DVX Question: Should I invest in one?

[Dubs Films]

Hey all,

My name is Jared and I am into shooting automotive shorts. Currently I own a Canon XL2, Senheisser ShotGun, Manfrotto TriPod, and a HoytTech Helmet Camera. I have been making some films here and there only to realize that I am not satisfied with the picture. I have been speaking with Derek B. from JPJ Studios who specializes in automotive videography on the west coast, and he recommended looking into the DVX series camera.

I know that the XL2 is a great camera (I know from experience), but in order to get really good shots of a moving vehicle, the camera has to be small and light. The HoytTech is a lipstick camera, and takes a FAR inferior picture to the XL2 or DVX. The XL2 is simply too heavy to mount to a Sticky Pod (which is ultimately what I will need to purchase after I change cameras).

So with all of that said, I wanted to know a good camera to invest in. Thanks!

Jared
Dubs Films

[Dubs Films]

Bump. No one wants to help the newcomer?

[MikeWilkinson]

Yes. The DVX is a great camera for what it can do. It is light, has a lot of pro options, and delivers a great picture. Handheld operation will take a little bit of learning vs the XL series, but you'll get over it. :)

I think a number of users here might suggest an HV20/30 for an even lighter alternative, and it takes HD images...

Also, you mention that you are "not satisfied" with your XL2 images. Why? The DVX has similar specs compared to the XL2.... will you be satisfied with that? or do you need to step it up to HD?

[Dubs Films]

Also, you mention that you are "not satisfied" with your XL2 images. Why? The DVX has similar specs compared to the XL2.... will you be satisfied with that? or do you need to step it up to HD?

No I AM satisfied with the picture. I'm NOT satisfied with the picture the HoytTech takes.

[dory_breaux]

In my humble opinion, the XL has only two advantages over the DVX:

16:9 native chips and interchangible lenses.

Many people also think that the DVX has a much more organic look, resulting in a more filmic look. I persionally have never touched an XL2, but from the footage I have seen from it, i like the DVX better.

[ryan brown]

Well... what do you think about HD? The DVX is indeed a fantastic tool, but with everything going HD, that's the route I'd be looking at.

What's your final output? Web, DVD, etc...

[dory_breaux]

Well... what do you think about HD? The DVX is indeed a fantastic tool, but with everything going HD, that's the route I'd be looking at.

What's your final output? Web, DVD, etc...

True dat

[Dubs Films]

Many people also think that the DVX has a much more organic look, resulting in a more filmic look.

That's really what I am going for.


What's your final output? Web, DVD, etc...

yes those are my two primary outputs.

[Alan Bradley]

IMO i would buy the canon XH-A1 at this point and not the dvx100. granted your computer is halfway decent. the xh-a1 is everything the dvx100 is but HD. the hv20 takes an awesome picture as long as you can live with the lack of manual controls and do the whole manual exposure thing. if you're about to jump now i'd say HD would be a logical next step. you could recoup money from the XL2 now when there is still a market for that camera.

[dory_breaux]

I would just say fuck canon and buy an HVX, because of its larger color space and the solid state recording, wich by the way Panny is shipping a free P2 card with the HVX now.

[Dubs Films]

IMO i would buy the canon XH-A1 at this point and not the dvx100. granted your computer is halfway decent. the xh-a1 is everything the dvx100 is but HD. the hv20 takes an awesome picture as long as you can live with the lack of manual controls and do the whole manual exposure thing. if you're about to jump now i'd say HD would be a logical next step.

But how much more will I have to pay for an HD camera like that? How much does it weigh?

Ideally, I was just going to get something used to save money.

[Jon Neely]

That would be the negative part about the HVX, Its a tank, weighs a lot(about the same as you XL2) and it is larger than the DVX. Plus it offers a very noisy and almost blurry image compared to other HD prosumer cams. the A1 is going for about 3200, thats only about 700 more than a DVX, and you are really just gaining a lot from it. you can always get an organic feel in post if you film correctly. also for you sport shooting the A1 is nice because it uses CCD's still and you can doge the rolling shutter problem of CMOS cameras of now (EX1, HV20) All these cameras are exceptional though, but as of now, The A1 is the best bang for your buck prosumer cam. But I have a feeling that is all about to change very soon.


Jon

[Barry_Green]

"Very noisy and almost blurry"? Are you serious?

[Jon Neely]

Sorry Berry, But compared to Cameras like the Ex1 and Xh models, the HVX doesnt come to the standard of tacksharp as the others do, though I highly respect the HVX and I agree it is a force to reckon with, I dont agree it has the most resolution/sharpness compared the some of the other cameras. I rented one for a music video once(the HVX) and shot it all in 1080p, but when I batched it, I was really disappointed of the amount of noise it produced In the full raster 1080p, no when I down rezzed to 720p, the image turned out much nicer. But compared to the EX1 I have been able to mess with at my buddies house, the HVX image come close. Remember Berry I am just give my mere opinion here. I Highly respect you, but I must say the HVX is not as sharp... just my 2 cents...


Jon