Superdocious
Wow! That's awesome. Usually I get distances like 40-200 feet. 😆
So it seems like this is currently where we stand, at least for the main components:
I think both of those are excellent choices. I would plan for another $3,000 USD or more to complete that setup, like a display or two for multiview/preview/program, a computer for control/admin of everything, power cables (ATEMs for sure don't come with them), video cables, etc. You may also want to spend a bit on a hardware control panel at some point, but this part is not necessary to get started. While the Blackmagic Design ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Broadcast Panel is an obvious choice, you could also go with lower priced options from Skaarhoj, XKeys - P.I. Engineering, or Elgato Streamdeck.
Looks like that leaves you anywhere from $5k up to $15k for the remainder of your setup (depending on priorities and options above), which will mostly be cameras.
Before that, I recommend adding at least one video studio recorder like one of the new Blackmagic Hyperdeck Studios so you can record a high quality or backup program feed. So that would be another $500-$1,000 USD.
Now, for cameras you have some good options. The biggest decision you'll need to make is whether you want the camera operator(s) to have control of zoom and/or focus from behind the camera. That will dictate camera and lens options more than pretty much anything else.
- First obvious choice is the new Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 4K Plus and Studio Camera 4K Pro. They are basically the same camera internals (sensor and processing) as the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. Lens choices will depend on whether you want motorized zoom or not. Plan on each camera setup costing between $2,000 and $4,000 depending on lens choice and accessories (focus demand, zoom demand, etc.).
- Second choice is the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K. The benefits to this model are the wide selection of EF mount lens options and slightly more control of depth of field. You can get tally, record start/stop, and control of camera settings like aperture, white balance, color balance, and focus if you use the Blackmagic Design BiDirectional Micro Converter 3G and 2 SDI coax lines from the ATEM switcher.
- Camcorders like the Panasonic CX350 would be my third choice. These are a natural fit for any live production setting since they give you good optical zoom, remote control of zoom/focus, and remote control of camera settings using a computer or device. The downsides people find with camcorders is the ability to have creative control over the final image and depth of field, though.
- The Panasonic EVA1 would also be a good fit, but I have a feeling it will get out of your budget by the time you factor in everything else that is needed.
- The Sony a7S III would be an okay option. However, you would miss out on a lot of live production features from the other options above and you probably will also run into budget restrictions pretty quickly.
Also, keep in mind you will need a good tripod and fluid head for any manned cameras. I would plan on $1,000 or so for each camera to get a good quality tripod and fluid head.
