I Spent Money On Camera Stuff...

"Taylor Martin" (tjmartin)
10/02/2020 at 19:25 • Filed to: None

I hate spending money. It’s my least favorite thing to do. I wince every time I pull out my wallet, whether it’s for a costly repair, a ticket to Disney (back when it wasn’t a petri dish), or a $1 McDonalds “burger.”

But for the past few months I’ve been wanting to make videos and such, some of my own car, some of cars I borrow, and all that good stuff. So I bought a relatively entry level setup.

Fi rst of all, a nice camera. Up until this point, all I’ve ever used was either 1.) my father’s incredibly expensive Cannon that isn’t mine or 2.) an iPhone SE. One provided great quality and had multiple lenses, but if I broke it... I’d be dead (never did, because I never let anyone else touch it). The other I could drop, slam, mess with, duct tape, and do a whole lot with thanks to it’s OtterBox (have had the same case for going on 5 years, haven’t ever cracked a phone), but the quality is okay on a bright sunny day and crappy in the dark.

The Panasonic was $ 200 off, and I got a used one shipped from Amazon because 1.) a new one was no longer in stock, and I would’ve had to wait until November 19th to get it , and 2.) because it save me a few extra bucks. If it sucks, has a defect, is broken, what have you, I send it back, big whoop. Battery and SD cards were suggested to have on long shooting days, which I figured I’d have.

Then I also got all this n iche stuff: a GoPro Hero 7 (have been jonesing for one of these for all those cool motion shots and what have you) and a lapel mic for... well... sound purposes. It all racked up to just over $ 800, but for 2 4K cameras , a working mic, and plenty of space, that’s pretty good (at least I think so).

I said I’ve been wanting to do this for months, and it’s true. Since March I realized that I should have a camera of my own, a good camera, along with other things, so that I can make my own videos. Specifically, I want to try and review cars (because who doesn’t). I’d start with my own, a more in depth review than GearSlip was, and then beg and borrow for whatever car I can. My roommate drives a 2017 Ford Focus SE, and it’d be interesting to see if it’s small and fun (I’ve never driven a small car before, so it’d be interesting). And my upstairs neighbor drives a stick shift 2017 Camaro. He already agreed to teach me how to drive stick (or rather give me a refresher since I know the basics), so maybe I’ll be able to take it for a test drive of my own (if I ask nice enough).

I’ll obviously get right on making a video of my own car, even though you’ve all heard plenty about how much I love my TSX SportWagon, but there are things I don’t like that I’ll be sure to mention there.

An owl for your time. Take care.

DISCUSSION (21)

MM54 > Taylor Martin
10/02/2020 at 19:33

That should be a pretty nice setup! Look forward to seeing the results.

I often think about making videos but then I remember that, not only do I not do anything worth watching, but I have the charisma of a wet paper bag.

outrageousking > Taylor Martin
10/02/2020 at 19:34

You’ve now made the choice to walk a dangerous path. Soon you’ll be consumed with buying new camera stuff, and will have to buy a A7Siii. Or so a friend says...

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > Taylor Martin
10/02/2020 at 20:01

Huge fan of Panasonic-LUMIX here. A pro photog buddy years ago put me onto the DMC series of micro4/3 bodies and lenses.

They finally did a full frame. All great gear. Congrats!

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > outrageousking
10/02/2020 at 20:02

I so want an alpha7-ii or iii

SONY’s strategy here is very interesting.

CB > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
10/02/2020 at 20:06

A7ii is pretty great!

Source: I own one.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > CB
10/02/2020 at 20:08

Yeah, I’m dying to use my old Zeiss glass with one... The full-frame guys rave about it.

OTOH, Lumix (who I’m addicted to in the mirrorless category) have finally introduced a full frame 24 MP. So, I’ll probably wait on the sidelines a bit longer.

Taylor Martin > outrageousking
10/02/2020 at 20:12

As dangerous as this path is, I think the fiscal part of me will step in every so often...

Or maybe...

Taylor Martin > CB
10/02/2020 at 20:13

It takes beautiful pictures, there’s no doubt about that!

Taylor Martin > MM54
10/02/2020 at 20:21

You should! There’s no need to be charismatic , the key is to just be genuine. I don’t think I’m all that funny or cool either... in fact I know I’m not... but it’s still fun to just talk about stuff you like!

Editing is the hardest part, but I like that too!

Taylor Martin > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
10/02/2020 at 20:21

Huzzah, I’m glad my gear is approved by someone who’s actually used it! Makes me feel better about the purchase for sure.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > Taylor Martin
10/02/2020 at 20:26

Great bang-for-buck.

That 45-150 LUMix Zoom shot all the kids football and basketball games. Fast, sharp and light. All good things in camera gear.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Taylor Martin
10/02/2020 at 20:27

All things considered, that's not really that bad for all that equipment. For reference, when I bought my DSLR (like 10 years ago), the camera body alone was something like $1100. And it only shoots 720p at 24 fps.

MM54 > Taylor Martin
10/02/2020 at 20:43

The editing is also something I’d need to learn how to do in a modern sense.

I think in terms of presenting something I’d do well with someone else (rather than just me rambling on) but none of my like-minded friends live even remotely close enough to get together regularly and do it, so it’d have to just be me.

nermal > Taylor Martin
10/02/2020 at 21:21

GoPros are awesome. Especially with the right mounts that you can put them in all sorts of cool places.

What editing software are you using?

Taylor Martin > MM54
10/02/2020 at 22:06

I feel that buddy. The other person I like making videos with is up in Maryland, so it’s either a 12 hour road trip or $150 in plane tickets to shoot something with him. We want to shoot something whenever we see each other, but that doesn’t happen all that often.

Taylor Martin > BaconSandwich is tasty.
10/02/2020 at 22:08

Yeah, we’ve come a long way to get cheap tech that’s actually pretty good. Most people will look at a video made by this equipment and know it doesn’t have the production value of a Jake Paul video, or one of those other annoying content creators, but it’s enough to not give people an eyesore.

Taylor Martin > nermal
10/02/2020 at 22:09

I’m excited to fiddle with the GoPro, it’s real versatile . I use Final Cut Pro, and I have since I was like 10, so I’m fairly used to (and in love with) the interface.

HammerheadFistpunch > Taylor Martin
10/02/2020 at 23:49

I had the predecessor to the F Z300, liked it a lot.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Taylor Martin
10/03/2020 at 01:10

That seems like a lot of gear for the money though I know little about production and editing. You have lots of editing experience already and the new gear will make a big difference.

You still won't have driven a truly small car after the Focus. They're just smallish. The smallest car I've driven was a Civic coupe but not for very far. It's really more of the weight aspect.

Taylor Martin > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
10/03/2020 at 13:11

That bang for buck is what I’m most happy about, and it certainly will improve the quality of stuff. I’m no expert on video stuff in any sense of the word, but if you’d like pointers or tips I’d be more than happy to provide!

I drove a Ford Flex about 300 feet from parking spot to parking spot and that’s the only Ford I’ve ever driven. Not that I’ll be comparing the two, but that it’ll be interesting to see how the Focus feels. My friend in MD has a Civic Coupe, maybe I’ll mooch off him sometime.

outrageousking > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
10/05/2020 at 12:56

I agree. They converted me from my old GH5. Thinking of picking up a A7iii or A7C as a street photography camera / b cam. Might get that before my A7siii pre-order...