Getting an HVX and lookin for some quick tips.

Sheppy52

Well-known member
Short version:
I'm getting
-HVX200
-Pelican 1510 (To bring it home with me to Puerto Rico)
-82mm UV filter
-4GB p2 card (should hold me til I get my free 8GB)
I have access to:
-Tripod
-Lowell Lighting kit
-Mic

Ordering from B&H - HVX200FX package (HVX and 4GB card) for $5,730(two day air shipping included)

Anything else you guys recommend to start off my journey with an HVX? Or maybe a cheaper deal (from an authorized dealer)

Slightly longer version:
OK, so I'm finally gonna pony up for my own camera (After some prize winnings) and why not break into the scene in a big way? I already have access to a mic, tripod and lighting kits from my school. All I am ordering right now is The HVX 4GB p2 card combo (that should hold me over til I get the free 8GB one). I ordered a pelican 1510 case with foam to bring it with my over X-mas vacation back home (to Puerto Rico :-D) and an 82mm UV protection filter is on its way. Any other small details I am overlooking for now? I might ask for another battery for xmas but I have some money left over for something I might need. Maybe an M2 in the near future (I want to get used to the HVX b4 I delve into THAT world). I looked into the Firestore and heard mixed things about it so, although 100GB does sound great, I don' think I will need THAT much space yet while I'm getting used to it. Your thoughts?
 
Yeah I was going to go through them but they are sold out. And I need it before I leave this coming up weekend. No idea when they would ge that. The batteries were tempting but I figure I spend an extra 200 dollars and get it a month earlier (I don't want to ship it to PR). So YOU are one of the guys that bought out the HVX's hehe. Enjoy it man.
 
You will need some kind of storage to offload your footage. A laptop with a large HD and then an external fw800 drive for backup/safety and streaming from.
 
Get a linear polarizer and save a few bucks. You don't need to use a circular polarizer. I'm using a linear and it works just fine.
 
Polarizer...I'll put one of those in the cart. I like the look of the warm circular polarizers but they are pricey. Are they worth it? It says in the picture next to it that it is a simulted image so I don't know if the difference is really like it shows in the before and after. If so I will get one.
 
Don't buy it from specc-com. I tried placing an order with them last week, days later I called to find out the status and they said they were out of cameras and would be for weeks. I would have appreciated it if they had let me know that they were out.
 
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Tom please let (I think its Andrew) from spec comm that comes here know. From what I gather these guys are usually on top of it and would probably appreciate that feedback.

They always seem willing to please.

Oh yes, sheppy get the circular pl. What Mic/s do you have access to? A solid set of headphones are a must.

I guess the rest depends on what you plan to do with the cam.
 
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ncje said:
Tom please let (I think its Andrew) from spec comm that comes here know. From what I gather these guys are usually on top of it and would probably appreciate that feedback.

They always seem willing to please.

Oh yes, sheppy get the circular pl. What Mic/s do you have access to? A solid set of headphones are a must.

I guess the rest depends on what you plan to do with the cam.

To be honest I don't know what mics...they are shotgun mics and I have access to a boom pole as well. I have done some work with them and they faired quite well. If my audio needs kick up then I'll spring for my own. So you are saying the circular polarizer makes a big difference? I know how polarizers help rid glare, and it seems as though the circular polarizers give richer colors(something that could not be tweaked in post?) I know the glare factor cannot be.
 
I just ordered two cameras and two 8gb cards from Spec-Comm. Everything has gone great so far. They told me the cameras were in stock and would ship that day. One of the cards would ship the following day when it came in, and the second card was backordered for a couple of weeks.

I just got the cameras today and UPS tracking says the first card will be here tomorrow. Just like they told me....

As far as filters, I have only used UV ones for lens pretection. Is there a detailed write up of all the different filters and the exact conditions you should use them in somewhere?
 
jdfilms said:
I just ordered two cameras and two 8gb cards from Spec-Comm. Everything has gone great so far. They told me the cameras were in stock and would ship that day. One of the cards would ship the following day when it came in, and the second card was backordered for a couple of weeks.

I just got the cameras today and UPS tracking says the first card will be here tomorrow. Just like they told me....

When did you order yours? I ordered mine at the beginning of last week. After they didn't respond to my email (after I made the purchase, they promptly responded to all emails before) I called them and they told me they would be sold out for weeks. This really pissed me off because it was now a week after I had made my purchase and I had to cancel my order with them and drive into the city to get one at B&H.
 
I ordered mine Tuesday morning the 5th. I am in CA so it took almost a week for shipping. Maybe I got the last two they had? I know they were out of 8gb cards until the next day and all were spoken for except one they shipped to me, which UPS just dropped of 20 minutes ago.
 
i'm in the process of downgrading from XD (i'm news cameraman with bad back, need lighter camera)
i got my company to buy me a HVX-200 (shooting DV at the moment P2 cards on there way) i cut on avid.
I've made them buy me, Extra Batteries, Rain Cover, UV filter, PAG C6 top light, i've put a senheiser 416 on as the top mic. Get a descent tripod
ian
 
I'd also add chargers too. The batteries take a long long time to charge. You can get them cheap. I think I got 4 chargers for 50 bucks with shipping included.


I'd also think about getting a shoulder stablilizing system. Lots out there. That spiderbrace is sweet for like 70 bucks. I'd also spring for an LED light on top.
 
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