$10k budget for full new photography/video set-up (one-man band)

[mattersdorff1]

Dear Aus Photography people - I hope I'm posting this in the right place.


This forum post (my first ever) is over a year in the making and I desperately hope the expert minds in here can help me decide on an ideal collection of photography and video gear to help me with my work.


I'll try to make this post as detailed as possible so you're not guessing when it comes to giving the right advice.


The company I work for gave me a budget of around $10k (when I first started with them during COVID) which which will go towards a new camera/s, lenses, lighting, audio, tripods etc.


Ideally, I'd like to find a decent camera that is GOOD for photography and DECENT for video. I'm a one-man band so keeping the who collection as compact as possible is ideal.


This is the gear I'm currently using and I understand any cameras are likely to be an upgrade on these:


PHOTO = my personal Nikon D700 with Nikon AFS 24-70/2.8G LENS and AFS VR28-300/3.5-5.6G
VIDEO = work's Canon EOS800D with Nikon kit lens EFS 18-55 (3.5-5.6) IS II and Canon EF 75-300 (4-5.6) III.


While the 800D has it's limits, I've been relatively happy with the quality of 1080p video it spits out (+ good face detection). Really need better slow motion capability for smooth broll.


Most of my video shoots are sit-down interviews and b-roll (nothing too complicated). As such, face detection + low light capability really helps (but happy to use lighting to negate low light).

In terms of photography, I'm mainly shooting people indoors + some outdoors/sports.


Majority of the video/photography will end up on social media but it's obviously handy to have hi-res sensors so I can crop in during post.

I'd class myself as an amateur photographer. I'm not partial to any camera brand - just want whatever's best/most versatile.


After lots of research, I'm leaning towards the following:


CAMERA
* Sony A7III(annoying that it has a 30m record limit but it's not a deal breaker)
or
* Panasonic GH5 (maybe wait for the new GH6). I just worry about the photography capabilities of this cam.


Not sure if I should go with a top of the range stills camera and then maybe settle for a micro 2/3 camera for video (such as the Sony A6400).


AUDIO
- we already have Rode GO wireless system which works very well (I often don't have time to use tie-mic so just clip mic on clothing or table nearby)
- perhaps worth upgrading to Rode GO2 ($400-odd).
- perhaps worth getting decent shotgun mic.


LIGHTING
- I have no idea, just can't carry anything too big/heavy.
- Looking at Swit PL60 or maybe the Aputure Amaran 200d


TRIPODS
- Manfrotte Befree Live
- Get a Joby GripTight PRO2 to hold my iPhone as second camera option.


GIMBAL
- already have a DJI OM4 which works really nicely for steady movement shots/broll + as a second camera with the iPhone.


CAMERA BAG
- Manfrotto Pro-Light 3N1-36 Camera Backpack

sorry for the long post and thanks so much for any suggestions.

[ameerat42]

Welcome to AP, Matt. - That seems a reasonable abbreviation

Wow, what a comprehensive post!
It might take a while to answer to your satisfaction.

- And I must say that it's a testament to the older Nikon that you still use it seriously like that

Is it a reasonable take-away that you would like to have two separate cameras, each specialising
in one core function, but able to interchange when required? If this is so, let me throw into the mix
the Sigma fp L. Predominantly for video.
Its main features are 61MP, 4K video, FF, L-mount lenses, and AFAICT, no time-limit on video clips.

I will leave it there and let others reply for still camera, lighting, etc...

[mattersdorff1]

thanks for replying ammerat - I'd love two cameras but reckon the budget might not stretch that far which is why I was trying to find one that suits both photo/video - especially knowing how expensive good SLR photo cameras are. I wonder what the equivalent camera to the D700 currently is - perhaps anything is better than that (d700 struggles noticeably above 2/3000 iso from what I can tell).

thanks for the Sigma fp L suggestion for video - will def check it out.

[ameerat42]

Not a definitive reply, but two Nikon FF DSLRs are linked to below. I suspect the D780 might be the
direct descendant of your D700, having acquired (even 4K) Video recording along the way. You might
have to look for any subtle differences in the mode each camera achieves 4K video. (I haven't.)

D850 - 48 MPx
D780 - 24 MPx

You might then also visit some testing sites, like DP Review, for any in-depth reviews they might have.
For example search like "DRR Nikon850". There are others as well.