Help a film student decide...

JBurkey

JBurkey

Active member
on the best way to spend his limited student loans. I would LOVE a dvx. I froth at the mouth just thinking about it. But I can't justify the expense as of yet. I need to come in at several hundred dollars less than a shiny new DVX100A from EVS will cost me.

What I'm wondering is if the DVC30 or DVC60 are good alternatives. Obvioiusly neither have 24p and some other features as well as CCD size. Are they essentially the same camera (one shoulder mount, one not?) Does anyone have any experience with these cams? Any advice to offer?

I'm looking at one of these, maybe a GL2, but I've heard some not so great things about the tape transport mechanism in the Canon. Sonys don't seem to have what I'm looking for in this price range so they're kinda out. Might I appeal to the expertise of you DV masters?

Thanks for your input. Feel free to offer whatever snippets (or novellas) you can.

Jerry
 
The first generation DVC80 was kick ass: not shoulder mount, and basically a DVX without 24p. I saw a used one in good condition on ebay last week. They are like a pd-150, only better, if you ask me
 
As is stated in a number of other forums it depends on what you are going to be using the camera for. All the cameras in this class have positives and negatives. I have full use of a DVX, I own a PD150, XL1s, and a VX2000.

DVX- The camera is pretty versatile. The 24p is pretty cool but looks like crap when shooting any fast motion. The camera has a very plastic feel to it and it is not the most durable of the bunch. A little knock that would not have fazed the PD150 cost $800 in repairs to the DVX. I also don’t like to have to open the LCD to adjust the shutter (more opportunity for us to damage the camera). The LCD is huge though so that can be a plus.

XL1s – It has a great feel when it is set up correctly. I have a viewfinder extension and MA100 shoulder pad/XLR adapter. Also an Anton Bauer battery balances the camera nicely. It is not the best run and gun camera but if you have a few seconds to set it up you can get some great looking video with it. It also in my opinion has the best sounding audio of the bunch. The interchangeable lenses are a nice feature but they cost a bundle. The auto focus is useless. It has no LCD but the viewfinder is adequate. I have used the GL2 and did not like it.

VX2000 Great camera. As long as you don’t have to use XLR (although you can add a Beachtek) the onboard stereo mic sounds great. It has a good feel and is very quick and easy to set up. The auto focus is amazingly accurate and fast. This camera has been to hell and back and just keeps ticking.

The PD 150 same as the VX but has a more durable case and has XLR inputs. Once you throw the shotgun mic that comes with the camera in the trash and put a decent mic on, it has a nice sound. You have to go through the menu to adjust the volume which is a pain in the ass..the viewfinder is black and white but so are professional cameras so it is worth getting used to.

Summary. If you are shooting in a controlled environment and are shooting shorts or commercials or videos I would go with the DVX or the XL1s (XL2 if you can afford it). If you are a run and gun shooter or if you shoot sports or even if you enjoy throwing your investment against a wall the VX or PD is unbeatable. I would definitely buy used just be careful and find a camera with low hours. I have had good luck with eBay but you have to take your time to ensure that you are not getting scammed. If it looks to good to be true…

Good luck!
 
Yeah I would love to own a DVX or even an XL2, but the $$ just isn't there. What I like about the DVCs is the cinegamma and the panasonic user interface. I just think panny has it down better than sony with their convoluted LCD touchscreen controls. That would drive me nuts in a pretty short time. Anyone own a DVC30/60? Your thoughts? I don't know how or where to buy a used DVX from a reliable source. I wouldnt even be sure what to look for.

Thanks
J
 
given that the hvx and dvx100b are coming out, used dvx100's might be more negotiable for a lower in price in the near future. I've seen some posts for 2000 and 1800 on a used dvx and I think the dvc30's for close to that.

I've never used a dvc30 but have read great things about them, but alas, as ecking stated there is a world of difference from the film to video look.

the dvc30 is being used for a new show that i think is coming out on nickelodeon (check the panasonic website) and the dvc30 is said to be much better in low light with the option of filming in complete darkness (the lowlight feature was considered invaluable for the reality tv show on nick).

good luck on your hunt.
 
Remember that you need to keep money for support equipment. Decent tripod ($500), decent mics ($1000), headphones ($100), UV filter, case, extra batteries, etc. People always forget aboutthis, but it will be as much or more than your camera. If you buy good side-equipment, it will last you thru several cameras.
 
I'm also looking at buying my first prosumer grade video camera. I've used the DVX100A before and a friend of mine has one, but its just too rich for my blood. I only have about $2000 USD to spend. I've been looking mostly at the DVC30 and the VX2000. A friend of mine swears by his GL2 but I've heard bad things about their long term reliability.

I intend to use the camera mostly for promotional videos, music videos and some documentary and dramatic work on the side. The goal is to hopefully make enough money to afford something with more gusto in a couple of years.

I was going to eBay or find the best deal I could on the Internet, but all the talk about grey market cameras around here has dampened my enthusiasm a bit. Mind you maybe its worth the grey market risk to get a better overall camera. Hmmm?
 
The second season of DROPIN (mountain bike TV) was filmed with dvc30 and a sony.
So if the camera is good enough for TV should be good for your stuff.

Goto WWW.PINKBIKE.COM and download a DROPIN teaser to see it in use.
Or goto FALLINE PRODUCTIONS.
 
You should be able to find a used DVX100 (not A) for about $1800 if you are patient. But I looked at the DVC30 at DVExpo East, and thought it was a very cool camera for the money.
 
