Comments on: I May Never Buy a Camera Again

By: Don’t be a chicken. Run your business with your head. | The Collective

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:39:43 +0000

[…] week Ron Dawson wrote about never needing to purchase another camera again (yes, another reference to Ron – good work this week!). His point was to really understand […]

By: Steve M.

Steve M. — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 06:46:38 +0000

Interesting reading these posts. I think this BMD camera is the paradigm shift from the DSLR as a stand alone video capturing device. Bolex is another, but BMD beat them to the punch. I realize you mentioned this BMD camera only as an example, but this particular camera, for me, is the hardest to resist buying. Do I really need it, no, but it would be nice to another camera besides a GH1. Oh well, I’m glad I read this post to give me something to think about.

By: Carlos D

Carlos D — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 23:21:12 +0000

I really agree with the sentiment here but have different conclusions. I don’t think anyone should own a camera that costs more than 5k. There’s too much risk, too much turnover and any project that can sincerely demand and not just benefit from a better camera than a MKIII/FS100 should have a rental A-Cam anyway.

That said, I think not owning a camera is putting yourself at a disadvantage as a content provider. I value scouting with a camera and spur of the moment pick-up shots far too much to not own at least one camera. Even

Even fitting within the rent-for-every-project scenario, I like the idea of also having a dependable, predictable B-cam on set. If I can get away with it, my b-camera budget is probably better spent on more lenses or a better paid crew anyway.

And last but not least, lending your camera can build you a supply of extremely useful favors and free labor!

By: Derrick van Niekerk

Derrick van Niekerk — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 22:52:54 +0000

Well I think owning a camera is good, IF you make it’s money back, most of the time you could recover the cost of your camera in 10 or so shoots, depending on how “fancy” you go.

That is what I base my purchasing of equipment on, if I can’t make back it’s money in 3-6 months, I’m not using it enough, therefore I should not own it.

works for me.

By: Carlos D

Carlos D — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 22:21:43 +0000

In reply to Nigel.

Remember that for all the T2i’s image quality going par for par with the other Canon APS-C’s, you do lose the ability to set a manual white balance and can only set ISO in double increments.

I made a good chunk of change with my old t2i but I wouldn’t recommend anyone who plans to make money with their camera buy anything less than a 60D.

By: Brian T

Brian T — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:52:08 +0000

While I do agree with what has been said about renting cameras as opposed to buying them, I think anyone in this fild should at least own one of their own cameras. Being a professional I think you should own the tools of the trade, and a camera is the number one tool.
You never know when creativity and inspiration will show up and in those situation you can’t wait on a rentals to show up.
The projects that have the budget and require different gear, it can be rented. I do think it’s essential to have a camera always available at a moments notice for a creative professional to seize inspiration.
Just my two cents…

By: Ron Dawson

Ron Dawson — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:42:51 +0000

In reply to jmgmedia.

Without a doubt, if you’re using a camera for both still and video, making an investment in a camera like the 5D3 can be a good one.

Also, fwiw, I only mentioned the BMD camera as an example of a recent release that’s worth considering. This post was not meant to be a plug for the BMD camera.

Thanks for the comment.

By: Ron Dawson

Ron Dawson — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:04:22 +0000

In reply to Martin. That's an interesting way of looking at it I never thought of before. Thanks for sharing.

By: jmgmedia

jmgmedia — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:01:03 +0000

I bought the 5D 3 the day it came out in order to shoot a short film with in time for our local film festival deadline. But it’s usefulness a a fantastic stills camera in addition to a great cinema camera doubles its value to me, and it will pay for itself within three months. I sold my 60D to pay for part of it. It inherits a lot of brand new stills tech from the next camera up the line which is almost double the price, but includes a headphone jack that the 1D X doesn’t have. Images I have seen from the BMD look great, and I love the price…of the camera. What people are not thinking about is the price of the media and the RAW workflow. The BMD is not a replacement for a full frame DSLR that shoots to CF and SD cards. Its not weather sealed, unless I’m mistaken. It’s strictly a movie camera, and apparently an awesome one, but again its all about having the right tool for the job. To me, the 5D is worth owning rather than renting. It works for TV and web just fine, and films if it’s shot right. So I don’t regret the purchase. Nice thing is, the BMD is so cheap, it’ll be a lot easier to rent when I really need it, nearly as cheap as a couple of L lenses. But I would need it far less often than a DSLR.

By: Nigel

Nigel — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:02:01 +0000

If you are serious about shooting you must have a camera. It doesn’t have to be expensive, a T2i would be perfect. Just something you can have in your hands and pull out whenever possible to frame shots and quickly get used to changing parameters without thinking. It’s the 10,000 hours mantra, it really works.

Rent an expensive camera if you need to. Invest in good quality lenses, you will have them for the rest of your life and they hold their value.

But you must have your own camera to build your portfolio and train your eye.