Essential Accessories...

SplitVision

SplitVision

Well-known member
So I finally got my DVX-100a from EVS (after dealing with all that Japanese BS from Digital Liquidators that you might have seen on my other post).
But I only have the camera, a case, and a couple DVXuser batteries in the mail.

So I was wondering what other "essential" accessories should I pick up next. My budget is rather limited, but I would still like to know what items you DVX pro's just can't live without. I do mostly commercial/corporate videography, with a bit of music video thrown in for fun.

Please help me come up with the perfect shooting kit!


(links would be much appreciated as well)
 
I'll give a couple recommendations with the caveat that I too just got my DVX and I haven't really put it to work too much yet. Anyway, accessories....

1)A good CRT Monitor. - You'll need a monitor so you can see exactly what the camera sees. The LCD monitor and viewfinder don't show you the entire picture the camera is recording/processing. They underscan the image and display it the way it will be displayed on a normal 4:3 tv set. Also, the LCD cannot be set to show the exact colors the camera is seeing. A CRT monitor can be calibrated with color bars to reproduce the exact same colors. I got the cheapest JVC monitor EVS had for about $640.

2)Microphones - If you're doing corporate or event videos, the mic that is on the camera will not cut it. I got the Audio Technica AT897 and Gitzo boom pole from EVS for about $350. I got it because I figured this would be the minimum sound setup I could get away with (I'm doing mostly music videos and some shorts.)

3)Tripod - You didn't mention that you got one, but if you want rock-solid professional looking shots, you'll definitely need one. Everyone raves about the Bogen 503/525 tripods. Personally, I splurged a little more for a Sachtler because I love them, but basically you need a tripod with a fluid head to do smooth moves.

I would consider these items the minimum to do serious, professional work. Hope it helps.
-Ryan
 
Guess you slipped in there while I was writing DJQuikFingaz:) but I was told that since the DVX lens already has UV protection on it, all you really need is a clear filter to protect the lens. That should save you a little bit of money. Saved me two cents to post here:)
-Ryan
 
i would say, a mattebox and follow focus system. They are big upgrades, but damn, do they sure make a difference.
 
SplitVision said:
So I finally got my DVX-100a from EVS (after dealing with all that Japanese BS from Digital Liquidators that you might have seen on my other post).
Click to expand...

good to hear you were able to undo the deal with digital liquidators and go legit with evs...
t :laugh:
 
HybridCreations said:
Guess you slipped in there while I was writing DJQuikFingaz:) but I was told that since the DVX lens already has UV protection on it, all you really need is a clear filter to protect the lens. That should save you a little bit of money. Saved me two cents to post here:)
-Ryan
Click to expand...

UV filter, clear filter, poopy filter...bottom line put something over your freakin' lens.:thumbsup:
 
Split Vision, congratulations on your healthy breakup :grin: and thank you for your business.

You just got a lot of great advice in those posts. Personally, I was a bit skewed in my purchases, I bought my lights first (DeSisti, Lowel and Arri bits and pieces), then wireless (EW500 kit) then tripod (Bogen 503/755BK then Vinten Vision 3), then camera (what else?), softcase, then mic (ME66 for outdoor and ME64 for interviews, saving for MKH416). At one point, I owned 16 Junior 2K lights with combo stands. :grin: I just got a used 8" Sony Monitor and a Mattebox/rods.

The one purchase that helped my shots the most was the Vinten tripod. Followed by the wireless set, then the lights/monitor. the reason being that you could always use practicals or small Pro-lights to do basic lighting, but nothing makes up for a bad diagonal pan/tilt, or poor audio because the performer turned his head away from the camera. If you will mostly do one-person shoots, a wireless system is key, and a good shotgun on the camera helps you with all the run and gun stuff, as well as boomed shots.

But then I was making my money doing lighting long before I owned my own video camera, a whole 10 years! :huh: Before that, we had to shoot on beta, which was $26K for a camera, so it just didn't make sense. When the DVX came out, I snatched it up, and never looked back. :thumbsup:
 
All these suggestions are very good.
But nobody mentioned something i *really* couldnt shoot with: a wideangle attachment.

obviously it depends on your needs, but in both film and documentary projects you will soon get to a point where you need one.

i personally use a century optics .6x which is great.
Alternatively you might think to get a 16:9 lens which provides you a wider shot at least on the horizontal axis. but that would impy other issues with focusing and framing.

