DVX on a budget

V

vertigo

Active member
I have about $4,500-$4,700 to spend on a DVX and accesories. I thought I had it all figured out:

1) Camera - $3,300
2) Bogen Tripod - (503,525PKIT) - $770
3) Filters - UV/Polarizer/ND.6
4) Hoods, Case, Tapes, Batteries

Then I hear about the anamorphic adapter, chrosziel matte box, etc. I'm not sure what I should spend my money on. I'm planning on filming a few shorts this winter, so should I get the anamorphic adapter, or film 4.3 and crop it down in post until I do get one? Should I get a less expensive matte box like the Formatt to use with the standard lens? I also don't have any audio equipment picked out due to the fact that I was told to rent that stuff at first. But taken that I live in Virginia, there aren't many media rental houses around here.  Also I have no steadicam solution...I need major help...I'm not the kind of person that likes to buy less expensive things and work my way up to the better stuff. I like to go for it all right away, so if you could tell me what things I really need to successfully film a few quality shorts that would be great.
 
Re: DVX on a budget

Probably a .6 or a .7 (or both) Wide Angle adapter. That's another $300 and/or $600.

Dan
 
Re: DVX on a budget

Stick to what you said earlier, buy your cam with ND polarizer and UV filters, good tripod, extra batt perhaps? You need a good case for sure! Then leave all the nice-to-have toys until you have played with the cam for a while!

Bottom line, you DON"T need a matte box and you DON'T immediately need the Panamorphic adapter.

Cheers!
 
Re: DVX on a budget

Thanks guys. Do you think I should get a cheaper tripod, maybe around 300-400 bucks, and spend the extra money on a glidecam 4000 or audio equipment?
 
Re: DVX on a budget

Cheap tripod is like a cheap condom... why bother?
I should have used another analogy but I could not come up with a suitable one... ;D
 
Re: DVX on a budget

[quote author=vertigo link=board=Links;num=1095872158;start=0#3 date=09/22/04 at 12:20:48]Thanks guys. Do you think I should get a cheaper tripod, maybe around 300-400 bucks, and spend the extra money on a glidecam 4000 or audio equipment?[/quote]

well, you can definitely get a better price on the sticks. I got the same model plus a kata rain cover for $725. The rain cover alone is $70? It was a special at BH. Not sure what they are doing now, but you should look over their offerings closely. It is a nice tripod..but if you are on a budget..you could get some other legs with the 503 head.


after that,
I'd spend more money on good audio, rather than glidecam, etc. Good audio will cover your whole film. glidecam, etc. is for a few key shots. that's icing.
 
Re: DVX on a budget

Your decision over "what to buy" depends on what you intend to shoot. Given the weight of a DVX, you can same a little on the tripod, then audio would be a good next step.
 
Re: DVX on a budget

Well, here are the options that I see:

1) Get the Bogen 503,525PKIT (link below) or similar tripod kit, no audio and no glidecam for a few months.

http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=503525PKIT

OR

2) Get the Bogen 503 head with 3246 sticks (link for sticks below), and also get an AT4073a shotgun mic (most likely) OR a Glidecam 4000 Pro.

http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=EVS&Product_Code=3246

Suggestion?
 
Re: DVX on a budget

Don't ignore the possibility of picking up an Oktava MC012 from http://www.sound-room.com

You can get it with the hyper capsule for about $200. I use that for my boom mic and I've been extremely pleased with the results (especially when the price is factored in).

btw... I have the 503/525 combo and it rocks.
 
Re: DVX on a budget

I know there are tons of audio clips comparing it to other, much more expesive mics posted online. When I get home this afternoon, I'll try to put something up.
 
Re: DVX on a budget

Considering the price of the .7x and .6x wide angle lenses. Why not go for the Anamorphic ? Introduces 33% of additional field of view creates a nice aspect ratio suitable for films not just local news. I think Barry mentioned the anamorphic to be an equivalent of a .6x lens.
 
Re: DVX on a budget

[quote author=warmstepvision link=board=Links;num=1095872158;start=0#12 date=09/24/04 at 07:18:54]Considering the price of the .7x and .6x wide angle lenses. Why not go for the Anamorphic ? Introduces 33% of additional field of view creates a nice aspect ratio suitable for films not just local news. I think Barry mentioned the anamorphic to be an equivalent of a .6x lens. [/quote]

Well, if I'm already shooting Squeeze or Letterbox, wouldn't the Anamorphic do odd things?
 
Re: DVX on a budget

You wouldn't do both at the same time - you'd shoot anamorphic with the *camera* in 4:3 mode, or you'd not use the anamorphic and use squeeze or letterbox.

What I think warmstepvision is trying to say is that if you're mainly wanting a 16:9 frame, rather than using the wide angle lenses, just use the anamorphic lens - it's kinda like a two-for-one deal (if you want 16:9 and a wider field of view.)
 
Re: DVX on a budget

You can save yourself a lot of money on the camera by going to these two websites:

www.usaphotonation.com

www.royalcamera.com

They both have the ag-dvx100a for less than two grand, brand new, factory sealed, completely legit. That's where I'm buying mine.

Cheers,

Sam Potter
 
Re: DVX on a budget

..no disrepect to you personally at all sam  :),
but those stores you mentioned can only be described by the following:

scumbag-slime filled -pig bellied- lying- thieving- rat stank- 2 bit- run down- scam shop- bait n switch- low down dirty- wallapaloozing- garbage sludge- piss pot- no good- money hungry- rude- bad service- butt wiping- nasty hole in the wall - mop sink- greasy- wretched- putrid- donkey breath- mud slide- arm pit- sweat rag- foul play- low down dirty- sack of rocks- and a whoop whoop a ding dong locka locka doo doo a doo poopoity poo.



I wouldnt even take the time of day to call them because they are so lousy.     please do not attempt to buy anything from them.  they will rip you  off, and you will be sad. they are neither panasonic authorized, or legit with their prices as advertised. it is a scam through and through. it looks too good to be true because it is. stay away.. far...   far away.    and IMHO its not a good idea to encourage others to even begin to look for professional equipment at places such as that. you would be better off saving them all the hassle, and just kicking them in the head to give them the same end result.

again no disrespect to you at all , as i understand that you are probably just an unfortunate consumer who was lured in by their seemingly great prices on the items, just as many others are. if this is the case just laugh at the last part below ;)


P.S. if by any chance you are not an average consumer and actually wok for them. I hope you choke on a large fist from an angry customer, and have diarrhea coming out your mouth the rest of your lousy days .
 
Re: DVX on a budget

LOL...DVX100a for 1,900 bucks. sure, that's completely legit! *sarcasm* Anyway, I can't afford both the anamorphic adapter and the crosziel matte box...would I be okay for now just buying the camera, good tripod, anamorphic adapter, and some basic filters? (extra batteries and case also)...or should I just shoot 4:3 letterbox till I can afford both?
 
Re: DVX on a budget

[quote author=Mike_Donis link=board=Links;num=1095872158;start=0#14 date=09/24/04 at 08:08:27]You wouldn't do both at the same time - you'd shoot anamorphic with the *camera* in 4:3 mode, or you'd not use the anamorphic and use squeeze or letterbox.[/quote]

Damn. Now I'm curious about what it would look like with the ana and squeeze at the same time. :)

There goes another $800. Sigh.

Dan
 
Re: DVX on a budget

..you could stick to 4:3 and mask it, or you could shoot squeeze mode 16:9 and mask it if its not for big screen release. or you could just get the ana adaptor, and the cinetactics matteblow for it untill you can affordthe chrosiel. ... whatever you think will work best for you i guess ;)
 
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