Need help with a sweet wedding set up for my DVX!

C

coryokeefe

Active member
I got my dvx last week and im needing to get all the accessories and things i need for it. My main purpose is wedings yet im going be doing them a totally new style. So i want a legit set up. You guys know your stuff and I need help in finding all the sweet accessories

For example:
I have to get another batter (150 one on b&h? or 35 dollar on ebay?)
I have to get a tripod and a monopod
A good shot gun or wirless lapel mic set up
Lenses
Eventually a lens adapter.
and all the other small stuff..


i Just want to get it totally set up and do it the right way. So in a year or so when i upgrade to HD i wont need all new accessories. Let me know the stuff i should go for. Thanks!!
 
Yeah, i hate to do weddings, and only do 'em for friends, but with a couple of weddings as experience, here goes:

enough battery power, I would say at least 3 batteries,

a tripod that is steady yet light, you're gonna carry around this puppy ALOT!!!,

ryan's suggestion for two wireless lapel's, is a good one if you can afford it (or buy one set, and rent the other when you have a wedding).

I like to take a shotgun with, sometimes comes in handy, eg. photoshoot coverage, speeches.

on camera light is a life saver at a night reception.

to shoot a wedding with a adapter is not easy, would not recommend it.

one camera weddings also is not the best idea, it works, but two camera's are better, eg. Someone is doing a toast to the bride's parents, who do you shoot, the guy doing the toast, or the parents reaction? wait, you've got two camera's, so you can shoot both.

I sometimes take with a Omnidirectional Dynamic mic, and have the people leave a message for the newly weds as a little bonus on the DVD.

that is just a few thoughts out of my limited experience with weddings,

- Derrick
 
awesome! that sounds sweet. im gonna be doing the weddings more on a documentary style and meeting with the bride and groom before and and really capturing their love story. So would you recommend the MKH 416?

im really looking for some brands and model numbers of some stuff to get. There is so much out there and gets tough trying to choose. I just know some stuff is good for filming a tv show but not weddings you know?

Like what tripod is good yet light?
I want a really good on board video light. thats not too harsh
Should i spend a lot on a shot gun mic?
Are those cheap ebay batteries ok?

Throw out some brands and models of accessories you really like.

So you would recommend getting a few lens adpaters as in telephoto and what not instead of an SGPRO or letus ? the letus doesnt look like it would be too hard to shoot a wedding with... i dont know though. never used one. just love the results and I want to do something different and sweet. I want to get some sweet looking stuff.
 
I would suggest lightpanels small mini light you can dim it without a color temp change depending on the light that is needed. And two cameras are a must. Even if you just have one set up on a wide shot. Your editor will love you.
 
i saw the litepanels mini and it looks legit! but you have to buy a whole like 2 grand package on their site? weird
 
Stay away from Ebay batteries, 99% of them are fake look-alike. A Bogen set-up is obviously one of the better tripods and will cost you a pretty penny, but you get what you pay for :) I agree with Derrick, stay away from 35mm adapters, they're heavy bitches, I 've used them. If you want that short depth of field look, you can always shoot some creative B-roll by zooming in, opening up the iris, and doing some focus pulls.
 
awesome! i think im gonna get that mini litepanels video light. Expensive for a video light but looks super legit.

Then the battery on b&H is like 150. a lot for a batter but seems like its legit. any other places to get a solid extra battery for less?

what do you think of the like 400 or so dollar telephoto adapters or fisheye adapters you can buy?

ya maybe the lens adapter isnt the best for weddings now i think of it. Might get it sometime in the future just for personal stuff.

And so would you recommend a really legit shot gun or put money into a lapel? cause i have my eye on the sennheiser 416. im gonna be shooting some documentary stuff with every wedding. Like a lot of shots before the wedding with talking and then preparing for the wedding. So only thing wireless is sweet for is the ceremony.


Let me know any other thoughts. thanks so much guys!!
 
coryokeefe said:
awesome! i think im gonna get that mini litepanels video light. Expensive for a video light but looks super legit.

Then the battery on b&H is like 150. a lot for a batter but seems like its legit. any other places to get a solid extra battery for less?

what do you think of the like 400 or so dollar telephoto adapters or fisheye adapters you can buy?

ya maybe the lens adapter isnt the best for weddings now i think of it. Might get it sometime in the future just for personal stuff.

And so would you recommend a really legit shot gun or put money into a lapel? cause i have my eye on the sennheiser 416. im gonna be shooting some documentary stuff with every wedding. Like a lot of shots before the wedding with talking and then preparing for the wedding. So only thing wireless is sweet for is the ceremony.


Let me know any other thoughts. thanks so much guys!!
Click to expand...

dvxuser batteries seem to have a good reputation among the users here. if i were you, i would save your money and buy two of them instead of a panny brand off B&H.

century precision optics make great fisheye and wide angle adapters.(i plan on getting their 0.6 wide angle)

if your running and gunning get a decent shotgun(i prefer the Beyerdynamic MC836?) for pickups. but if your going to sit them down for an interview, definitely use a lapel mic. or better yet, why not both?
 