Andrea
 
Baluardo, where did you get your wide angle attachment? I was thinking about getting one but I'm not sure what it does. Or rather, I'm a bit confused. Does it make the image wider or does it zoom in more? Aren't they around $600 for one? I kinda wanted to get a fisheye attachment but I can't seem to find one anywhere. Can you help me out with the different attachments for the DVX100 lense?

And how exactly does a matte box improve the image? I'm not doubting that it does, I'm just wondering why it does. Obviously you can put some good filters using it, but without the filters what difference does the matte box make? Does blocking out the light really help? What is it about the matte box that makes the images better?
 
secretpickle:
i got my century .6x from bhphotovideo.com at 350$. the link is
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=274286&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

obviously there are other dealers (you will find them in the same century optics pages im telling you here).

if you go to the century optics website you will find more tech info about what they have for the dvx100:
http://www.centuryoptics.com/products/prodv/dvx100/dvx100.htm

the one i have is the following:
http://www.centuryoptics.com/products/prodv/dvx100/6x_wa/6x_wa.htm

there are also fisheye attachments. be aware that fisheye generate a super wide angle of view and are usually not suitable for all applications, but for very special point of views or similar.

also be aware that some lenses allow you to use the zoom just partially (my .6x allows you to zoom about half the way). depends on the price also.

if you go in the details of each lens, there's a small window where you can check yourself the effect of each lens. wideangle lenses (.6x, .7x) widen your view, telephoto lenses (1.6x, 2x) shrink it, allowing you to zoom farther.

obviously there are more manifacturers. personally i can tell you that my lens is a great bargain for its quality.

anyway, if you think it's not worth spending $$$ on a fisheye, but you would like to get some weird superwide shots here and there, you may want to consider this:
http://www.neilslade.com/Papers/DVXlens.html

for a wider view on the lens attachments, you may want to look at this section of bhphotovideo:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=breadCrumb&A=search&Q=&ci=2102
you can restrict the search for 72mm and bayonet mount

before buying anything ask this forum's opinion! there are a lot of 'less than perfect' lenses out there :)

About the matte box: I'll leave this to the matte box experts, but on the same century optics page you will find some tech info.

Andrea
 
secretpickle said:
Does it make the image wider or does it zoom in more?
Click to expand...

Using a wide-angle adapter makes it like you can zoom out more. The image is quite a bit wider, depending on which wide-angle adapter you are using. You see more of the room when using a wide-angle adapter -- everything's smaller, as if you were further away.
 
I agree that a wideangle lens is an excellent addition, especially when using jibs or doing handheld shots. It allows the shooter to imply motion much better.
 
thanks everyone, this thread has been extremely helpful.

so i have decided to immediately buy a lens set (UV, polarizing, diffusion). does anyone suggest a particular brand? i've found Opteka and Crystal Optics on ebay for pretty cheap. recommendations?...

also, im pretty set into getting a good fluid head tripod, seems like the bogen 503 is a popular choice. anyone have any negative experiences with this one? i've also been looking at the vision 3, but its double the cost of the bogen. is there a big difference between these two?

thanks again!
 
also, im pretty set into getting a good fluid head tripod, seems like the bogen 503 is a popular choice. anyone have any negative experiences with this one? i've also been looking at the vision 3, but its double the cost of the bogen. is there a big difference between these two?

The Bogen 503 as well as a bunch of other "usual suspects" often listed on this board are fine. I just picked up a used (but new condition) Miller 20 Series II. I absolutely love this thing. It was fully reconditioned. It works great with my dvx and can also opperate extremely well with my heavier cameras (including a 35mm Cameflex). It's obviously so much lighter then my O'conner and comes with Compact II sticks and mid-level spreader.
 
SplitVision said:
thanks everyone, this thread has been extremely helpful.

so i have decided to immediately buy a lens set (UV, polarizing, diffusion). does anyone suggest a particular brand? i've found Opteka and Crystal Optics on ebay for pretty cheap. recommendations?...

also, im pretty set into getting a good fluid head tripod, seems like the bogen 503 is a popular choice. anyone have any negative experiences with this one? i've also been looking at the vision 3, but its double the cost of the bogen. is there a big difference between these two?

thanks again!
Click to expand...

Don't go with any of that ebay crap. Just get a Tiffen or Schneider uv filter from EVS. Or I think they offer a 3 piece kit too. I have a 503 and love mine.
 
Baluardo said:
i personally use a century optics .6x which is great.
Alternatively you might think to get a 16:9 lens which provides you a wider shot at least on the horizontal axis. but that would impy other issues with focusing and framing.

Andrea
Click to expand...

i second the century optics .6x suggestion. it was one of the first accessories i bought after the camera. you'll leave it on 90% of the time.
 
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