equipment needed and choices

Y

Yoey

New member
Just signed up here... though I've lurked in the shadows for a couple weeks.

'm preparing some equipment for an upcoming film... which will be my first semi-serious film.

I am looking to get a DVX100, probably used from ebay (using escrow.com because of all the damn scammers). I've pretty much decided on this camera, but feel free to try to convince me of some other one.

For a mic I've heard that the KM266 is pretty much the one to get, any other suggestions here?

I'll also need a tripod. Will I be sorry if I get a relatively cheap one? Are 'good' tripods, really that much better then regular tripods?

Lights I think I have already taken care of.

Thanks in advance for the advice.
 
Re: equipment needed and choices

Hi Yoey, and welcome to DVXuser! ;D

If there is a way for you to get a local store and get the used camera, it's better in the long run than getting a bad used camera and having to pay for shipping back and forth, even if you use escrow.

KM266?  Who's the manufacturer?

You should be able to get a great starter tripod that you will own for 10 years or more for $270:
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=3221WN501

I have had a similar kit from bogen for at least 6 years.

There is also a cheaper kit for $207:
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=3178N

It is not quite as sturdy, but it is light and will get you going.

I have heard good things about the Libec M-20 also, even though I have never used it.  It runs $199.

Hope that helps.
 
Re: equipment needed and choices

Hey Rush, I'll be calling you this weekend to buy a 100A...

But as far as tripods go...the one for 270 has the 501 fluid head which is supposed to be really nice. Is it worth the $70? It sure seems like it.

Thanks for your advice, I think I've read all your posts!
 
Re: equipment needed and choices

I have the 501 and am very happy. When I decide to 'move up' to the 503 or beyond, the 501 will make a great second unit or run and gun tripod.

This is another example of EVS not upselling me and keeping me realistic. :D
 
Re: equipment needed and choices

[quote author=TheAmateurPro link=board=Links;num=1081227548;start=0#2 date=04/06/04 at 23:53:22]Hey Rush, I'll be calling you this weekend to buy a 100A...

But as far as tripods go...the one for 270 has the 501 fluid head which is supposed to be really nice. Is it worth the $70? It sure seems like it.

Thanks for your advice, I think I've read all your posts! [/quote] Thanks AmPro! By the way, you can email me on the weekend, but we are not open for business on the weekend, so you can't call unfortunately. We are here until 5pm Pacific on Friday, back in at 9am on Monday morning.
 
Re: equipment needed and choices

Awesome, thanks to all for the good advice. I would have thought that tripods would be cheaper though, like I figured there would be something for less than $100. I'll probably end up with the $200 but it depends on how much money I have left over once I have the camera.
 
Re: equipment needed and choices

[quote author=Yoey link=board=Links;num=1081227548;start=0#8 date=04/09/04 at 15:44:57]Awesome, thanks to all for the good advice.  I would have thought that tripods would be cheaper though, like I figured there would be something for less than $100.  I'll probably end up with the $200 but it depends on how much money I have left over once I have the camera.[/quote]

;D

You're going to find that this is NOT a cheap field to be in . . . .

;D
 
Re: equipment needed and choices

[quote author=Yoey link=board=Links;num=1081227548;start=0#8 date=04/09/04 at 15:44:57]Awesome, thanks to all for the good advice.  I would have thought that tripods would be cheaper though, like I figured there would be something for less than $100.  I'll probably end up with the $200 but it depends on how much money I have left over once I have the camera.[/quote]
you can alwais use a chair ( that coldbe adolly :-))
and coffee table for low angles
good things cost money , bad things cost you more , dont buy garbitch invest in tripod which can live for long time
 
Re: equipment needed and choices

So, I'm confused here. The Bogen 501 is not a fluid head? What makes it so smooth then? As compared to cheap tripods you can get from Best Buy for $50?
 
Re: equipment needed and choices

[quote author=Yoey link=board=Links;num=1081227548;start=0#8 date=04/09/04 at 15:44:57]Awesome, thanks to all for the good advice.  I would have thought that tripods would be cheaper though, like I figured there would be something for less than $100.[/quote]

Yoey, I had the same sticker shock. I have been using the "cheap" tripods for years. They are good for lightweight still cameras, and if you use them right, for lightweight video cameras. When I do event videography, I always shoot with a minimum of three cameras. I edit in post, cutting between cameras. At virtually no point do you actually see camera movement. All camera movement as shots are reframed are cutting room floor. Because of this, I have gotten away with the cheap ones.

Fast forward to now, I have a DVX100a arriving from EVS this week and I'm looking into real tripods.

Back to the sticker shock. Relatively speaking, a $270 video tripod IS a cheap (i.e., inexpensive) tripod. Video tripods can cost thousands.
 
Re: equipment needed and choices

Yoey, that link takes me to their homepage... What model number is the tripod legs?
 
Re: equipment needed and choices

sorry about that, it is listed as

MANFROTTO 055A W/501 VIDEO HEAD
 
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