DREAM Budget setup, <$8000

C

craigferriter

Member
We bought a used DVX100 last year and business is picking up. We are using PPro for editing.

Assuming that we had no gear, and wanted to start from scratch, how would each of you build an $8000 system for shooting. (Forget the editing piece, we're covered there).

We do weddings/reunions/etc., mostly run and gun applications.

Planning on 3 years of use, maybe 150 events.

Is it time to dive into HD? Wait it out? DVX100 stil the best choice? Mics? Lights? Tripods? B roll camera options? Buy 2 dvx cameras used?

Love to hear suggestions!
 
I'm going to try and break down my opinion from doing lots of different events.
Basics:
$4000: 2 Used Dvxs ( Price is depending on the deal you find )
$1000: 2 Tripods ( Bogen 503 heads )
$300: Vidled On Camera Light
$250: Shotgun Mic ( Take your pick out of the Mic threads )
$1100: 2 Wireless Lav G2 Systems ( w/ 1 plug in transmitter )
$340: 2 Camera Bags ( Petrol U Bags )
$500: 2 Dvx Rocker Zoom Controllers
-------------------------------
Total = $7490

Now you may notice that I didn't include any lights in there. That is because a large amount of live events won't need or won't be able to afford lighting it properly so it won't even be in their budget. However if they do need lighting they probably will have a stage lighting or event lighting company do it.
 
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If you ask someone who just spent $8,000, like me, this is what I did.
$4911.00 HVX200 (NEW)
$1880.00 FOR TWO 16GB P2 CARDS. (NEW)
$540.00 VEGAS PRO 8 SOFTWARE
$200.00 RAYLIGHT PLUG-IN
$470.00 FOR COMPUTER UPGRADES - 2GB RAM- 3.04 CPU
We have several projects from full length features (90 mins) to a few mini-docs shot on the fly.
Hind sight is always the best teacher, but for your target market of consumers the 1080i/60 images are going to get you the wow that will generate word of mouth.
Good Luck!
 
SilverWolf's suggestions sounds fantastic for what you want to do. Make sure you get plenty of batteries for the DVX's. Since you could keep one, and pick up another for ~$2100 or so, that would free up more cash in your budget. I would then ditch one of the bogan 503 heads and get something a little nicer for your main cam (Satchler, Cartoni)
 
mjvolzer said:
Where'd you get the HVX for $4911.00?
Click to expand...
A local shop here in San Diego, Ca. called AUDIO VISUAL SUPPLY. Its a marketing arm of a local video equipment rental by the same name. I have found a few 'reputable' internet sites for around that price by just searching on google or froogle but my advise (if you want it) is to pay at least that much to avoid the rip-offs of the 1500 to 3500 price range. Those are a consistent trap of bait and switch. Good luck. I got a quick delivery of 16GB P2 cards from ABLE-CINE as well. Just $875 ea. and had them the next day. They say they have a large supply. GOOD LUCK!
Oh yeah, the price of $4911 did include tax. In California a filmmaker gets taxed at 3% for capital equipment purchases, but you must ask for it!
 
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