The Camera YOU Should Buy for Documentary Interviews || BMPCC6K vs. SONY

I break down the 4 different types of interview styles, and which camera you should buy for interviews, depending on your style. The two biggest factors I take into account are interview-friendly specs (e.g. autofocus, unlimited recording) and budget (especially if you are purchasing two cameras. This video is designed for anyone, but mostly those want to film immediately and don't have a massive budget, gear knowledge, or interview experience.
Below is a list of each piece of gear I reference in the video. They links are Amazon affiliate links, and I greatly appreciate you buying the gear with them, if I helped you at all in this video, and if you'd like to help me out.
CAMERAS MENTIONED:
BMPCC6K -- Perfect Camera, but no autofocus: amzn.to/3yBU9s6
Sony A7iv -- Best Overall Camera, if you have budget: amzn.to/3Aqxfp1
Sony A7C -- Cheapest Camera for Full-Frame (no rec limit) + Autofocus: amzn.to/3OLBNuI
Sony A6600 -- Affordable Option for Seated + Street Interviews: amzn.to/3P1iRYe (out-of-stock most places now. Get above option if so)
Canon R7 - Newly released Canon camera I'd recommend over the Sony A6600: amzn.to/3TraLuw
Sony ZV-E10 -- Most Affordable, Great for Two-Camera Interviews: amzn.to/3NyiXFX
ACCESSORIES IN VIDEO:
Camera/Travel Backpack (flying friendly): amzn.to/3a8kk0q
Budget Tripod: amzn.to/3ugjrcQ
Affordable Touchscreen Monitor: amzn.to/3RiKhev
Monitor/Accessory Mounts: amzn.to/3ujUmhd
SSD Drive: amzn.to/3uj0eHm
0:00 - 0:31 - What camera you should buy
0:31 - 5:17 - Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6k / 6k Pro
5:17 - 6:16 - When I would recommend Sony mirrorless cameras
6:16 - 7:05 - Sony A7iv
7:05 - 8:54 - Sony A7C + Full Frame vs. Crop-Sensor
8:54 - 9:44 - Best cameras for two-person interviews set-up A
9:44 - 11:08 - Best cameras for two-person interviews set-up B
11:08 - 12:28 - Lenses - 50mm vs. 24mm

[@Scriptshepherd]

Since this video, the Canon R7 has been released with unlimited recording and 10-bit 4:2:2 video, which are ideal for professional interviews. I'd recommend the R7 over the Sony A6600 in the applicable scenarios in the video. I'll include a link in the description. I'm sure many more great budget cameras for interviews will continue to come out as technology advances :)

[@jiwonmoon]

This was super helpful. Thank you!!

[@MarkySteincastle]

excellent information. Thank you.

[@alexanderdunton2598]

Thankyou Ehud. Clear, thoughtful, and considerate of different budgets. A great tutorial that is helping me with my decision making. All the Best!

[@Scriptshepherd]

Thanks so much and glad it helped you out!

[@broifyouaskme1448]

I've never heard that criticism of the MFT format. Just get a wide angle lens. Heck, even a cell phone, which has an even smaller sensor, can shoot at a very wide angle. Just press the button.

[@martinabbas5264]

Ehud - this is amazing. Thank you for making this. With Love From NYC

[@Scriptshepherd]

My pleasure Martin. Glad you liked it and sending love back to NYC!

[@alexeimuravsky]

Thanks for making this video, I learned a lot from it.

[@Scriptshepherd]

My pleasure, I'm glad it helped!

[@DaGamingNeighbor]

Thanks for the video, really considering starting to interview everyday people to get their life story. Really good place to start

[@Scriptshepherd]

That's great to hear - love that

[@J-Dawg-1]

Hi bro, Awesome video and work. You are very smart! I’m completely new to video. 1) What’s the best Blackmagic Camera for filming interviews? And 2) What’s the best lens to own for that camera?

[@AxelFoley-sb5re]

Appreciate the video! The camera I’m looking for is one that looks good right out of camera! I don’t want to edit anything except for certain cuts and stuff like that! I like this camera but 2k is a lot of money for me right now.

[@Scriptshepherd]

Glad you liked it. Then I’d recommend some of the other cameras I suggested in the video. The Sony ZV-E10 is $700 and works great out of the box.

[@onewordchannel]

This was so helpful. Subbed! I've been looking into a kit for run-and-gun style documentary where I'd be doing handheld interviews. Would the Sony A6600 or Canon R7 be the best option? Or would the Sony A7C be better for the full frame sensor?

