My Equipment List: Looking for opinions

M

matador

New member
Hi everyone,

Been lurking for a couple of months checking out all the amazing info that has been gathered here. This really is amazing source for information and I want to say first off just how much I appreciate it. Without this board I’m sure I wouldn’t have even got this far. So, well, umm… Thanks!

Now, on to my question. Below you will find a purchase list for equipment that I’ve gathered based on the advice throughout this forum. I’m a little new to some of this equipment so I’m taking my best guess as to if it is needed for my intended application. So I’ll give you a little background on what this equipment is to be used for.

Me and a friend of mine are starting a small video production business that will focus mainly on commercials but will also cater to weddings, events, corporate, web videos, music videos, etc. The hope is that the equipment is also flexible enough to move into shorts/features later on. Keep in mind that there is a local company available to me who can rent other equipment as needed such as an extra HVX200 for weddings.

I realize there are some things missing (such as an audio mixer), even a few I’m probably not even aware of. But that’s why I am here. This is probably all the budget I’ll have for the first year but I may be able to get a few hundred more here or there if there is something critical missing. And don’t worry about shipping at this point, I’m hoping to purchase all this through the local company (Panasonic authorized) and use a state tax break. If their quote comes in too high i'll be going with Able Cine instead. The links are mostly for show.

The workflow will be capture to the P2 cards and offload to laptop w/ external HDD onsite or use DVrack and record straight to the external depending on length of shot. Dvrack will serve as the field monitor either way. All shoots will be 720p and going to a laptop with a 1400x1050 native LCD. Once offloaded, a quick edit can be done on site using Edius 4.0 Broadcast. The final cut will be done using a custom built PC using Edius 4.0 broadcast and using After Effects for most things including text generation. Then everything will be rendered to a file and either printed to tape or moved back to P2 for downmix to tape. So if you stuck with me this far my questions are:

1. Will this equipment suit my needs? If not, what am I missing? Also, if something is not compatible with the HVX200, please list alternate equipment I should look into.
2. Does my workflow work? If not, why and what could I do to make it better?

That’s it. Thanks for reading and taking the time, I really appreciate it.

Thanks,
Matt

Camera:
Panasonic AG-HVX200 w/ 4gb P2 Card - $5800 (Also free 8gb P2 by Mail)
Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=413454&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Mic:
Audio-Technica AT835B - $0 (currently own)

Lavalier:
Sennheiser Evolution G2 100 Series (Wireless) - $499.99
Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...SEEW112G2C&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=324240

Boom Pole:
DIY - $0 (currently own)

Tripod: REVISED
NOW:
Cartoni F101 Focus Aluminum Tripod System - $1300
Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...&kw=CAF101&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=366495

WAS:
Bogen / Manfrotto 755B MDeVe Aluminum Tripod Legs (Black) with 3460 (503) Fluid Head - $600
Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...O755B3460K&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=272845

Lights: REVISED
ARRI Softbank D1 - $1800
Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...kw=ARSBD1K&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=225022

ARRI Softbank IV - $2850
Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...kw=ARSB4KX&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=173608

Lens:
0.6x Century Optics wide angle lens - $400
Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home;jsessionid=FGHvMcsT1x!-1969228956?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=421915&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Batteries:
(x2) 5600Mah - $158
Link: http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/battery/

Monitoring:
(x2)Sony MDR-V150 Headphones - $30
Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000092YPR/102-6701229-0216900?v=glance&n=172282

Computers:
PC - $0 (currently own)
Laptop - $0 (currently own)

Misc:
Grip: $20
Cables: $100

Royalty Free Music:
Sonicfire Pro w/ music discs $0 (currently own)

External HDD – $227
Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136025

Camera Filter kit – $322
Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=248560&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
AND
Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=163495&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Steadicam: REVISED
NOW:
DVMultiRig Pro - $400
http://www.dvmultirig.com/store/

WAS:
Merlin – $800
Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=382099&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Collapsible reflector board – Westcott Illuminator Reflector Kit 6-in-1 - 42" - $100
Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=279427&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

