Question about getting my first

[Chris Paradis]

Pardon me if this is the wrong forum, but i was unable to locate another designated area.

So, to make this short and to the point, I'm just getting into the filmmaking scene and looking to purchase the right piece of equipment to make that venture. Alot of time in university and in my garage has landed me here, but i'm not gonna put it off any longer.
In doing some research and watching footage, i've really taken to Panasonic's DVX models. I've been speaking to one of the regular members here and i asked him this question, and now i want to pose it to all of you. feel free to give me your honest opinion on this. Honest opinion...


In reading and going through all the forums and threads its helped me to get a good concept of the cameras discussed here, but its really hard when you don't have a model to apply this learning to. (all theory and no practical makes jack a dull boy)
I was thinking of maybe picking up a used DVX100a to use as a trial learning model, from someplace local or maybe even ebay from a reputable seller. I want one just to use for a year or something well i figure out what i like and don't like and what i want and don't want in my final choice. And then when i've got a better grasp of the unit and gone through the basic trial and error of owning one, then maybe pick up a new DVX100b or go HD, or maybe just see what the market looks like then. Sounds like the DVX100b is the last stand for the miniDV.
Again, its more of a matter of having a base unit to spend time getting comfortable with and feeling out how to use one. I could always getting a very basic camera for under a thousand, but i don't want something thats going to be vastly different from what i will eventually be working towards. make sense?

Anyways, does that sound like a reasonable approach or is there something inherently wrong with that idea? Keep in mind money isn't really the issue (I'm not made of money, but its doesn't bother me to spent 1500$ one a used on this year, and 3,000$ on a new one next year)

thanks again for your input
-Chris

[Barry_Green]

Nothing wrong with that approach at all. Keep in mind that spending $1500 doesn't mean you're "out" $1500; you can always re-sell it later, maybe you'll get $1200 when you sell it. So you're looking at a prospect of "renting" a camera for a year for $300... considering DVXs rent for about $100-$150 per day, getting one for a year for a net cost of $300 or so is a pretty good deal! Find some local company to rent it from you a couple of times during that year (for multi-camera jobs at a concert or, well, who knows) and then it's free for the "learning" year. Then when you're ready to buy new, the great thing is that there'll probably be all sorts of new toys on the market. New cameras are coming out fairly fast and furious, so delaying your "permanent" purchase for a year will only put you in a stronger position -- you can either pick up the newest/latest/greatest, or you can pick up today's greatest at a discount price (from someone who has to sell today's in order to afford tomorrow's newest/latest/greatest!)

[Chris Paradis]

Thanks Barry. those are very good points you brought up.

[dory_breaux]

I'd go with Barry on this one.

[HorseFilms]

I'd go with Barry on this one.

Yeah, listening to Barry is generally a pretty good idea.:happy:

[matt8694]

Go for it kid.

[Noel Evans]

I was thinking of maybe picking up a used DVX100a to use as a trial learning model, from someplace local or maybe even ebay from a reputable seller. I want one just to use for a year or something well i figure out what i like and don't like and what i want and don't want in my final choice.

Hallalujah! :beer: