So, I'm trying to purchase a camera for my son. He has been doing a lot of views for class, himself personally, and is now actually shooting some for a few local businesses. He's been using a Canon Elura consumer camera, but I want to upgrade to a used pro/semi pro camera. He edits using an older version of Final Cut Pro on a non-intel iMac. I've been thinking of going with a DVX100 (he does both corp and art stuff) or Canon GL1 0r 2. Which do you think would be best? I've heard the GL1 and 2 may not be that compatible with Mac (he needs to upload using firewire) and that there have been tape transport problems with them as well. Any advice you can give would be appreciated.
Buying advice needed
- Thread starter Kitman2
- Start date
If those are your choices, then the DVX100, hands down. Far more versatile. Can do anything the GL1 or GL2 can do and much more.
Squeeze, yes.
the biggest advantage for the DVX is that it shoots 24p. that's a must for indi-filmmakers so a lot of people get it.
but if he does a lot of local business stuff, the GL2 might be cool but if you are thinking about the GL2, why did you skip the XL2?
the XL2 shoots native 16:9 and has much better control over the GL2.
but overall, no matter what, hands-down the DVX is the way to go.
This is DVXuser.com
but if he does a lot of local business stuff, the GL2 might be cool but if you are thinking about the GL2, why did you skip the XL2?
the XL2 shoots native 16:9 and has much better control over the GL2.
but overall, no matter what, hands-down the DVX is the way to go.
This is DVXuser.com
Joe Calabrese
Well-known member
In that price range, the DVX is your best camera. I bought mine with the Series 7 battery kit from B&H, and it was the best decision I ever made. I shoot sports mostly, and the interlaced handles motion very well. In 24p and 30p, I am able to get the maximum amount of detail and workability with the footage. I too work with Apple's Final Cut Pro (on an intel mac) and I have to say...add the 4:1:1 color smoothing, and the footage is just jaw dropping. I remember seeing my footage on an Sony HDTV, and it looked so clear and full of detail.
Granted, your asking a forum about the DVX, so that's obviously gonna be everybody's suggestion. But seriously, would a camera have such a great following if it wasn't the best in its range?
Granted, your asking a forum about the DVX, so that's obviously gonna be everybody's suggestion. But seriously, would a camera have such a great following if it wasn't the best in its range?
Starting with the 100A, improved optics and the addition of the Squeeze mode. There's much less of a difference between the A and the B as there is between the original and the A.
I found the differences between the A and B worth getting a B. Live headphone monitoring (no echo), 4:3 and 16:9 switchable AND full underscan frame viewfinder and LCD, heavy duty tripod socket, and a stronger tape door were my main reasons.
Edit: You didn't think we'd stop talking about the DVX so quickly, did you?
Edit: You didn't think we'd stop talking about the DVX so quickly, did you?
bilgami
Veteran
im a dvc80 shooter and i love it. its much like the dvx100 but no 24, but i have a black promist and a polorizer and ive been asked by ppl who see my footage if its 24 i of course say no cuz im not a liar but it makes me feel good that the footage can fool ppl into thinking it came out of a dvx100.
Between it and a 100, a 100, no question. Again, the 100 can do everything it can, and much more. 24p is certainly an excellent tool have in the shed.
Nick Walters
Mentholated Member
I mostly shoot on the HVX200, but I just got done filming a feature, ALL HANDHELD, with the DVX and I just love it for standard definition mini-dv.
If you're looking for the lowest price camcorder with all the features that can enable your son to learn how to manipulate moving images in a way VERY similar to how professionals are doing it, then by all means go with the DVX...get a 100a or 100b.
Firewire? Yep that's the main way in which the DVX of all flavors transfers footage.
I would also consider looking into getting him a true fluid head tripod, as between a really good camera like the DVX and a steady elegant tripod...IF your son is serious about learning about videography...you'll soon see him showing you breathtaking images.
If you're looking for the lowest price camcorder with all the features that can enable your son to learn how to manipulate moving images in a way VERY similar to how professionals are doing it, then by all means go with the DVX...get a 100a or 100b.
Firewire? Yep that's the main way in which the DVX of all flavors transfers footage.
I would also consider looking into getting him a true fluid head tripod, as between a really good camera like the DVX and a steady elegant tripod...IF your son is serious about learning about videography...you'll soon see him showing you breathtaking images.
It's great to have people that actually offer good advice. You can read up on all this stuff, but talking to people that actually use the equip is so much more helpful. My son is definitely serious. He's been making videos since middle school and just finished his first college film class. Shot his first film, film on Super 8. Black and white. Very nice short film. The look was very cool. Sounds like the DVX would satisfy both his indie film desire and his corporate video (let's make a few extra bucks) side.
Yes. If he wants to do cinematic work, nothing other than 24p is going to satisfy him. It makes no sense to go with any of the other cams you've mentioned.
Nick Walters
Mentholated Member
If there are any links to his works, I would love to see it, and I'm sure others would as well.
If he has an interest in film as well, I'd look into the Arriflex 16bl(16mm film camera) as well. I purchased one awhile back, and it's great...and it seems that they are going for under a grand right now, on E-bay.
The DVX is a great camera though...I personally don't own one, but as I said I just got finished using it for a long period of time, and it matches up to the majority of the manual controls on it's big brother, the HVX-200.....and it's light weight was a definite plus since all the material I shot was hand held...in fact I saw some definite visual advantages to the DVX over the much more expensive HVX-200, if you don't take into account that one is Hi-def and the other is standard.
If I could go back in time I would have never purchased the camera I did before my HVX, which was a Canon Optura Xi(great camera though), and I would have gotten the DVX.
Here's a list of basic stuff I would suggest looking into:
matte box that can accept filters
a set of filters for the matte box
DVX-100a or DVX-100b
true fluid head tripod
and finally a few things that work together:
a few bounce boards(white polystyrene board at the hardware store)
a few halogen work lights(hardware store again)
a very cheap tripod
a cheap picture frame
a few gel filters
You mount the picture frame to the tripod, and tape the filters to frame, direct the halogen lights through the frame, and bounce the light off the boards...film the whole scene with the DVX which has a matte box and filters on it, which is mounted on the fluid head tripod.
you'll need some extension cords and such things as well.
Alot of this can be skipped, ignored, or purchased in the future...and there are alot better solutions then mine, but for a young film maker this can be a full kit, and overall cost about $3500 or less if you do your homework, buy off e-bay, used, etc. etc.
If he has an interest in film as well, I'd look into the Arriflex 16bl(16mm film camera) as well. I purchased one awhile back, and it's great...and it seems that they are going for under a grand right now, on E-bay.
The DVX is a great camera though...I personally don't own one, but as I said I just got finished using it for a long period of time, and it matches up to the majority of the manual controls on it's big brother, the HVX-200.....and it's light weight was a definite plus since all the material I shot was hand held...in fact I saw some definite visual advantages to the DVX over the much more expensive HVX-200, if you don't take into account that one is Hi-def and the other is standard.
If I could go back in time I would have never purchased the camera I did before my HVX, which was a Canon Optura Xi(great camera though), and I would have gotten the DVX.
Here's a list of basic stuff I would suggest looking into:
matte box that can accept filters
a set of filters for the matte box
DVX-100a or DVX-100b
true fluid head tripod
and finally a few things that work together:
a few bounce boards(white polystyrene board at the hardware store)
a few halogen work lights(hardware store again)
a very cheap tripod
a cheap picture frame
a few gel filters
You mount the picture frame to the tripod, and tape the filters to frame, direct the halogen lights through the frame, and bounce the light off the boards...film the whole scene with the DVX which has a matte box and filters on it, which is mounted on the fluid head tripod.
you'll need some extension cords and such things as well.
Alot of this can be skipped, ignored, or purchased in the future...and there are alot better solutions then mine, but for a young film maker this can be a full kit, and overall cost about $3500 or less if you do your homework, buy off e-bay, used, etc. etc.