I need some sugestions

[Mr-Joe]

Hello, I am new to this forum, I found it the other day when I was reading info on this Camera.. Now after seeing the quality from Nick's Art History It convinced me to use/buy this camera.... Now thats my problem...

I have never used this camera so I dont really know any of the settings or features or anything like that.... Now I am planning on shooting a feature film in about 8 months and I'd like to use this camera with an anamorphic lens...

Now I dont know if I should rent or buy the camera and lens and then just rent all the other equipment....

I figure about a 6-7 day shoot possibly more... Thats gonna run me about $1000-1500 for just the camera and lens for that amount of time of renting it.... Now say I rent it , I get the stuff and I need a couple days now to figure out how the camera works....I dont wanna end up with a piece of crap cause the quality sucks cause I couldnt figure out how the camera works...

So for the camera and lens it would run about $4,000 right???

My question is, is it worth just buying the camera and lens and renting all my steadi cam and audio equipment?

Now I have a few more quetions.... I need a matte box and some filters.... I was reading that review on that Cavision 4x4 mattebox and It looked pretty interesting till I saw it will now work with the anamorphic lens...

Can any one tell me a site where I can purchase a Matte box for this camera that will fit the anamorphic lens and where I can get good filters for it.... Now I know Nick said he used a 6x6 .. Is that because of the anamorphic lens... If it is where can I get a nice 6x6 Matte box for a Decent price... and where can I get the filters for that?

.. And 1 last question.... I need to rent some audio equipment... I want REAL nice quality sound.... Like movie quality or a little less... You know what i mean ... I want the dialouge to sound pro.... Where can I rent some NICE mics... what kind of mics do you recommend... The DVX-100 does have 2 mic ports doesnt it? not the cheesy Audio port but the pro mic ports?


Well Thanks for listening hope I can get some answers....

[24Peter]

You've got too many questions... but maybe this will help.

1st (if you haven't already) download the manual from the Panasonic site (anyone have the link handy?). Read it.

Then I'd rent the camera for a weekend (most places will rent to you on a Friday night to Monday morning basis for the price of one day - $150-200). Forget the anamorphic for now, the stabilizer, audio equipment etc. Just go out and shoot in all the various modes 24p (N&A) 30p 60i (they're preset - if you've read the manual you'll know how to access them). Shoot under different conditions (interior/exterior/low light etc.) Then spend the next week watching the stuff you've shot. Watch it a couple of times. If you're still not sure, don't buy the camera. But chances are you'll see what we've all seen and you'll buy it. (If you only plan on making one movie in the next year and have a short shoot then rent it. Otherwise buy it.)

[wesg]

Just joined the forum today after reading tons of great posts. I'm happy to contribute to this topic:
Financially speaking, buying the camera and anamorphic Panasonic adapter, using them for your shoot and selling them "slightly used" (If you can stand to part with 'em after the project) on ebay will probably cost you less than renting will. Since the camera is new and a hot item, you'll have small trouble finding someone who wants to save hundreds of dollars on a relatively new DVX-100. The key will be getting to know the camera in the months leading up to your shoot. Unfamiliarity with the equipment could end up costing much more than the $$ value of the camera.

WRT a mattebox for the Panasonic Anamorphic lens, Chrosziel is coming out with a new model for this aplication. Part number is 411-53 P. I have the DV Sunshade mattebox from Chrosziel and the fit, finish and function rates a 10 in my book. I'm hoping to get the 411-53 P after I get the Panasonic lens. Since it wasn't out yet when I was looking I don't know the price, but I'm sure it's price will be pretty close to the DV Sunshade. Check around with Chrosziel's dealers for availability.

Cheers,
Wesg

[Guest]

Ok, cool, So just call up Chrosziel and ask for the 411-53? ... I did not see it on the site but what size is it? where can i Get filters for it?

Thanks for the info..

[wesg]

Important note: It's a 411-53P. The "P" is for Panasonic. When I was looking I was talking to Melissa at Safer Seas. ( http://www.saferseas.com )
I should say that I have never purchased from them and I have no relationship to them. But if you want to find out if they're available yet, it's a good place to start.
The filters are standard glass or resin 4x4 inch and available through the usual places. I have a set of Schneider Optics for DV cameras, as well as other random filters from Tiffen. Use your Google for this stuff too. You'll find Mandy.com and productionclassifieds.com as well as a bunch of other resources I'll bet.
Hope it helps,
Wesg

[Mr-Joe]

Well, Thank you,...

Safer Seas has the Dvx100 for $3,195... then they have the anamorphic adapter with the 411-53p 4x4 matte box for an additional $1795.... It is the Anamorphic lens adapter that i'm looking for correct? (by that I mean is that what its called... i dont want to come to find out i need a Anamorphic lens then on top of that an adapter or something...)

Now is that a good price?

[Mr-Joe]

Wow... I did not know this but I just found out the 441-53p 4x4 Matte box ALONE is $1,795 ..... ???? is that a little extreme for a Matte box... I didnt know they ran that high??? are they really worth the money?

[Devin]

Jarred and Nick's mattebox they used on Art history was an Arri 6x6 and it cost over $7000 alone, so yes they run high, as does most cinema stuff.

[kai]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the 411-53 (not the P) is the exact same as the 411-53P, except it has a round back instead of a square one (which would accommodate the anamorphic). So if you're not using the anamorphic, the 411-53 would still work with the dvx just fine?

[Zoomforce]

we used the round back.. that is where we put the diopter (thats what it is, a round filter holder)

[kai]

cool... cause the 411-53P is backordered for a long time... the 411-53 is available now...

[Zoomforce]

cool.. I would warn you though that the thing is damn heavy.. if you plan to do any handheld stuff your in for a world of pain, and make sure you get the grips.

Besides the rods you also are gonna need a cheese plate and a truck riser to mount the camera.

[kai]

It'll be this system ( 411-53 mattebox -not P-, rods system, side flags, follow focus, etc)

http://www.saferseas.com/vsd/eye/eye13.html

That has everything i'd need right as far as the mattebox? (I'm not ordering from safer seas, but that's the rig)