DVX100b newbie questions

S

sethster

New member
Ok, so I am really new to all this. I am working on a film project with a buddy of mine and we are about to purchase the Panasonic DVX100b. I have spent most of the day reading through threads on this site but I still have a few questions:

1. What is the difference between the 100b and the 100a?

2. Is the 100b compatible with the Letus35 extreme?

3. I read that the Letus rail system is not very good and that the Cavision 15mm rail mount is better. Can anyone tell me where to purchase the Cavision rail mount and if there are any additional parts that i might need to purchase to make it work with the Letus35 extreme?

Thanks for the help! I really appreciate it.
 
that A and B are not much different. just don't get the DVX100p
the diffrence is here
http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/100b/

I would really not care if it's an A or B.
the B is more expencive so I would get the A and get a shotgun mic with the extra money.

I don't own a Letus so can't comment about that.......
but why would you spend so much on an adapter when your shooting in SD??
a lot of DVX owners make their own adapter in here.
 
Thanks ryvac.

I thought about making my own adapter but I need the image flipping feature and the .5 stop of light loss is very important for this project. If I was just playing around then I would definitely take a crack at making my own.

You don't happen to know if the 100a can flip the image internally do you? That will change things as far as the adapter is concerned. Thanks!
 
use the search section and search for flip methods.
you can flip the image on the dvx100a using a magnet.
but for the dvx100b you have do some mod on the lcd to flip it but you can get away with it.
just search and you should get the answer.
I know you will freakout when you think you have use a magnet or do some mod on the lcd but it's not really that hard, as long as you know what to do, you should be fine.

but if you have the money, just buy the dvx100b and letus.
 
Firstly, get a B model. They're SUPER cheap now compared to even a year ago. You can buy brand new from newegg.com for $2399 or from B&H for $2600. You can also EASILY find a used one with low hours for under $2000 here on the forums. The B models just look soo much better compared to an A model. Extra features are nice too.

I have never used the Letus personally, but we do own a Redrock M2 and I love it. Redrock is making TONS of accessories for the whole system too, so if you get more into it in the future, at least you know you can add on. If I remember right, the Letus doesn't have any rails right? If so, that scares me having that much weight anchored in on your lens or filter threads. Anyways, troll the forums more, there's a TON on if buying a DVX is worth it right now, and lots on the different 35mm adapters. Keep in mind NAB is soon, and with that comes lots of new stuff (HMC 150 ie new DVX) and also lower prices on whatever it replaces. If you can hold out another month, watch the DVX prices plummet with the news of the HMC coming out! Good luck, and welcome to the most informative forums you will EVER find!
 
Thanks JPJ. We just purchased the 100b. We need it asap to begin working on the project. I have read that you can use the cavision rail system with the letus and I am looking into it further. I really like what the M2 can do but for what we are doing, we will need something that inverts the image for us. We also need to be able to take the converter on and off in a pinch and from what I have read, the M2 can be cumbersome. How long does it take you generally to attach and detach the M2?

Again, thanks for all the help. This forum is awesome!
 
So the camera just came in today and it is SUH-WHEEEET! I cant wait to really test this baby out!

Anyone want to suggest the accessories they would like to have if they were filming a documentary in Cambodia? Thanks!
 
Friend,

Grats on your new Panny, as far as a 35mm lens adapter goes, I don't think you will need it in Cambodia, the biggest accessories I could recommend are many extra batteries and even an extra charger. Then I would go with a nice shotgun microphone.

Here is my recommendation about using a 35mm lens adapter. Learn the Camera first. The Adapter won't make you a better filmmaker/cinematographer. The DVX has so many great features deep down in the menu's, learn what everything does and learn it well, then start going for matte boxes and follow focus' and lens adapters.

I was the same way when i first got my panny, I wanted to grab a 35mm adapter. I just started experimenting with every little feature and truly learned how the camera functioned.

Good luck,
 
Thanks Mox,

I am holding off on the lens adapter for a bit while we play with the camera. I am definitely going to be purchasing some extra batteries. What batteries would you recommend getting?

I am interested in getting a shotgun mic as well. Do you have one that you use?
 
I don't think you really need to shuffle through a lot of the menus to achieve any sort of particular shots for a documentary in Cambodia. For the most part, all you'd need is the standard footage and anything you did want to touch up can easily be done in post via either final cut or AVID.

As for shotgun mics, i'm not too familiar with a whole whack of them except for a few lower end audio technica and senns.
If you're looking for something under $500, a sennheiser K6 with a ME-66 and/or ME-67 capsule (and then obviously a boom pole :P) . You'll be looking at something like $350 for the mic and one capsule, then $210 for an additional capsule...I don't think you'll need both though if your primary audio is going to be narration and interviews.
 
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