The DSLR Advantage: Getting an HD Camera into Places Where Other Cams Can't

It's tough to make a documentary shine without gaining access to places or events where cameras aren't welcome.  Access has many enemies, chief among them is the size of both camera and crew. It's no secret small cameras and crews can get into places where big productions cannot and with the rise of the HD DSLR, doc filmmakers now have a tool that's both small, stealthy and deceptive. I say deceptive, simply because when people see a DSLR they assume you're taking pictures, not shooting video. This can be annoying when you're shooting video and people suddenly stop, smile, pose and wait for a flash, but it's a great tool when you want to get a camera into a situation where video is verboten.

I've had my share of in-the-field war stories, a few situations that were life threatening but mostly ones where a simple apology was sufficient atonement (seasoned doc filmmakers needn't be reminded that --like US foreign policy-- it's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission). A big reason people love docs is that they get you behind closed doors, into sticky situations and show you a rare glimpse of the unorthodox. To get these shots sometimes you need to have brass balls, sometimes you just have to be lucky, but most times you need to have the gear that can get you to the right place at the right time.

It wasn't work related, but on Friday night I took my Canon 7D along with me to see Roger Waters' The Wall Tour at the MGM Arena in Las Vegas. My hotel room was a short walk to the arena, so I figured if I couldn't get my DSLR into the show, I'd simply run it back to my room. With the body and lens in separate jacket pockets, I breezed through a medal detector and past the ticket turnstile without even a pat down. Once the show started, I clicked my Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 EX onto my camera's body and I started shooting. The video is the worst I've shot in my life: it's embarrassingly shaky and the audio far from pro quality. Regardless, I wanted to go home with a memento of a monumental concert...and I did (in 1920x1080p HD video). Next time out I'll bring along my monopod, a Rode microphone and the experience of knowing what I can get away with.