buying a dvx100a, what accessories are a must?

[pottyboy]

First of, hello all. I have enjoyed reading the very informative and insightful posts this forum has provided. I was all set on the DVX100A until someone had proposed the notion that buying an Standard Def cam would be a waste since all homes will be broadcasting HD by 2006...
...Im sure you are all familiar with that story. Anyway, I think I am going to go ahead and purchase the DVX100A.

I was going to hold off, but I am graduating college in about 2 weeks and I think its time I got a real camera. I have been shooting many projects with a sony trv22, and the camera is in dire need of a replacement. The HDR FX1 is extremely attractive, but I just feel the dvx100a has been around for a while and seems to has proven itself in this community alone to be one great camera.

Here is my question. I need to purchase this camera in the next day or so since I have my sisters wedding to tape on December 17th and 18th. What do you guys think are the neccesarry accessories for a first time buyer like myself. I dont want to spend too much over $4,000.

I know I need:

1 spare long life battery
1 protective lens filter (is the tiffen kit with 3 filters a good idea?)
1 4 year warranty
1 decent carrying case (any reccomendations?)
1 decent affordable tripod (any reccomendations?)
A new mic with furry windscreen (is this necessary?)
good amount of tape stock (what do you guys reccomend?)

Any help or other suggestions would be great. Of course I will be ordering from EVS since they are praised so highly here. And Barry, I will definitely be ordering a copy of the book and DVD I have been reading so much about.

Thanks again,
-Mike

 

[mickeloaf]

Re: buying a dvx100a, what accessories are a must?

Hi Mike (Cool name by the way),

That's a tight budget for all that you want, and I wouldn't put too much weight on the promise that all homes will have (or be capapable of displaying) HD by 2006. SD will be around for awhile.

If your primary purpose with the Camera is for social events, personal documentaries, then you probably don't need an external mic, the onboard would probably be fine. You don't need a furry unless you plan on doing alot of stuff outside in moderate to heavy winds, then you can gen an on camera mic windscreen, but not necessary most of the time. If you still want an exteranl Mic then you might look into the Oktava MC-012 which can be had within your budget.

I'm personally not to keen on any long term warranties, but that's probably because I upgrade or buy new nearly all electronics after a few years (when the old model is still worth something, and the new model has come down in price).

I would recommend the Panasonc AY-DVM63MQ (master quality) tapes. You can get them for nearly the same price online as you can get the cheap tapes in your local stores.

I would get the DVXUser 5000mah Li-ion or even two of the 3500mah Li-ion batteries. You can get them on this board. Don't forget to pickup a copy of Barry Green's new book and DVD (The DVX Book), as I found it very usefull explaining things in laymen terms that the handbook doesn't, it will get you started quicker, and serve as a reference later.

I bought a bogen triopod, and it serves me very well. Do a search on Triopod on this board and you will see other budget tripod feedback.

One last word of advice. Be very wary of those super-discount electronics sellers that promise the DVX100a at prices between $1800 and $3000. Many of these are either gray-market (imported from another country without warranty) or just a leader to sell overpriced junk accessories to the unsuspecting buyer. Plenty of talk about that on this board.

Good Luck

 

[Rush]

Re: buying a dvx100a, what accessories are a must?

Mike, please email me at rush@evsonline.com if you would like a quote.  Here are some suggestions:

1 spare long life battery  --- DVXuser battery best price for the dollar
1 protective lens filter (is the tiffen kit with 3 filters a good idea?) --- While the package is a good idea, the only lens you really need to start with is a UV or clear filter to protect the lens
1 4 year warranty --- A Mack warranty
1 decent carrying case (any reccomendations?) --- Try the totally affordable Petrol PCCB1 http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PCCB1N
1 decent affordable tripod (any reccomendations?) --- Cheapest is the new Provista, then the Bogen 3433-3046, 501 is a better head though
A new mic with furry windscreen (is this necessary?) --- Only if you shoot lotsa outdoors like Mickeloaf said
good amount of tape stock (what do you guys reccomend?) --- Again like Mickeloaf I recommend the MQ always: http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AYDVM63MQ

Email me if you would like a quote at rush@evsonline.com

EDIT: A good mic can be had for about $140, and a cable for $13.50