Film Student Camera Questions - Q&A exchange

Film Student:  Hey Mitch, what are your thoughts on the Sony HXR NX5U? Im pretty sure this is the camera I want.

Martinez:  Honestly, based on what's out there and what is coming out soon, I think the Sony HXR NX5U camera is already dated technologically. It's a solid camera and can perform for years and years but there are aspects to that camera that are not present that I would not go for as a "new purchase" unle...ss you got a really sweet deal and found it used or something.

However, if you did buy it, I'm sure it would serve you well... Sony makes a great camera that can really take a beating and perform for as long as possible. My Sony cameras are doing great... I just think that there are better cameras available for comparable pricing (or right around the corner). Buying cameras are generally not a good investment unless you have paying work to help recoup those expenses. It's easy to lose money on equipment (ask any professional who's invested a lot of $ into gear) - the way technology goes, it's a losing battle.

Lighting and lenses have the best longevity. Camera bodies have the shortest.

Food for thought...

Film Student: Hmm. You make some good points. I need to get a camera in about a month or so for my summer semester. I've been a big fan of Sony cameras for years, thats all I ever owned. I wouldn't mind buying one of your Z1U's but I really want to go tapeless.. I have to do some more research I guess to make sure i get a good deal. I need to take a road trip up to B&H so I can play around a little.

Martinez: The school doesn't have cameras you can use during your semesters? That's what a lot of students do (use the school cams). If it's just for a semester, you could always rent or borrow from a friend when you need to shoot...

A camera like the Sony Z7U can do both (solid state tapeless and shooting tape).

Also, there are times when shooting tape is highly desirable. I'm putting together a ten person multi-cam shoot where off-loading data is far less practical or... desirable than simply shooting to tape and having all the tapes handed in at the end of the shoot. It all depends on your circumstance but I truly value the ability to hand over the tapes once I'm done shooting and be in the position to split after the shoot is done without worrying about data transfers. In the case of the ten person multi-cam shoot, we would be backlogged for hours transferring each camera's footage at the end of the shoot if the majority of cameras weren't going to tape...

Film Student:   I need to get a camera for the next 2 years of school and for also any freelance work I end up doing in the future. I can rent cameras from my school, but I hate the rules and regulations that come with them (if the equipment is even available). The convenience to have your own set up must help out a lot. The Z7U seems to be a great camera with its interchangeable lenses. It's a little out of my price range but if i could find one cheap that would be great. Thanks for your input and advice Mitch I appreciate it.   

Martinez:  Renting from schools usually comes with those rules and regulations... not surprising but if it can save you money it's sometimes worth it. It all depends on how much you have to invest and how much income you expect to bring in from using the camera.

Ask questions anytime. I've been doing this a long time and I'm happy to share my experiences and opinions.