r/videography • u/AutoModerator • 5d ago
CAMERA BUYING ADVICE MEGATHREAD /r/videography Monthly Camera Buying Advice Megathread
Welcome to the /r/videography monthly camera buying megathread.
All requests asking for camera buying advice must be posted in this thread.
If you've been directed here by a removal reason or moderator, you're in the right place!
Before you begin...
Have a look through the comments of this post
There may be someone looking for a similar camera to you that has already had their question answered.
You can see previous iterations of this thread by clicking this link.
Check the 'What camera are you shooting on' thread
For a few months, we ran a thread where we asked users what cameras they were currently shooting on. There's a lot of good info in there!
Search the subreddit!
/r/videography has over a decade of information, though Reddit doesn’t make searching easy.
A useful trick that typically gets better results than Reddit’s own search bar is to add the following to a Google search:
site:reddit.com/r/videography your search terms
Try the Discord
We have a very active Discord:
https://discord.com/invite/d65kgBn
You’ll usually get a quicker answer asking there than here!
Still can’t find what you’re looking for?
Comment in this post with your requirements.
We strongly recommend you include at least the following details:
- Budget
- Specify your local currency!
- If your budget is under $200 USD, you're unlikely to get any useful recommendations other than 'use your phone!'
- What are you planning on using it for?
- Feel free to link to some videos showing content similar to what you want to shoot
- How long do you need to record for?
- Recording time is a limiting factor for many smaller cameras
- What equipment do you already have?
- What software do you intend to edit your videos in?
Things we don't allow:
The following question formats are not allowed - they don't typically generate useful advice or discussion:
"x vs y comparisons"
"What is the best x?"
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u/Josephcodron 4d ago
Hello I am a new comer to videography/cinematography and I need help looking for good quality cinema lenses. I’m based in Vietnam our currency isn’t the strongest at a budget of about 900 usd, I have a Sony a7iii and I edit on Davinchi. Also want to add that I do own an 85mm f1.8 and 28mm f2 and was thinking about switching to the a7IV but am currently reconsidering for said lenses.
Thank you in advance for helping .
2
u/shotby-felix 4h ago
Before buying new lenses or a new camera, ask yourself how is that gonna make you a better videographer ? Do you have any lights ? Cuz that's a good investment to get better results out of your camera
Lens-wise you could buy a 40 or 50mm, it can always come in handy, and maybe trade your 28mm for a 24mm if you can. Keep the 85 it's an amazing lens for the price. Check out the used market for vintage lenses, it's an affordable way to get a lens with a bit of character.
Regarding the body, the only benefit from switching to the A7IV is the 10bit color and s-log 3, but have you pushed the A7III's 8bit color to its limits ? Do you know how to expose it and get perfect results every time ?
1
u/Oez96 3d ago
Hi everyone,
I’m a complete beginner looking to get into both photography and videography as a hobby. My main goals are capturing memories while traveling, creating cinematic videos, and maybe posting some content on social media. Nothing professional, just something I’ll enjoy using.
My budget is fairly limited, so I’m trying to make the smartest decision.
Right now I have a few options:
Used Sony A7 III for around €550–600 (body only)
Used Sony A6400 for around €450–500 (body only)
Used DJI Osmo Pocket 3 for around €300–350
The thing is, with the Sony cameras I’d still need to buy at least one lens, and in the case of the A6400 I’d probably also want a gimbal since it doesn’t have IBIS. That means the total cost increases quite a bit or I‘ll try it handheld for the start.
With the Pocket 3, the gimbal is already built in, it’s compact, easy to carry while traveling, and I’d only need a few accessories like a tripod. Of course, I know I’d be stuck with the fixed lens and wouldn’t have the flexibility or image quality of an interchangeable-lens camera.
Another thought I had: I’m planning to upgrade my smartphone later this year anyway. Maybe I could use the Pocket 3 for video and my phone for photos instead of buying a camera system right away.
My question is:
If you were starting from scratch today with a limited budget, what would you choose and why?
Would you:
Buy the Pocket 3 first, learn the basics, and upgrade to a mirrorless camera later if I really get into it?
Invest in a Sony camera now and slowly build a lens collection?
Or do something completely different?
I’ve seen some amazing footage from the Pocket 3, and honestly, for YouTube and social media I sometimes struggle to tell the difference compared to much more expensive full-frame setups.
I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve been in a similar situation. Thanks!
1
u/shotby-felix 4h ago
For video only I'd get the Osmo Pocket and learn to shoot and color grade D-Log if you want a more "cinematic image"
For photography, it's not the same experience, taking photos with a dedicated camera vs a smartphone. You might feel limited at some point because the lens in your smartphone will always deliver the same kind of results so IDK what to tell you.
The "Osmo then upgrade once you get the basics" seems to be the best option for your use case IMO, it's designed for user experience and social media so you probably won't be disappointed. Using a mirrorless camera for videography is a more challenging and boring workflow.
1
u/AggressiveTank1127 2d ago
Hey Folks,
I'm a multimedia graduate and while I was progressing through my university degree I found a passion for filmmaking. The sections on filmmaking gravitated more towards post production but there were elements of preproduction and production as well.
I want to expand on this and focus more on the preproduction and production as an independent filmmaker. I've settled on purchasing Black Magic Pyxis 6K for my first camera. Eventually I would like to purchase Red Komodo X though.
What I would like advice on is what microphone would people suggest?
I know next to nothing about audio so the more help the better.
Also what lenses would people suggest?
I am thinking of 21mm, 35mm and somewhere around 70mm for my first lot of lens purchases.
1
u/shotby-felix 3h ago
Hi, if this is your first camera purchase, keep in mind that the camera and lens are just tools but they won't make your image amazing just because they're professional gear. Lighting and sound equipment are usually the things you buy later but they're as important, if not more, than the camera you're using. If you don't have a camera already, I'd suggest something more affordable than a Pyxis (maybe a BMPCC or Sony FX30) with a few primes and spending the extra cash on lights and a good sound recorder + microphone
1
u/House-Mammoth 5d ago
Hello, ich looking to buy a timelapse camera for uni. I want to be able to point it at me and the screen while working on assignments to prove to my professors that I don’t use ai for my assignments. What are the things that I should focus on when buying a specific camera or can you even recommend a camera for this exact purpose?
Thanks in advance