$700 to spend on my dvx

MiniMan

MiniMan

Well-known member
Hello fellow people. :)

In a little more than a month from now, when I turn 15, I'm going to get something like $700 on my hands to spend on whatever I want to. What I have now, is my DVX, a bad camera bag which is really not a camera bag, and a cheap tripod.

So, I have no idea on what I really should spend those 700 bucks on to get the most out of it. A fluid head tripod? A mattebox? Anamorphic adapter? 35mm adapter? Audio/lighting equipment etc.?

Any advice?
 
you're 14 years old, and you have a DVX huh? whatever happened to a skateboard? heheh

get a good tripod with a 503 or maybe a 501 head - that should set you back at least 500 or so... then spend the rest on a Pelican case (the 1550 is good) or a good Kata packpack depending on your needs

oh yea, a good quality UV filter & a better quality Polarizer too, but now you're up to about a grand

just my .02
 
Yeah, whatever happened to a skateboard, hehe, it's really a long story :)

But thanks for the advice, much appreciated.
 
yea, don't go cheap on a tripod - i just got mine and i spent 700.00

did't really expect to pay so much for a tripod when i got my DVX, but then again i didn't really know alot about what i was getting into... a good head (like the 503) will make SUCH a difference in panning your camera...

the legs alone for my tripod were about $500 (Gitzo carbon fiber) but i wanted a really light setup for shooting snowboarding/skateboarding
 
I second the motion to get a good tripod and a good UV filter. Having a good tripod is a really important step to making your images look good. I have this setup, and so far it has rocked. If you order from EVS you get a DVXuser discount too....

http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=503755BK

It's not quite as light as OregonDanks would be, but still basically the same type of setup. It's pretty light, and deffinetly really rugged and is plenty of support for a loaded DVX. Also, check this kit out, it won't go as high as the 755, but it has a short center column, meaning it can go lower, it's also a little more compact....

http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=503745BK

As for other accessories, treat yourself to a nice B+W UV filter. These are the best on the market, yeah they are 60 bucks, but optically they are far superior to the ones you can get for 10 bucks at wolf camera. If you want to get the most out of your DVX, don't put anything in front of the lense that is not up to par. Again, EVS has these in stock usually and will give you a DVXuser discount. Lastly, depending on what you want to do, you should invest in a nice mic and a nice set of headphones. BH has a nice mic kit that sounds really decent and is pretty affordable.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=400812&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

This would be perfect for a camera mountable shotgun mic, and the kit gives you everything you need to get started. As for headphones, don't expect to get good results from the ones that came with your ipod, or any other cheapo headphones for that matter. Go with a set of Sennheiser HD-280's. I have been using them for a few weeks now and they are awsome. Under 100 bucks with free shipping from B&H

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=240764&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

All this stuff adds up to more than 700 bones, but I was just giving you some base suggestions as to what you should focus on first. Don't forget tapes either. Get Panasonic MQ's from EVS. They are a little spendy compared to other DV tapes, but really reliable and won't crap up your record mechanisms. I usually try and keep 15-20 on hand at all times. Hope this helps!
 
for my $ it was better to buy the tripod separate so i could choose exactly the legs i wanted...the 503 is the pro standard it seems, but these kits aren't really saving anyone a whole lot of $, they're just narrowing options...seems like the only benefit is the choice is made for you (benefit??) - oh yea you get a free tripod bag ;)
 
you do have a point there....although the 755 is a pretty cool tripod, with the levelling bowl and all...which set of gitzo sticks do you have?
 
Wow, congrats! A DVX at age 14!

1) I would get a good fluid head tripod (eg Bogen 503), with sturdy legs. Here's a suggestion:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=387808&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

2) A good shotgun mic would be my next purchase. Check this thread for suggestions:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=47012

3) I would get some all around filters, for versatility. Tiffen makes good ones. Definitely a UV to protect your lens. Perhaps, an ND & polarizer, as well.

4) IMO, unless you're going for a certain look, you don't really need a 35mm adaptor. Also, a mattebox is non-essential.

5) When you turn 18, you'll want to upgrade to this camera:
http://www.prosourcebmi.com/images/HD-is-here-camera.gif

Good luck! :beer:
 
Tripod it is then, thanks for the great advices guys! :beer:

Oh well CineAlta, I have my plans to get an SDX900 when I'm 18, bet they're really cheap by then :)
 
No, the DVX is my second camera. Had a Sony Handycam a year ago, got my DVX in July 2006. Mostly I make experimental movies with my friends, to try out new techniques for color correcting etc. My latest movie which pretty many of you may have seen is "Below Dry Water"
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=43388
 
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Nice job on "Below Dry Water!"

If you get the chance, there are some beautiful locations, to film, in Bergen.

Best wishes!
 
Thank you CineAlta :)

Oh yes, Bergen has some really nice locations, lots of beautiful landscape, not to mention the lovely city. It's only 6hrs of driving from where I live.
 
"So, I have no idea on what I really should spend those 700 bucks on to get the most out of it. A fluid head tripod? A mattebox? Anamorphic adapter? 35mm adapter? Audio/lighting equipment etc.?"


The first thing you should get is an extended warranty. Worry about other stuff after you have that. Trust me. You don't want to have to pay for service after the one year warranty runs out.
 
CineAlta said:
If you get the chance, there are some beautiful locations, to film, in Bergen.
Click to expand...

I live 15 minutes outside Bergen, and you're right, there are some great locations. Only the weather is an obstacle. You see, when it's not raining, it's snowing or it's windy. If not raining ect, it's cold. Best thing is to shoot in the summer, but again, wheater is irritatingly bad. :furious3:
 
I've spent many a beautiful summer day, drinking a large schooner of Hansa Fattol and eating Salmon, while watching the pretty Norwegian girls walk by, in Bergen. :)
 
Chris Santucci said:
"So, I have no idea on what I really should spend those 700 bucks on to get the most out of it. A fluid head tripod? A mattebox? Anamorphic adapter? 35mm adapter? Audio/lighting equipment etc.?"


The first thing you should get is an extended warranty. Worry about other stuff after you have that. Trust me. You don't want to have to pay for service after the one year warranty runs out.
Click to expand...

Never had any warranty, bought it used with 200hrs on the heads in July.
 
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