About to spend 18K on a big ole' HVX package and I'm freakin out.

doondoon

doondoon

Well-known member
I'm moments away from taking a big dive! Putting down 5 grand and financing the rest over 24 months (hopefully I'll pay off before then).

HVX-200
Three 8 gig P2 cards
Marshall Monitor
Cartoni Gamma head with Aluminum 2 stage sticks
Petroff Matte Box
Petroff Follow Focus
Full Zacuto base plate and rod system including batteries that will power camera, monitor, and 35mm convertor.
Batteries, Accessories, Cables ect...
Custom Cases


Jesus.
 
Why buy it all at once? Get the camera and play with it a few weeks to make sure it works for you, then if it does buy the rest of the gear. I'd only get the third 8 gig card if you absolutely need it. Better options (cineporter, etc) are around the corner and you will take a big loss when you try to resell them. Listen to my advice or I"m going to tell your wife.
 
i think he just watned to share it with us, maybe make us envious?? lol..i dunno...but i dont see a point of this thread. We arent kids on a playground here or are we? hehehe

18k i could shoot a low budget movie
 
Well, all I can say is this:

that is a lot of money. Since January 2006, I've spent about $15K
Technically, you could spend that money towards a particular production and just rent.


Let me tell you what I bought:

$5,500 HVX200
(No p2 cards or anything else)
$1,000 Tascam HD-P2 recorder
$60 Sony Headphones ( I bought two, $30 each)
$300 Bogen Tripod
$550 Sennheiser K6/ME66
$700 Sennheiser Evolution wireless lav mic & wireless hand mic
$2,900 An Arri Softbank IV 5-piece light kit

I've spent more on other things, like my G5 computer ($6K) and about 2.5 terrabytes of external harddrive space ($2,000), but I am now a fully functional small production company. The reason why i bought it is because I shoot alot, about 3-5 times a week. Every week. I make sure I get my money's worth out of it all. If you're not going to squeeze the pennies, then pinch them and watch what you buy.

There's a common temptation to own everything. That can be a huge waste, depending on what you spend your money on.

BEFORE you buy all that equipment, why don't you take a look at the book by Scott Billups, http://www.pixelmonger.com/home.html

It can save you, and it'll open your eyes to whats the bigger picture.
 
Sorry. Don't mean to waste bandwidth and forum space! I don't really have a question... other than...am I insane? I'm just excited and nervous and wanted to share my nerves with all you.

:)
 
korepsych said:
Well, all I can say is this:

that is a lot of money. Since January 2006, I've spent about $15K
Technically, you could spend that money towards a particular production and just rent.


Let me tell you what I bought:

$5,500 HVX200
(No p2 cards or anything else)
$1,000 Tascam HD-P2 recorder
$60 Sony Headphones ( I bought two, $30 each)
$300 Bogen Tripod
$550 Sennheiser K6/ME66
$700 Sennheiser Evolution wireless lav mic & wireless hand mic
$2,900 An Arri Softbank IV 5-piece light kit

I've spent more on other things, like my G5 computer ($6K) and about 2.5 terrabytes of external harddrive space ($2,000), but I am now a fully functional small production company. The reason why i bought it is because I shoot alot, about 3-5 times a week. Every week. I make sure I get my money's worth out of it all. If you're not going to squeeze the pennies, then pinch them and watch what you buy.

There's a common temptation to own everything. That can be a huge waste, depending on what you spend your money on.

BEFORE you buy all that equipment, why don't you take a look at the book by Scott Billups, http://www.pixelmonger.com/home.html

It can save you, and it'll open your eyes to whats the bigger picture.
Click to expand...

Thanks Korepsych-
I'll check out the article tonight.

Actually I've already got quite a bit of equipment including a full editing suite, sound, lights ect... and I just sold my other camera (which paid for itself many times over) , so I feel solid about this purchase. It's needed! I shoot on such a regular basis that renting equipment quickly becomes sort of a crazy idea. I hope to get a couple big jobs and pay this stuff off quick! I have this feeling that in a little over a year there is going to be "another camera".
Curious- how do you like the Tascam?
 
The Tascam is BLOODY BEAUTIFUL.

It's hands-down the best field recording device I've ever dealt with at it's price range.

Scott Billup's book is a bit longer then reading an article and it's worth the read.

Good luck!
 
korepsych said:
The Tascam is BLOODY BEAUTIFUL.

It's hands-down the best field recording device I've ever dealt with at it's price range.

Scott Billup's book is a bit longer then reading an article and it's worth the read.

Good luck!
Click to expand...


