DVX100 or HD100? Let me know your opinion

I

Ivan Oe

Member
Hi:

I've spent the last week reading a lot of opinions in this wonderful forum (and a lot more in other forums, articles,...). Still so far from an expert but enough to take some things clear.

I'm going to purchase a new camera and i'm in trouble. I've watch a lot of footage available on the net and, in new HDV cameras regard, the JVC HD100 (HD101 here in Europe) seems the better above all that technic data: Simply the clips i watch are astonishing (specially from PappasArts). HVX200 and HL1 are very good too, but don't have that "touch" (or "film look") of HD100. But i'm considering the DVX100 too. Why? It's easy: Bring DVX100 home with daddy costs 2800€ and HD101 5400€.

I know HD101 image quality it's greater than DVX100, have more "pro" look, very good manual lens, but the question is: Worth it?

I'm a rookie filmmaker with a lot of good intentions but it's time to go out and shoot something and learn throw my own experience (big mistakes included) instead throw the experience of others.

I want a rough cam, good "film look" (thinking about mini35 too) to make some shorts i want to free from my mind. After that, who knows: Maybe could shot a long too or blow to 35mm (don't wanna be pretentious yet, jejejejjejeje). Has DVX100 good perspective of future yet? Or it's near his defunction 'cause his Big Bro?

Maybe my appreciations are wrong: Tell me. Your thought will be priceless for me. Please, don´t flood me with tech data. I wanna know about your own experience. Some native footage will be welcome too.


Thanks a lot, guys.



PD: Really sorry for my grammar. My english language skills are low.
 
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If you're just starting out, it makes little sense to buy the most expensive camera. I mean, how much will "image quality" affect your results, vs. the sheer process of learning your skills?

If I were in your position I'd look at a used DVX100. You should be able to get it for under 2000 Euros, and really there's no reason to go spending five or six thousand on a camera that is most likely well above your skill level. Learn on the less expensive tool, and upgrade when your skills warrant upgrading. When you get to the point where the camera itself is limiting you, that's when you should look into upgrading. And, by that time, there may be many other, newer tools to choose from.

But this is the advice I'd give to anyone starting out -- don't overextend yourself at the beginning. Get something that does what you need, but I really don't see the rationale in spending twice as much when, in all likelihood, it'll be a year or two before you have developed your skillset to the point where any particular camera is limiting you.
 
Also, if you're starting out, I assume you don't have a tripod, lights, grip gear, case, extra batteries etc. You will need your money for those things.

I did the cheap route. Got a Canon Xm2 and not the Xl1s. Best things I did at the time cause I don't use the cam that much and I had all the money for all the extra goodies.
 
Wow, Barry, VERY USEFUL recomendation. Clear and concise.

Aza, well pointed out. I was thinking about that before but i'm not sure about what things are really necesary for start. What kind of tripod could be appropiate? What do you think about a Matte Box? Does it make the difference?


Thanks for the response
 
First, in order to the best enlightenment, two useful links (that, of course, I'm not sure if you know them):

[regarding SD vs. HD]
LINK1

[DVX vs. HD100]
LINK2

Secondly, SD it's not future, HD it is.

I'm sorry my friend :) Barry, but this time I must disagree with you. Europe is not US. Here, the time is not the same. And any investment has a peculiar add-value so much different than at yours. The question is I'm speaking with a little bit more european experience than any american fellow. I born and I'm working here and BTW, now, I'm posting from Vigo, Spain...maybe it helps to understand anything. As well, I'm afraid there isn't time, at this moment, to explain with other arguments why HD100 it is always the better option than any SD camera. Including the greatest DVX and despite the excellent picture that it is possible to get from there. It's enough to watch Miguel's Similo to follow it.

EDIT -- On the other hand, in Spain, the used market it doesn't work similar US but maybe it will not be difficult to get one for a reasonable price, considering the HVX announcement and soon availability. Specially, at e-bay/online. If it will be the case of looking for a bargain, it will be a chance comparing the most expensive cost of the HD100. But if the money it isn't a big deal, I wouldn't hesitate one sole second...
 
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We recently were making the same decision: DVX or HD100 (or XL2). The DVX is a great camera and if it fits the budget, I would say go with it. I've been using one for the last year it's really been nice. It's smaller size is a certainly an advantage at times and it makes a wonderful image. As others have pointed out, it requires less (expensive) accessories and make your overall cost significantly cheaper.

For the HD100, you will need a better tripod and a professional battery system (like the IDX system they were giving away for free). Then again, the HD100 makes for a pretty nice SD cam too (as does the HVX I'm sure). We ended up spending about $6k for camera and tripod. The battery system was free, but that deal is over now, so tack on another $800. We would have gotten out for about $4k for the equivalent DVX system.

