| Just today a client representing a large national | | | | and the lenses can be changed or adapted. Choices |
| company remarked how frustrated he was over the | | | | such as wide-angle or telephoto lenses make a |
| poor overall quality of his footage and how difficult his | | | | difference in the end product. Cameras meeting these |
| editing session was going, despite having our senior | | | | basic broadcast specifications start in the mid $2,000 |
| editor at the keyboard. First clue: He used no tripod, no | | | | range, but realistically are $5,000 and up. |
| lights, and no microphone except the one built into his | | | | Once you get into the higher end cameras, like we |
| camera. We did not shoot it. He did, on a $599 | | | | use, the camera and lenses are actually priced |
| discount store bargain camcorder. | | | | separately. Cameras used by our company range in |
| It all starts with the camera. The camera must be | | | | cost from $30,000-$50,000 when including the lenses |
| capable of high quality images suitable enough to be | | | | and accessories. |
| broadcast on television, in other words, a broadcast | | | | So if you want to shoot like a pro, you'll need to make |
| quality camera. | | | | an initial investment in a high quality camera. |
| The difference in the consumer camera and the | | | | But like I said, it STARTS with the camera-there is so |
| broadcast quality camera is like the difference | | | | much more after that. Shooting video is a highly skilled |
| between a passenger vehicle and a race car. Both | | | | profession that mixes technology and art. It requires |
| are modes of transportation, but the latter leaves the | | | | proper framing, creativity and eye for the unusual. It is |
| former in the dust! Like race cars, high quality cameras | | | | a collaboration between the eye of an experienced |
| are performance driven. They are highly tuned, create | | | | and trained shooter, the sound quality of the |
| a better experience and have options that their lower | | | | professional audio equipment and the lighting tools and |
| priced competitors cannot begin to feature. | | | | skills of the "gaffer" all mixed together. |
| What are some of these features? | | | | Businesses and companies who understand the |
| - Manual focus-you get to choose what you focus | | | | differences gladly pay $1,500 and up per day for a |
| on-and control that focus-it stays locked in on what | | | | professional camera crew. They get better equipment, |
| you want-not what the camera thinks is best. | | | | better technique and a better quality end product. |
| - A manual iris---this allows you to adjust how much | | | | One final note, a tripod is also a critical component. If |
| light you let in-open it up to let in more light, close it to | | | | your tripod isn't sturdy enough to leave your camera |
| let in less. | | | | on it unattended, then it is not a suitable tripod. A good |
| - Multiple chips to create the digital image---consumer | | | | tripod allows for stable shots like interviews, and it also |
| models have one chip, professional models have 3-the | | | | allows you to shoot smooth zooming shots and pans. I |
| chips make the picture crisp and more color rich. Chips | | | | would say less than 5% of what you see on TV is |
| mean the difference between seeing the world | | | | shot hand held, tripods are a must for high quality video. |
| through waxed paper or clear glass. | | | | So don't skimp there either or you'll see the difference |
| - Higher end audio controls-headphone jacks, audio | | | | in the end results |
| inputs and sound control all make an extraordinary | | | | Next time around, we will discuss sound. After all, |
| difference in the end product. | | | | television is Show AND Tell! Until then, live, love and |
| - Lenses-higher quality cameras have better lenses | | | | learn. Shoot video, not each other! |