[@Scriptshepherd]

Hey Taegan, I'm glad it helped! The Canon R7 is the better camera than the A6600 (better codecs + image bit-depth), but Sony has better/cheaper lens options. So it completely depends on your needs and budget. So many great cameras have been release since this video, so here are my updated thoughts: If you have a few hundred dollars extra, I'd go for the new Sony FX30 - I think it's the best APS-C camera for run-and-gun doc work. But if you need full-frame for some reason, I'd wait for the new Canon R8 to come out, and adapt EF lenses to it. This will be better than the Sony A7C. You can also look into the new Panasonic S5ii, as they've vastly improved their autofocus. But I'd only recommend full-frame if you have a specific need for it - otherwise, go for the Sony FX30 or Canon R7.

[@gurugamer8632]

Can you shoot documentary using different cameras such as Panasonic AU EVA1 and Sony A7S III?

[@RKKY-mf7fe]

Sony for features. Black magic for BRaw. BRaw saved my a$$ every time

[@freddymiguelponce]

Great video! This is my first time in your channel; if you allow me one question please I like to buy the PCC6K mainly for making training videos for my clients. The main shot would be just like the one you used for your video. Would you please tell me how far the PCC6K is from you and which focal lenght did you use when filmed your video? I'm tryning to decide which would be the best lens to use with the PCC6K. I don't know if go with a zoom or a prime. This will be my first "real" camera and I would like to buy the right lens Thanks in advance and sorry for my English; I'm still learning Have a Productive and Healthy Day!

[@Scriptshepherd]

Hey Freddy, thanks for the comment! I believe I filmed this, and usually film these sorts of videos, on 24mm, with the camera about a foot away from me. I usually use a wide zoom lens, so that I can adjust the focal length to fine tune my framing. If you have the budget, I'd recommend going with the popular Sigma 18-35mm, as that'll give you the most flexibility for framing. There are also cheaper zoom lenses options in that focal range that would work great if all you need it for is training videos.

[@erum.m]

Would you recommend gettting the a6700 or wait for A7C2? Upgrading from a6500. For mostly indoor documentary interviews and you tube videos. Plus some photography on the side.

[@lifeexamined7219]

Tough call. I think they're both gonna overheat at points, so not completely reliable for long documentary interviews, including only single card slots. I think specs on the A7Cii will be similar to the A6700, so it really just depends if you want to spend the extra money on full frame. I don't think the A7cii will offer you much more than the A6700 for what you listed. I'd also recommend the FX30, although it doesn't have burst modes for photo. The best value under $2k might be the new Panasonic S5ii or Canon R7, but that would require switching systems of course.

[@erum.m]

@@lifeexamined7219 Thanks. I did consider the FX30 but it is mainly a video camera and doesn't have the AI features that the newer cameras are now getting. I feel like it doesn't make sense to upgrade and not have that. Another option I was considering was to upgrade to 6700 and get a full frame lens. Then comes the fun bit of deciding which lens. My friend has a Canon 6D so we do have an alternate camera filming the interview.

[@Scriptshepherd]

@@erum.m Hey, you're welcome - by the way, I accidentally commented my advice above from my other youtube channel haha. Yeah, I think the A6700 will be a powerful option for you, especially for the price, as long as you don't need dual-slot recording. You may want to also look up some overheating tests to make sure it's sufficient for you.

[@tevcas]

Your talking head shot in s-log?

[@Scriptshepherd]

The subject-only shots are Prores on the Blackmagic, and scenario #2 with the interviewer + subject is S-Log on the Sony A7sii. Good eye!

[@darinfrantz341]

What lens do you recommend with the Black Magic?

[@Scriptshepherd]

Depends, what are you using it for? My most versatile lenses are the Canon EF 24-105 F/4 and the Sigma 17-50 F/2.8

[@darinfrantz341]

@@Scriptshepherd It will mainly be for inside one on one interviews. Do you also have any recommendations for lighting and microphones to pick up each person?

[@Scriptshepherd]

​@@darinfrantz341 For a close-up angle of your subject I'd recommend a 50mm lens. I use a vintage Contax Zeiss, but if you need something very affordable the Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 is highly regarded. If you need a wider lens for both you and the subject in frame, go with a 24mm. For lighting, I find the Amaran 60x paired with a Aputure Light Dome Mini II powerful and portable. Audio - if you want wireless mics that you can monitor, my favorites are the DJI Wireless System. But if you want "set-it-and-forget-it" wired mics, grab two Tascam DR-10Ls I have another video on audio and lighting, in case you need more info: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnKbcnSfZb2qgcU Here are links to the gear I mentioned below (affiliate): Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 - amzn.to/3XX5mNz Canon EFS 24mm f/2.8 - amzn.to/3lZI1gP Amaran 60x Light - amzn.to/3Sob6P0 Softbox - amzn.to/3xOInJU DJI Wireless Mic System - amzn.to/3klijD7 Tascam DR-10L - amzn.to/3XRybuB I hope this helps!

[@kodeir659]

What an incredibly insightful and well edited channel. Subbed!

[@Scriptshepherd]

Thank you :)