Anyone tell me if all this equipment is needed?

[Robstene]

Hello there...

I'm wanting to make some short films and documentaries.

Not really need to do any special effects....just naturalistic drama based stuff.

I'm ready to buy my equipment and although I can just about afford the full package that this shop offers, I'm wondering if I could just get by on having the camera and maybe a boom pole and mike, and obviously the XLR cable...

OR for £3167.00 you can get the following:

1 DVX100b Camera
1 additional CGA-D54SE/1H battery
1 Nova Lowepro Bag
1 Manfrotto 503,525 Tripod kit
1 Rode NTG1 Microphone
1 Red Eye Wide Angle Lens
1 VZ-Rock (whatever that is?)
1 Rode Boom Pole
1 Rode NTSM4
1 short XLR cable
1 5 metre XLR cable
1 Rode Dead Cat
1 Sennheiser HD25 Headphones...

Is all this kit needed....obviously it would be nice to have...but are the makes of kit mentioned here any good...eg..are the headphones ok and this make of Tripod..?

It would be alot of money to spend out on if I only ever go hand-held and just use the microphone/boom...?

Any suggestions...?

Thanks alot...
Rob

 

[Jeff Anderson]

As far as all this equipment no you dont need it - here's what I would get with short film and docs in mind.

dvx100

bogen 503/525 tripod (its often suggested here as a minimum, but obviously for more money you could get a better tripod)

gitzo boom pole - there's a carbon fiber one often suggested for budget minded folks in the audio forum, start searching there

mic - indoor? outdoor? both? oktava mk102 is the most bang for the buck, but needs a rycote baby ball gag to minimize handling/wind noise along with a ktek shock mount. once again the audio forum can supply alot more info here.

XLR cables - get some 25' would be my first choice

Sony md7506 headphones are the standard. $100 and they fold up!

Spare batteries are always handy. DVXuser sells some of their own that are inexpensive and seem to perform well. I've got some spec-comm ones that work great.

KATA, portabrace, petrol all make good bags. I'd visit their sites and see what suits you best. Others do too, but those are the three that always come to my mind. I use a KATA backpack that suits me very well and is very well made.

I'd skip the WA lens and zoom controller (VZ-rock just something to mount on the tripod pan arm and keep your hand off the camera). Both are useful but definitely not necessary.

I cant stress how important a tripod is. It will make a big difference and keep your films from looking all shaky. Not to mention that the DVX gets heavy after a while.

Jeff