HI

I hope this thread will help individual who are interested in photo and video business
pls. kindly suggest basic equipment, you may also include brand, specs and model...

salamat po.

From photography point of view only targetted specifically for weddings, here's my equipment:

* 2 Nikon D70 Bodies (if you have money, you can get a D200 and a D80 for backup)
* 1 SB-800, 2 SB-600 Flash (you don't really need the 2 SB-600, you really only need one for backup)
* Nikkor 12-24mm f/4 (this is on my wishlist :Grin:)
* Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 (this is a standard that I just rent)
* Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR (I also rent this)
* Monopod
* Tripod
* Lightstands (rented)
* Flash bracket (mine is a Stroboframe VH 2000, see it on my avatar)

I think that's it. As you see, most of my equipment are rentals. Just like you I am just starting on the business and don't have enough money yet to buy these expensive lenses.

Good luck!

Marco

Hmmmm.... I just noticed... this is my 100th post! Yippeee!!! :D

* Canon 20 D
* Manfrotto trpiods
* Visatec Lights
* Light stands
* Soft box
* 2 Canon 550 speed lite
* 24-85 mm Canon ultrasonic
* 35-200 mm Canon

Here's mine

Thanks,
any suggestion from the others,
what about when it comes to video, what basic equipment
can you suggest....

thanks

I think that's it. As you see, most of my equipment are rentals. Just like you I am just starting on the business and don't have enough money yet to buy these expensive lenses.


Can you share where we can also rent these lenses. Do they have stuffs for Canon also?

Thanks,
any suggestion from the others,
what about when it comes to video, what basic equipment
can you suggest....

thanks


Joel,

I am assuming weddings and events here (debut, bdays, funerals).

first of all, you have to know your target market. That has a lot to do with the type of equipment you may need. For example, You can do with the old 300d or a 350d and a the kit for photography with weddings. You can even do with a single body and no backups. Some even do without an external flash.

But when you are doing higher end weddings, then you need better bodies (e.g. 20d/30d or even 1D series), and you are going to need 2 of them. Your lenses will also need to be faster. You do not want to risk equipment failure and you need the speed and accuracy of the higher end models.

You can go with 3rd party lenses such as the Tamron for your lenses that are better than the kit lens or consumer grade lenses. I have used the tamron 17-35 f2.8-4 Di and the tamron 28-75 f2.8 Di for over 2 years and it has served me well. It has saved me at least P75k vs the L class equivalents. And you will notice that you will need a 17-70 range with a f2.8-4 speed. It's best to break it into 2 lenses. But you can get the tamron 17-50 f2.8 Di-2 for a one lens solution. You will miss the 70-75mm range though, but for many this is not a big deal. The wide end is more useful

If there were only a 10-20mm lens 2-3 years ago, I would have opted for that. You will encounter many situations that 17mm (on a 1.5-1.6x crop cameras) is not going to be enough. I now have a 10-22 and a 24-105L lineup w/c serves me well. But this is close to P100k in lenses alone. But it is very versatile. Again, you can always opt for 3rd party solutions and you will cut that price by a huge chunk.


As for video, well, it's the same thing. What is your target market? You can do with those 1-ccd mini-DV sony's that cost between P25-39k. There's even a P20k or lower JVC models, though I don't recommend them. For light, get those P500 garden lights and some cheap monopods to prop them up. Or you can get a VX-2100 or GL2 w/c is about P120k and some serious metal hallide lights for P10k each with a P2.5k lightstand.


With the low end market, you may not even think of recording sound separately. The camera onboard mic will do. But in the mid to high end you need to record it separately. You may need to buy a wireless system for P8.5k-25k to even as high as P55k, just for recording sound only.

Also with video, you have to get a fast computer. If you are just buying now, get those dual cores with 250gb HDs and a DVD writer. They will set you back 25-40k depending on configuration. Trust me, don't get a 3.4ghz single core anymore. A core 2 duo running at 1.8ghz is probably going to be faster than that 3.4ghz. Even the older dual core Pentium D 3.0ghz is not going to be as fast as the core 2 duo. Get the fastest cpu you can afford because come render times, you are talking minutes or even hours of lost time if you get a slow computer. My old AMD 2200 for example can chug at 31 min to render a 3:32 min edited project with a 1gb ram and 7200 rpm HD . But that same clip rendered only 7:12min in the new core duo running at 1.66ghz 1gb ram in a HD filled with junk Dell notebook. You get my drift.

