Top 8 cameras Chicago Video Camera Crews Swear By
In Chicago, Illinois there are many options for professional crews to use. Over the past months, we’ve begun to compile our favorites. This list includes a number of camera packages that our Chicago video camera crews swear by. Whether filming at the famous Millennium Park or shooting b-roll at the Navy Pier, our favorite cameras, along with the the right lens kit and operator are sure to help you capture amazing footage.
Below is a list of the 8 best Chicago video camera crews shoot with. From shooting in HD 1080p to 4k, our seasoned DP’s and cinematographers like what they like for a successful project. The gear we choose allows our talented Chicago camera ops to be able to control their cameras perfectly. In turn, we are able to provide an amazing product that our clients can be proud of. The following are some of our favorites:
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
There are several options for customization on the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, making it a favorite for the cameraman who loves to have their camera pre-programmed. It allows for easy “drop and shoot” accessibility and also has the ability to efficiently capture movement effectively. It is a camera that takes time to set up but once you do, it allows you better ease of use than many others.
Sony A7S
Some production projects call for night scenes but not every camera is up for the job. This is why our Chicago video camera crews love the Sony A7S: for it’s ability to capture beautiful shots in low light conditions, thanks to the expansive ISO. Producing great shots with little noise, this is a simple looking yet highly powerful beauty with a wide dynamic range.
Arri Alexa Mini
Mini is the key word in the Arri Alexa Mini and maybe one reason why we love it so much. Heavy cameras that require mounts, etc., are necessary, but when we get to use the Alexa, it’s always great. From the clear image to zoom functionality, this tiny camera packs a punch proving that size isn’t everything when it comes to our favorite cameras.
Red Dragon
As opposed to the Mini above, the Red Dragon is as impressive as the name implies. Large and ready for any kind of action, the Red Dragon provides great performance in more ways than one. From the 6k resolution that is to die for to the accessible dynamic range, it allows for versatility in the kind of footage that you can capture.
Arri Amira
Who says that a camera has to be pretty to be functional? This may not be the beautiful mini above but it certainly brings us all the “feels” with its great specs like the compatible lens mounts and the exposure index, as well as the 14+ stops for dynamic range. It’s easily adaptable and has plenty of customization options which we love.
Canon EOS C300 MKII
Lightweight and sleek, we like this camera because it’s easy to use and move around. We also love that it allows for all kinds of personalization and customizing, thanks to the pre-program buttons. It has an SD card and HDMI and SDI ports, as well as audio and video ports. It’s ergonomic design is what we really live for, which makes it easy to film anywhere and everywhere.
Sony PMW F55 CineAlta 4k Digital Cinema Camera
We work with a lot of high-end gear but this has to be one of the fanciest. It’s a bit pricey, but the functionality provided is everything we’ve dreamed of. From the high sensitivity to the low noise and the dynamic range, it’s the kind of camera that makes our job easier for us while allowing us to capture that amazing and clear footage your project calls for.
Black Magic Production 4k Camera
The global shutter on the Black Magic is what we always wanted but never knew we could have. Now that it’s in our Chicago video camera crews’ hands allowing us to capture crisp, clear images-even while filming subjects in movement-we don’t know how we lived without it. If you want to see what you’re filming while using it on a mount, the shiny display allows for easy viewing, although it can often be hard to see in certain types of lighting.