Anyone here have a DVX100? I've heard about issues with noise from the zoom/focus and that the gain control isn't as good. I guess I want to know if people think its worth it at the lower used price.

Also does anyone know about rebates or packages for the DVC30?
 
Kay O. Sweaver said:
I'm also looking at buying my first prosumer grade video camera. I've used the DVX100A before and a friend of mine has one, but its just too rich for my blood. I only have about $2000 USD to spend. I've been looking mostly at the DVC30 and the VX2000. A friend of mine swears by his GL2 but I've heard bad things about their long term reliability.

I intend to use the camera mostly for promotional videos, music videos and some documentary and dramatic work on the side. The goal is to hopefully make enough money to afford something with more gusto in a couple of years.

I was going to eBay or find the best deal I could on the Internet, but all the talk about grey market cameras around here has dampened my enthusiasm a bit. Mind you maybe its worth the grey market risk to get a better overall camera. Hmmm?
Click to expand...

Well after a lot of languishing I decided to bite the bullet and go with the DVX. I ordered from Willoughbys, which saved me a few hundred, and the rebate is good so at the end of it all, i'm spending about 2600 on the DVX. That made it a lot more attractive to me, since I'd spend 2000 on a dvc60. Why not spend another 600 bucks and get the real deal?

I'm a little worred about $$, but I don't regret the purchase. I've been losing sleep waiting for my DVX to get here. I guess my rationale was for a little extra money i could get a lot more camera.

The bummer is now, I don't have extra $ for mics, etc. I'm thinking about the Octava set, it seems to be the consensus of the board that it's pretty damn good for a cheap mic. But that'll be a while.

If for some reason I decided not to get the DVX, I would've either bought the dvc30 or maybe, after a bit more research, the JVC300.

However I would definitely advise against a grey market DVX. no warranty, no rebate, maybe no cam- plenty of scam. Ebay... you might be able to find a slightly used one that might still have a mack warranty or something, but when I looked they were nearly as much as a new one after rebate.

Good luck!

Jerry
new DVX owner (as of Oct. 3rd!)
 
Kay O. Sweaver said:
Anyone here have a DVX100? I've heard about issues with noise from the zoom/focus and that the gain control isn't as good. I guess I want to know if people think its worth it at the lower used price.

Also does anyone know about rebates or packages for the DVC30?
Click to expand...

I think the DVC has a 200.00 rebate... at least 200.00, last time I checked. Email Rich@evsonline.com, he's great and he'll break it down for you. I don't have access to my email or I'd tell you the rebate details for sure.

J
 
JBurkey said:
I'm a little worred about $$, but I don't regret the purchase. I've been losing sleep waiting for my DVX to get here. I guess my rationale was for a little extra money i could get a lot more camera.
Click to expand...
Okay, two ways to look at this:
"Buy the best, and you only cry once, instead of every time you pull it out of its case."

Or,

"Why spend a whole lot of money to buy something that's not what you want?" You spent a little more, and you got exactly what you want. Now every time you go to use it, you'll have a feeling of "oh yeah" instead of if you had the DVC30, where you'd say "man, if only..."
 
Barry_Green said:
Okay, two ways to look at this:
"Buy the best, and you only cry once, instead of every time you pull it out of its case."
Click to expand...


This is the perfect way to look at any purchase... I've been dealing with this a lot lately as I look at hand held stabilizers... At the end of the day, invest wisely so that in six months your not hocking it on ebay and getting what you wanted in the first place.
 
Kay O. Sweaver said:
Anyone here have a DVX100? I've heard about issues with noise from the zoom/focus and that the gain control isn't as good. I guess I want to know if people think its worth it at the lower used price.
Click to expand...

It's certainly worth it. Many people never upgraded to A and are still using the older version. Even our president :cheesy: Jarred - he has DVX100, I believe.
 
My friend has a 100, and i actually like the way its CCD reads. It has a ...... more natural look? somehow..... i set up my 100a with exactly the same scene file settings, and while my 100a looked RAZOR sharp and almost crystal clear, the 100 had subtle grain, and more organic looking image. Its a subtle difference. but one i noticed. i kinda liked the way it took pictures. Dont fret. They both look amazing.
 
D'oh!

I must have tracked my DVX on ups.com a hundred times... as it made its way across the country from the East Coast to San Diego... and then, because my mailbox rental place was closed yesterday, UPS will deliver "at a future date." AAAAH! I can't handle it! I want my new baby NOW.

I just bought an Oktava mk012 with the hypercap and a lame little windscreen... will have to get a mount and real windprotection and some headphones now. Are the Sony MDR 7506 the only thing going for monitoring phones, or is there a cheaper but reasonably comparable set somewhere? I've searched the board, but they seem to be the only pair reccomended by my esteemed DVX elders (in experience, not necessarily years ;-) )

J

p.s. and Barry, I totally agree with you. Why regret it every time you take it out, when you can just regret it once and be done with it?
 
J, I sympathize. Every time I order something from Rush (my across-the-country guy) I track it on Fedex and then end up having to drive 45 minutes to Sarasota to pick it up because Fedex never comes at the same time each day and I end up misisng them if I leave home for a half hour. UPS always leaves stuff, but Fedex won't...

FWIW, I love my ETymotic ER-6 earphones for monitoring. They isolate that whole echo thing nicely, are tiny and non-intimidating, and sound awesome. No cheaper than the Sony, but better in so many ways IMHO.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top