Doing video, what do I need

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

I've noticed reporters and even novices creating news videos or video blogs. I'd like to try my hand at doing this in my current job. What kind of equipment do I need?
Can use a Nikon D4 camera and a some editing software?
I want to produce some semi-professional work with clean cuts, edits and be able to put in graphics and stills, if needed. I'd like to keep it under $2,000. The cheaper the better, but it I require good equipment.
What do I need?
I was looking at this ...
Amazon product ASIN B00I2U3TJYAnd then maybe using Final Cut Pro software?

Thoughts? Ideas? Recommendations?

 

[MNgremlin]

Depends on what type of video you're shooting. If you're looking at just a video blog with you talking into a camera, I would think an iPhone and iMovie would suffice. If you're looking at shooting game footage, you'll need to look for a camera that can handle that sort of action.

 

[SFIND]

I'm not quite sure with the second line, you mean you already have a D4 camera? Are you looking to add editing software?

If you're going to shoot mostly static objects in shoots, D4 video will be fine. I'm guessing without looking that the D4 line has audio input jacks for external mics. DSLR video quality is really good and drastically improved since it was introduced 6-7 years ago. The quality from what my D300s could do compared to what my D750 does today is night and day. But if you shoot any action-type stuff, my experience has been that the DSLRs still don't focus fast enough in video mode. I shoot a Canon HD camcorder that costs about $1,000 IIRC. Video quality is about as good as DSLR, and the autofocus is way, way better.

As far as video editors, it depends on what you're going to do. But I think for the desires you described that Final Cut Pro would work well. It gives you the ability to adjust/mix clips, have multiple audio tracks, insert still photos, etc. I used it for the first time this fall helping some older colleagues who were making videos for the first time. It was easy enough for me to get the hang of in minutes after never before using it. Something like Premiere Pro is probably overkill for you.

I use Windows exclusively and I've now used the latest version of Movie Maker for years. It's hardy professional standard but it does everything I need for sports videos. I can easily insert and trim clips, create transitions, put a voiceover or other audio in over the embedded video audio, adjust levels and picture quality, and add captions, intro, outs, etc. Used it because it was free, and I've never grown to need a more powerful program (though I have tried Premiere Pro).

And remember, good audio is as important to good video. Test and know the limits of your camera's internal mic, and invest in a shotgun external mic or wireless lav mics depending on your needs.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Go with the Nikon 7200. It's the highest performing camera with all the attributes you are looking for. It's also their latest model and is an improvement over the 7100. Body only you can find for about $900. All the extras for about $1300 total. Trust me on this. A friend of mine is a professional photograhper/videographer and this is what he recommended. Got one myself recently.

 

[murphyc]

Go with the Nikon 7200. It's the highest performing camera with all the attributes you are looking for. It's also their latest model and is an improvement over the 7100. Body only you can find for about $900. All the extras for about $1300 total. Trust me on this. A friend of mine is a professional photograhper/videographer and this is what he recommended. Got one myself recently.

Yeah, I use a Nikon D7100 at work and my co-worker uses a D7000. They work pretty well, though the autofocus can be a bit slow like SFIND mentioned. An external mic would help. I shot a parade last spring and depended on the built-in mic. I had that camera on a tripod and let it record (only 20 minutes at a time, plus a few down minutes due to the heat) while I got pics with two other cameras. There was a special needs family that sat next to the camera and throughout the whole video you can hear the parents say "Hey Brittany, look at that car!" Not quietly either, I might add.
I also second SFIND's question about the D4. I'm taking the original post to mean you already have the D4 and want to know if that would work? If that's the case, yes, it should work fine.

 

[Vombatus]

First, get a penis enlargement. Then find a great looking girlfriend. Then learn POV techniques. Create an amateur pay website. Go wild. Make money.

Forget journalism.

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

This isn't journalism... its marketing.
I want to create 30 second to 5 minute marketing campaigns for local businesses. That will include b roll footage and interviews. I want to make sure I have the right equipment to do a decent job. So that it looks like professional work.

