Getting set up.

C

Chancer

Member
Hi,

I am still photographer starting work on a multimedia project over the next few months for a non-profit. I am new to video but very excited at the prospect of expanding my skills. The equipment budget for the video side of the project is $10,000. It is difficult to say exactly at this stage what type of shooting will be undertaken, but we can expect some basic documentary shooting (I expect mostly interiors) as well as some interviews and talking heads.

As I see it we will need:

1HVX
X2 PS cards (one free with rebate)
Final Cut
Tripod
Microphone
Lights (may use still strobes with modeling light for video)

The organization want to get the best they can for the money they have been funded, as they will keep the equipment after this project and will use it into the future. My question is how would you guys use a $10,000 budget to set yourselves up from scratch. Also, is it actually possible to get a full set up for the HVX for $10,000, or will the price of the cards, tripod, lights etc. force the budget towards the DVX?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

James.
 
$5299.00 for HVX200 with 8Gb p2 card.
$1200 for second card.
FCS $1200 full price
$1600.00 for Sachtler tripod/head
$1000.00 for Lav/Wireless Micr

$10300 without lights

Where do you want to skimp?
 
1 HVX + 2nd card =$6500 - if you buy used, you can get it for much less.
Do you have a laptop for transfers?
PC xfer laptop = $700
1 sennheiser g2 wireless = $500
1 Audio Technica at4073a shotgun = $550
1 Lowell DV light kit = ~$1000.
Bogen 516 + 525 legs = $800.
Varizoom zoom controller = $200
cables, monitor (SD), etc ~ rest of money

Treat FCP & Post as a separate budget item.
 
James, I've ALWAYS told people throwing $3,000 at a camera instead of $5,500 for the HVX would be a mistake. You'll regret it very soon.
But if you are totally starting from scratch and there isn't a dollar more then $10,000, you'll be hard pressed to make it fly.
You never mentioned what the power or version of computer you are putting FCP on. Will it handle the DVCPro .mxf files?

There are cables, extension cords, adapters, disk storage, decks, monitors, gels/scrims, Gaff Tape, filters, books, application plugings, upgrades, camera cases, gear bags and a lot of other stuff you don't know you need till you go out on your first shoot.

I'm not trying to discourage you, but a camera, base computer mike and light don't make for a production package.

I'd try for more money. Buying used can help, but it's still going to be tight.
I wish you a lot of luck my friend.
 
Thanks!

Thanks!

Thanks to those that have replied already! Your info is very much appreciated. As this has come up a couple of times... I'm running a Mac Powerbook G4 (12"). I'm about to max out the RAM, which will take it 1.25GB... or maybe up to 2GB, i'm not sure for the 12"? I presume this will be sufficient? Unfortunately the 12" Powerbook doesn't take the P2 cards like the 15" and 17".

TeddRR: It may be possible to squeeze out a few more bucks... I appreciate your attention to detail on the little things that are not considered and tend to add up.
 
TedRR said:
James, I've ALWAYS told people throwing $3,000 at a camera instead of $5,500 for the HVX would be a mistake. You'll regret it very soon.
Click to expand...
I couldn't agree more - that's why I just bought an HVX and now have the DVX I bought 6 weeks ago up for sale.
 
Your powerbook is not enough, mainly because it has no PCMIA port. What speed is the g4? My suggestion:

HVX+complimentary card- 5200
Firestore- 2000
FCS-1000
Microphone (wireless lavalier x 2 ) 500 (this for interviews and corporate) get a boom or onboard better mic for 400 or 500

Used Powermac g4 15" with 1.67 ghz and 2gig ram- about 800

Total- 10 000.

(Lights are very important, too. If you could get an extra 1000 for them, that would be ideal)
 
12" screen will be a b$$ch to edit on too.

Use hardware store lights until you get some more dollars together.
 
Make sure your "Lights (may use still strobes with modeling light for video)" don't have fans built in or it will be a problem for sound.
Even if your shooting inside most rooms have windows, that will cause the color temp to have to be daylight. You can use Blue gell (CTB) on your lights but it will reduce your stop by 1f to 1.5f. Another option is to put orange gell CTO on the windows. Putting the gell on the windows will reduce the stop outside and that could be to your advantage. The down side being time to put up the gell on the window (with no ripples) and the cost of the gell about $125 (shop around) per roll or 26'. The gell can be reused.
Another option is rentals.
You can get a experanced sound man with all mics. mixers, booms... who will help you put up your lights for around $525.00/10 hours. This will of course cause you to plan all of the shots that need sound to be shot on one day. You'll save $450.00 and you wont have to worry about sound.
 
Last edited:
Thanks again!

Thanks again!

More valuable input–thanks again!

The point has been raised that my computer may not be up to the task at hand. I failed to mention that the speed of the processor is 1.33GHz. It will def take 1.25GB of RAM maybe 2GB. Sure editing would be an issue on a 12" screen, but I have a large 2nd monitor which I use for my own photo, design, mutimedia work.

So will the cpu cut it? I would rather not be forced into having to purchase another machine as the budget already seems tight.

If it does, how would you folks get around the PCMIA port issue? What is the cheapest (most sensible) option for data transfer? Can you even firewire the camera straight to the cpu at the end of your shoot if you are using cards?

The firestore option is looking a little more appealing... If it can hold 100GB and is the same price as 2 P2 cards its seems to make much more sense. Besides the fact that you have to carry the thing is there any reason that this shouldn't be first choice?
 
NeverColdCall said:
I just bought an HVX and now have the DVX I bought 6 weeks ago up for sale.
Click to expand...

I swear I wish we could get your story out to all those people who buy for today not realizing the 30% increase you spend today will give you years more return on your investment. Not to mention the resale when you move on to a "big brother" version.

Maybe we could send you to NAB to tell your story at the "other guys" booth! :beer: I'll be right there with you.
 
You small screen underpower PB with limited RAM.

If you can edit economically, then what you have is going to sit in the cam.

You can get a decent MacBook with DVI out with 2 Gbs of RAM for about $1200.00 that will run FCP very well.

No PC card slot, but you can FW transfer from the cam
 
Update...

Update...

I'm pleased to say that I have managed to eek out another $1,500 into the budget :) . I am really hoping that its not necessary to purchase a new laptop, but would this be the wisest investment with those extra $$$'s? I am interested to hear more on the P2 vs Firestore too if anyone has some input. I'm opting for the firestore as is solves the PCMIA input problem if I can still use my exsisting powerbook. At the moment its looking like the definates are...

HVX200 $5200
Firestore $2000
Final Cut $1200
Mic/s $ 900
-----------------------
$9300

This would leave $2,200 which would be a decent budget for lights, a tripod and all the bits and pieces. But if I do need to purcase a new laptop I can expect to cut a large chunk out of this. I am new to this so I don't mind if FC runs slowly on my existing machine, as I will be pretty slow myself. I just need to know if it is workable. Thanks again!
 
Funny how that little bit more can get you in a whole new game. CONGRATULATIONS! :thumbup:

I'd buy lights and Mikes used. (I rarely do, but you need every $$$ you can save for now).
I'd try and use the system you have instead of making a baby step up and running out of money. Wait to get a kick arss system later.
Slow systems mostly, (I said mostly), just slow down your post work. Very rarely will you run into a "showstopper".

Once you do a few projects and have added all the misc. stuff you find that you need, only then would I begin to spend the remainder of your money on the weak links in your workflow.
In time you'll find what you NEED. Trust me, you WILL find stuff you didn't buy the first go-around.

And if they came up with $1,5000 more this time, maybe they could do it again when you show them how good you are.
Good luck.
 
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