So, I'm guess I am making a show...

B

basserdrew

New member
A buddy and I are pretty stoked about making a unique fishing show. We don't have a lot of experience in film, but are just starting simple by putting this show on a very low budget local cable network or two.

We are looking at buying the DVX100b. I have read all the threads about scams and authorized dealers and I am just wondering what the negatives are from buying from an unauthorized dealer? Do you just not get a warranty or something or could it not be the real thing?

We will be mostly in kayaks and dont need a deep underwater housing. Do you guys think the Epic will be enough for us? Does anyone know if you can zoom in or out with this unit? I dont think you can and that may be a problem for us.

http://www.epiccam.com/

I am also considering these if the Epic doesnt give us some of the functions we need.

http://www.adorama.com/PCAGYUH100.html

http://www.custom-surf-wake-photography-underwater-splash-camera-housings.com/new/housing.php?housing=fisheye

Are there any other options out there in the 300-800$ range? Basically we will be in rivers with rapids and the camera may get wet. And, occasionally when we catch a fish (hopefully more than just occasionally :laugh: ) we might want to put the camera underwater for an action scene of the fight. So, we dont have time to take something in and out of a case, it must be waterproof and ready when we are filming dry.

Next, where can I find wireless microphones to use with the DVX?

We are just starting out and obviously want to keep our costs at a minimum. If anyone has some of this stuff for sale, that may be an option too.

Sorry for a bunch of questions, but I have searched and read about all I can at this point.
 
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EWA marine makes some very reasonably priced underwater housings similar to the epiccam pricing. They are like big zip-lock bags.
 
I can't offer much, since I haven't used them. Seems like the epic is the cheapest - my only thought was that if you need to zoom, I think the remote could be used outside of the housing. You could flip the lcd around to see what the camera is seeing as well.

Oh, and for a wireless mic, I love my sennheiser G100.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Tim P.
 
Thanks for the reply fellas. I run a message board about fishing and I know how tiresome it can get when newbies come on with the same questions. I tried to search as much as I could before asking. Anyway, maybe some others will know a thing or two about my other questions - mainly the one about where to buy these cameras and why I shouldnt buy it from an unauthorized dealer.
 
There are two things that you need to worry about with an unauthorized dealer:

1. Grey market cameras, which will not have a warranty and will also (and more immediately) not qualify for any potential rebate (currently I believe it's $500). That right there, IMO, makes it worth it to find the authorized dealer. You also miss out on a couple of nice bonuses such as the book written by one of this forum's very own DVX gurus, Barry Green. :) Now, just because a dealer is unauthorized doesn't mean that the camera will be grey market (Newegg, from all accounts I can recall here, sells US cameras even as an unauthorized dealer)--but, given that the price from B&H (an authorized dealer) is only $200 more, how much peace of mind does that $200 buy you? (And of course there's other authorized dealers to comparison shop, as well...)

2. Outright scams, in which case you will never get your camera or wind up overpaying for it by a considerable margin.

As for where to buy, there's a stickied thread at the top of this very forum with some examples of where (and where not) to buy...

Regarding wireless mics, pretty much anything should work with the DVX, but in your situation you're going to want something with a battery-powered receiver. These don't come cheap--well, OK, no good wireless mic does, but the battery-powered ones especially. You might consider renting a time or two (and maybe a different model or two) before investing any more cash into your operation.
 
I agree with the Capt, buy authorized for the peace of mind. This subject is all over the forum, better to be safe on that one. As far as Epic, have you tried calling them or emailing them? Great way to test a company before you buy. :)
 
All I can offer is; use the word Fishin' NOT Fishing. Good ol' boys do NOT go fishing. They DO however spend untold hours fishin'. :D

Oh, and Panaflex makes some great underwater accessories.
 
Thanks for all the great advice guys! That really helps out.

I would have said fishin', but I didn't figure anyone would understand...jk.
 
The Place were i buy all my stuff is B&H Photo they have all the stuff you will ever need and prices are very good and the service is even better you will never have a issue with them they will take care of you ..
 
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