Essentials for new DVX100 owner.

Tim Miller

Tim Miller

Well-known member
Hello all,

So what are the essentials for a new DVX100 owner? We all know the necessities, case, tapes, Barry's book...what about the others? Is there a order to shoot for in purchasing them if you start from nothing? Certain brand names and/or models? Its like we are all kids in a giant really expensive candy store mainly found on the interent. :shocked:
 
With any MiniDV camera always buy somekind of Matte Box. A matte box enables you to use filters that will makes your images better and more pro looking!
 
Lol @chicagoman.

Anyhow, get a good 72mm UV filter and slap it on the front before you shoot your first image. Seriously! From there, it varies from person to person. A tripod, microphone, and extra battery are always good things for starters. A case is nice, too, although I don't have a good one yet.

What are your needs? If you're shooting weddings it's a very different story from if you're shooting independent movies.
 
Lights are good. The camera is fine and dandy, but not much fun in the dark. (okay I'm sure a few sickos on here will find a way to disagree)
 
Since when did having fun in the dark become "sick"????:thumbsup: You want to see sick, look for the post from the guy that has the video of a mouse dying on a trap.......:thumbdown
 
Sirius_Doggy said:
Since when did having fun in the dark become "sick"????:thumbsup: You want to see sick, look for the post from the guy that has the video of a mouse dying on a trap.......:thumbdown
Click to expand...

Well thanks for making notice of me but really my parents had just caught the mouse in the trap and there was nothing I could have done. I just pointed the camera at it and rolled tape.
 
Sirius_Doggy said:
and my dog just took a dump...doesn't mean I'm pulling out the camera....:evil:
Click to expand...

And thats perfectly well and good for you. However, my intent is what is in question here. At no point did what I film turn into blood and gore. At no point did I promote what I I filmed as a laughing matter. I took quite a symphathetic stance for the animal. If you watch films like Oldboy where an octopus was literally eaten alive, my short is quite tame compared to that.
 
But anyways, the camer is mainly for indie movies and maybe if anything other comes around that I can make a quick buck. Thanks for the ideas. Next on the list may be a light or two or a nice tripod/head. Or maybe a pony.
 
"... and maybe if anything other comes around that I can make a quick buck."

Good. That's the RIGHT way to be thinking. Cheerio.
 
If you want to make movies or short films or anything, lights are key. I believe you can do fine with about 50 dollars worth of lights you can buy at home depot and some filters you can buy at lighting stores (CTB, diffusion, etc.) Others will disagree, and will be correct because "real" lights work much better: you can get 1000w instead of 200w max, you can focus them, adjust the barndoors, get more consistant color temperatures, use dimmers, get less flicker, etc. etc. But the difference between no lights and 50 dollar lights is much larger than the difference between 50 dollar lights and 2000 dollar kits, and working with cheap lights will allow you to learn the basics of lighting. Video is also more forgiving for lighting than film. For serious! If you have the two grand, though...well, it's something to look into. Some foamcore reflectors may help for outdoor shoots, too, and they're really cheap.

A good mic is also nice to have if you have a boom mic operator on your crew (meaning you're not the only person on your crew, as I have been). Even a mediocre shotgun mic, used correctly on a boom pole, can give you amazingly better audio. Expect to pay 250-400 dollars for an at897 or sennheiser k-66 combo. Also make sure to "dampen" echo-y rooms by hanging blankets around walls. Again, this isn't necessary since you can do post-dubbing, but the built in mic pics up everything, so a directional mic will help a lot.

A good tripod is always nice. I have a 501 head on bogen legs. Cost me around 300, but you can get good tripods for considerably less, or splurge and get a 503 head which is much better and helps you get smoother pans in 24p mode.

A polarizer might be helpful, but it depends what you want to do. They're about 40 dollars.

I like extra batteries, you may not need one.

Steadicams, jibs, dollies, etc. are all expensive but help production values a lot. Maybe they're best for rentals only, though.

Anyhow, the good thing is that all you really need to get started is a decent tripod, maybe a few cheap lights, the UV filter (be careful with the lens!) and some people to shoot something with. You can buy more as you go along.
 
UV filter, a Tripod (like a 503), and some tapes,

Buy everything else as you needed it and are ready. It takes time to pick a place to go. I would focus on audio first, then lights, then everything else.
 
galt said:
UV filter, a Tripod (like a 503), and some tapes,

Buy everything else as you needed it and are ready. It takes time to pick a place to go. I would focus on audio first, then lights, then everything else.
Click to expand...


Hey Galt, what do you suggest for audio?

I'll be shooting a few different sorts in a couple of weeks and haven't looked into audio yet.....
:embarasse
 
Coffee, with 263 posts surely you have seen a few of these threads. It seems amazing that you haven't realized that audio is almost more important than video. Indeed, anyone can buy a camera, audio is what identifies the true craftsman/professional IMHO. There are a couple of threads every week in the audio forum, just look back thru them for newbie, getting started type headings.

Audio is a big deal. When you are new, it takes time to even figure out what you will be shooting, and what kind of environments. And most people need to be prepared for a variety of situations. That determines the type of mics (plural) needed. Then specific brands and models depend on your budget and again on your end goal. I shoot a lot of interviews, so lav mics are my #1 choice and I have three options with the DVX (and others with my 1CCD) . I use a Giant Squid with my iRiver, and a Countryman B3 into my DVX. The Senn G2 wireless omni lav mic is used when I need wireless. But other types of shooting have different needs. You can see my whole kit at http://www.VeniceDigitalVideo.com/locationDVXkit.htm
But your needs and choices will likely be different.
 
Coffee's list is about to grow, exponentially.
I own as much/or more audio gear as I do camera (excluding lighting). Yes, that is saying a lot.

There are indoor mics, outdoor mics, wireless mics, clip-on mics, short boom pole, long boom pole, field mixer, headphones, eng breakaway cable, etc.... That's why I don't have a Dual G5, yet.
 
Wells, A breakaway cable is a cable between a handheld mic and your DVX? Did I guess right?

Coffee, plan about $100 for a decent set of headphones too. :)
 
Policecar had it nailed.
Good Camera+Good Lights+Good Mic+Good Script+Good Actors+Good Direction=Good Film
You can work out the math.
You have to be good/ if not great in ALL areas.
 
jpbankesmercer said:
Policecar had it nailed.
Good Camera+Good Lights+Good Mic+Good Script+Good Actors+Good Direction=Good Film
You can work out the math.
You have to be good/ if not great in ALL areas.
Click to expand...

... Or, involve others who are more capable in the areas you're not.
 
galt said:
Coffee, with 263 posts surely you have seen a few of these threads. It seems amazing that you haven't realized that audio is almost more important than video. Indeed, anyone can buy a camera, audio is what identifies the true craftsman/professional IMHO. There are a couple of threads every week in the audio forum, just look back thru them for newbie, getting started type headings.

Audio is a big deal. When you are new, it takes time to even figure out what you will be shooting, and what kind of environments. And most people need to be prepared for a variety of situations. That determines the type of mics (plural) needed. Then specific brands and models depend on your budget and again on your end goal. I shoot a lot of interviews, so lav mics are my #1 choice and I have three options with the DVX (and others with my 1CCD) . I use a Giant Squid with my iRiver, and a Countryman B3 into my DVX. The Senn G2 wireless omni lav mic is used when I need wireless. But other types of shooting have different needs. You can see my whole kit at http://www.VeniceDigitalVideo.com/locationDVXkit.htm
But your needs and choices will likely be different.
Click to expand...



Yeah, I've "seen" them but haven't done much research in that area yet, that's why I'm starting now.
:happy:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top