DVX100B pros and cons

debitproductions

Active member
Im in the market for a new camera and I defiantly want to get a DVX but im a little skeptical, and have a few questions and some input from everyone would be great!

I have enough cash for a DVX100B but is this really the best 3 Chip camera for its price. I've seen footage filmed on a DVX100 and I love it, but how exactly does it stack up against Canons, or Sony's equivalent 3 Chip in the similar price range. I have also heard that the DVX 100A dropped the capability to do timelapses when it went to DVX100B. Is that true?

All in all the DVX is top of my list for cameras right now but a little insight from those who own, and know them best, would be fantastic to make up my mind for certain.
 
the DVX100b has a lot going for it and I'm trying to make the same choice. Sucks doesn't it. I'm going to wait about a month or so and see what the reviews on the new Canon A1 are and just see what else might come out. But if I had to buy today. I would get the DVX100. In October if the DVX100 is still $3,500 and the new Canon A1 is $3,999. It would make more sense to buy the Canon. If the DVX has a nice drop in price I might go that route. It's a tough choice.
 
DVX100A's have time lapse. DVX100's are pretty old and have issues with FCP and advanced pulldown.
 
It is true that the DVX100B does not have the time lapse capability. Something to do with the redesign of tape-loading mechanism. It was a feature that I would have preferred to have but couldn't pass up the deal I got on my 100B.

I can't compare the 100B to the other cameras that you may be looking at, but I for one love my Panny!
 
that really blows that they would change that feature when they updated the model.

What did you mean DVX100's have issues with FCP? all DVX100's or just the 100b?
 
I made this choice and got the DVX100b. Unless you are going to consistently use timelapse, the improvements are worth it. It has less noise than any DVX, is built better with a stronger baseplate, tape mechanism, has the LCD letterbox bars etc, does not echo with headphones, etc. It rocks. Check out some stills from it here, but remember that I had a 35 mm adapter on it too so there is some grain from that.

www.strickenthemovie.com and click on media

If you need to do basic timelapse, I just record at 60i and then speed up in post.
 
I did not know the DVX-100 (original) had issues with Final Cut. I use it (still) and I edit with Avid, and no problems here.
 
I love my 100b. Although I too was concerned over the loss of timelapse ability, I found that it's just as easy to let the camera run and then speed it up in post. For the cloud footage that I was after it worked great. For longer timelapse sequences (a flower blooming, for example), it would be difficult if not impossible without the intervelometer.

As for making the jump to HD, take into consideration the hardware upgrades you may need to make in order to handle the HD workflow.
 
msconce said:
I made this choice and got the DVX100b. Unless you are going to consistently use timelapse, the improvements are worth it. It has less noise than any DVX, is built better with a stronger baseplate, tape mechanism, has the LCD letterbox bars etc, does not echo with headphones, etc. It rocks.

I have to agree with everything here... BTW, nice screengrabs from your movie msconce. I love the music choice, too!
 
Rent the cameras you want to evaluate and see for yourself. Then purchase. Its not a popularity contest. If you have even an ounce of technical ability you can make up your own mind.

Do a completely objective evaluation...



Then once you buy your DVX ask us about the accessories!
 
TheatreGuy said:
I have to agree with everything here... BTW, nice screengrabs from your movie msconce. I love the music choice, too!

Thanks! I would recommend a digital camera for time lapse. Just set it up and record some High Def flowers blooming. Use the awesomeness of the DVX100b for everything else. :)
 
Renting would have already been done if only I lived in an area where it were possible. Saint John N.B. is alas lacking any shops to allow the testing. But after some more research I think I will go with the DVX100B I found an awesome price and I'm more than happy with the screen grabs I've seen especially your colour graded ones, msconce, those kicked my ass.

And what's this I hear of SLR cameras doing fantastic time lapses? I've seen a few and they look phenomenal! How the hell are they set up to do that?! do you need a specific camera with a specific feature?
 
msconce said:
Thanks! I would recommend a digital camera for time lapse. Just set it up and record some High Def flowers blooming. Use the awesomeness of the DVX100b for everything else. :)

I never thought of using an SLR for time-lapse in video. I have a Nikon D70 but I am not aware of any setting that automatically shoots time-lapse. Is that what you mean or do you manually trigger the camera a few times an hour? If that's the case, you could do the same with the DVX100B.

Would love to know more.
 
There has been no destinct definition as to the original post .. just 3ccd. THe DVX100B is a 1/3" 3 ccd standard definition camera. How does it stack up to other SD cameras in its price range? It's the gun!

How does the image stack up to HD? Depends on the camera your talking about.
 
Whoa! That is some great stuff on 599production.com! I definitely need to take a closer look at my Nikon!

I feel like we're threadjackin but since you started this thread, I don't feel too bad!
 
TheatreGuy

I have a Nikon Coolpix 8800 and it has that same capability and I'll bet yours does too.

Best,

Rob
 
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