Thinking of buying a DVX200B. Need advice.

M

mikerstudios

Member
Hey everyone,

Firstly, I'm new to the forum so I'd just like to say hello to everyone! Hopefully you guys can help me out.

I've been doing film making for about 3 years now, and it's finally time to upgrade from my crappy $300 Canon ZR100, and move on to something a little more professional.. that will hopefully give me some room to improve and grow as a film maker. I'm looking into getting a new Panasonic DVX100B. Now.. I have a few questions regarding the purchase.

-First of all (this is probably a dumb question), but is there a difference between the AG-DVX100B and the DVX100B? Or are they the same thing?

-What's the best place to buy one? I've been looking on Ebay and found some pretty good deals, running me at just around $2400. The best on the Ebay market right now seems to be:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Panasonic-AG-DV...ryZ20332QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

*Is it even worth all the additional stuff that comes with the package (the extra lenses is mostly what I'm looking at.. you think they will even be usable?)?

-I was also curious.. (for some of you who own a DVX100B) is there anything I should know before purchasing it? For example.. is there a specific DV Tape that produces a better image for the camera? I've read that I should stick with one type of tape and use nothing but that (Wet and Non Wet)? -Yes, I read the recent thread on this and it seems that most people suggest sticking with the same type of tape. Is there a specific tape that you people find most impressive?

*In addition to that, I'm looking to film in 16x9 widescreen, for the majority of the time. Now.. I can't seem to figure out if the camera records to widescreen with the stock lense. Is there a common lense I would want to purchase in addition to the camera while I'm at it (to get the best widescreen video possible)?

Sorry if I haven't "used the search button". I'm kinda new and not really sure where to go.. and don't have much time to search around all day.

Thanks for the help, hopefully someone can help me.

I'm looking to place my order either tonight or sometime tomorrow.

Mike
 
mikerstudios said:
is there a difference between the AG-DVX100B and the DVX100B? Or are they the same thing?
Click to expand...


None. same camera

Stay away from ebay and get your camera from a reputable dealer like BHPHOTO.com

Tapes are tapes but i prefer Panny PQ'S just stay with the same tape.

16x9 adaper for a good one runs around 1k

Happy shopping and welcome to the forum
 
So does the widescreen mode on the 100B just crop the image? And add the letterboxes? What exactly does the squeeze mode do?

I've looked at the seller's reviews on Ebay and everything seems legit.. He has a pretty good rating. The camera is brand new and has a 1 year warranty at his Ebay store. I've also looked at some of the feedback left by others who bought the exact same item from the same listing and they appear to be satisfied.

Does Panasonic offer a manufacturer's warranty if I buy it new?
 
The 16:9 on the DVX just crops the image but "squeeze" mode can give a 16:9
picture for a 16:9 television.
But if your going to be displaying on a 4:3 television its best to shoot in letterbox or just 4:3.
letterbox crops the top & bottom of the image for a 16:9 look on a 4:3 television.
 
Read through the last 2 or three pages of posts and it will cover a lot of things that you want to know.
 
Thanks, I found some time today and read through the first 6 or 7 pages of threads. Very helpful. I think this is the camera I'm gonna go with.. just not sure where to purchase it from now. Has anyone dealt with buying their camera on an Ebay store before? It's the best deal I can find. $2400 for the camera(new) and a bunch of extras (tripod, hard case, soft case, telephoto lens, wide angle lens, +more).. where as I can find it on newegg for $2400, new, with no extras.

Any ideas..?

Do these cameras come with a manufacturer's warranty on the camera? Or am I gonna want to purchase the extended warranty from the store I decide to buy from (example: Newegg's Warranty Plans).

Thanks! You have all been very helpful.
 
Hrm well.. I've done some research and it looks like I'm gonna want to purchase the camera from an Authorized Panasonic retailer. I'm just trying to decide which one. I'm also confused about a couple of things.. Do all Authorized Panasonic retailers send "Magic Bullet Editors" as well as the 1 Year Warranty and the Rebate (what is the rebate btw..?) with the camera at no charge?
 
i bought my dvx during the first rebate period march,1 - april,30 then they came out with it a second time or either extended the first period to june 30, ask the all knowing jan Crittenden of panny
 
You may have 2 wait longer. It just depends when they get their shipment from Japan. I just bought mine last week. I was looking at the different vendors. I ended up getting mine from Amazon. When I got the box and opened it up there was another shipping box inside(not the regular display box). It was from Japan sent to Amazon. It was one of seventeen sent to them. When I ordered mine from Amazon it had only been in stock 1 day. I got the last one. So they are selling like hotcakes. Keep your eye on Amazon, Newegg, and BHphoto. Good luck.
 
Sorry for the double post.. I found a DVX100b (used) with about 5 hours on the heads (meter reads 3H). Excellent condition.. $2000 including shipping. Comes with 8 months left on the manu warranty.. with the book and magic bullet software.

...Good deal?
 
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