Reddit reviews TASCAM DR-60D Linear PCM Recorder for DSLR Filmmaking and Field Recording (Discontinued By Manufacturer)

Budget Rig

I mainly shoot internet video for my daughter and events.

• Canon EOS M (~$330 USD)
  
• Fotodiox EOS M Lens Adapter (~$60 USD)
  
• Sigma 30mm f1.4 (~$500 USD)
  
• Tascam DR-60D Audio Recorder (~$215 USD)
  
• Azden SGM-1X Shotgun Mic (~$170 USD)
  
• Neewer CN-160 LED Light (~$30 USD)
  
• Nady 351VR Wireless Handheld Mic Kit (~$120 USD)
  
• Vello Triple Shoe Mount (~$25 USD)

http://www.amazon.com/TASCAM-DR-60D-Recorder-Filmmaking-Recording/dp/B00CRY250U/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1411126445&sr=1-3&keywords=digital+recorder+xlr

Here's 1. There are loads. Also, almost every one, even the ones with mics, will let you use your own mic instead. The key is to have the XLR (mic) input.

You're right, /u/asosaki - so for XLR jacks, I'm going to put a [<$200 Tascam DR-60D] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CRY250U/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CRY250U&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) and a [$27 Sescom cable] (http://www.adorama.com/SELN2TSDR100.html?KBID=66297) under my [GH4] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I9GYG8O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00I9GYG8O&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) instead of a [$2000 YAGH] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IQ7OLUE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00IQ7OLUE&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20).

When I need to record the camera's 4K 10-bit 422 output, I'll probably buy an [Atomos Shogun] (http://www.atomos.com/shogun/) for $2K and get a nice monitor and recorder out of the deal.

I did an interview with Will Thompson at Atomos at NAB (that I will eventually edit and put up on /r/videography) and the Shogun is going to blow the YAGH away.

I don't think they're going to sell many YAGHs unless they lower the price.

Cheers,

Bill

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you.

> Which recorder is that, and do you like it for that rig?

It's the [original Tascam DR-60] (https://www.amazon.com/DR-60D-Filmmaking-Recording-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B00CRY250U//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20). Today, I would buy the [updated DR-60 Mark II] (https://www.amazon.com/Tascam-DR-60DmkII-4-Channel-Portable-Recorder/dp/B00MIXFBL0//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) or the [less bulky DR-70] (https://www.amazon.com/Tascam-DR-70D-4-Channel-Portable-Recorder/dp/B00OY6718K//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20). I absolutely love this setup - it turns my mirrorless cameras into halfway respectable run and gun video cameras with XLR inputs.

> That rig looks a little heavy to hold with just a pistol grip?

Not really. The GH4 weighs 560 grams body-only and the DR-60 weighs 510 grams (plus batteries).

Combined, that's less than the weight of a 1.7 kg camcorder like the JVC LS300 - or a 1.4kg still camera like the Nikon D5.

Plus, I've been shooting with pistol grips since the days of heavy Super 8 and 16mm movie cameras, so carrying a couple of kilos on a pistol grip feels natural to me.

My 1970s era [Chinon Pacific 12 SMR] (http://www.cinematography.com/cine-uploads/monthly_04_2008/post-33005-1208338737.jpg) was 2.3 kg!

Hey, I'll try and answer as best I can, but others may have better or more accurate descriptions than me.

1. Many people will argue about this one, and I don't think there is really a right and wrong answer. You can make a great looking movie on an Iphone if you know what you are doing.
   
   But as for what makes a camera better? I would say control. The more functions you can control on a camera, the better. This is why DSLR filmmaking is so popular currently, because they have access to functions that many cameras don't have. Focus, Aperture, White Balance, Lens choices, etc. Being able to access all of these gives you more options as a filmmaker, which is what we all want, creative freedom, we all hate when we are limited by technology.
   