Ultimately, we wanted widescreen and a true manual lens. XL2 or JVC. A new XL2 with manual lens was about the same price as the JVC, so we went with the HD100. From the sounds of your post, I'd probably go with a used DVX - you should be able to get a good price. Then again, I saw a used XL2 with manual lens on DVinfo for $2500 - that's a steal.
 
Ivan Oe said:
jejejejjejeje). Have DVX100 good perspective of future yet? Or it's near his defunction 'cause his Big Bro?
Click to expand...
Get the DVX.

Ivan Oe said:
What kind of tripod could be appropiate? What do you think about a Matte Box?
Click to expand...
Get a good tripod. At least a Bogen 503 head. The Cartoni Focus is really nice and will be more than enough should you want to upgrade your camera, or add a 35mm adaptor & lens, rails, mattebox etc, in the future.

Initially, you won't need a mattebox, unless you'll be using and switching many filters.

Ivan Oe said:
I'm a rookie filmmaker with a lot of good intentions but it's time to go out and shoot something
Click to expand...

There are some nice locations to film, in the El Sol district. Good luck!
 
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Hi,

I forgot to mention that my edit computer is a powerbook 17" (1,5Gb and 250Gb Firewire 800) and i don't want to spend much money in this area.

Is it very limited for the HDV format?


Thank you all for the replies. Very useful.


PD: CienAlta, as you said, La Costa del Sol, in the south of Spain, it's an impressive and inspiring place to shoot. A LOT of sun!!! I was looking for the Cartoni Focus tripod and it's a little expensive (1400$ aprox.), but take in consideration as a good investment.
 
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Right now, FCP kinda stinks with 720p24. We've been importing and having it convert to AIC, so processor power is not a huge deal (not editing native HDV). You lose batch recapture ability and if you don't buy HDVXDV, the "free" method of capturing 720p24 straight to AIC means you lose the audio. For us, we don't really care since we are doing double system sound.

FCP does support native HDV if you shoot in 720p30, but I haven't shot anything with our JVC at that frame rate. I can't tell you how my powerbook 1.25 handles that.
 
Finally, the decision is to invest in a HD cam. I know that maybe is too much for a beginner but it's a difference of 2k$ and i think that worth it to purchase a longer life machine.

The veredict: HVX200 (great price, no issues to avoid, affordable and better codec) vs HD100 (Mamma mia, the footage looks great, so "organic"!!, pretty cam)


Thank you all for your opinions. You all make this forum the greatest and valuable source of information i ever saw.

Iván
 
Ivan Oe said:
Wow, Barry, VERY USEFUL recomendation. Clear and concise.

Aza, well pointed out. I was thinking about that before but i'm not sure about what things are really necesary for start. What kind of tripod could be appropiate? What do you think about a Matte Box? Does it make the difference?


Thanks for the response
Click to expand...
BASICS
  • Sennheiser Me66/k6 shotgun mic ------$479.00
  • Bogen Manfrotto 30011N Tripod
    with fluid head ---------------------------$250.00
  • UV filter (must) ---------------------------$75
  • Polarizing Filter (should)-------------------$75
  • Petrol DVX dufflebag with rain cover ----$199.00
  • 20 master Q DV tapes---------------------$100.00
...actually - found this kit and it's a great deal froma good name in lensesCANON: 72mm UV, Polarizer, .8ND, and a filter case -------- $114.00!!!!!good deal so here's a link
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12570&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
  • Audio Techinica AT 8415 lowprofile
    shock mount with horsehoe adaptor-----$60
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Gitzo 9' aluminum boom pole ------------$195
  • Sennheiser wireless mic (g2) ------------$499
  • Sennheiser wireless mic (g2)
    with shotgun buttplug -----------$900.00
  • 35mm adaptor -----------------------------$650
  • lenses for adaptor --------------------------$150 - $500 each
So DVX for $ 2000 (used but under warranty)
plus all of the above ($3500) = $5500

I know I didn't touch lights.
Then there's DV cranes, dollies, "steadycams"

What else guys?
 
Barry_Green said:
But this is the advice I'd give to anyone starting out -- don't overextend yourself at the beginning. Get something that does what you need, but I really don't see the rationale in spending twice as much when, in all likelihood, it'll be a year or two before you have developed your skillset to the point where any particular camera is limiting you.
Click to expand...

I'm probably just being dim, but what does it mean that your camera is limiting you?

I use my dvx a fair amount.... Do you mean I know how to tweak all the settings to optimum effect in any given situation? At that point the only improvement would be a different camera?
 
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