Dumping my DVX100a for a consumer HD video camera?

Norm Sanders

Norm Sanders

Script Wrangler
Interested on your thoughts, if I'm making a bone head decision or not:

I NEVER shoot with my DVX100a anymore, unless it's for BTS work on a short film. It's just too bulky to take on vacations, etc. and I no longer do anything corporate as well. So it just sits in its bag.

On the flip side, I'm really loving Panasonic's new HD consumer cameras that come full 1920x1080, 24P, and one of their newest even has 3 1/4 CMOS, just like the DVX (as far as CMOS size, vs. the standard consumer1/6 size). The model I'm thinking of specifically is this one: HDC-HS300K

My gut says that with the bag, wide angle lense, etc. I should be able to get rid of the DVX & extras for enough to be able to get this consumer HD camera (maybe $1,200 for all?)

Certainly won't LOOK as pro as the DVX, and won't have ALL the pro features of the DVX ... but for my current purposes I think it's more practical, and will get more use. And heck, in the long run, may even look better?!
 
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Would you trade your slightly plump, aging wife for the hot young secretary?

The DVX is for life. You made a commitment, Norm, now stick to it.
 
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The only thing I can say is making a shift to another camera is a lot more expensive than you will likely expect. Especially SD to HD. You may need a new PC, more hard drives, a new tripod, a new camera bag, new software, more lenses, more batteries, a new HD monitor, etc.

So be realistic when estimating because it can be a lot more expensive. And then it may not be as reliable. HD from my experience, especially firestore HD with the 4 pin firewire connections popping out, is unreliable when compared to the DVX100 tape format. Everything seems so easy with the DVX100 and if you have a good one, it tends to never let you down. A new camera, especially HD may mean more risk of garbled footage, shots that are more choppy looking, or other technical hurdles you'll have to jump.

I think the shift is a smart move and the earlier you can embrace it and get the workflow down the better. However it's not as simple as taking that $1200 and just getting something in HD for it. At least that hasn't been the case for me.
 
giving up your baby? You'll look so....... soccer dad-ish with that little thing. You won't like the lack of manual control, Norm. But yeah joining the ranks of HD is not a bad thing. I'd go for it. I'm trying to pick up a used hv30 this very week for myself.

Don't forget the blue ray burner!
 
If you're just using it for vacations, and family stuff, whatever works. I say get it.

If you plan on doing something even remotely "professional" with it, you won't be taken seriously. ie. Most clients don't want to hire people with consumer grade equipment.
 
Yeah, good point folks, and some funny comments as well. Thanks for the laughs.

I went ahead & posted it on CraigsList EARLY this morning: http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/pho/1246525274.html

Let me know if you guys think I'm high on crack for listing it for $1,500 ... I added up over $700 in extra value I'm selling with the camera, so hoping that it's fair. Pics available on there as well.

As far as the manual control, Kdawg, it's got a manual focus ring at least ... and lighting can at least be controlled with filters to a degree.

I COMPLETELY agree with no one taking you seriously on a professional level with something that fits in the palm of your hand. My wife even asked me if I'd still make films with the little camera ... I told her no talent in their right mind would think you were serious if filming with a palm sized camera. Besides, I usually work with DP's now that have their own camera/preference, so was never using the DVX for that anyway.

The HD IS more pixels, but I've got to think the images (going default to default on camera comparisons) MUST be better than the DVX in that it's working with CMOS chips that are the same size, and several years newer .... same glass, though smaller size/apeture.


DVX100-Set.jpg
 
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Personally I think it makes sense Norm, particularly because you are not looking to his camera as a step up for your personal narrative film production. As you stated, most of your films were DP'd by someone who brought their own gear and didn't use what equipment you had.

So, to replace a rarely used camera that is not suited to more leisurely shooting (family events/trips, etc) and getting an inexpensive, yet higher quality camera that is better suited to how you want to use the camera, then of course it makes perfect sense.

Just my $0.02
 
I've had FIVE scam artists already contact me via CraigsList, all using the same broken English, and stories about how they're interested in my 'item', etc. Sheesh! :(
 
Make that seven now. ALL of which happen to have a niece, nephew, or son over in West Africa. They want to use PayPal, and I'm unsure how I can get screwed through PayPal, if I wait a few days to ensure the money's not rejected ... but since I know it's a scam, safest not to even try anything with them at all (kind of a DUH, right?).

That said, you guys think the $1,500/offer for all of that stuff is unreasonable? I'm thinking about putting it on eBay today (no real bites or interest in a couple of days now), and not sure what I should think a realistic reserve is....
 
Norm,
List it in the marketplace here. Sell it to someone who has been on the boards for awhile. I have sold maybe 100 items here and have never once been screwed.
 
Norm, I'm jealous. That's a beast of a package you got there - and great photograph advertising it. Good luck with selling it, make sure it goes to a good home. :)

HDC-HS300K looks good to, very 'hawt'
Do you think it could compete against the XH A1?
 
Okay, Folks, so it looks like I've got a buyer via CraigsList! A non-profit organization is interested, and says they'll come to my place on Sunday to inspect & pay cash. $1,400.

Now, the next question: I've been able to find this HD camera I'm wanting on eBay, but only via companies from Japan. It's a Japanese version of the camera, but can have the menu settings, etc. all in English as well (pretty standard for multi-language). The ONLY downside I can think of is that there's no US Warranty for the camera, if I purchase through one of these dealers. However, I can get it for less than $1K, so it'd save me at least $200-300 over buying a US version here in the states.

Thoughts?
 
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