ADDED:
P2 Genie - $33
http://www.p2genie.com/

Windscreen - $0 (currently own)
DVrack software (for use with laptop as field monitor) - $700
Spec Comm Battery Charger - $400

Camera Case (hard shell)
NOW:
1600 Pelican Case for HVX200 - $275
http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=1000021&cat=336&page=1

WAS:
Panasonic AG-YUC100 Hard Shell - $175
Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=287320&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Tapes:
(x14) Panasonic MQ (60mins) - $61.46
Link: (click quantity discount) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=239998&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Hoodman E2000-PC Sun Shades for 14" to 16" Notebook and Laptop Computers - $35
Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=392378&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Total: $12,661.45

*Edited for equipment revisions and total.
 
Last edited:
_I'd get the Focus head instead.

_That case says it is for the DVX. Do you know if it'd fit the HVX? I'd love to get one of those. Bright yellow baby! If you know it is compatible please let me know!
 
I would suggest going with Century's zoom through wide angle instead of the one you have chosen. This will give you more versatility. Also, consider a monitor for on location monitoring. I prefer the 7" Marrshall HD. The HVX is notorious for its poor quality on board LCD and viewfinder so an texternal monitor will assist you when it comes to citical focus. I'm not a fan of Sennheiser's wirelesses however others here do like them. When you do consider an audio mixer take a look at the Sound Devices 302. It's tough and is versatile.

Jus a few thoughts.
Jim
 
I would change the Arris.
Great value, but pricey.
Get a better tripod instead.
It´ll take a while until you´ve worn down eg Britek Lights, but a shaky or stuttering pan or tilt you´ll notice immediately...
 
Thanks everyone for the opinions thus far, keep em' coming! I have revised a few things (see below). Doing so puts me a little over where I was but not by much.

Re: Cees Mutsaers

It sounds like it (no pun intended). Unfortunately, with a mic already paid for it is hard to figure a new one into the budget. We are going to try this one out first and see how it goes. If things don't work then i'll look into your suggestion. Thanks!

Re: USLatinContent

Please check the revised pieces below. Great catch on the case, I totally didn't notice that. I originally planned everything for the DVX-100b but after seeing the HVX I switched gears. I don't think it does fit the HVX200 :( Oh well... Thanks for catching that!

Re: Jim Carswell

I checked around trying to find the lens you were talking about. All I could find was the .75x and it was over $500 more. Unfortunately, I can't really fit that in my budget. But at the least it gives me something to keep in mind on my 2nd equipment buy. Thanks for the heads up! As to the location monitoring, actually we are going to be using a laptop with DVrack for monitoring. Barry Green seems to endorse DVrack pretty well so i'm hoping it will work for us.

Re: Spartacus

Please check the revised pieces below. I'd still like to stay ARRI as I can't seem to find any cosistent postive posts for the britek's. The revision shows what I thought might work as a good replacement. I also revised the tripod/head so check those out. They seem to get great reviews here on dvxuser.


Case: $106
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=330233&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Tripod/Head Combo: $1299
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...&kw=CAF101&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=366495

Lights: $1790
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...kw=ARSBD1K&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=225022
 
It seems you are set on doing the whole thing at B&H right? Maybe trying to make the discount bigger that way?

Did you see the Sennheiser HD-201 headphones (Amazon @ $20) they seem to really hugh your head and ear so they should dampen sound much better and it would be $10 more to get two of those... I don't know much about headphones though, just a thought.


_You might still want to look at Abel and ask for a for a 2-stage tripod with the Focus Head for $1400.- (I got that quote but can't remember which legs) Any 2 stage will most likely bring you both lower and higher...

_Also, that case you found has no foam... and it is more of the size that will accommodate lots of small components like small lenses of what-not... You should be able to find stores that will sell you a Pelican 1600 (and I think the 1650 is about the same size) with a pre-cut foam insert that will fir the HVX, some batteries, charger DV tapes the remote and one or two more wholes for a Matte box and stuff like that.... as long as the camera is in place and won't move/get hit I'm happy, then all other equipment can be put in whatever hole they fit in... perhaps you can do a little cutting of your own... Abel sell them for $275 but there are places selling them cheaper because lots of places make their own foam or get it from different places at different prices.

