I notice most of the "which camera do you use/should I get" threads here mention DV camera's.

Im curious as to what you all mainly like to shoot with. Do you usually shoot with the dv cameras or do you prefer film with a dv transfer?

If you shoot mainly film, what kind of cameras have you worked with and prefer?

Has anyone had a chance to work with an A-Minima yet? Ive read good reviews on it, and its far cheaper then renting the higher end cameras. ($225 daily vs $800 daily) What has your experience been with it?


Thanks

I certainly *prefer* film unless there's a strong reason to use video ('realism').

A-minima is a very nice camera, but the 200' loads will be a bit annoying, you have to use Kodak stock, and it's not quiet enough to make a true 'A' cam in the eyes of many professionals... although subjectively, it's very quiet.

Hell, what do I know, I record simultaneous audio with a Kinor that's rated at 45 dB and is probably quite a bit louder.

If you're doing something really important and you're willing to invest some money to make it a project of lasting quality, use film.

My rule of thumb regarding budgets is that $60/completed minute will generally pay for consumables. My 20 minute short over the summer was about $1200 worth of film/processing/transfer. Props, etc. added another $200 or so.

a good dv, like the new panasonic hd, with 35 mm lens adapter works for me.
Its faster, cheaper and you can do all the takes you want.
If i had money the perfect match would be panavision camera and lens with fugi film.
I only touch on those during my daily job:camera assistant.

quote:

Its faster, cheaper and you can do all the takes you want.

faster: maybe. Since when was that the point? This isn't TV news...

cheaper: not sure about that. You have to actually *buy* the video camera and the better HD cameras are not cheap at all. Think several thousand to play.

doing many takes: yes, but then you have to upload and edit them. Not too fun when you have twenty hours of footage

I like using film because it forces some element of rigor and craft. It's possible on video also but far more difficult.

Im thinkin of selling some stock to buy the arri 416 lol (i wish)