Getting a DVX100B: What do I NEED for this camcorder?

S

S.G. Films

New member
I am a new DVx100B user and I was wondering: what do I NEED for this Camcorder? What I mean is the essentials such as a uv filter, head cleaner (http://www.adorama.com/PCDVHC.html), raincover (I live in a rainy area), hardcase, good fluid tripod etc....

As I said before I am new to Pro Camcorders such as the DVX100B and need help in the way of making sure I get the right stuff to protect and enhance its parts.

(BTW- I am using Adobe Premiere Pro CS3)

P.S. IM ON A LOW BUDGET
 
I got my dvx100b about a month ago, and it already has 30 hours on it ><. Anyway, I bought a nice pelican case with soft bag insert, I'm looking for a good tripod next. There was this Libec tripod I was looking at getting, since it was recommended over the popular Bogen 501 or 503 head tripod.

An extra battery would be nice--a raincover is handy, but not necessary, I went to the Philippines with my camera and it rained half the time I went there, but I didn't ever WISH i had a raincover.

I just bought the Oktava M-012 (i think its m12?) microphone and I realized how ESSENTIAL a good microphone is. When I first heard playback of footage with the mic, I almost fainted with joy.

So, IMO, these are things you should look into buying. A tripod, a decent microphone, batteries, and a case. Everything else can wait, imo.
 
I bought two of these Lenmar 5400mAh batteries ( $54 each from ZBattery.com ) and have been very happy with them. They include a 3 year warranty.

http://www.zbattery.com/Lenmar-replacement-battery-for-the-Panasonic-CGA-D54S

I also recommend the Lastolite EZY Balance Collapsible 18% Grey/White Balance Disc - 20". Get your white balance from one size, and your exposure from the other. It's 20 inches when it's open, and collapses down to 8 inches for storage. Because of the size it's quite easy to fill the video frame with either side.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/375202-REG/Lastolite_LL_LR2050_EZYBalance_Grey_White_Card_.html

The CineTactics Screen Hoodie 40 makes it a lot easier to see the DVX100B's LCD screen in bright light.

http://www.cinetactics.com/Detail.bok?no=23

For running around locally, you can drop the DVX100B with the standard Panasonic shade and 5400mAh battery right into the Canon 100-DG Digital Gadget Bag. It's quite well padded, and litterally takes about 2 seconds to store your DVX100B. I carry a couple of extra batteries, the Panasonic charger, tapes, a few 72mm ND filters, a pair of Sony 7505 headphones, Cinetactics Screen Hoodie 40, and a Sennheiser G2 100 UHF lav system with TRAM50 lav mic wired for Sennheiser in this case.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/319794-REG/Canon_9320A001_100_DG_Digital_Gadget_Bag.html
 
What type of stuff will you be filming? Narrative, sports, documentary, weddings, corporate, music videos, ENG (news-type footage)?

Knowing this will go a long way as to the types of stuff that you'll be best served buying - other stuff can be rented

Personally - I'm a bit of a mixed user. I shoot a fair bit of all of the above and have over the last few years have accumulated a fair bit of gear (with low-budget in mind).

The stuff that I would have got right from the start though (in order) would be:

Carry case/bag - go with what you can afford, make sure that it's big enough though!

UV Lens filter and lens cleaning tissues/fluid - it's a must-have in my opinion.

STABLE tripod - I never really did too much panning and tilting at the start, just stationary shots - the POS tripod I had would shake if there was just a light breeze or if I even touched the pan handle - save up some money and get something as solid and stable as your funds allow (second hand is a real good option too) - if your funds don't allow it, take some time out and save up. I can't stress enough how much better your footage will look with decent support!!
If you can get something stable with a 75mm bowl, it'll leave room to upgrade the head to something better in future when a true fluid head will really come into its own.
I recently invested serious $$ in a Miller SOLO DS10 system - cost an arm and a leg, but it's miles better than I could have imagined and the footage that comes out now makes it $$ well spent.

Extra batteries - the bigger the better!

Lights - the DVX performs best when there's plenty of light - either rent some or grab a cheap set of worklights for a starter. Another cheaper option is to grab a collapsible reflector - use the sun or other main light source as your key light and provide the fill with the reflector - cheap and easy!
If you aren't doing any ENG or sports filming, skip any on-camera lights for a start.

Microphone, shock-mount and fuzzy wind screen - pick a good one for your main camera use, rent the others - I went with a Rode NTG-2 shotgun because it was cheap... and as far as I can tell, works good enough for me :)

Headphones - you'll need something to monitor the audio that you are recording ;)

Rain-cover - I bought one, and live in a rainy area too - but realize that I don't actually film in the rain that often, or for too long. Normally from cover (umbrella) or just indoors. A large clear plastic bag with rubber bands is enough to keep your baby safe, and it won't waste extra money or space in your bag/case :)
 
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UV filter
Bag
Shotgun
DVX User batteries
use same brand of tape, so buy lots of panasonic or whatever and keep spares.
Tripod

Fun:
Borrow Fig Rig
Borrow DOF adapter

but go and shoot!
 
bag to carry it in

battery(s) b/c dvx batteries suck

lens cleaner

homeimprovement paint cards for white balance (white, light blue, grey...expierement..theyre free)
 
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