AHH-
Didn't realize it was a book. I just quickly glanced at the link.
Cheers,
Michael
 
There's only one suggestion I have that I don't see in your list... Harddrive space. If you're planning on shooting HD, how are you planning on storing everything? I also noticed you didn't list a P2 store on your list... that's what, $2,500? And how much space do you have in your editing suite? I run about 3-4 projects at all times, and depending, they can stay on my computer up to 6 months... or more. The thing about the P2 is it's not like a tape, where you can just tuck it away and clear up your harddrive space, then re-capture when you need to.
 
if you have established clients doondoon...and u know the money u invest will give you a greater return, do it. But from the original msg and the one u jsut posted above, it seems like youre spending all this money and youre hoping to get work. Thats how i'm reading you right now, and if thats the case, i really wish you suceed. Gear and equipment wont get you customers, you have to get customers, the electronics just help you along the way to hopefully make a better looking product.
 
I agree to a point... BUT when I first started I had no experience. I bought the equipment, and went out and grabbed all my customers as quickly as I could, doing things for free, and then cheap, then for the rates I charge now...

I think it's okay to own the equipment, b/c regardless if you own it or not it's up to you to make use of it.

If I hadn't bought all that equipment, I wouldn't have been able to get the jobs I did...
 
And to add to that it's okay to buy the equipment, PROVIDED that you don't over-spend and leave ZERO moneys for operating expenses...
 
korepsych said:
There's only one suggestion I have that I don't see in your list... Harddrive space. If you're planning on shooting HD, how are you planning on storing everything? I also noticed you didn't list a P2 store on your list... that's what, $2,500? And how much space do you have in your editing suite? I run about 3-4 projects at all times, and depending, they can stay on my computer up to 6 months... or more. The thing about the P2 is it's not like a tape, where you can just tuck it away and clear up your harddrive space, then re-capture when you need to.
Click to expand...

You're so right. I just didn't mention that part as I haven't decided which way to go yet.
I'm thinking either a DLT or LTO tape drive for archiving. Currently I've got three 500 Gig G-Raids, 2 250 Gig Lacie FW800 and I've been looking at a CalDigit Raid with mirrored drive bays.
I've also got a DSR-11 (for mini-dv) although I don't anticipate using it much.

Where do you store your media? On harddrive? Archiving?
 
doondoon said:
I have this feeling that in a little over a year there is going to be "another camera".
Click to expand...

In a little under a year there's going to be a camera out called RED!!!!

Would you be tempted to hang out and keep saving - you might not have to spend much more to get alot more!??!?!?!?!?!? :cool:

(that's my theory at the moment anyway - keep wanting to push the button on a HVX but then get distracted by the RED glow) :love4:
 
saturnin said:
if you have established clients doondoon...and u know the money u invest will give you a greater return, do it. But from the original msg and the one u jsut posted above, it seems like youre spending all this money and youre hoping to get work. Thats how i'm reading you right now, and if thats the case, i really wish you suceed. Gear and equipment wont get you customers, you have to get customers, the electronics just help you along the way to hopefully make a better looking product.
Click to expand...


Saturnin-

I can see how my original message read that way. Truth be told I've got several projects that are already happening... so a part of the camera is already going to be paid for. Regardless of that fact I still become VERY nervous about spending that kind of money in one big chun:nads: k. It's worth it though. I mean it's where a big portion of my income comes from and more importantly it really makes me happy.
 
Kevin Rogers said:
In a little under a year there's going to be a camera out called RED!!!!

Would you be tempted to hang out and keep saving - you might not have to spend much more to get alot more!??!?!?!?!?!? :cool:

(that's my theory at the moment anyway - keep wanting to push the button on a HVX but then get distracted by the RED glow) :love4:
Click to expand...


Kevin-

Trust me my friend you're preaching to the choir on this one! What I wouldn't give!
Unfortunately, I really have this feeling that RED isn't going to be a viable option for some time though?? What do you think? REALISTICALLY? My guess is 18 months.
I know it's going to happen but I just can't imagine that it's 6-8 months away.
I hope I'm wrong.
 
it's a hard one

it's a hard one

yeah it's difficult to predict given the lack of info - however imagine if you could have a RED within 12 months from now - this is definately realistic in my guessimate.

To be honest I don't need RED but I just love having the best! And I love taking beautiful images. Also the theory of RED being modular and the fact it can be upgraded etc all provide for long term value arguments.

I'd don't wanna mess with your decisions or plans - I bought up the topic selfishly as I keep tosssing up between the two options so was interested in your take on it all.
If your set to go then don't let poeple like me mess with ya!!!
The HVX obviously produces beautiful results so you won't be dissapointed.

What sort of gear are you currently using and what sort of work do you do??

In an ideal world we could buy both!!!! :nads: (the yellow guy on the right is my bank account)
If I didn't have other bills/commitments I would!!! :nads: (the yellow guy on the right is me, on the left is my wife)

I've been tempted to sell up my HDV gear to grab a HVX but the whole P2 expense and hassle keeps me thinking "patience, keep working that HDV stuff for a little bit longer".
 
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