To Buy or Not to Buy...

B

bullfrog

Member
Hi everyone, this is my first post, though i have scoured around the board for various information and screen grabs for sometime. Anyway, I have shot a couple of shorts on a DVX100a which was furnished by the school I attended at the time. Now, I am out of school and wanting to shoot a number of short films. Is it worth it to buy a DVX100b now, or just blow money on rental fees?
I just wonder how long the standard def cam will be worthwhile. And money is in short supply...
Thanks,

Jeremy
 
Buy versus rent is one question. The DVX's have held their value well over the years, but with HD cameras like the Canon A1 breathing down I'm not so sure.

I bought my DVX100B in June. The camera cost around $3000 after the rebate. A year later if well cared for, it would still be worth around $2000. Rental is about $200/day, so as long as I would use it for 5 days or more, it would be worth it to buy. In the last six months, I have done about six full shooting days on short films, with other time used for test. Plus, with a rental you never get the time to really get to know and customize the camera to your needs, shoot tests in prep for projects, etc.

So, if you plan to do any reasonable amount of filmmaking, it probably makes sense to own. I think the bigger question at this point with some of the new HD cameras is SD vs. HD. If you can afford an HVX bare with no P2 cards, that might be a good path.
 
Joshua makes a good point. Lots of logic in his post.

I got rid of my DVX with my sites on the HVX only to find over time that in the hands of a skilled individual the DVX is a VERY capable camera and still very viable. Sometimes I think about getting another one, because it's still such a good camera. When you start to look at the feasibility or need for HD the DVX makes even more sense. The workflow, editing and everything on the DVX is very "affordable" and it's a robust camera as well.

Unless you really have dreams of blowing up all your shorts to film or feel that all of them will make broadcast then buy a DVX and go out and shoot like crazy.

Welcome to the community.
 
Yeah, I had considered the HVX, but there just doesn't seem to be any kind of affordable workflow. I like to shoot a lot of footage on my films(many takes), and I just don't see the HVX as a practical solution. At least not on my budget. Thanks guys, I think I am going to just take the plunge with the dvx100b.
 
Bullfrog,

When I suggest the HVX, what I mean is to buy it now for it's SD capabilities. It has a DV tape drive, so it's basically a native 16:9 DVX, if you don't buy any P2 cards. Later, as prices for P2 come down and workflow becomes easier, you can rent or buy P2 cards and start taking advantage of the HD capabilities. Just a thought that many have tossed around here.

You really can't lose with the DVX, you'll love it.

Josh
 
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