Behind the Lens

3.1What’s the Best Camera?

Above all else, whenever I do lectures or workshops or meet filmmakers at a networking event, the number one question people always ask me: “What’s the best camera?”

I know what they’re really asking is “What is the best camera for me—that I can afford?” At least that’s almost always what I infer from the question.

Answering the question isn’t easy, nor is there really any right answer. I try, very hard, to impress upon anyone inquiring along these lines— it is NOT the camera that matters as much as the people behind it.

One of the things that I teach in my camera and lighting workshops is to take a look at Airplane II and Blade Runner—both shot in 1981 with Panavision cameras and lenses and Kodak film stocks. The equipment ...