There's also cost of software for both photo and video editing. You can use the one that comes with your camera or with video there are U$50-100 consumer level editors. Or you can go as high as U$1,200 or so for the higher end models such as FCP (in Apple) or Avid.

Although you only asked about hardware, I also suggest you check out your workflow as this can cause your business to suffer if not fail. Most especially in video, you need to know your editing time and efforst needed. With photo, you can even sub-con or pass the processing to others, but there are fewer good video editors, unless you are willing to pay for P500-800 for simple Hidalgo type of edits. But that would mean you are playing in the low end market. If you are charging above P10k for a video, then you have to be editing it yourself or you know of someone who can edit it. But I am sure, he's not going to charge you P800-1,200 only. Be prapared to shell out P5k-10k for a good editor. For photo layouts, they are P2k-3k, some even P8k-10k. That is layout only.



In short, you really have to think about your business model, and your game plan as it will help you determine the hardware you might need.





-

In general, I would say you need at least:

2 bodies
1 wide angle to mid telephoto zoom (28-105mm film slr equivalent)
1 telephoto zoom to cover beyond 105mm
2 flashes
5 sets of rechargeable batteries
2 sets of alkalines
a fast charger (1 hr or 30 min only)
a fast computer
a big-capacity hard drive
a dvd writer
a color printer

also, a weather-proof camera bag.

Nowadays you can start with no-pro bodies and save up whatever you make to buy better bodies, if you like. But remember to set aside some money for repairs, or even a sudden need to buy new equipment, if repairs are not possible and you have gigs coming up.

Hello Sir Mel, Sir john

If I'm going to start next year I think my target is those who are on the low end market, Since I can't afford those HI end equipt, but the dream will not stop there until I reach those hi end clients...

joel_h

Hello Sir Mel, Sir john

If I'm going to start next year I think my target is those who are on the low end market, Since I can't afford those HI end equipt, but the dream will not stop there until I reach those hi end clients...

joel_h

I think if you target the low-end market, you will get stuck there for a long long time. Remember, word-of-mouth spreads fast. Once you have a couple of low-end clients, people will know that, "oh this Joel has very cheap rates..." and so a lot of potential clients will know that you are offering very cheap rates. It will be very hard for you to charge higher or risk losing your client base.

Charge yourself according to how you see your potential is, how much you value your work. High-end, low-end equipments, it doesn't matter. Remember these are just equipments. It is still you who will make their visions, and your visions, into reality.

People might disagree with me but this is just my two cents.

Cheers!

Marco

I think if you target the low-end market, you will get stuck there for a long long time. Remember, word-of-mouth spreads fast. Once you have a couple of low-end clients, people will know that, "oh this Joel has very cheap rates..." and so a lot of potential clients will know that you are offering very cheap rates. It will be very hard for you to charge higher or risk losing your client base.

Charge yourself according to how you see your potential is, how much you value your work. High-end, low-end equipments, it doesn't matter. Remember these are just equipments. It is still you who will make their visions, and your visions, into reality.

People might disagree with me but this is just my two cents.

Cheers!

Marco

This is one of those scenarios when we wish that there is an existing industry-standard rate guide... For everyones protection... :)

Hello Sir Mel, Sir john

If I'm going to start next year I think my target is those who are on the low end market, Since I can't afford those HI end equipt, but the dream will not stop there until I reach those hi end clients...

joel_h

Hello Joel, I can offer you a very low price for video editing and photo layout of your wedding albums, even hidalgo can't compete using my stand alone broadcast quality video editing machine with matrox and photoshop cs ver. 8.0 on photo editing. This offer is limited only to photo / video industry businesses. For some ideas on gear and equipments, explore my website www.allanfaustodigitalphotography.com (http://www.allanfaustodigitalphotography.com)
We offer lowest 1 year web hosting and free web design, free photo / video consulting on our regular customers.

* Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 (this is a standard that I just rent)
* Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR (I also rent this)
Sir marco, how much do you rent these lens?

If you start at the low end, don't stay there for long. If you want to grow your business, work at it so that people will be saying "Get him, he's good at photography/video coverage", instead of "Get him, he's cheap!"

I have to admit some people started with the really low end, as in, offering services for free/x-deals, but they lost no time in improving and being up there with the big and established names. Show that your services have improved to justify the high rates - at the same time, you must market yourself for your target market.

