom VZ-STEALTH Zoom Controller because of the price and good reviews. Any less expensive ones out there that will get the job done? POV/Action Cam: I'd like a second angle cam, but again worried about price. Leaning towards the Sony Action Cam, but not ruling out a GoPro White or other cam around $200. Bag/Pack: I have a Badlands Hybrid, but I'm not sure it will keep the camcorder fully protected, or be big enough, especially later in the season when I'm packing in my heavy clothes. What bag do you use or recommend for a cam? Anything else?: What am I missing? Mic? LED light? Thanks for helping!
ARM: For the arm i would go with the Muddy Outfitter...i don't have much experience with the others but i know that it would be hard to beat the Muddy. I have not found anything i don't like about it. HEAD: As far as the head if you are wanting to get good quality footage the heads that come with them are pretty bad... a nice fluid head will work great. Depending how much you want spend on that will determine what you get. I have the Manfrotto mvh500ah. It is a pretty big head but i like it a lot. I film with a DSLR and it works good. Controller: I do not have a lot of experience with a controller so i can't help with that one, sorry. POV: For a POV camera i have a go pro but i have not tried anything else but i do like the go pro. If you have the go pro in the housing you can rule out audio, only down side. PACK: For a bag i really like the Gameplan camera pack and its good size and has a place for the camera arm and all your extras. EXTRAS I would definitely get a mic. Without good audio its hard to get great footage. Another thing would be a light for night time recovery shots. If you are wanting to do any filming from the ground maybe a good tripod.
For POV look at the Epic Instant-On. It's 1080P HD and 129.99 on Amazon when I checked. It has a remote so that helps. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Check out the new rode video mic go looks like a good mic for the price!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I was looking for a good yet fairly priced shotgun mic as well, I ended up going with an Azden SMX-10, check it out.
Here's what I'm thinking right now... Camcorder: Canon Vixia HF G20 Arm: Muddy Outfitter Head: Manfrotto MVH500AH Controller: Varizoom VZ-Stealth or VZ-Stealth-LX 2nd Angle Cam: Sony Action Cam or GoPro White Mic: Rode Videomic Go or Azden SMX-10 Other: Memory Cards and Batteries (what extra batteries to get?) Thoughts on these? Any inexpensive tripod suggestions? Thanks!
Look into the Liquid Image EGO cam (POV). Very small and very great picture quality! I have one and love it. I use it as my second camera angle mounted on my bow looking back at me. Also look into the Motion Industries camera arms I have the original and like it a lot! It also comes with a nice fluid head too. It seems they have a new line of camera arms out now on the website and the one I have isn't listed..
