DVX100a: buy/not buy and other dilemmas

[24Ponderer]

Hi all, my first post on the forum, hopefully you experienced gurus out there or people in similar situations can give me insights on my dilemma.

Basically I feel like I need to buy a DV camera right now to shoot shorts and horn my dv skills. Trained and working as a digital photographer, I feel like image quality and manual control are the key, so I have chosen DVX100a as the perfect camera.

However, due to budget constraint, I may not be able to afford this beast, especially since I live in Malaysia where the local currency is weak. Another factor is, I have not seriously filmed, shot, directed and marketed any movies before.

So, my questions are:

1. As an aspiring filmmaker, do you think I should settle for the latest PV-GS400 (no 24P) as the cheaper alternative? Would this severely limit my growth very quickly especially that I am technically-inclined already.

2. Or do you agree with the approach of "story first, equipment later" mantra?

3. Also, I live in the PAL region, so PAL version of DVX100 is being sold here. If my goal is to output to film/tv/dvd, basically to strive for "film look," should I go with the PAL version or NTSC? I am a bit confused because I read some say PAL version although at 25p, but it has higher resolution.

4. How different is 25p vs. 24p? Why doesn't Panasonic include 24p on the PAL version cameras?

5. Let's say my intention is to strive for film-look (24p), and I want to sell my content to both the PAL region (home country) and overseas (NTSC, eg. US, Canada etc..), which is a better version to buy to retain all the (cheap and high quality) options for conversion later?

6. Does this PAL/NTSC dilemma of DVX apply to the PV-G400 alternative that I am considering? I suspect there are others issues involved here because PV-GS400 doesn't exactly have 24p, so in this case, is my choice between NTSC and PAL more clear-cut?

7. A technical question. What is the filter thread size of the Leica lens on the DVX? I wonder if all the filters and attachments from my photography work can be used on the lens? Is the lens shade easy to take off?

8. Last but not least, do you know off any trustworthy vendors from whom I can order the DVX?

Thanks and I look forward to your help!

 

[Barry_Green]

Re: DVX100a: buy/not buy and other dilemmas

[quote author=24Ponderer link=board=Links;num=1094747150;start=0#0 date=09/09/04 at 09:25:50]1. As an aspiring filmmaker, do you think I should settle for the latest PV-GS400 (no 24P) as the cheaper alternative? Would this severely limit my growth very quickly especially that I am technically-inclined already.[/quote]
Two conflicting pieces of advice here: first, don't buy something you can't afford. But second, don't settle for something you don't want... you'll resent it every time you pull it out of its bag to use it. There's nothing about a GS400 that would limit you... remember that the first DOGME movie, "the celebration", was shot on a Sony PC7, which had arguably the worst image quality of any available DV camera at the time! Certainly no 24P, no manual controls to speak of, its only advantage was its tiny, tiny size. So a GS400 would seem heaven-sent compared to the PC7.

2. Or do you agree with the approach of "story first, equipment later" mantra?

The best equipment in the world cannot save a lousy story. The worst equipment in the world cannot squelch a great story. If you develop a truly great story, people with good equipment will fall over themselves rushing to help you out.

3. Also, I live in the PAL region, so PAL version of DVX100 is being sold here. If my goal is to output to film/tv/dvd, basically to strive for "film look," should I go with the PAL version or NTSC?

Go PAL.

4. How different is 25p vs. 24p? Why doesn't Panasonic include 24p on the PAL version cameras?

There is almost no difference whatsoever. Panasonic designed these cameras to deliver the film look on television, and 25P on PAL does exactly that.

5. Let's say my intention is to strive for film-look (24p), and I want to sell my content to both the PAL region (home country) and overseas (NTSC, eg. US, Canada etc..), which is a better version to buy to retain all the (cheap and high quality) options for conversion later?

Doesn't make a hill of beans' worth of difference. Either way you'd have to convert one to the other, and 24P converts to 25P just as easily as 25P converts to 24P.

6. Does this PAL/NTSC dilemma of DVX apply to the PV-G400 alternative that I am considering? I suspect there are others issues involved here because PV-GS400 doesn't exactly have 24p, so in this case, is my choice between NTSC and PAL more clear-cut?

The GS400 has "frame mode", which gives you a pretty good simulation of 25P. But in the NTSC version, it simulates 30P, which would be disastrous for you because 30P cannot be converted to PAL. So definitely go PAL: you're in a PAL country, and 25P (or GS400/frame mode) is close enough.

7. A technical question. What is the filter thread size of the Leica lens on the DVX? I wonder if all the filters and attachments from my photography work can be used on the lens? Is the lens shade easy to take off?

72mm. You can use step-up rings if your filters are larger than 72mm, but smaller than 72mm would involve vignetting. The lens shade can be removed easily in about five seconds.

8. Last but not least, do you know off any trustworthy vendors from whom I can order the DVX?

If I were you I'd try to find an authorized dealer in your country, but I don't know anything about the PAL marketplace.

 

[taubkin]

Re: DVX100a: buy/not buy and other dilemmas

You have other options befor going for a GS400. Nothing aggainst it, but maybe you could buy a TRV950, PDX10, VX2100, GL2, DVX100 "Classic". I don't know what's your budget, but if you think a GS400 is the next best deal besides the DVX, you need serious research.

 

[john8wong]

We are a Singapore startup company. Looking for an amateur filmmaker to help us produce a product launch video on a shoe-string budget.

The product we have is pretty revolutionary - it is a Nail Jett Printer. Yes - it prints nail art direct onto ladies' finger nail.

Contact me at john8wong@yahoo.com.au.

If you are keen.