Advice abotu DVX as a Main Camera

tkoind

tkoind

Active member
I would like to ask some help and advice about the Panasonic AG-DVX100(original version). We have a very reliable source to purchase a near-new unit with warranty but are not very familiar with this camera. Can anyone help?

We have shot on the XL1 and own a GL1 currently. We have looked at Sony's VX2000 and VX1000 as options for purchase and are also considering the XL1 and XL1s. We are on a very tight budget and are limited to used gear from a very reliable reseller here who provides long term guarantees so we we feel confident in purchasing used. But not so clear about the best choice.

We currently shoot short film, documentary and fashion show projects. Going forward we want higher quality results and hope to shoot more serious documentary work, the occassional wedding or corporate paying project and our creative short film projects. We would like to have a strong primary camera that is versitile enough to do all these things and keep our GL1 as a 2nd camera for weddings and fashion shows.

Is the DVX100 a good all-round camera? How does it compare to the VX2k,21K, XL1, XL1s etc...? Are there any significant problems or issues?

Thanks for your help and advice and thanks for the insights.

Tkoind
 
Re: Advice abotu DVX as a Main Camera

The DVX100 sounds perfect for what you intend to do. It is directly comparable in video quality to the VX2000 and VX2100, but offers much better manual control and much, much better audio, plus it offers the ability to shoot 24P and 30P (in NTSC) or 25P (in PAL), which the VX cannot do. It is a much superior camera (for video and audio) as compared to the XL1 and XL1s. Sounds like it's what you want.
 
Re: Advice abotu DVX as a Main Camera

A couple more questions:

1. How significant are the differences between the DVX100 and 100a? The model we have a chance to purchase is the original release.

2. As Canon Users we are very happy with the warm images from Canon but the XL1 is heavy and difficult to haul around Tokyo on the train. Is the DVX100 image quality better? Similar etc...??

3. I have read that the native lens is wide angle. Is this true? Or do we need a good wide angle adapter for inside shots? Are there issues with adapters?

4. Some posts suggest that a certain type of tape is required. We use Sony tape for our existing cameras and have had pretty consistent results. Are the DVX100 cameras limited to a certain type?

5. Audio: We've heard that the onboard mic is pretty much useless thanks to the motor and lens mechanics noise. Is this true? We usually use the onboards for ambient sound while using a dat for primary audio.

6. Reliablity: Our little GL1 has been a trooper being dragged all over Tokyo on trains as was our XL1. We loved the XL but the size was painful to carry on 1-2hr train hauls in big cases. Can we expect the DVX100 to hold up to a lot of hard work? We protect our gear in hard cases but still the cases get bumped around on busy train days.

7. Lastly: Does $1700 used with batteries and accessories sound reasonable for a serviced camera with about 107hrs on it?

Thanks again for your help. This is a great site with a lot of enthusiastic support.
 
Re: Advice abotu DVX as a Main Camera

The DVXa has some improvements, especially in the usability section, but very little in final image quality. Some of them are pretty cool (as the marker) but for many, don't justify the difference in price.

You can get warm cool, everything you want with the DVX, the only thing that is certain is that the images will look better than the XL1 and GL2. That was not an overstatement.

The stock lens is relatively wide angle. It's certainly wider than every other camera with fixed lenses. It's equivalent to a 32mm lens for a 35mm still camera, so you see if you might need a wide angle adapter.

I've been using sony tapes with mine. They are not recomended, but as long as you don't mix tape brands, it should work.

The onboard mike is lame. But I don't think it's any worse than any other onboard prosumer camera mics. The thing is the motor in the DVX is quite louder.

I am yet to test the reliability of mine, it certaily seems more fragile than a PD 150 or a VX1000. But people here claim it's pretty good and solid.

1700? Seems like a bargain. Make sure the seller is trustworthy.
 
Re: Advice abotu DVX as a Main Camera

The resource we are thinking to buy from sells used video and audio kit. Most of the gear comes from users who bought units for short term projects rather than pay the INSANE rental prices in Tokyo. Believe it or not it is cheaper to buy a camera than to rent one for a week here in most cases so companies buy them, use them and often resell them at whatever they can recover.

Sony's keep their prices well here with VX1000s still selling at over $1000 USD. But the DVX100 and the Canons sell for well below their used prices in the US. But in most cases the units have very very low hours and are often backed by repair warranties from the reseller as in our case.

About View Finders: How useful is the LCD? And is the viewfinder ok for achieving a sharp focus?
 
Re: Advice abotu DVX as a Main Camera

The fold out LCD is extremely useful. The viewfinder is ok, not great (like any LCD), but works fine especially with a focus chart or by using the zoom in/focus/zoom out technique. The DVX100a has a viewfinder "peaking" feature that makes focusing easier. The DVX is built on a magnesium alloy chassis and I've found it to be very durable. If you can pick up a DVX100 with warranty for $1700--that's a great deal.
 
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