DVX100B as first camera ever

I own a GL2 and used it for about a year and a half before I got a 100B. I'd have to say that both cameras produce some good imagery, however the 100B comes out on top in alot of ways.

FIRST of all, it is really difficult to rack focus with the GL2 because of the small LCD size. On the DVX100B, the LCD is over twice the size of the GL2's and it is also really crisp resolution, making it really easy to manually focus, so thats a big plus. This also goes for the eye piece view finder, the DVX100B's is awesome, very very sharp, however, its a bit small, but it still beats the GL2's

A SECOND aspect that the DVX100A and B has over the GL2 is that it has alot more formats to record in. 24p, 30p, 60i, while the GL2 only has 60i and a "frame" mode that basically aims at mimicking 30p-ish looking footage. Not to put the GL2 down, It still produces good looking footage, just not the 24fps progressice scan footage that looks oh so sweet.

When looking at the footage of both the cameras in FCP or any editor the DVX100B looks more film like and also holds blacks a bit better than the GL2. However, the GL2 does produce some really rich colored footage, but there are limits to the ways you can adjust settings on the camera.

This brings up a THIRD point. the DVX100B has far far far greater ability to control how the image looks. It has Knee, gamma, pedestal, sharpness, color gain, line sharpness, etc...controls that can potentially produce stunning imagery with far greater color fidelity that greatly adds to the production value of a film, or basically anything shot with it.

As for the price difference, its it definatly worth it if you want to get into making good looking films. In my opinion, if you can get the money to but the DVX100B, I would def. get it over the GL2.

However, all in all ( I know this is cliche, but it is the truth) it doesnt really matter what type of camera you use. It is really the story, or at least the ideas presented within the story that move the audience to connect to a film. I just watched a film shot with a handycam and it was great.
 
I just bought a DVX100b as my first camera and i was really really really freaking out over the huge purchase. However I'm pretty darn satisfied with the purchase. ITs good for beginners because it produces stunning imagery out of the box, and it's also a very advanced camera so you wont have any ideas about upgrading to get a better cam when you learn more. Say you get a GL2 and when you progress you decide to get a dvx. I reckon a DVX is cheaper than a GL2 PLUS a DVX.

Furthermore, in the aesthetics and build department, the camera reeks professionalism. It looks great, feels great, and it looks badass and 'pro'. The GL2 just looks like a handycam on steroids. Not to mention the DVX has a really rugged magnesium alloy chasis. When you feel it in your hands you really think 'man, this cam can sure take a hit'(thats not a suggestion).
 
I went from the Sony VX2000, which was an awesome camera in it's own right, to a DVXB and actually today is my first real shoot with it. But, from the experiments I have done, it was the right move. Oh, get a good case to protect that investment...
 
I've shot with both cameras...I'd go for the DVX hands down. The focusing and aperture control allows you to get that lovely shallow depth of field cinematic look so hard to come by with most DV cameras.
 
Can you hear the chant?

DVX, DVX, DVX, DVX, DVX, DVX, DVX!!!!! The crowd goes wild!

Seriously, I have the B and it is awesome. I am extremely happy. And trust me I went through the WOW that's a lot of dough phase too. I also knew that it would cost a lot of money for the necessary add ons (tripod, mic(s), case) but had no idea the lust I would have for the way more expensive add ons (35mm adapter, lenses, better mics, crane, dolly, stedicam, wide angle adapter, etc.).
 
I have a 100A and (unless something huge comes down the block) I can see the next camera I get being something like a 2/3" HD cam. I think that the DVX holds the middle ground up to that point all on its own.
 
Yeah, the DVX is about the fourth camera i've used before, but the first real camera, if you catch my drift. Short of HD cams, it's probably the best thing out there that doesn't require a shoulder mount. When I show it to my friends and family the general response is "wow." Can't wait to actually shoot something on it. Should be happening in approximately 24 hours.
 
If you are trying to do narrative work and are thus going for the filmish look, the DVX100 is the way to go no contest. It delivers higher resolution, 24p framerate, richer colors, and much more better image control. The DVX100 is also preferible to the Canon XL1 which is also cheaper.

As far as budget SD goes, the DVX100 and Canon XL2 are really the only options for the big boys.
 
Dear All:

Sorry if you found this as a cross post. I tried to learn a lot from your converssations and really I learnt a lot. But I am a stupid to undrstand what is the difference between DVCam,DVCPro, DVX HDV, HVX etc. Can anybody give some light in this context.

