DVX, HardCase, and ??? PLEASE ADVISE!

Rick Meyer

Rick Meyer

Veteran
Hello-

I have posted a few questions the past couple of weeks and everybody on DVXuser.com has been EXTREMELY helpful so I figured that I would ask again....
Next week, I am planning to FINALLY (after a long patient wait) go and pick up my brand spankin' new AG-DVX100A!!! Now, I also plan to get the basics. This is for two reasons; 1) I NEED the basics 2) I figure the more 'things' I plan to purchase with the camera, the better the chance I can get a few hundred dollars off my entire purchase from B&H.

Question: Aside from the camera, hardcase, tapes, extra battery and warranty, what would be the next most essential piece of equpment that I should be considering? ANY ADVICE WILL BE WARMLY RECEIVED AND APPRECIATED. I have been looking at mics, filters, lens adapters, etc. But I can't afford them all. I am thinking that a good mic will do me for now but, I really know little about the value of a good NDfilter kit and am thinking that I don't want to underestimate what filters could do for me. Again, I can't afford much more than what I've mentioned but any basic start-up ideas would be apreciated. (And if any one wants to throw in a shameless product placement nod, that'd be okay too!)
Thanks in advance!

Rick
 
Hey,
First time poster, long-time lurker here. I'm finally upgrading from my GS400 to a DVX, and will definitely be doing so through Rush from EVS, considering the hell I went through with grey market dealers for the GS400 (even tried faking a NY accent to garner some respect; no such luck).

Anyway, I too have been contemplating my first accessories. I personally would reccommend a decent mic above all else if you plan to shoot anything with dialogue. It's a much greater jump in quality than any other first accessory, as it is so integral to your production value. As for filters, get a UV right away if you can afford it. I'd reccommend the Tiffen Deluxe Enhancing Kit for a moderately priced, high quality package (UV, Warming, Enhancing, ND).
I personally am going to be immediately launched into poverty upon buying the DVX itself, and so I plan to aim low and just go with an AT897. Which brings up a question of my own: does the DVX come with a shockmount (as I've seen in so many of the pictures)? If so, I'll just go ahead and get the AT897 from EVS, but if not, the one from B&H is equally priced, and bundled with one.
 
Hi Muteprint, our DVXuser package for the AT897 has always come with a free shockmount and cable: an MZSCAM Sennheiser shockmount, worth $40, and a XLRPXLRJ18EXF balanced Comprehensive 18" XLR cable. :laugh:
 
rlm7189 said:
I am thinking that a good mic will do me for now but, I really know little about the value of a good NDfilter kit and am thinking that I don't want to underestimate what filters could do for me
Click to expand...
Hi Rick, I would say that the most important filter is not the ND, since you already have two levels of ND built in to the camera which are suited for many situations. Later, you will find that an ND.6 and an 4x4 ND grad .6 will do wonders to help you creatively. But in the interim, the most important filters are a good multicoated UV filter and slim polarizer filter, $139 for both. Your next priority, after a good mic for audio, is either a tripod, if you mostly do scuplted, framed shots, or a shoulder stabilizer, if your shoots are more off-the-cuff and fast paced. After that follows all the accessories, like zoom-controller, on-camera lights, mattebox, lighting package.... If you would like a quote from us for the camera, please write me at rush@evsonline.com
 
Buy a Sennheiser ME66 Shotgun to attach to your camera/very versatile.

Buy a Circular Polarizer Filter. Tiffen makes a Beauty. Clouds and glass look so much nicer.

Gordo
 
Gordo88 said:
Buy a Sennheiser ME66 Shotgun to attach to your camera/very versatile.
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Just curious... but how good is the Sennheiser ME66 mike?
is it worth getting (its 179 on amazon)... is there a better one for maybe slightly more?
 
vitaly said:
Just curious... but how good is the Sennheiser ME66 mike?
is it worth getting (its 179 on amazon)... is there a better one for maybe slightly more?
Click to expand...

ME66's are great all around mics, but be careful, you need the K6 power module to make it work, which brings the price to $400.
 
Rush, I'm shooting observational documentaries and was told that the ME64 might be a better on camera mic to supplement my lectrosonics 100 series wireless lav. What do you think of this mic?
 
Hi Soulfabric, what do you mean by obervational doc? Is that like nature observ? Would you be 6 ft, 15 ft, 25 ft away from subject? ME64 primarily designed for small interiors and close interviews (under 6 ft.).
 
Hi Rush - No, not like nature films. Films about people in the mode of Cinime Verite or Direct Cinema a lá the Maysles, D.A. Pennebaker, etc. Think "Don't Look Back" (about Bob Dylan).

I work without a tripod, recording life as lived, on the move, using wide angle shots taken at close range to give a sense of being part of the situation. I have an Audio Technica 835b that a sound recordest sometimes uses on a boom, as well as the wireless lav I mentioned above. I need something for on the camera to supplement the lav when I'm not using the longer shotgun. Sounds like the ME64 might be the ticket.

I'm trying to pop into EVS tomorrow to check out some of the soft bags. I'll say hello if I make it in.

Cheers,
Zac
 
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