DVX 100A Much Better Than DVX 100??

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I have used the DVX 100 quite a lot for commercials and music videos. It has it's limitations and high points. I've only played with the 100A in stores and would like to know from real world users of both if the 100A is a big enough step up to justify the upgrade.

Thanks,

Richard
2K-Plus
 
Re: DVX 100A Much Better Than DVX 100??

The 100A has 26 upgrades and changes from the original. In my opinion the most worthy are the viewfinder peaking function, the vastly improved manual zoom, the close-focus distance and the slow-shutter speeds (plus gain and focus-assist in progressive modes... you may not want to use 'em, but it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it).

So, depends on what the upgrade price is, but yes, the 100A is a better camera. (spoken by an original 100 owner).
 
Re: DVX 100A Much Better Than DVX 100??

I don't think it's worth selling your 100 to get a 100a, but I do like many of the functions on the 100a. One feature I really like is that you can turn on strong sharpening in the viewfinder, allowing rack focusing (heck, all focusing) to be a lot easier and more precise.

Is the image any better? Some seem to think the 10 bit dsp on the 100 is inferior to the 12 bit on the 100a. It probably is, but you really can't tell the difference, and while there may be one, it's insignificant considering the price of an upgrade. Cine_gamma_d gives you a little more dynamic range (and a little more noise), and some of the additional scene file setting options are nice, but they can be simulated in post and don't make a dramatic difference.

If you're deciding between the 2 cameras, I'd say get the 100a, but if you want to upgrade, I'd wait. Panasonic's next camera should be HD.
 
Re: DVX 100A Much Better Than DVX 100??

I was feeling the same way.. I wasn't too sure if the upgrades where worth it and sat with my original 100 for quite awhile. I finally needed a second DVX for a project so I bought the A, and was very impressed with the A.. I wont go back. Even Auto Focus in 24p (yeah I know) comes in handy for some stuff. But the peaking, and the colorbars seem to be the biggest change for me. Oh.. and that nice little bump ring around the scene dial works well.

That said, The old 100 still gets used at least once a week, I dont think I ever will sell that baby.
 
Re: DVX 100A Much Better Than DVX 100??

I use both for events. I am finding the color to be richer, more saturated with the A. It may be my imagination. but I sat them side by side and went through all the menus to ensure they were set the same. The A has more options in the menu, but I set what I could to be identical. We W/B both cameras with color cards. I always have to color match in post though. Any similar findings?

Chris
VidLife
 
Re: DVX 100A Much Better Than DVX 100??

Continuing this question: I have the opportunity to buy a 100 with Century matte box and a couple Tiffen 4x4s for a very good price (less than a new 100a alone). I've shot one spec spot with a 100a (I'm an ad writer attempting to branch out) and liked the results, but have had no opportunity to use a 100 -- neither alone or to A/B. Given that I'm wanting a camera to shoot mainly spec stuff, and the 100/matte box combo is only $2500, should I really concern myself with losing the newer gamma curves, focus assist, etc.? Or at that price is this just a silly question to begin with? Thanks for the help.

Jason
www.jasonfox.net
 
Re: DVX 100A Much Better Than DVX 100??

I'd say that a *new* DVX 100, *with* the century mattebox would be a great deal at $2500, and I'd buy it instead of the 100a at around $3500. But then again, what are the odds that it's new - the 100a took place of the 100, so there haven't been any new 100s made in the last year almost :-/
 
Re: DVX 100A Much Better Than DVX 100??

Well, it's definitely not new as it was used to shoot a short film.
 
Re: DVX 100A Much Better Than DVX 100??

I'd buy it, if it checked out okay. This way if a year from now you want to upgrade to the A, you could use the mattebox and filters on that. In the meantime you still have a great camera.
 
Re: DVX 100A Much Better Than DVX 100??

That's the way I'm leaning. I'm just one of those people who is slow to spend a wad of cash when there are so many options to consider. Thanks for the input.

Fox
 
Re: DVX 100A Much Better Than DVX 100??

But in this case, you win either way. There really isn't a "bad" choice.
 
Re: DVX 100A Much Better Than DVX 100??

Jason,

I have to say this though, I would not give up the focus assist on the 100a for anything, it was the biggest improvement for me over my original 100.
 
Re: DVX 100A Much Better Than DVX 100??

Well, crikey. I do remember liking the focus assist when I used a 100a, too. In fact, I didn't even know at the time that it was just "assist" and not full-on auto focus; but as nearly all of my shots were lock downs, I didn't get any hunting. The waffling continues...
 
Re: DVX 100A Much Better Than DVX 100??

Jason, I'm sorry, I was not talking about the auto "focus assist" in 24p modes. I meant the "peaking" feature on the 100a model that makes it much easier to manually focus in all modes. Sometimes with the 100, I never really knew if I was in focus when using the viewfinder or LCD, the peaking feature makes it much easier, especially when there is no time or room for an external field monitor.
 
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