Buy DVX or HD cam?

Rick Meyer

Rick Meyer

Veteran
I am in the thick of making the huge purchase, the final plunge into my first forray of the prosumer camera market. I want quality images, first and foremost. After much research, and I mean exhaustive, I am convinced the DVX100A is a great camera. However, I do have a few questions. Please bear with me. The streaming videos that I have seen have been super impressive. They really do in fact look like film. However, I notice that there does seem to be a big loss of color information. The colors seem a little duller than I would hope. Could this be because it is compressed streaming video?;the limitations of a miniDV camera trying to emulate film? Please convince me that this camera IS what it is cracked up to be. Or that I will be able to reinvigorate the colors in post. Also, and I shouldn't even go here but the Sony hvr-z1u....will this camera or the upcoming highdef Panasonic make me want to eat my shorts for having purchased this one. Truth be told, I can only afford a camera like this when money comes my way (tax return) and I want to finally just do it!!! But, and it may be wishful thinking, part of me thinks if I save my pennies (again, perhaps wishful thinking) I could scrape together enough to purchase a HiDef 24p camera. Camera only. The accessories would HAVE to come later. Please someone give me some advice. Any advice. Sorry this post is so long-winded, but I am torn apart with these decisions. I am SURE many of you have had many of my same fears. Talk to me good people of DVXuser.com. Point me in the right direction. I will lend you my ears.
Rick
 
Re: Please GOD Help ME!!!

Re: Please GOD Help ME!!!

It would seem that simply reading the posts in the forums will answer your questions entirely.
 
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You will never be able to live without the accessories. After you buy a camera (any camera) your "wish list" will grow daily. And everytime you aquire one item you'll add two to the list.

Remember with electronics you can NEVER chase the technology. Purchase what you can afford (factoring in accessories/programs, etc.) for the current need and let what's around the bend come out - be tried, tested, desputed (and more than likely ultimately revised) without much thought given to it.
 
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[quote author=pookie link=board=Events;num=1109894228;start=0#1 date=03/03/05 at 16:39:20]It would seem that simply reading the posts in the forums will answer your questions entirely.[/quote]

Yes perhaps. I would gather that a forum entitled DVXusers would ultimately sing the camera's praises. It's just tough when you don't have it yet...on the outside looking in so to speak. I am just a little reluctant because I'd like to make absolute certain the camera has the kind of color saturation that I was hoping for. Any personal experiences/opions you would like to share, I'd love to hear it. You too OB1. much appreciated. by the way, good advice from both of you.
 
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Look Rick, I undurstand you perfectly 'cause I've been where you are now… I agree with OB1 when he says you shouldn't chase technology, if you do this you'll have to chase forever, since there's always something new (not always better though) coming up. As far as saturation concern, you've probably seen one or two different color settings and my friend I tell you: once you put your hands on this beauty called DVX you'll find an enormous number of color settings for you to find the saturation you're looking for.

You want an advice, so here it is my friend: DVX100A is worth every single penny you put on it, it's a ground breaking camera and it will be this way for a good and long period of time and even if something better comes up (what of course will happen sooner or later), even then you will still have a great camera in your hands. Go for it man, you won't regret for sure…

Hope it helps!!  

Regards, Gu.     ;D
 
Re: Please GOD Help ME!!!

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Thanks Gu. I think you are right. Thanks for the hard sell I was looking for.
 
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rlm7189:

Got to see a lot of footage from the Sony HD camera today. Unless you're wanting "video" look (like the 6:00 news cast) you'd be crazy to go with anything other than the DVX or the XL2. (Though it was "sharp" footage I honestly was very un-impressed - I'm not just saying this because I almost bought the Sony. Having seen the footage today I'm very glad I didn't.)

My advise: DVX and get loads of goodies (accessories) to help it do all that it is capable of doing.
 
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Ob1-

Are you referring to the Sony hvr-z1u, or the lesser one? The HDR-Fx1? With what everbody has been telling me, via through posts, It seems that the DVX IS the one to buy. I would be curious to see how that hvr-z1U handles 24p, but I am not very big on Sony. So, at this point, I am all about reading as many posts as I can absorb until Uncle Sam drops my tax return in my account. I'm looking forward to my trip to B&H.

Rick
 
Re: Please GOD Help ME!!!

Re: Please GOD Help ME!!!

It was the Z1 (retailed for around $6,100) I was looking at it at the Panasonic dealer here in Little Rock. They spent a couple of hours shooting outdoor video and that's just what it looked like - video from the evening news (24p and all).

Thinking about the DVX100A that I just bought I felt pretty good leaving there.
 
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Hey OB1, which "goodies" are you talking about? I only know the anamorphic adaptor, what else in therms accessories is available for DVX?

