alpi69
Veteran
finally i had the chance to get my hold on a DVX-100. not (A)!!
after my initial test in vienna for several minutes only (in screenshot forum) i tested the DVX extensively now. especially the 25p mode of course since interlaced would not be a reason to leave our Betacam and PD-150 environment.
we also use some old VX1000s and they still produce better images than any miniDV-Canon IMO.
i shot on 1/50 shutter with manual iris on f5 in THICK mode. unfortuanetly it was overcast....
ok, what did i find out and correct me if i am wrong:
- the DVX is not very strong in low light. even 50i mode is much behind the sony DVcams. We have Betacams here that are similar in how much light they need. so for nighttime real-life documaentations this is not the cam. you do need additional light or use the GAIN switch a lot. in general this is not a bd thing, but for all who consider this cam and shoot events they need to be aware of it. old news huh....
- having said that: if you like "the filmlook" whatever it is this cam helps by forcing you to use wide aperatures which gives you a shallow DOF and i like that.
- the lens is sufficient in its zoomlength although i will need a tele soon. the wide 4.5mm is great and does meet most needs i guess.
- i read somewhere here: "use it like a filmcamera". i would go further: in 25p you HAVE TO use it like a filmcamera.
due to the special look the low framerate (when you think of 50 "frames" in the interlaced mode) you will run into problems when shooting handheld, panning at will, trying to focus on moving objects etc.
the 25p mode demands a tripod in every situation unless the shot calls for handheld. in any decent movie you will see the cam being on a tripod 95%. watch "American Beauty" and you will in fact see the cam off a tripod only once!).
when panning you need to be aware of the timing rules. you cannot be zoomed in to say Z85 and then simply pan over a house at will. you need to take your time to avoid jerky images.
i showed stuff to some friends and they shouted "that looks awful" when the saw the jerky images. i then showed them the same pan in correct speed (very slow indeed) and their jaw dropped when they saw correctly shot footage.
i don´t know if these jerky pans also appear on the NTSC/24p version. but they are here when you don´t take care.
the slomo: i am not convinced on it yet. i shot some streethockey and while some shots looked good in slomo (200%) with a great filmlike motionblur others looked like they missed a few frames in between (probably our eyes are simply used to 50i slomo).
- the EVF is absolute shite. it is impossible to focus with it. the screen is a little better, but barely. this is the biggest fault of the cam IMO. dunno if the 100A changed anything there. i never ever use autofocus on any cam, so a good screen is a must. oh well, i guess i will have to live with it.
OVERALL: i am pleased. the images this cam can make are awesom. if anyone wants i can link a jerky pan and a better one.
after my initial test in vienna for several minutes only (in screenshot forum) i tested the DVX extensively now. especially the 25p mode of course since interlaced would not be a reason to leave our Betacam and PD-150 environment.
we also use some old VX1000s and they still produce better images than any miniDV-Canon IMO.
i shot on 1/50 shutter with manual iris on f5 in THICK mode. unfortuanetly it was overcast....
ok, what did i find out and correct me if i am wrong:
- the DVX is not very strong in low light. even 50i mode is much behind the sony DVcams. We have Betacams here that are similar in how much light they need. so for nighttime real-life documaentations this is not the cam. you do need additional light or use the GAIN switch a lot. in general this is not a bd thing, but for all who consider this cam and shoot events they need to be aware of it. old news huh....
- having said that: if you like "the filmlook" whatever it is this cam helps by forcing you to use wide aperatures which gives you a shallow DOF and i like that.
- the lens is sufficient in its zoomlength although i will need a tele soon. the wide 4.5mm is great and does meet most needs i guess.
- i read somewhere here: "use it like a filmcamera". i would go further: in 25p you HAVE TO use it like a filmcamera.
due to the special look the low framerate (when you think of 50 "frames" in the interlaced mode) you will run into problems when shooting handheld, panning at will, trying to focus on moving objects etc.
the 25p mode demands a tripod in every situation unless the shot calls for handheld. in any decent movie you will see the cam being on a tripod 95%. watch "American Beauty" and you will in fact see the cam off a tripod only once!).
when panning you need to be aware of the timing rules. you cannot be zoomed in to say Z85 and then simply pan over a house at will. you need to take your time to avoid jerky images.
i showed stuff to some friends and they shouted "that looks awful" when the saw the jerky images. i then showed them the same pan in correct speed (very slow indeed) and their jaw dropped when they saw correctly shot footage.
i don´t know if these jerky pans also appear on the NTSC/24p version. but they are here when you don´t take care.
the slomo: i am not convinced on it yet. i shot some streethockey and while some shots looked good in slomo (200%) with a great filmlike motionblur others looked like they missed a few frames in between (probably our eyes are simply used to 50i slomo).
- the EVF is absolute shite. it is impossible to focus with it. the screen is a little better, but barely. this is the biggest fault of the cam IMO. dunno if the 100A changed anything there. i never ever use autofocus on any cam, so a good screen is a must. oh well, i guess i will have to live with it.
OVERALL: i am pleased. the images this cam can make are awesom. if anyone wants i can link a jerky pan and a better one.