And above it all, wherever you get to be, always have fun taking pictures or video!:D

2 digital camera
1 wide angle lens
1 telephoto lens
2 flash
3 igb memory

1 video cam
1 video light & stand

@bek

Sir do you have any Idea what brand and model of video cam, do you any idea where to buy 2nd hand units of that video, kung meron..PM me nalang sir

thanks

@bek

Sir do you have any Idea what brand and model of video cam, do you any idea where to buy 2nd hand units of that video, kung meron..PM me nalang sir

thanks


It's going to be hard to get 2nd hand units of good videocams. I got my vx-2000 2nd hand and it was all battered up and heavily used. But after 2 years, it's still going strong. I knew these early models were robust and can stand a lot of abuse.

If your target market is the low end, there is no point in getting 2nd hand. You can get a new 1-ccd for around P18-30k depending on brand/model. I can tell you that I would still be excited with an old 1-ccd TRV-19 or TRV-22 even if it's a 3-year old model. There's some of that still floating around. But for my target market (mid-to-high), that camera is going to be too short to deliver the goods. Too many compromises. In good light, it's ok, but once the chips are down, you will see that the more expensive cameras earn their keep.

I can tell you one thing though. If you can, don't go for a hi-8 or digital 8 anymore. Go for min-DV. You might save on the hi-8 camera used, but you have to buy a capture card to get it into your PC for editing. That's not cheap (at maybe P2,800 and up). Mini-DVs uses firewire cards now cost a pittance (P500 or lower) so getting a mini-DV cam is better. Not only that, your resolution is at 720x480, just great for dvd output. Also, tapes, accessories, batteries are easier to find.

If you plan to play mid to high end, well, you can opt for the remaining brand new vx-2100 (if you can still find them). They cost about P120k. I figure a Canon GL-2 goes for the same or close to it. But if you ask me, better go for the FX1 or the upcoming FX7. They will cost around P170k at Quiapo. These cameras will allow you to shoot 16:9 easy and with no compromises.

You can try to look for used GL-2's or VX-2k's but they are really hard to find. And if you do, better check it closely so that you don't get a lemon. They're not that many, but you don't want to be weeping later on.

After our VX-2k, all our succeeding cameras are bought brand new. Almost bought a 2nd hand VX-2k again, but decided to go HD. It's a consumer model, but darn for P80k, it was pretty good except in really low light. But it was decent all in all. An amazing camera considering it's 1-cmos and a consumer model. But at DV, you can't really tell if it's a 1-cmos or a 3-ccd. I can show you footages that you can't really call if it's our VX-2k or that 1-cmos that took it. So, that was one decisioni that was ok on the interim. If biz goes well, we're eyeing an FX1 or an FX7 depending as we slowly shift to HD and 16:9.


Whatever you buy, add P6-10k for batteries or some other stuff you have to get to get yourself running for 8-12 hours on a wedding. That's a hidden cost most don't consider.

Galing nyo po talaga Sir Mel! Thanks a lot for sharing. Every one of your post always seems like half-a-days workshop already. :D

More power.

Galing nyo po talaga Sir Mel! Thanks a lot for sharing. Every one of your post always seems like half-a-days workshop already. :D

More power.

No problem. Just drop the "Sir" cause I am not an MBE:)


And trust me, it's not a half-a-day's workshop. Talk (or write) is cheap. But the enormous leg work you are going to is the one you should anticipate and be ready.

Regardless if you are going high, mid, or low end, one thing is certain - work on your visualization, then technique. This is more true if you haven't done video before or don't have a solid photography background. I've got a decent visualization to begin so that was not my problem. But I found it hard to execute certain things I see in my head. So, I had to work on my technique.

Video technique will take a bit of adjustment and work. It took me 8-months to a year to get it down to an "auto" and smooth level. You can't rush it because it's an brain-eye-muscle learning. You don't achieve it overnight, unless you are one of those rare video savants. In time, you'll be surprised that it all falls into place. But trust me, better work on visualization first. It means "seeing" the shot before you take it. That means "seeing" the angles, the movement, etc. before it happens or before you execute. It also means "seeing" or more accurately "hearing" the sounds as picked up by your camera and recorders. Sound is very important in the mid-to-high end video. Low end usually ignores this.

Oh, last advice. Work, work, work, and work on your editing. Unless you plan to outsource it, work on it. This has been the bane of video. There are many decent shooters (good technique) but good editors are hard to come by. In fact, if you ask me, better be a good editor first, then a good shooter later, or at least a decent/competent shooter.

Unfortunately, that's probably one seminar that is truly needed for video, how to edit properly. I don't know if anybody conducts one, but if you do, I'd spend money on that. And I'm not talking about a seminar or class on how to use FCP, or Adobe Premier. That's a seminar or a school on how to use the tools. But it doesn't really teach you how to edit proeperly.

