Could you guys list some camcorders that produce acceptable footage for Pond5?

Hello,

My name is Mike Watts and I've been emailing Pond5 constantly to see exactly what camcorders produce acceptable footage for their collection.

Could you guys tell me the camcorders that you use that have produce footage that has been accepted and sold on Pond5?

Thank you.

I'm desperately trying to get out of my 9 to 5 job!

Mike,

Just a warning... The days of making a living at this are nearly over. Much like stock photography, everyone has a video camera these days and takes a shot at making it rich producing video clips. The only people making any real money at this are dedicated and think outside the box in order to produce content that's both unique and that buyers actually want to buy.

Pretty much any video camera that records at a high bit rate is acceptable. Canon HDV camcorders, Sony HD, Panasonic, etc... The biggest fad these days is to buy a DSLR that also shoots video.

Which one you choose depends entirely what what kind of footage you plan to shoot and what the requirements are to shoot that footage. Are you going to shoot in low-light? Are you shooting outdoor mostly, or indoor? Are you shooting in a studio?

The days of just buying a camera and shooting footage are over. You need a lot of good support equipment. A decent and STEADY tripod. If shoot indoor, you need lighting. If going with a DSLR you need good quality lenses. So, make sure that you not only have money for your camera, but money for all the extra equipment you'll need (extra batteries, filters to handle different lighting situations, steadycam for handheld shooting, etc...).

What's your plan? Once you know your plan, then you can decide on which camera to buy.

If you search for footage that has sold it will list what camera was used. I agree that it's more complex than just the camera. Lenses, a great tripod (nothing hand held unless it is a one-of-a-kind), fast computer, the best software and a very very fast upload internet connection. Do not expect to sell many or any for some time. It's not unusual for someone to have several hundred online before the first one sells. Subject matter is the biggest part of the game. Clouds, ducks, traffic, mountains and lakes are pretty much over-shot and you will need a spectacular landscape to sell a lot of them. The reality is that most people who start stock either photo or video drop out pretty fast and don't follow through, many of them with some great footage. Best of luck.

Innovative shots, timeliness (in terms of hot topics or news items), with quality coming in third. Quality is important (also, you may notice that 1080 footage accounts for about 60% of sales--avoid SD only cameras) but with the glut of fantastic images coming out of cameras like the Canon T2i (I recommend it--only about $799) the sale will be won based upon other factors.

Get a T2i, a few lenses (Canon 50mm 1.8-$90, Sigma 10-20mm wide angle zoom, and a 28-135mm Canon kit lens) and a Bogen tripod. Subtle dolly shots always do well---maybe invest in a Kessler table dolly or something similar and do some nice slow track shots or pushes. Also, jib shots sell well if the motion is relevant and the action smooth.

Look at the best selling clips here and on other stock sites, you will see what is moving and what is dead in the water.

I wish you the best, but don't expect a life-changer, maybe a lifestyle enhancer, and at the very least, it will be a hobby and interest that will pay for itself.

I wouldn't rely too much on the best selling clips here or any other site. "Best selling" means the buyer already bought it, do you are seeing what was the best selling clips yesterday or a few days ago, not tomorrow or next week.

Some things are easy to figure out (when holiday clips are popular), but spotting the next big advertising trend BEFORE it happens, not after advertisers have already bought clips and moved on is tough. But that should be your goal.

I guess his original question has been answered to what type of camera to use.
My only thing is, don't get sucked in the "starter camera" mentality I hear on forums. Get the best camera that will produce the best shots from the beginning even if it means waiting until you saved the money for it.

Have to agree with Dave. I never look at what has sold on any site to get ideas for another shoot. To do that would mean you're trying to second guess what people are buying . Also, as Dave said, think out of the box. and don't do things that are easy.
Easy stuff sells, not easy stuff REALLY sells.

Jake

If you alone and starting from 0 and want to be with the top sellers get a Sony EX1 or Canon 5DMkii. You also need about 5+ years of hard work producing top quality videos.... my opinion. Do not expect results in the 1st year of your learning curve. Your ROI from selling microstock footage is maybe years away.

You have to have your video skills uo to date (if not, practice!)
My best camera for footage has been the Canon HG20, hard drive, about 8-10 hours of HD, also can pop in a 32gig sdhc card and get more.

Great low light, handles live concerts for me quite well.

They run about $375-$425 used or refurbed. I still have 2 of these on hand as B cams and each of them have produced well for me. In pond 5 this year I have sold about $800.00 worth of footage from the HG20, and off the website about $3600.00 this year in production.

A real workhorse and I stand behind it 110%

Start with the mindset that your are going to suppliment your income and help yourself get better gear along the way with the $$ you earn as a more realistic expectation and you will be off to a GREAT start.

Hope everyone is happy now, we seemed to scare him off.

Well, just to put into perspective. Just here on P5 alone I have sold over 440 footage clips captured with my old HV-20. That means I have made sales that are more than twenty times what I paid for the camera. Some of the best (IMHO) footage from my XH-A1, 5D MKII and 7d have never sold, yet the "lower" technology HV-20 has made me proud and continues to sell very well.

I agree that the newer technology is easier and does make a far better product BUT the subject, lighting and need of the customer is far more important IMHO.