   Now many people talk about shooting Film vs Digital, or whether or not you are recording in RAW format for digital. A lot of this has to do with preference vs quality of camera.
   
   So I would say that a camera that is easy to control is the best. Hopefully I mostly answered that, if you want a more specific answer, just let me know and I'll try my best, otherwise hopefully someone else jumps back in here and describes it better.
   
   
2. This one is again up for debate. Here is what I think would be best. Get a camera first. Like many independent filmmakers, a DSLR might be the best option, I found a camera from Panasonic called the AG AF-100 that to me has been an amazing camera, and a few steps above the DSLR without costing that much more. But Canon and it's DSLR lineup is great! Grab a couple decent lenses with that too.
   
   I would recommend a small light kit, you can spend as much as you want on film lights, but don't feel ashamed to buy a few lights from Lowes or Home Depot. Lighting is a very important piece to making movies. I would also look into getting some reflectors, there are some really cheap ones on Amazon. I have found these to be helpful when shooting outdoors, since lower end lights are almost unnoticeable in the sun.
   
   Here is the one that many early filmmakers ignore, Audio. Grab a nice microphone and get some good sound with your video. The Rode NTG 2 is a pretty good mike. It's cheaper while still getting good sound. The ME 66 is a bit more expensive, but it's a hotter mike and gets better sound. Both are really good options. To go with your mike, if you have a little extra spending money, I would completely advise getting a Blimp. This Rode Blimp is great! If you want to shoot outdoors in the wind at all, this is the best option, otherwise you may have to re-record all the voice over in post.
   
   ~
   
   This post is getting a little long here, so I'll throw a summary at the end with a couple more items.
   
   Camera: Get a Camera, Lenses, Case, Tripod.
   
   Lighting: Get a couple Lamps, Reflectors, Filters, Light Stands.
   
   Audio: Get a Microphone, Boom, Blimp, XLR Cable, Recording Device, Headphones.
   
   There is always more, but these would be a good starting point. Not everything I recommended is needed to get started though.

Are you talking about this?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CRY250U/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CRY250U&linkCode=as2&tag=phloatingman-20

Also, I mix the ambient noise from boom with sound from lava mic in the software right?

T3i's can be purchased for 400 to 500 bucks or so. You can find them cheaper on eBay or Craigslist perhaps.

For audio, you have a few options. People really like the Zoom H4N. I have a Tascam 60d that is a bit cheaper new, and works fine (although it eats batteries).

Rode makes some good sub $200 mics that all work fine .

If you need a tripod, don't go too fancy (unless you need fancy). You can get a good new tripod for $40 at Walmart or try Goodwill and get a good cheap one for $4. ( I got a $120 tripod there yesterday for $4)

For the first year of filming corporate videos, I just used hardware store can lights. They cost about $6 each. You can clip them to just about anything, or put them on light stands. You can find light stands for cheap on eBay, or you can do what I did, and use thrift store tripods (3 bucks each) as light stands.

All of that would put you at about $1000

Tripod:

I have one of these ($150). It's solid and has a nice, smooth fluid head. There might be cheaper options but make sure whatever you buy has an actual fluid head. I can't stress this enough.

Sound:

I use this but, from what I've read, you can't go wrong with the H4n.

As far as mics go, you don't have to buy a RØDE (or similar higher end mic) to get decent sound BUT do keep in mind that bad sound can kill your film. Just do your research and find a well-reviewed mic in your price range. There are lots of options.

If you need any other recommendations, etc, just let me know. I'm still very new to filmmaking but I'm more than happy to pass along what I've learned so far.

A lav is probably your best best in a noisy environment. If you feel like you'll be doing more video in the future, thaen a zoom or [tascam](http://www.amazon.com/TASCAM-DR-60D-Recorder-Filmmaking-Recording/dp/B00CRY250U
) recorder are a good, inexpensive investment for you, maybe they will partially cover this purchase with part of the rental budget even.