Then if you do both (get the tripod/head and case w/foam @ Abel) AND you get the HVX from them for $5295.- you'll be getting $6965 from them so they should give you at least $150.- off

$7206 original
$6965 now (+ case issue solved, and probably "better" legs)


_Why not just crank out a few DVDs for them right from the workstation? Save you the PC to P2 to Tape process and nicer product. Just make a small DVD menu and reuse it for all jobs... There are all kinds of software out there to make simple non-descript menus and all you need is to change the title (click on it and type) and have one simple button for the play option?



Also:
Abel also recently quoted me the lavaliers @ $520... not too far and the discount should bring it closer
 
Re: USLatinContent

I'm certainly not sold on B&H for the whole thing. The links are mostly just for show. In fact i'd rather go local or through abel for the whole thing.

I'll definitely take a look at the headphones.

The 2-stage tripod thing sounds cool, i'll get a quote for it along with everything else from abel.

I think I messed up on the case link. I was looking at these 2 but somehow copied the other one you saw:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=330231&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...ls&Q=&sku=40665&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

According to people on the forums these fit the HVX200 just fine with accessories. I'll have to cut it myself but it's worth it to save a few. I'll also ask abel what they recommend.

As far as the DVDs from the workstation go, I think I forgot to mention why that was needed. For everything BUT commercials, that is the way I would go. But unfortunately all my local stations require some form of tape for commercials, though thankfully they accept MiniDV as one of them.

Thanks for the heads up on the lavaliers. I'm going to wait for a few more opinions then send my equipment list over to abel and see what they can do for me.
 
Cases

Cases

I've looked at the Pelican 1510 for ours, and while it theoretically fits, there just isn't much padding left over. And that's the whole point, right? Also, pick and pluck foam doesn't last very long. Any foam that can be shaped with your fingers quickly disintegrates after a "sharp" camera rubs it a dozen times. I'd go with the Able Cine custom cases: a Pelican 1600 with cut foam. You can see in the picture that it has a layer of stronger "support" foam on top, with "padding" foam underneath.

http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=1000021&cat=336&page=1

These are also watertight, which the Thermodyne wasn't. We recently had a fella try to shoot rapids in a canoe with one of our Betacams. You know it's bad when you get a call 2 days into a week long shoot...."Hi, I'm calling from a satelite phone about the gear....."
 
yea, I see now... that's the one and it comes with the foam but you need to cut it yourself... what would you cut it with? I'm gonna do it too, how hard could it be? and save $170...

please tell we what to use if you know
 
Last edited:
matador said:
Re: Spartacus

Please check the revised pieces below. I'd still like to stay ARRI as I can't seem to find any cosistent postive posts for the britek's. The revision shows what I thought might work as a good replacement. I also revised the tripod/head so check those out. They seem to get great reviews here on dvxuser.


Case: $106
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=330233&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Tripod/Head Combo: $1299
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...&kw=CAF101&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=366495

Lights: $1790
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...kw=ARSBD1K&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=225022
Click to expand...

Case: I´m not sure, were using Kata bags for most of our stuff, but we also hardly film on ruff terrain...

Tripod: Have one of these too, great value for the price...

Lights: We also own Arris , so yeah great product have been in use for a couple of years now - though they do break too...
This Kit will be enough for lighting interviews (maybe even better than dimming down 800W Arris...), but when you need to light up a space/room some extra watts in reserve won´t be that bad...
Britek was just a guess, when you guys are just starting out and treat your equipment well/not renting it out, maybe they´ll do the job until you made some money to buy Arris or Kinos...

Good luck!
 
Re: Ronin Cam

I will talk to abel about it. Pretty pricey for a case but i'd hate to cheap out on such important protection. Thanks for the link.

Re: USLatinContent

I think I am going to go with Ronin's recommendation rather than take the chance. However, i'm pretty sure there was a good foam cutting thread around here that can help should you go that route.

