Weekend of decision hath come! HVX202

M

Mavoz

Well-known member
What to do...what to do?

After perusing these forums and various reviews for over a year...posting here....posting there...even hearing the wisdom of Barry the sage at a road show....the weekend of decision hath indeed come!

The 8gb Card free bundle is available for a handful more days...

The cash sitteth in an investment account....

All is ready....it is now...or perhaps never....

Do I spend the money.....or leave it sitting safely in it's little investment account..ready for other purposes....

Some final questions that are mulling through my head......

As an enthusiast...not a video professional..someone who will mainly shoot mini dv SD to start with...is such a camera too extravagant a purchase??

Will I find my old faithful Panasonic MX300 is simply more practical because it is much lighter...and seems to shoot in low light really well? (Or will I be blown away in the improved quality/features of the HVX...and find light capability is as good or better than the MX300?)

Would I be better off just using the money to help feed the homeless and the poor??? (Or find some other more beneficial purpose!!)

Slightly vague...slighlty general mullings in my head....I know...but I've got until Monday to decide!

Any thoughts!! Words of wisdom??

BTW..this is the final Starter Kit that I have now got a quote on...

(All prices in Australian Dollars)

Panasonic HVX 202 (Pal) + Bonus p2 8GB Card $7995 AUD
Barry Green Handbook $139.95
Manfrotto 503-351MVB2 Tripod system $929
Rode XLR Adaptor (to utilise my existing 3.5mm mics!) $10
Hoya 82mm UV Super HMC Filter $90 AUD
Petrol Bag PCPR-1 HDV Bag $319
5 Mini DV tapes $7

TOTAL PRICE inc TAX: $9517 Australian Dollar ($7670 US)
 
If it was me...

I would pick up a used 100a or b for $2k and go from there. Buy Cartoni sticks shoot and edit DV for a year and go from there. Learn and grow with the DVX, make some money on the side and jump into the next model in a year or so. If it's not about clients or HD, but learning and enjoying filmmaking - the DVX will satisfy your needs.

Just my thoughts...
 
FatDaddy said:
If it was me...

I would pick up a used 100a or b for $2k and go from there. Buy Cartoni sticks shoot and edit DV for a year and go from there. Learn and grow with the DVX, make some money on the side and jump into the next model in a year or so. .......
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There's some good logic there.....I guess I've always bought new with electronics though..and I won't be planning on buying any other camera for 5-8 years after this...as p2 becomes more affordable in maybe 2 years...I could see myself getting right into that...and the other factor is that I don't even know if theres any DVX100's for sale in Australia!

robot909 said:
Do it, you only live once.
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lol....and that does make the decision quite simple really....except that in trying to live right once...I'm also trying to do it wisely! But then maybe a HVX does indeed fall in the category of a wise purchase!
 
I would lean towards buying a used dvx, first. but I could understand it if you just want the hvx. some of the other items mentioned-- you could really scale down. it would be a lot smarter and practical. the tripod, filter, and especially that bag all seem on the higher end of what you need to have something "good."
 
Good to see another Aussie!

If you can afford it - but it. Being HD and able to shoot 24p, it's going to last the hobbiest a few years. The drawback is you're not going to want to shoot SD once you've played with HD, so then you'll have to buy some storage space and a possible NLE upgrade.

Don't quote me but I think a DVX is pretty expensive still in Oz and you might not have much luck trying to find a used one. If you can find a good priced used one then I'd say go that way. Remember there's more than one model of DVX so do your research.

On your shopping list:

You want at least three batteries. The Barry Green handbook comes with the p2 rebate, doesn't it. Get good miniDV tapes, I think most here use the master series from Panasonic (i think the code is AMQblahblahblah) if you buy in a pack of 5 you get a discount at Videoguys, about $11.50 ea.

Wherever you shop, ask for a discount! You'd be surprised what you might save.
 
Alexa said:
I would lean towards buying a used dvx, first. but I could understand it if you just want the hvx. some of the other items mentioned-- you could really scale down. it would be a lot smarter and practical. the tripod, filter, and especially that bag all seem on the higher end of what you need to have something "good."
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Yeh I've wondered about the Tripod and the bag....I already have a Manfrotto Tripod...but it is designed for a Consumer cam.....ie. smaller base plate...single thread...I just guessed that I'd need to get something more stable...but if I can still utilise the one I've got..well that does save nearly a $1000.