I'm pretty sure I'll need and external mic.

 

[expendable]

Spring for an external mic. There is no such thing as good video without good audio.

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

No. I don't have a D4. I am starting from scratch here.

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

Do I need a lot of accessories? I'm thinking no.
A camera, card, cord, external mic and a tripod.

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

I'm not quite sure with the second line, you mean you already have a D4 camera? Are you looking to add editing software?

If you're going to shoot mostly static objects in shoots, D4 video will be fine. I'm guessing without looking that the D4 line has audio input jacks for external mics. DSLR video quality is really good and drastically improved since it was introduced 6-7 years ago. The quality from what my D300s could do compared to what my D750 does today is night and day. But if you shoot any action-type stuff, my experience has been that the DSLRs still don't focus fast enough in video mode. I shoot a Canon HD camcorder that costs about $1,000 IIRC. Video quality is about as good as DSLR, and the autofocus is way, way better.

As far as video editors, it depends on what you're going to do. But I think for the desires you described that Final Cut Pro would work well. It gives you the ability to adjust/mix clips, have multiple audio tracks, insert still photos, etc. I used it for the first time this fall helping some older colleagues who were making videos for the first time. It was easy enough for me to get the hang of in minutes after never before using it. Something like Premiere Pro is probably overkill for you.

I use Windows exclusively and I've now used the latest version of Movie Maker for years. It's hardy professional standard but it does everything I need for sports videos. I can easily insert and trim clips, create transitions, put a voiceover or other audio in over the embedded video audio, adjust levels and picture quality, and add captions, intro, outs, etc. Used it because it was free, and I've never grown to need a more powerful program (though I have tried Premiere Pro).

And remember, good audio is as important to good video. Test and know the limits of your camera's internal mic, and invest in a shotgun external mic or wireless lav mics depending on your needs.

Looking at the Final Cut Pro ... Can I use with the Windows on a desktop computer? It looks like its for Mac and ipad applications.

 

[JohnHammond]

What are the plans to monetize the video? Does your newspaper's website support hosting video, or will you have to rely on YouTube or another host?

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

I'm out of newspapers.
I have a Youtube Channel. I post videos there and link my website and FB videos to that.

 

[SFIND]

Looking at the Final Cut Pro ... Can I use with the Windows on a desktop computer? It looks like its for Mac and ipad applications.

Yes, it's Mac only. The people I was helping last fall used it.

 

[SFIND]

No. I don't have a D4. I am starting from scratch here.

Are you planning to use a camera for both stills and video? If you're only looking for video, I wouldn't get a DSLR, I would get a pro camcorder. Autofocus is better, you wouldn't have to worry about changing lenses for different scenarios, and you can use the viewfinder while shooting video (which you can't on DSLR). I can vouch for Canon's XA-30 line. Here's info on B&H. The older XA-20 (or probably the Xa-10 before it) would be nice for your purposes. I use a Canon G20 for video, which is a stripped-down XA-20.

If you are going to make stills as well and want a DSLR for the ability to do both tasks, for Nikon (since you mentioned that brand in the OP) I would suggest either the D5500 or D750. D750 is FX (wider 35mm film equivalent field of view). I use the D750 as my main still camera and love it. The reason I suggest either of these over Doc's D7200 (DX, 1.5 field of view compared to FX) is because they have rotating LCD screens, which makes it a lot easier to see what you're doing when doing elevated or low shots. The D7200 is a nice body (I use it personally as my second stills body), but the option for a rotating screens would be very useful for video.

You're right on in your other post about what you would need to get started. I would suggest investing in a good tripod as well -- there are many cheap ones of varying quality, but generally they don't last as long and aren't as sturdy.