Panny DVX100A for weddings

Panny DVX100A for weddings

Hi there! I've been using my DVX100A for a couple of years now shooting weddings. I use it for the ceremony, and details part of the shoot. For the reception I use a Sony PD-170 which gives a cleaner video in lower lighting conditions. Using both cameras gives me the best of both worlds and leverages the individual strengths of each camera for specific parts of the coverage. Here is the rest of my gear;

2 Identical Bogen/Manfrotto fluid head tripods
1 Manfrotto dolly used with one of the tripods (mostly for the reception)
2 PAG C6 on-camera lights with batteries
Sennhiser wireless lav system receiver and transmitter (for the ceremony)
1 Sennhiser wireless handheld mic adapter (works w/ transmitter for interviews)
3 batteries each for the Sony and Panny (more than enough for a weekend)
Sony Wide angle adapter for the Sony PD-170
Sony wide angle adapter (72mm) for the Panny DVX100A - works really well!
Bracket 1 holder for the Sennhiser wireless transmitter

I think both cameras are perfect for wedding videos. The only thing lacking is the ability to do true 16X9. There are work arounds in framing, or post, but its a pain and you can loose resolution. But for SD video and DVD release this combination rocks!
 
awesome! such a sweet set up.

i think i got a few ideas of some things to start with.

i ordered a dvx battery.
I am bidding on a litepanels mini. these things look rad ! I
m also bidding on century optics .6 wide angel adapter. Is this a good one? or do you prefer different focal length?

Next is a tripod, mono pod, fisheye adapter, and then the big expense is a wireless lapel system as well as a shot gun mic for interviews. All in good time.

Do you guys like the sennheiser lapel systems? The sony one on B&H looks pretty cool.
 
Pls make sure you test the lite panels before buying. If you can rent them for a shoot, better. I read comments that the light values change sooner than expected. I think its a gr8 product and if I was shooting a feature or cable TV commercials I'd use it, but I'm happy w/ the PAG C6- the bulbs last waaaaaaaaay longer, burns cooler, batteries go for 2-3 hours and it has built in barn doors w/ a diffuser and dichroic mirror for instant daylight temp. Other on-cam light systems don't come this complete.

The wide angle I use for the DVX is the Sony VCL-HG0872. It has 72mm threads and is used for FX1s & Z1s. IT WORKS GR8 W/THE DVX100A! It allows for full zoon thru and stays sharp to the edges. Most of all, I got it at eBay for $200. Brand new is almost 400.

I use the the Sennheiser wireless lav and handheld adapter. Its gr8 but think the Sony is gr8 too. You can't go wrong with either. Brand new the Sennheiser lav set is about $500 - not including the handheld adapter.

Word of caution... be wise about what you buy... prioritize your ACTUAL NEEDS over what you want. If you can buy good used equipment - DO IT! Try not to make major purchases w/ your credit cards. Take it from the old man... The important thing is that it works for you! It doesn't have to be the latest and greatest to do that. Cheers!
 
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awesome! sounds rad. the PAG looks sweet. where is the best place to purchase them? Looks like they have a big battery you have to haul arround?

ill check out that sony adapter too.

im might eventually get a 35mm adapter. i know its taboo for weddings but im wanting to do something my own. So we will see how it works.

thanks so much for your help. i think im gonna get one of those sweet tripods too!!
 
The PAG C6 has a shoulder mount battery. It may or may not be heavy depending on what is heavy for you. If you need to check it out, go to a brick and mortar store in your area that carries it. Here in Los Angeles, I shop at EVS in Burbank. They also have an online store at www.evsonline.com

The 35mm adapter is hard for run and gun and for focusing. I'm slowly putting together a small set up using a Canon HV30 w/a letus mini extreme. I will only use Nikon Primes w/ it (I have a collection of Nikon lenses from my photography days). The applications for weddings are limited. I intend to use it only for video pictorials, engagement scenes, venue settings and details. In short, whatever does not require run & gun shooting and allows for ample time to changes lenses and properly focus. I may have to charge for an assistant if the couple wants something like this. This way, I can concentrate on the "artsy" stuff while my 2nd videographer does the regular / usual scenes.
 
awesome! well if you need an assistant im close to LA. Ill have samples of my work and website up probably in september october. So if you like the stuff and for some reason your booked, totally let me know.

Ill check out that light for sure. I was bidding on that litepanels flood and its over 350 so i dont know if im gonna for it...
 
ya im gonna wait on the litepanels light. its up to 415. i have other things i need to purchase.

looking on ebay im finding different models of the manfrotto tripod. like 3606 and a bunch of different models of heads and bases. whats the best set up? Also getting a little monopod deal.

and then instead of the sweet light im gonna buy a wirless lav mic and a decent shot gun mic. Part of me wants to just go for the sennheiser 416 shot gun and then do a sennheiser lapel mic. But i dont know if the 416 is needed. What do you guys think?
 
really want to order the tripod today... so let me know which model of manfrotto head and base are legit. i need something that can move quickly and be adjusted quickly.

thanks!
 
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