If it's just a case of a couple hundred dollars..then I might as well go the whole way and get the fluid head the 503 offers...

Bag wise...the thing I liked was that it had the size to be taken on a plane in carry on...and also enough room to actually also fit in my Canon EOS SLR + extra lens.....

Re: The DVX second hand...that is an option I guess...it's just mighty tempting to get into that next generation...and P2 does offer some significant advantages...
 
tmnt said:
Good to see another Aussie!


Don't quote me but I think a DVX is pretty expensive still in Oz and you might not have much luck trying to find a used one.

The Barry Green handbook comes with the p2 rebate, doesn't it...
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Thanks mate....yeh I did a search on ebay..and could'nt see one entry for a DVX...I guess buying a DVX in 2007 doesn't fill me with the same excitement either...

I'd womdered about that book and rebate...for some reason salesman quoted it as a separate item..even though their website does include it...mind u the overall price for camera is also a lot better than what they quote on their website ..

I was hoping he was looking after me for the overall price anyway...have you seen camera cheaper in Oz..through a legitimate dealer..with P2 bundle?
 
There are probably some DVX's for sale here in the Marketplace. But, if you are going to get a new HVX, then you might as well consider a new DVX100B. Save a couple of grand, and still get a great new camera that will more than meet your SD needs.

Do what you want. I think the DVX would be a great purchase for you though, and maybe more in line with what you are describing wanting to use it for. There is a laundry list of people who use/have used this camera. From emmy award winners, to Oscar nominees, and so on. It has 24p goodness, and is a good bit cheaper than the HVX.

If you want the HVX, you will love it (once you start figuring out how to use it and overcoming the learning curve). It's not a pick it up, point and shoot, and make great images. It takes work! It takes practice. Don't expect great low light performance from small chip HD cams when comparing them to their SD counterparts. The DVX will have better low light if that is an 'ultimate' concern for you.

But, then you have SD MiniDV on the HVX as well.

Now, you talked about giving the money to the homeless instead... You could buy a DVX, and then do a documentary about the homeless, make a million dollars, and then donate it to the homeless. Then buy an HVX (or something else), make another documentary about how they all spent their money, and make another million dollars :thumbsup:

good luck with your decision. If it's going to bite you just terribly to put out that much, but you want a camera think about the DVX. You won't be dissapointed. Or, just buy the HVX if you want it. It's your decision. Make it for yourself as informed as you can. Ultimately, the decision will rest in you. You're going to do what you want, and the consequences or benefits will be yours

Jason
 
Mavoz said:
...I already have a Manfrotto Tripod...but it is designed for a Consumer cam.....ie. smaller base plate...single thread...I just guessed that I'd need to get something more stable...but if I can still utilise the one I've got..well that does save nearly a $1000.
...
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this sounds sort of scary. maybe you don't use that on your new hvx or dvx, but you can still get a great tripod, brand new, for a few hundred less than what you've got picked. go cheaper, not waaay cheap. the tripod will never get outmoded
 
reading between the lines it really sounds like you WANT the hvx. not to mention the year of contemplation you've already given it (on the boards here)

if you're not dismissing any responsibilities by spending the money, then get what you WANT.

stay in SD for awhile. HD hardware will only come down in price. plus, you'll already have a p2 card.

i'd research and make sure you future-proof your sticks. do you plan to add any weight to your hvx in the future? adapters, mattbox, etc.

i don't know, friend. it's easy for us to spend your money. i'd spend some time picturing life without that money. if you find that that life is tolerable -- then next -- imagine life with an hvx. which, again, is probably what you WANT.
 
I am an enthusiast who elected to buy the HVX. I am an early adopter - nearly killed myself in the early 80's driving over an iced bridge (probably the only time it ever happened in Mobile AL) to get the first RCA consumer video camera the first day on the market. Later I bought the Sony VX-1000 the first month out in '96. Bought the HVX several months ago and have been slowly learning the P2 workflow process. There are advantages to the simplicity of using DV tape and getting similar looking images - but view them once on a plasma monitor as compared to 720 or 1080 from the camera, and you will not want to shoot in SD again.

One consequence of buying the camera is I find myself edging closer to the "video professional" category . It takes so much practice to master this camera that it just might make a better shooter out of you. I now have a portfolio of stock footage online from the camera and have sold several clips over just two weeks on the site. And, thanks to owning a camera that is repected and in demand, I am now shooting most of the footage for a TV show that will be shown worldwide on satellite and cable.
So don't underestimate the potential for the camera to up your skill level and
make your footage more marketable. If you can afford it - buy it.
 
shoots said:
reading between the lines it really sounds like you WANT the hvx. not to mention the year of contemplation you've already given it ...
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yeh...I think you've picked it in one....frankly if I'm gonna buy a more up market camera than the MX300....then I think the HVX is it...

