DVX100b or HVX200

A

arunrudra

New member
Hello friends

I am planning to make a film for theatrical release. Its a comic drama. As I am tight in my budget I decided to buy the panasonic DVX100 or HV200. But i am not able to decide which one to go with. I read about the specifications of these.I want a camera which when transferred to 35mm film gives the filmic look.

Please advice.
 
Both can achieve the filming look to about the same degree, but the HVX can do it in HD, while the DVX is better in low light.

For more control over DOF, you'll want a 35mm adapter both either camera.
 
Go HVX200. In 1 year when you finish the film, SD will probably feel even more out-dated and I am willing to bet that an SD vs HD product would hurt your chances of theatrical distribution.

If you just planned for DVD release, you could get away with SD. Many people see our work on a DVX and mistake it for HD. With a few post-production tricks, you can really make the DVX shine.
 
If you are so tight on your budget that you cannot decide between a HVX and a DVX how do you think you are going to get a print made?
 
I youre going to raise the money for a feature to be shot. you can rent a higher end camera for the month for the price of a HVX200 and cards.
 
I have a DVX100B, and I'm looking to buy an HVX200 soon. So my answer will undoubtably be, get an HVX200. Really, native widescreen, 4:2:2 in SD and HD... That alone is worth the price difference, and will future proof your upcoming projects.

Plus, if you're looking to upscale to 35mm, HD in 4:2:2 will give you a much better quality to print then DV by far!!! Beg borrow, or steal, but get the HVX200.... No, don't steal, but wait until you get the budget for it.
 
Yeah if you're just shooting one project rental is always the best way to go. The reason we as a production company have bought basically every element of making a production from start to finish is because we intend to make lots of projects. For us 4 music videos a month would be a good start, but still not enough. Renting equipment is a total ripoff at some point, especially paying daily rates over and over again. If you rent for a month you always get awesome deals, but if you rent for one day, then a week later you rent for another day, etc., you end up getting hosed.

I rented the 17" Panasonic monitor for one day for $250 because B&H hadn't shipped my order on time, and that's only a $2,800 monitor. I love it how they said, "Well, there's also the case you're renting with it." No I'm not you 'tards. I'm renting the monitor, I couldn't care less if it stays in great shape, I don't own it, YOU are providing me with the case to protect YOUR investment. God rental companies, I swear.

Anyway, rent a better camera.

I can't believe people actually blow up SD to 35mm, I mean I'm sure it can look respectable but come on. If you're going to print to 35mm please shoot in 2K at least, for everyone's sake. Film is scanned at 4K.
 
SD holds up ok on film, assuming you have a DP who is amazing. Chances are if you can't afford a HD cam, your DP isn't that hot either. But I guess what I'm saying is that you're much better off with a pro shooter and an amateur camera than the other way around. And you're also much better off with an amateur shooter, an amateur cam, and $4000 than if you've got an amateur shooter, an awesome cam, and $0.
 
I think it really depends on the look your script demands...both cameras are great and will hold up fine when blown up. Unless you have serious completion funds the chances of making a 35mm print are slim. There's a good chance your project will end up on DVD (which is still a huge and profitable market).
Check out the for sale section on this forum...there are several HVX and DVX100 cameras for sale and you can compare prices.
Here's one:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=112685

Good luck!
 
...all depends on what you are expecting as an end product. Sometimes it's best to works backwards. That is, define your end product and work backwards to fill what you need to get to that product.

I don't know if I'm making sense but I used to work for a high end drum scanning and printing studio and the first thing was to get a client to define what they expected as their end product. Then we stepped backwards to fill in how we were going to deliver that product.

Maybe the camera choice will become apparent as you backtrack.
 
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