Saving for a DVX...or not.

[exomniac]

I'm no cinematographer. I'm looking for professional opinions. That is why I am here. Bear this in mind.

This is my situation. It's been my desire for the past decade to direct an indie movie. It's never been more of a reality for me than it is right now. It was my plan to purchase a DVX. (I went through the whole xl1s phase.) I'm about to start shooting video for a software company, and my boss told me to take out their DCR-VX2000 to learn my way around it. After an afternoon of shooting, I was in love. Maybe it was because I've never touched a 3ccd camera. I don't know.

As soon as I turned on frame mode, and started messing with the white balance settings I seriously considered reconsidering. I knew I could get this camera for close to a grand less than the DVX, and the picture I was getting satisfied me. Now, if I'm not mistaken (and now that we're getting technical, this is where I want you to apply the disclamer you read at the beginning of my post) this camera shoots in 30p. Even if it shoots in 30i I can still deinterlace it in post, right? I'm not looking to transfer to film.

That's it. I need help.

[David Jimerson]

"Frame mode" isn't really 30p.

But it's all about being happy. Is 24p worth it to you? For only a grand more, I'd think it would be, you indie-filmmakin' wannabe. :)

Remember, don't ever be afraid to buy the best. I say this not because I love the DVX, but because I, too, went through the "well, I could get ALMOST as good for less" phase, and am SOOOO glad I shook myself of that. I know I would have sorely regretted it.

[combatJJ]

Actually the VX-2000 has a 30p mode.

[Barry_Green]

No it doesn't. It has a 15P mode, but not 30P. It's not really supposed to be a motion thing at all, it was designed for taking still photos, and the maximum rate it can do is 15 frames per second, which is not all that useful for dramatic narrative work.

You can put it in 1/30th shutter speed, and it'll look sort of like "frame mode", but with half the vertical resolution.

The VX2000 is a great camera, I've used it many, many times. But the DVX is everything the VX2000 is, and a whole lot more. So, look at it that way: if you think you'd be happy with a VX2000, you'll be that much more happy with the DVX! ;)

[J.R. Hudson]

Im glad you guys stepped in to answer this. Another question of WHAT SHOULD I BUY?

I too, went through the torturous XL1s .vs. DVX100 phase. Sigh, I was sooo naive. Knowing what I know now, I am so happy I went with the DVX100.

24p baby. Thats it. Thats all you need to know.

[J.R. Hudson]

:D

The SUNDANCE CAMERA!

[Barry_Green]

Not that I want to rain on the "Sundance" parade, but you guys do know that the PD150 won "Best Cinematography" at Sundance a couple of years ago, right? For "Personal Velocity"? I mean, it's great that the DVX won it this year and all, but... it's been done before...

[Mike_Donis]

I can't say this enough, and I've said it many a time before...

DVX FOREVA BABY!!!

[J.R. Hudson]

Barry

I had no idea (I even double checked). I'm dissapointed in this fact. :-/

Should I be?

No. Forget about it. DV is the best thing to happen to film since, since, since, um, color?

Sorry, Im drinking right now.

[David Jimerson]

No. *Forget about it. *DV is the best thing to happen to film since, since, since, um, color?

Since color, and until John Hudson. ;D

[J.R. Hudson]

:D

Now if I could just somehow NOT have to work for a living. Maybe I shoud go on Survivor and win some money?

[dvpixl]

vx2000? eh...
if you're doing video journalism yeah...
if you want to make films, DVX. 24p is so regular now that it shouldn't even be an option.

in fact, they should start making the hand-size camcorders now that includes 24p or a low consumer simulated version.

yeah and DVX is progressive. so, so different.

[mrbimmer]

Go with the DVX, you will be more than happy you did. There are more options on the DVX then most DV cams. It has tons more options than the vx2000. If you decide to go with the DVX buy from willoughbys.com , that is where i bought my DVX100a in Feb and it was only 3300. The prices are great and they ship fast. Good luck on the decision.

[mrbimmer]

Also, the DVX's color is unbeatable. *Honestly the only real comparable camera would be a camera in the 16mm format, color-wise. *The depth of the color that comes from the DVX is just spectacular. *

If you arn't going to shoot an indie on film, shoot it on the DVX.

[kylelewis1]

Just a thought... If were to be put on a stranded island for a year and given the choice of one camera to film my experiences of going emotionally and psychological insane, I would pick the DVX100.

[J.R. Hudson]

Exactly.

[kylelewis1]

I would much rather have a DVX to talk to then some other camera. Like in Cast Away when Tom Hanks started talking to the volleyball Wilson. I could put face paint on my DVX and name him and so on... But would you really want to do that with a camera other than the DVX?