Training

Sony PD-170 - The first camera that I have been trained on, as it was my first time using a professional camera, it was therefore my first chance to use a camera manually. This camera captures on to mini DV tape which can have issues as they can get damaged quite easily.

Canon 450D - We were trained on the DSLR camera in week 4. Learning this technology allowed me to complete my Photo Essay. This is the first professional stills camera I have used so, like the Sony PD170, it was my first experience of manual operation of a camera. 

Canon 550D - DSLR cameras were never originally designed for capturing moving image, but the 550D is an industry recognised filming camera now. The sound quality is poor with filming so a separate sound recorder would have to be used to reinforce the sound. Also the camera cannot cope with too much movement within a shot and it often overheats relatively quickly if filming for more than 8 minutes.

Sony HVR-1VE - This camera is similar to the Sony PD-170 but is able to capture in high definition quality. As I used the PD-170 a lot in my first year at the University of Winchester I am used to the set up, which this camera has a lot of similarities with. 

As co-cameraman for this documentary I have discussed with Paul, the other co-cameraman, that I personally think it would be more beneficial to our project to film mainly with the Sony HVR-1VE due to the limitations that the Canon 550D possesses.