Thank's, Gu. :o
 
Re: Please GOD Help ME!!!

Re: Please GOD Help ME!!!

I don't think you can think in terms of accessories that only attach directly like lens'. Think about just a few of the following and how if you some of them once (like a good quality rain jacket or crane for the camera) it could allow you to be in a shooting position that otherwise would have been unavailable to you.

Rain Cover:
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=KTVA80114

Wide Angle Adapter:
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=VS06WADVX

Tele-converter:
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=VS16TCDVX

Matte Box(es) or Sunshade Housings:
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=44001DVXK

http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=DSMB44XLW

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=291205&is=REG

Larger Display:
http://www.expandore.com/product/DV Product/TC7WMS1.htm

Various Adapter cords:
http://www.expandore.biz/detail.asp?getITEM=673&start=1&getbrand=1&getproducttype=18

Lighting:
http://www.expandore.biz/detail.asp?getITEM=820&start=26&getbrand=15&getproducttype=48

Another Wide angle converter (focusable):
http://www.centuryoptics.com/products/prodv/dvx100/7x_wa/7x_wa.htm

Extended Warranties:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...ughValue=311998_REG&addedTroughType=accessory

LCD Hood Cover:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=276813&is=REG

Fisheye Adapter:
http://store.47thstreetphoto.com/ceopfiadforp.html

Diopters:
http://www.centuryoptics.com/products/prodv/dvx100/diopters/diopters.htm

Maybe another Sunshade:
http://www.centuryoptics.com/products/prodv/sunshades/dvx100_shades.htm

Definetly Lens Filters:
http://www.centuryoptics.com/products/filters/index.htm

An Eyecup maybe?:
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=ICUFFPRO

Maybe even a T-shirt:
http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/shirt/

Tons of other filters and lens Ring Jobs:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=ShowProduct&kw=CACUL500D72&Q=&O=&sku=87500

Man this is just a partial of my growing wish list. Not to mention TRIPOD / HEAD(S) / QR PLATE(S) / CARRYING CASES (soft/hard/water-proof)

Maybe someone could add their favorite items to this list too pleae!

::)
 
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I forgot

Steadicams, Cranes, etc. . . .
 
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Microphones:

(man someone help out here.) :)
 
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Yeah… well these are excelent "goodies" for sure OB1, but you can live without them and still have a great camera.

Anyway thank's for the tips! What do you think about this wide angle adaptor and the tele converter? They are realy expensive so I'm in doubt if they are worth the money you put in to purchase them. Microphone I have, but I'm not sure if I should spend so much money for these extra "goodies"…

Thank's, Gu.
 
Re: Please GOD Help ME!!!

Re: Please GOD Help ME!!!

OB1: Is the Century Optics .6X Wide Angle Adapter zoom through when using manual focus?
 
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No - can never zoom on this - you'll need the Century .7
 
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[quote author=beastlyboy link=board=Events;num=1109894228;start=0#14 date=03/05/05 at 17:40:30]OB1: Is the Century Optics .6X Wide Angle Adapter zoom through when using manual focus?[/quote]

the Century .7 is for full zoom through.
 
We literally bought our DVX100 with money raised from auctioning everything we didn't need at home and a ton of OT work. For a week after I felt sick about the whole thing. "Why did I spend so much money? Will our films measure up to the investment? Did I buy the right camera?" It was painful to say the least. But....

Five months later I can't say this with enough emphasis. THE DVX100 IS THE BEST! I have used it for semi-pro corporate work shooting in 60i and in creative work shooting in 24p advanced and it is truly amazing. It is rugged, reliable, shoots great images (and we are still learning to get the most out of it.) and the pro features make it a joy to work with.

As for technology. There will always be something new. But in Tokyo we see a lot of VX1000, PD150s and XL1 camera's still in use by TV productions and indie film makers. They have been around for a while now and peole are getting years of good work out of them. I think we will have our DVX for a long time to come. I think at some point you just have to choose a unit that feels right and then be creative in how you use it. Afterall some of the most classic films were made with cameras with far less capability than the DVX. So I think we are pretty lucky to have a tool this capable. Good luck!
 
I think at some point you just have to choose a unit that feels right and then be creative in how you use it. Afterall some of the most classic films were made with cameras with far less capability than the DVX. So I think we are pretty lucky to have a tool this capable. Good luck!


Thanks. I started this thread nearly a week ago and I still come back to soak in everybody's advice, opionins, and experiences. The people who come to dvxuser.com and post information are adding an invaluable service to the indie filmmaker community. I've never seen a message board as current, helpful, and warm as this one. If for nothing else then to have such a great online technical support team, I should get this camera...it doesn't hurt though that EVERYONE is singing the camera's praises.

Thanks everybody.
 
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