I have USD 8000 to invest for a new camera. But dont have the idea where should I invest. Usually here in our country cinematographers used to with Sony DV cameras e.g. DSR 290, DSR 350, DSR 400 etc. I would like to do Documneatary, Drama Serials and Low budget TV commercials with this camera. Can anybody suggest me which one will be my investment and WHY? Can I edit my shoots in any DV panel / any VTR machine?

Pl forgive me for stupid questions. I really learn to become a director.

Thanks a lot.
 
HVX, DVX, XL2, XLH1, Z1 are al camcorders.

DV, DVCPRO, HDCAM, HDV, HDCAM SR, DVCPRO HD are all recording formats.

HVX = DV, DVCPRO, DVCPRO HD
DVX = DV
Z1 = DV, HDV
XL2 = DV
XLH1 = DV, HDV.

If you want quality DVCPRO HD is the best format to record in.
If you want HD with cheap tapes HDV is the best.
If you want SD with cheap tapes DV is the best.
If you want SD with the best possible quality DVCPRO 50 is the best.

Then we have different frame rates and resolutions inside the formats.

If ypu want to do proffesional commersials 24P/25P is a must.

If you have 8000 to invest my choise would be the HVX because i think thats the most versitile cam out there.
 
mini-DV=SD recording medium with 4:1:1 compression (your color is 75% compressed).

DVCPro50=SD recording medium with 4:2:2 compression (color is 50% compressed)

HDV=HD recording medium with 4:2:0 compression (still 75% compression) and interframe encoding which means that intead of having pure frames, only certain key frames are recorded and others are artificially guessed using the codec (can lead to image breakup when there is a lot of motion and creates editing hassels).

DVCProHD=SD recording medium with 4:2:2 compression.

As for the cameras:

Pansonic DVX100B=SD camera with the ability to do 24p. Has very nice looking colors, a smooth film-like gamma curve, and is fairly sharp for SD. Shoots to mini-DV tape and has tended to be the camera of choice for low budget independent digital cinema. $3500

Canon XL2=SD camera which can also do 24p. Colors and gamma not as filmlike as DVX100 (to my eye) but still very pretty. Higher resolution than DVX100 in widescreen but not in fullscreen. Shoots to mini-DV tapes and has the ability to swap out lenses. $3700

Sony Z1=HD camera that produces fairly sharp but not very pretty looking images. It lacks true 24p and the colors and gamma look closer to very sharp news cameras than film. Not much image control. Shoots to HDV tapes that are cheap but have a lot of drawbacks. Good for documentary perhaps but bad for narrative in my book. $5000

JVC HD100=HD camera that looks pretty decent and can do true 24p. It's fairly sharp with a pretty good gamma curve. I personally find that the colors leave something to be desired but there are a lot of image controls. Standard lense is kind of crappy but can be switched out. Shoots to HDV tape. $5200

Pansonic HVX200=HD camera that shoots to very expensive P2 cards. Has the best colors and gamma curve of the bunch for my money, also has the highest lattitude (range of lights and darks it can record) and the most sensitivity (can record in darker environments). P2 cards let users record in DV, DVCPro, or DVCPro HD which means much less compression. Uses lower rez CCDs and pixel shifts them to get an HD image with less light neccesary than the other cameras. Some claim it's not as sharp as the HD100 while other argue that the HD100 only looks sharper because of edge enhancment (fake resolution through contrast rather than detail). Those who have done serious analysis of images from both cameras seem to indicate this the case. Has the ability to do true 24p. Also has the ability to record JUST 24 frames a second instead of spreading it out over a 60 field signal like the others do. This also allows it to use variable frame rates so one can do true slow motion and fast motion. $5500+P2 card cost

Canon XL H1=HD camera that uses 24f, an odd way of creating 24 fps that blends fields and hurts the overal resolution. Aside from 24f though, the XLH1 is easily the sharpest of these HD cameras. It's gamma curve is decent and it's colors are quite nice, not as nice as the HVX200 but far better than the HD100 in my eye. Also has the ability to switch lenses. Shoots to HDV tape with all it's flaws and problems. What's worse, 24f makes it impossible for HDV decks or other camcorders to read Canon's HDV tapes. This means that you'll have to use your camera to capture all your footage which can wear down the head and turn it into a nine thousand dollar paperweight. Has the option for uncompressed output (losing all the irritating HDV problems) to a hardrive but this option is quite expensive, especially since the camera is already more than the others. $9000
 
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