Re: Spartacus

The lights are something i'm worried about most. I really want to make the best decision available to me with the budget i've got. So if you have a set of Britek's (or any other brand even) you think might do a better job for around the same price ($1800) i'd be glad to check out the link. I would like a set that can be flexible for most everything. There won't be any renting and we will be treating the equipment as well as possible. So, recommendations? Anyone?


*Oops, I forgot to mention something else. I've decided to can the Steadicam. After looking around a little more it is obvious that without the experience needed to operate it I will basically be wasting my money. Thankfully, an option I didn't notice on my first run through has presented itself. I think I am going to go with the DVMultiRig Pro instead (http://www.dvmultirig.com/store/). Half the price and just about anyone should be able to operate it. The reviews seem good and the rig seems flexible for just about anything.
 
Last edited:
Let me put it this way: if you have the money get the Arris.
For the 400$ you save for not buying the steadicam, you could get some cheaper eg 1Kw Briteks for lighting bigger spaces...
Hope this helps!
 
You don't ever want to skimp on your tripod. Sure, most of the time you'll be holding the camera steady on it, just plopping it on and never panning or anything, but when you start getting bigger cameras and/or adding an M2 or whatnot, then you'll want a heftier tripod. I personally like Bogen for the great performance at an equally great price and if I were to get anything, it would be nothing less than a 516 head.
 
I would add P2 Genie Software to your laptop for most convenient download of P2cards to drives (Int or Ext).

DVRack is great and useable as a "make do" monitor if you can handle the slight lag in the display of any movement/ action.
 
Re: Spartacus

Good idea. So what i'll do is get the ARRI D1 kit and a couple britek 1k's for lighting the bigger spaces. Here is what I was looking at: http://www.rostronics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=RS1000BD

What do you think?

Re: Jack_Felis

Agreed, 100%. In fact I thought I had chosen well on my original list but then it seemed I needed to go up a bit. A few posts back I mentioned i'd be going for the Cartoni Focus tripod combo instead. Jarred Land's review for it is great and everyone else seems to think so too. Thanks for chiming in.

Re: Shooter

Nice catch! Wow, I totally forgot to put that on my list. I already knew I was going to get it but I hadn't put it on my list yet. It really is some cool software. I can't wait to see what they do with that scene editor program.

I don't mind the lag on DVRack. It's a minor trade off considering all it can do. Down the road a piece hopefully i'll have the dough to get a Marshall HD or equivalent.
 
I'm just curious but what do you expect you need regarding grip gear and what do you expect to get on $20 budgeted for it? In my grip case I have several cartellini clamps, some mafers, many Matthews knuckles for holding flags and nets (also considered grip gear) and much more. For $20 I'm sure you will at least be able to get some C-47s (clothes pins). You may want to reconsider your grip budget.
 
Regarding lighting: I would recommend looking into Lowel lighting equipment. It's about the most bang for the buck you'll find anywhere and the Omni lights are probably the most versatile units around:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=2247&A=details&Q=&sku=285826&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=2247&A=details&Q=&sku=358937&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

I've got Omnis I've owned for over 20 years and still use them regularly.

The Rifas are also wonderful lights -- not as versatile as the Omnis, and considerably more expensive, as well, but really beautiful light:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=285872&is=REG&addedTroughType=search


For filters: if it were me, I would skip the DV Essentials kits, you'll end up with 3 virtually identical filters (clear, UV, and Warm UV17) plus an FLD filter which is relatively useless -- it's easy enough to white balance under fluorescent lighting.

Instead, I would get a UV/haze filter to protect my lens:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=112&A=details&Q=&sku=60766&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

and a complete set of NDs (.3, .6, .9 -- if you can find a 1.2, it will be extremely useful, as well):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&Q=&b=363&a=27_308&mnp=0.0&mxp=0.0&cmpsrch=&cltp=&clsgr=&shs=&ci=114&ac=&Submit.x=0&Submit.y=9

For weddings and events, you probably won't be messing with any filters at all, but for features, shorts, music videos, etc. where you're going for a filmic look, the NDs will be useful for creating a narrower depth of field. I've owned many filters over the years, but the only ones I've ever used regularly are the NDs -- but the ND I use constantly.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top