DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

K

Kristofer

Member
I think i have decided to shot my documentary on the DVX100, I have just to decide to buy a brand new DVX100 for a REAL bargain or the DVX100A for a good price.
The DVX100 superprice is because a place has one in stock that they have trouble selling since the DVX100A came along ...

I'll probably shoot 24P and use the anamorphic lens as the output will be DVD/TV ...

//Kris :)
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

I don't have either, but have been doing a lot of research on both and have a DVX100a on order. Cost has got to make your decision for you. We were very tight on budget, but found one to borrow so were able to buy a new 100a. The 100 is a first generation unit from Panasonic, so there have been quite a few reports of weaknesses. On the other hand, there haven't been too many problems or people wouldn't be buying the 100a's as fast as they hit the shelves. If you can get a new 100 for a killer price (it really depends on how killer it is), then you are probably in good shape. If you aren't saving much (warranty also makes a difference), then you are best off going with the new camera and paying the $165 for an extra 4 years of warranty. Also, if you haven't already, read the threads about tapes, as doing the right thing there will lengthen the life of your camera.

Hope this helps.
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

[quote author=jsaint link=board=Events;num=1090314151;start=0#1 date=07/20/04 at 08:10:35]I don't have either, ...The 100 is a first generation unit from Panasonic, so there have been quite a few reports of weaknesses. [/quote]

I think this is a bit misleading--the original DVX100 is not associated with any significant problems or "weaknesses". The DVX100a was an ugrade influenced by the wish lists of DVX100 owners. Most of the added features amounted to added software or firmware upgrades that represent small, but useful additional features. I have the original DVX100 and have felt no great compulsion to upgrade.

Your decision should be guided by the type of shooting you do and whether the new features will be really useful for you. Some folks have to have the latest and the greatest, but my own philosphy is to look for value and make your budget go further. If you can get 95% of the same camera for 70% of the price--why not use the difference in price to put the money where it will work harder for you--in upgraded audio or lighting gear.
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

As an original 100 owner, I sure would like to have a 100A instead. So measure the price difference carefully -- if it's under $400, getting a 100A should be a no-brainer.
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

A is nice, but the $2200 deal i got on my 100 w/ 24 hours on the heads and still warranty on it was more than better than paying 3500$ for an A
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

Agreed -- for a $1300 difference there's no doubt the original was the right way to go. But for someone shopping new, $400 is easily worth it to get an 'A'. $1300... er, I don't think so. But $400, maybe $500, yep - get the 'A' if the price difference is that small.
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

Yes--The absolute minimum discount I would consider for an original 100 would be 20% off of the current price--about $700 less. if the store wants to get rid of it then hopefully your discount is more than that.
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

Its called "the classic" boys . . . "the classic". The "DVX100 Classic Series", you know, the original groundbreaker, built like they dont make them anymore ;) So remeber the 100 is a piece of history that you might have wanted to pay more for also. (Just kidding) Plus you can also say . . . I got one just like Barry's. I love this place!
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

In fact, you can buy our exact cameras--they're very collectable and fine tuned to perfection. We'll even include our secret scene files. Only $3500 each or $6995 for the pair. ;D
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

Or, you could buy the Barry Green "Signature Edition" (where's my Sharpie?) for just $3495, a savings of $5 off the Barry_S(tm) and Matthew(tm) models! ;D
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

LOL . . . imagine! Didnt Clapton and Hendrix sell thier guitars for big bucks, why not have the same appriciation with cameras. Hendrix remakes of the fender include the cigarette stains and pick scratches imitations, like there is a guy at fender who uses the neck of that particular model as an ash tray! So I'm buying a bunch of DVX's and giving them my used look!
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

yeah...makes me laugh...

and what about Gibson Historic 'Aged" 59 Les Pauls...you pay more for a ton of scratches...
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

Kristofer

Are u planning to buy a DVX 100A or 100AE??

You said 24P...so is it 100A u are thinking of?

Just curious..
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

I have two friends with one of each. The one with the 100 convinced us what a good camera it is. So we both bought the 100a. The orginal owner had told me how he couldn't justify getting the 100a for the price. The first shoot I went with him on, he saw the enhanced color over the 100 and the first words out of his mouth were I should have bought the 100a. I'm new at this but the 100a makes color look better then it really is.
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

Yeah, when I was deciding which camera to buy there was a shop in my city that was trying to get rid of the 100 for about $1000 off the retail. that was a huge considering factor as I was trying to load up on all the equipment that I needed. But from reading this board and talking to some people that had used it I went the 100a way. and all though It cost more it's done. And I know that if I had cut cost and cheaped out I would be sitting here saying why... why.... why.... But don't get me wrong, the 100 is still a superb camera but the fixed audio sync problems in for the 100a and better color, plus the gain up in 24fps and autofocus when in a jam.
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

...the biggest advantages of the DVX100A over the original DVX100 are:

1-better colors (maybe because of the new prism)
2-better lattitude because of the new DSP and cinelikeD gamma mode
(about 1 1/2 f/stop more)
3-very easy to focus with the detail enhancer (not recorded to tape)
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

The biggest advantages of the 100A over the 100, in my opinion, are:
1) peaking feature for the viewfinder
2) smoother manual zoom ring
3) closer minimum focus distance
4) slow shutter speeds
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

I tested the DVX100 against the DVX100A for my current project. As some of you know I mainly use a Panasonic SDX 900 camera.

So I placed these three cameras on a tripod and did some sample shoots. For interior shoots I did use the normal lightening condition of the room in combination with Dedolights (24V, 150 W, 3200 K) to highlight dark areas. For outside shoots and wide shoots in the field I used Polfilters and ND Filters.

I my opinion the image quality of the DVX 100A is significant better (latitude, color reproduction) especially under difficult lightening conditions. I need to combine footage of the DVX with footage of the SDX 900. These two cameras fit together better in operation and image quality.

But how could you estimate such in difference in money value? The “old” DVX 100 is a very good camera sufficient for most projects. The list of successful films made with this camera is very long. It has a certain look. If I could buy a DVX 100 for a bargain I guess I would always invest the extra money for the DVX100A in sound and light or in the film budget.

I found as a good starting point for information on both cameras the article of Adam Wilt. He has also some sample shots of footage of both cameras:
http://www.adamwilt.com/24p/index.html
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

I opted for the DVX100 a week or two after the 'A' was released, due to the sharp $700 price difference. Granted, the 'A' had some qualities I'd love to have had (audio sync fixed, better color reproduction, better focus and some of the contrast issues fixed), but the DVX100 had been used in major productions already with astounding results. The $700 difference meant I could have the camera right then and there, after the price was cut.

Depending on the difference in price between the two, there's one thing in common: both are excellent cameras, the closest prosumer models that resemble non-journalistic video making. For a three or four pound camera to reproduce the frame rate of film and have such lovely colors, as well as being allowed to be controlled manually, means that this camera is the closest to the filmmaker's friend that we have right now.
 
Re: DVX100 cheap or DVX100A at regular?

Well I'll probably go with the DVX100 over the DVX100A, mainly because of the HUGE moneysaving I would be doing, but also because it's a small camera compared to the XL2 which would be an alternative if i would start to consider a DVX100A. That is one of the main reasons why i'm interested in the DVX100, i'm more discrete with tha Panasonic ...
Thanks for all your inputs, I'll post my decision :)

//Kris
 
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