dump my GL1 for a DVX100b at this late in the game?

Moz

Moz

Active member
(this is a repost since where I original posted this thread was the wrong forum for the topic)

I have been working with my GL1 for just over 8 months now and having a great time doing it. I managed to get a very good deal on a completely mint camera (it was lost in storage for half a decade and was unused) I've learnt quite a lot in it, but it really shows its age technologically. The lack of XLR has been some trouble, and I just can't justify spending 300 dollars for a beachtek to put on this relic (especially when I am saving for a rod support system, too much crap attached to the tripod). I am been putting together a home hardware 35mm but the ground glass has been a bit of a roadblock, and I don't think the GL1 low light is good enough to use a home-made 35mm. I'd imagine the resale value of my GL1 even with charger, 12 hour batter and wide angle is a poor $1000 at best.

I've thought this camera could hold me off until the HD revolution comes but seeing the cost of the Hardware to process HD and the lack HD on the consumer side (crappy blu ray / HD-DVD performance) tells me it's not worth jumping into it at my level. The footage for the GL1 is very dry and noisy at times, and it seems to have a strange colour on it.

This is the original camera test I did after I first got the camera many months ago, the costume was for another film I was involved with that I had laying around. You can see what I am talking about.

I know it's more about the lighting and how it's shot than the camera, I believe that but It's getting harder and harder to find paying and non paying videographer/camera operator/ jobs when I mention I have a GL1, since it's such out moded technology. At least DVX100 is standard, and if they need AC and I mention I operate a DVX, and they are using an HVX, it's basically the same form factor.

I don't have a lot of money, (I make 9 dollars an hour at starbucks :( ) but I feel like a DVX100 is the camera I should have bought. You can see the dry colours and unusual blow-outs from the lighting on the canon. Much of it can be cleaned up by adjusting curves, etc. but at 5 minutes render time to the minute of footage it should be something I don't have to do in post. And the lack of audio monitors kills me. I wear headphones and I still can't be 100% sure the microphone battery hasn't completely died off.

My local henry's has new DVX100b for $2600

It's pretty much the best local deal I will get for a new camera. I considering buying used, there is a local one going for 1600 that has nearly 500 hours on the tapes, and doesn't have a charger so I think it's not worth the risk.

Importing from the states is a possiblity, but I know I was slammed with tariffs (NATFA my ass) with the canon that UPS double charged because UPS are cock suckers.

I have 1000 dollars saved up (was suppose to be for school, but us Canadians get student loans much easier than down south) And a another 2000 possibly coming my way from a family member's will that was also going to go towards the school fund. And maybe 700-1000 dollars from selling the GL1. Money is very tight so I want to be very careful on spending my savings.



Is it just too late in the game to jump to the DVX100 now? Should I save for another 2-3 years when I can afford a HVX200? Is the jump from the GL1 to the DVX enough to justify spending 3 grand?
So internet, what should I do? :P

Cheers.

PS: If there are any down town Toronto DVXusers, I'd really like to meet your camera :) I can pay for coffee.
 
Well I think you already have your mind made up. Go for the DVX! And I'm trying not to be biased. But about 6 months ago I went through a transition where I figured it was time for me to buy a new camcorder (at the time I only had a crappy minidv handycam), and to tell you the truth, the GL1 and GL2 were the first camcorders I looked at (since they were in that $900-1200 budget frame). I actually almost bought a GL2, but I did some extensive research and came across this website where I learned about the DVX100B. I fell in love with it.

So after even more research and reading up on the DVX, I made up my mind that instead of budgeting $1k for a new camcorder, I'd go the extra mile and buy a brand spanking new DVX100b. Anyways, after working my butt off for the funds, I finally ordered the camera from B&H Photo. And it arrived at my house (in Canada) 4 days later. And I too, was worried about the customs fees and all that crap (and taxes), but the extra charge when it was delivered came to about $337.00 all together (less than I thought).

Anyways it was completely worth the money. I'm sure you'd find shooting in 24p so much nicer looking than the ''home video'' look we often get with consumer camcorders.

So you could wait and save up for an HVX, but you really have to have an amazing computer that can handle the HD format and editing; so it all really depends what you can afford.

Either way I think you'd be extremely happy with the DVX! Good luck!
 
yes do it please, my first camera was too a GL1 and then after selling it i bout a VX2100 on impulse instead of the DVX but i quickly got rid of the VX then bought the DVX and haven't looked back. i freaking love this (DVX) camera.
 
****! 2 posts in less than an hour compared to the days in my old thread!

Anyway, The B&H is only 100 dollars less then henry's, and with henry's I can just walk in and pick it up. It's still up in the air at the moment on whether I can get the money for it together. After that I wont be able to afford a proper shotgun microphone wide angle or upgrade my tripod.

I've already been recommended to get an FX7 on another board, what a piece of **** that camera is.
 
Ditto on the FX7.

I got a DVX100A just recently, I had an XL1, PD170 and a vx2000.

The reason I got the DVX was because I needed to upgrade the audio on the VX2000 and beachbox costs like $500.00 in Aus. I've bought all my cameras secondhand. I thought I would buy a DVX and sell the VX, curing my audio problem. DVX cameras are hard to come by in Aus (secondhand) there's plenty of the others around though. New they still want $4600.00 for them. I'm on a budget with the cameras.

Anyway, the first thing I noticed was the DVX has a wider lens than the others, so you won't need a wide angle lens. If you want to go even wider, there will be, in my view, unacceptable bowing (that i get with the wide converters on the other cameras anyway)

The second thing I noticed is the audio is heaps better, much more sensitive.

The third thing, when I saw the 25P footage, I could not believe it. It was spot on what I wanted for my films. I was kicking myself for not getting one sooner.

The fourth thing is it handles contrast heaps better than the other cameras in 25p mode.

I did have some trouble with it, sand in the tape mechanism, which was fixed ($500.00) and now some behind the lens (goes back in for repairs on monday) In general I've not had trouble before buying secondhand gear.

If your on a budget, you might want to consider e-bay, but you need a seller with good feedback rating and get a good history of the camera. I only use the aussie e-bay (as I'm in Australia) and I phone people and talk about the camera etc.

The DVX was not bought off e-bay.

Anyway, although I've had some trouble, I still don't regret the purchase, I got the anamorphic adapter with it as well but have not used that yet.

At the moment I am not that confident with it as it is a bit more complex than the others and there is still a cloud over it's reliability.

You say your involved with film. I think you will be pleasantly surprised, possibly even shocked at what you see on your monitor when you download your first tape from the DVX.

A proper shotgun with windsheild is a must to do justice to the camera. You may not be happy with the onboard camera microphone for your purposes, but if you have other mics, they are going to sound much better on the DVX.

Wont need a wide angle.

Get a secondhand fluid head for your tripod or even a new one. Nice smooth pans.

Either that or find mates with shotgun and tripod.
 
deff go with the dvx. i was in the same position, sold my gl-1, picked up the dvx and never looked back
 
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PM'd.

-Kegan

EDIT: Sorry for not posting a more elaborate post - I'm at work and will post more when I get a break.
 
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