The reason is simple. You can have the best shooter and footage, but a bad edit can throw it all away just like that. I've seen so many nice footages that are rendered weak or inutile when edited. Many good shots also fail to go into the video because the editor, though competent with the tool, can't tell the story properly or effectively. In fact, many editors say they use an NLE (non-linear eidtor) but still think linearly most of the time.

And these tips are for free. It does not cost you much to work on your visualization and technique. But buying a camera will. So, it means, this rests solely on your dedication and discipline to work on these things. This is something that you can control and work on as a matter of choice and dedication.

Anyway, 'nough said. Good luck! Let us know what gear you got and how's business is doing. :D

I think if you target the low-end market, you will get stuck there for a long long time. Remember, word-of-mouth spreads fast. Once you have a couple of low-end clients, people will know that, "oh this Joel has very cheap rates..." and so a lot of potential clients will know that you are offering very cheap rates. It will be very hard for you to charge higher or risk losing your client base.

Charge yourself according to how you see your potential is, how much you value your work. High-end, low-end equipments, it doesn't matter. Remember these are just equipments. It is still you who will make their visions, and your visions, into reality.

People might disagree with me but this is just my two cents.

Cheers!

MarcoOT: I like what you said here, its inspiring.

Thanks Migs...

O.T. By the way, I had a thread before asking why there aren't any forums for videographers. I just happen to pass by Jason Magbanua's blog (http://www.pinoyvideomaker.com) and just found out that it's now a blog for Pinoy VideoMakers, not for his wedding works anymore. He's got a separate one (http://www.jasonmagbanua.com/blog) for that.

hi marco,
your right, you will be stuck for a long long time, people remember your rates, its better people remember that you are good and and decide if they get you or not.

thanks for the advice.

hi marco,
your right, you will be stuck for a long long time, people remember your rates, its better people remember that you are good and and decide if they get you or not.

thanks for the advice.

Right on, Carlito. As long as photographers are good, there will always be clients/customers who would be willing to pay higher prices for higher quality photos. I agree - let them decide if they can afford you or not. If they can't, then look for those who can. If they can, then you're in business.

the PV GS250 in mayer is only 25K when we bought one. It takes really good video and it has 3CCDs already and very nice LCD screen (2.5" i think). It includes a wired remote and a wireles one as well. The only problem i have with it is like most camcorders lately it is a bottom loader, meaning that you have to take it off the tripod, take of your QR plate only then can you eject it and place a new tape inside. But for low end projects it is more than adequate. I still use a PV DV951 for low end projects and my DVX on the high end packages. I just love the colors of the Pana compared to Sony and Canon camcorders. (I used to edit a TV show and the prod companies used all three brands Sony VX2000, Canon XL1, GL2, XL2 and Panasonic DVX100, I just loved the colors and detail from the camera)

the PV GS250 in mayer is only 25K when we bought one. It takes really good video and it has 3CCDs already and very nice LCD screen (2.5" i think). It includes a wired remote and a wireles one as well. The only problem i have with it is like most camcorders lately it is a bottom loader, meaning that you have to take it off the tripod, take of your QR plate only then can you eject it and place a new tape inside. But for low end projects it is more than adequate. I still use a PV DV951 for low end projects and my DVX on the high end packages. I just love the colors of the Pana compared to Sony and Canon camcorders. (I used to edit a TV show and the prod companies used all three brands Sony VX2000, Canon XL1, GL2, XL2 and Panasonic DVX100, I just loved the colors and detail from the camera)

I agree. The gs-250 is a good camera. The best probably it will ever be for this price range and the capabilities of the camera for a DV. Even it's reaplacement is crippled. If indeed this camera is only P25k bnew, then I highly recommend it as well.

I've had the gs-120 and it is good in many respects for its price in the time I bought it. But in a year's time I have outgrown it and it became too much of a limitations so I sold it. Basically, if you are new and still getting your feet wet into video, then the gs-250 is as good as it gets for the price. It's better than the gs-120/150.

One thing that you will find out once you move to the higher end or mid-end is low light is a problem. If this is your first and only camera and you are testing the waters, it's good enough. Eventually, you have to move on, especially if you are going to the mid-to-high end market. You are going to have to budget for a VX-21k or the higher end panny's. We're talking over 120k for these cameras.

But even then, by next year, these cameras will be phased out with the advent of HD and 16:9 wide screen cameras. You could, try to get an HC3 for about U$1,100-1,200 w/c will keep you poised for the switch. But if budget is really tight, yes, that gs-250 is really a good buy for now.