 

[SoloFlyer]

If you're doing a lot of "action style" videography in your marketing work, then I would still recommend a true video camera, as it tracks motion and autofocuses much faster. Something along these lines - Canon XA10 HD Professional Camcorder 4922B002 B&H Photo Video

However, if you're doing shots where the action within the scene is fairly sedate - still shots, interviews, people walking (not running), etc. - then you can go with a DSLR. If you want Nikon, I agree with SFIND's suggestion of the D750. If you prefer Canon, then I have to recommend the 70D. It's fantastic and even does a decent job of autofocus tracking, closer to traditional video camera quality.

You'll also need a versatile lens, and the Canon 70D is being packaged with a really nice 18-135mm STM lens that would be perfect for both portrait style interviews and traditional b-roll. The STM lenses are ideal for video because they're all internal motors, so they're super quiet.

Regardless of what you choose, you absolutely need to pick up external microphones. The onboard audio for any video camera and ESPECIALLY any DSLR is just not professional or good enough. If you're doing a lot of sit-down interviews, you might want to explore a lavalier microphone and pack. If you're doing a lot of walking/talking interviews and have a helper, you might want to go for a boom microphone. And if you're doing man-on-the-street interviews, you might want a traditional stick microphone. Or all three options.

Finally, you'll also want to invest into a quality tripod. And if you're looking at a lot of indoor interviews, a small light kit is encouraged as well.

As far as editing, I recommend Adobe. Adobe Premiere will do everything you need and Adobe products work on both PC and Mac. Plus, you have seamless integration between Photshop and Premiere. If you have a Mac and prefer Final Cut, it'll cost you $300. If you want the latest and greatest from Adobe, you can get the Creative Cloud version of Premiere for $19.99 a month or about $239 a year. Or, you can go cheap and get Photoshop and Premiere Elements 14 for $115 from Amazon. Elements is a scaled down version of both services, but it still lets you edit camera raw photos and do fairly decent video work. I've used both and have zero complaints.

In short, sites like bhphotovideo.com and adorama.com should be your favorites. You might be able to find sales at other places. Beware of buying camera gear on Amazon; just make sure it's fulfilled by Amazon or from the manufacturer directly. Some third-party vendors are a bit shady.

Here's a potential shopping list:
Canon 70D DSLR with 18-135 mm STM lens - $1,299 from B&H
Magnus tripod (converts to monopod for on-the-go shooting) - $89.95 from B&H
Polsen Lavalier microphone - $22.95 from B&H (wireless are much more expensive, and this one goes right to the audio jack on the camera without an adapter)
Rode VideoMic Pro shotgun microphone - $189 from B&H (worth it to have a back-up that captures all sound if the lav mic fails)
Adobe Elements 14 Bundle (Photoshop & Premiere) - $115 from Amazon
Basic Flashpoint light kit - $109.95 from Adorama

Total cost - $1825 plus taxes and shipping.

 

[Vombatus]

Solo, is the Magnus tripod aluminum or is it made of a lightweight composite?
Thanks!
VB

 

[SoloFlyer]

Solo, is the Magnus tripod aluminum or is it made of a lightweight composite?
Thanks!
VB

Pretty sure it's an aluminum alloy. Has a rep for being pretty sturdy, so that's why I chose that one. I personally use a more expensive tripod made by Manfrotto.

 

[silkytransition]

I second the suggestion of Adobe Premiere over Final Cut for simply saving money. If my job was 100 percent video, I would prefer FCP. I'd recommend getting Premiere Elements and calling it a day.

As for cameras, my old shop gave me a JVC GC-PX 100 to use. I liked it so much that I bought it to use with my new job. Can take still images, but its main function is video with a ton of options - including some slow-motion frame rates - and the ability to wirelessly transfer clips to your phone. Best Buy had a great bundle through a third party, which included an external mic, extra battery and more for the same price as just the camera. The camera and video editing software cost me about $1,200.

 

[Vombatus]

Pretty sure it's an aluminum alloy. Has a rep for being pretty sturdy, so that's why I chose that one. I personally use a more expensive tripod made by Manfrotto.

Yep. I'm a Manfrotto disciple also.