Digital filmmaking cameras?

Question

I went to a film festival last night, and the movie I worked on was shot with a Sony FX1 HD 1080 camera, and I have to say the footage was not all that impressive, it looked like a home video. Two other films I watched looked like real film productions you see in holloywood, everything looked amazing. (I don't know what camera they used)

So why did the sony film look like c**p, was it the filmmaker or the camera? Did the other films look better because of the camera used?

I'm looking to buy a camera, I was thinking of getting that sony fx1 hd, but now I'm leaning towards the canon xl2 because if the lens and filters can be changed. Can anyone give me some insight on what makes a good camera...any links to videos made would be nice.

Answer 1

the camera is honestly just another tool in the toolbox.  You can't build a house without a hammer and you can't make a film without a camera.  But overall, its just another tool.

When considering a camera, you have to ask yourself what you're going to do, Narrative?  Documentary?  Music Videos?  Commercials?  Is it going to be hand held, do you need something that is shoulder mounted?  What kind of definition is necessary?  How many FPS will you need for various shots?  What is the ASA reading?  How does it perform in various conditions?  What kind of DOF do you need?

There isn't one ultimate video camera (although some people would like to think of the RED as that).  It just depends on how well you light the scene and how the shots are composed.  Lighting is almost more important than what camera you're using.

The canon is great for doc work and it can do very well in narrative format.  The colors are a bit warmer than other cameras and the lenses tend to have softer edges.  So basically it just depends on your needs.