Don’t Buy a New Camera Until You Watch This

Thinking about investing in a new cinema camera for documentary filmmaking? Watch this first! It can be really easy these days to think that we can’t be “real” filmmakers if we don’t have the newest and best tech out there, but in this video I want to challenge that idea and push you to look at other options so you can spend your money actually making films.

🔗 *LINKS FROM THIS VIDEO*

(🚨☝️🚨 These non-affiliate links are just to show the kinds of deals that are out there and should not be taken in any way as my endorsement of these specific sales. Do your own research when buying anything off the internet!)

CHAPTERS

0:00 - Intro
1:36 - My approach to new cinema cameras
2:57 - You’d never think these shows were shot with these camera
6:30 - How to get more for your money
7:30 - Audiio, the sponsor of today’s video
9:02 - Why you shouldn’t ignore used gear
9:49 - What would I buy today?\

🎥 🔥 📷 **GEAR I USE**

**Some are affiliate links, but all are personally vetted and recommended.**

✋ **SAY HI**

IG: @lucforsyth

[scotey]

"If you can't film a beautiful documentary with an FS7 or an FS5, you're not going to be able to do it with an FX6 or an Alexa LF." Well said, Luc. You have a gift for being candid without being insulting.

[psybirdstudio]

Please don’t stop making videos outside or on-location like this. The fact you aren’t using LED lights and acoustic panels like every other YouTuber is what makes you more credible, aside from the fact you are a full time DP. I am just beginning with my hobby as a cinematographer with my LUMIX S5iix, and I’m just glad I found your channel before I went to crazy with ‘gear’ on the advice of other YouTubers! Stay warm out there in the Arctic!

[SbolenseMedia]

I am 100% behind this. I have never bought a new camera. DOPs take such good care of their equipment that buying second hand is a no brainer. Thank you for this

[LachlanharmerDP]

100% agree. I picked up a FS7 mk1 from a DP who upgraded to the FX6. It was pretty much a entire kit with minus the v-lock batteries, lenses and audio gear. All of which I already owned.

I've been using the FS7 filming interviews, conferences, sports and weddings. The last 3 videos on my channel are all shot with the FS7.

It's fun using a purpose built video camera that I don't have to baby around like its brand new. One thing, the ND filters are a little funky when they click over, nothing I'm worried about though.

[davidwebb]

i'm glad i found your channel, Luc! It's a gem for aspiring filmmakers and just about anybody that's a fan of filmmaking in general. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge on YouTube! More power to you!

[Supercon]

I make a spread sheet with all of the cameras I'm considering with all of the features they have
When you see them all laid out with a price tag you see how going one/two generations back is a no brainer
It's crazy how certain gear is seen as "old" when it's VERY capable, especially in the right hands

[williamsmiga]

Wow! Easiest subscription I’ve ever made. This is awesome, man!

[felipecordero]

Thanks Luc, about to shoot a doc in the following days, with a Gh5 M2 and a Canon C70 in Ecuador in the Andean mountains, for us, these camaras are more than enough. Your advice is crucial and always helpful. Thanks again sir 👍👍👍

[Sad_Matt-mjtb]

I’m out here trying to make a documentary with a lumix gx85, so I needed this video.

[custommadename]

I bought an FS700 used, upgraded it so I can shoot 12-bit 4K raw, bought an F55 used a year later, and about two years later bought a brand new FX30. The FX30 was rented out before I had gotten it in the mail. People are excited about new cameras, but unless you're renting, you can get as good or better image quality from used cameras, as you've said. I just directed a feature-length documentary in Mexico, and we shot it with two FX30s as the B cams and an FS7 II as the A cam. We shot with a kit lens, a Zeiss photo lens, and a set of Fujinon MK lenses. It was an awesome time shooting with 3 cameras regardless of what they were. Also, a week or two ago, I bought a used F3.

[nathananderson]

This is one of the channels that gave me the courage to start my YouTube channel 8 months ago about self development. Now I have 1, 093 subs and > 900 hours of watch time. I know it’s not comparable with others but I’m still proud I started because I’ve been learning so many lessons that I could haven’t learned without getting started in the 1st place.

[joenicklo]

I didn’t even think about it — but my last 3 cameras have been used or “open box”. Wise advice in this video!

Batteries are the only thing I won’t buy used.

[QWSfilms]

I purchased an FS7 kit on ebay with everything except a V mount battery and a lens, everything else including a VTC plate, rods, Vmount adapter and all by tilta was included. Most of all it came all in a Jason Case. Ive only had it for a week and I love it and the image is fantastic. Kep up the good work Luc.

[cheezus]

Buying a cheap used FS7 last year was my best gear investment to date. If you work in TV, there are only so many cameras that producers are comfortable shooting on and the FS7 is still the most common (FX line quickly catching up). I paid it off in no time with kit fees

[samtelford]

Hey man, I recently sold my blackmagic 12k as I saw the price of the fs7’s, your video has just validated my decision to pick one up as the replacement, these cameras are work horses & there is a lot more important things that go into producing a great image than the camera body itself, great video 👏🏼

[Renaldo]

here is my take, if you have a big grew and a large budget then you don't need the latest camera gear, just experienced lighting and good lenses. if it's just you and your lonesome tryna get things done, buy a FX3 so you can let the camera do the heavy lifting so you can focus more on the story and the image.

[retrohorrorthrills]

My biggest thrill this year was picking up an original Canon c300. It was so far out of my price range at 16K when it first came out 11 years ago. I spent $750 and another $500 for the dual pixel upgrade. Love it. Still a great camera. No one will ever know. Great video. Thanks!

[Maros_Mari]

Hey Luc, thanks for the valid points on buying new gear. I agree, it makes sense to get used gear which can serve well. I personally invested almost 10 years ago into Fuji system for photography and then slowly transitioned towards video work. This year I decided to take filmmaking work seriously, so I sold it all, as I am making a leap of faith into Sony system planning to get an fx3 - found best price in Thailand /new minus tax, for price of used one elsewhere - buying in Asia makes alot of sense/ so Im going to invest into the filmmaking part of my creative journey soon.

[cheavideography]

THis is my setup: Sony FS5 + Metabones EF-E T CINE Ultra 0.71x + Shogun Inferno= The image that I get is amazing, plus I have the Slomo 120 and 240 without cropping. I just bought the FX30 for gimbal work but other than that I just love my FS5!

[JoeVazquezProductorMusical]

Hi buddy, I recently sold my FS7 to buy an FX6 for the reason that the FS7 is quite heavy "12 pounds" and I have to watch my back when I use a gimbal for some music videos and I also wanted the FX6 to have the RAW option without having to buy the FS7 adapter. But I'll be honest, I miss the FS7 for being a great and robust camera. Obviously I'm 10 pounds lighter now with the fx6 in action, full frame, 4k DCI 120 fps is a great tools for my workflorw, but at the end of the day the FS7 is a winner camera. Everything you said is very true. Greetings.