As good and awesome as the DVX is...I just can't seem to raise the same enthusiasm for it...Maybe I've just read too many great reviews on the HVX!

My photography improved so much when I took the plunge and bought a Digital SLR (doing some weddings now with that)..who knows what is possible and what the future could hold with a HVX.....

Many many years ago...my Dad and his brothers bought a 16mm camera...with mega bucks per minute costs...everyone around them thought that was a luxury...but we now have in our possession some awesome old footage from yesteryear....hmmmm.....food for thought!

Anyway 1 more sleep to go!! Tomorrow morning is decision time....


...and I'm starting to think....stuff it....just buy the lot as I previously mentioned...if I'm gonna spend $8000 on a cam...might as well get some decent accessories while I'm at it...
 
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When you get it, let me know...we'll have a HVX meeting in Melbourne..
Got mine in Nov 06..havent look back....
The 16gb cards are out in May..thats great news ...
 
Mavoz, The leap of faith will be paid off when you go for what you really want. The excitment of shooting with the HVX is almost too much to handle as I think everyone will tell ya. I've been shooting for a long time... almost got tired and bored of it having shot a lot of DV.. then when the HVX came along it's a challenge. Challenge to get the settings the way you want... challenge to understand the menus and options ( I was previously in the Canon Camp) and then to figure how it all makes your videography better.

All of that was so exciting and encouraging.. and again to me it was more fun. More like shooting film in so many ways. Just the slow-motion alone was worth it.. and then the timelapsing became an addition..


If I might... I'll use an analogy from my recent car purchase. Out of necessity, having a 2 person car house.. and having two messy kids I was driving a Hyndai. I didn't want to, but it was cheap transportation, and I kind of inherited it. Well, when the option came for me to consider a new car... I really didnt know if I had the money to get what I wanted.... but when I was thinking of spending 10-15k on a car that I wasn't happy with.. and what I wanted it just kind of made me sick. Then I thought.. screw it, I'm going to get the car that I want.. and have wanted for years. Now a lot of people hate 'em, but I love the Honda Element. Just so practical, utilitarian and good for my kids and my work. I've been driving it a month now and I get into it with a smile.. I get looks... I'm driving what I want and it makes me happy.


As a result I think I have more confidence and excitment and when I pick up clients they talk about the car and I think it's gotten me some gigs.. lol. It's also been nice to have these gigs to pay it off. I have a feeling that HVX will be the same thing... Something that you cherish and that comforts you...


Good luck
 
Was all fired up to make the purchase....and Panasonic is out of stock in Australia!!

There goes the plan of picking the lot up within a few days.....anyway can still get the P2 bundle price...if I go ahead before Friday...or I can get a demo camera off the shelf...but without the p2 card deal..and it only saves about $300 Australian....

think I'm better off getting the P2 card....

Can anyone see anything wrong with any of those accessories I've listed...

ie.

Panasonic HVX 202 (Pal) + Bonus p2 8GB Card $7995 AUD
Barry Green Handbook $139.95
Manfrotto 503-351MVB2 Tripod system $929
Rode XLR Adaptor (to utilise my existing 3.5mm mics!) $10
Hoya 82mm UV Super HMC Filter $90 AUD
Petrol Bag PCPR-1 HDV Bag $319

Thanks for all the advice btw!
 
Remember Mavoz, the handbook comes for free as part of the rebate and you WILL need extra batteries.
 
tmnt said:
Remember Mavoz, the handbook comes for free as part of the rebate and you WILL need extra batteries.
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Thanks for the tip...I'll get an extra battery or two down the track..just wanted something to get started with...

I specifically asked about the handbook being part of the rebate and the salesman said because they are taking so much off the price as listed on the website..(where it mentions the rebate)..the book has to be purchased separately....not sure if I'm being spun a line there or not!

The guy sounds pretty genuine though....
 
Christopher Barry said:
Mavoz, who is your AU dealer?
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hmm...is there any protocol in not mentioning where quotes are from?
Just in case..I'll send u a PM..don't want to get in their bad books! (They are one of the most reputable dealers in Oz)
 
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