HVX purchase

dantewaters

dantewaters

Well-known member
Guys and gals,

I have been on this forum for months reading, looking at footage and just learning what I can about the HVX.

I have been shooting with my Sony VX2100 for about 2.5years and I want to make the switch to DVCPROHD (color space, and just sheer quality).
I am a strong believer in "it's the camera person and not soo much the camera," but I feel it's time my work to shine so I can finally put my company's seal of approval.

My question to all who will answer. With the bulk of projects I get (none of which seem to pass 2k) does it make sense to make a step up in quality and production?
Right now I feel the best move would be to either purchase the camera thru Panasonic's financing or just credit. Verses putting 7k into one investment (two 16gig cards),
and working the market to make that money back. Then there is rental?

I dunno I just feel less satisfied with interlaced, 60i, flat footage (that often times needs magic bullet, or some real close ups to give it depth). Maybe I just need some lighting...
Any sound advice will be greatly appreciated.


Sample of my work:

http://www.cwellproductions.com/boost/

http://www.cwellproductions.com/work/garyava/

http://www.cwellproductions.com/wedding/vid/
 
...(tailing off your last paragraph) well, if you go HD, you will need lighting that's for sure. The HD cams are pretty light hungry in comparison to their sd counterparts. Don't expect low light performance that you get from your vx2100...

The long and short of it is... (my own opinion) if you have decided on the camera that you want, and are well aware of the extra hurdles it may/may not entail for you, and changes in workflow, etc.... And, you can make your money back on it then go for it. It's up to you anyways.

Your prices should probably go up a good bit though... You will afterall be working with better equipment and offering your clients a higher quality end product :)

Just make sure you have budgeted for any other upgrades you may need to make along with your camera purchase... tripod, (depending on your NLE and computer) possibly a system upgrade, etc.

Later,
Jason
 
Personally I'm not a huge fan of renting cameras when it is cameras in this price range... Other equipment that one may need from job to job, sure... but I like to have the camera in my hands whenever I want :) But, that is just personal preference and will likely vary from person to person depending on their profit margins, frequency of work, plans for the camera, etc.

Out of curiousity, what system are you editing on now? DVCPRO HD is not terribly power hungry... On the pc end it can be edited considerably comfortably with a single core processor and some ram (and of course HDD space) on a laptop depending on the NLE. But, I don't know what would be considered the minimum to edit comfortably in FCP land.

If you are getting steady work, and can justify the cost for yourself, then go for it.... there are other options as well, but I'm not here to tell you what camera to buy. I like it when people make that decision for themselves, for better or worse.

You can definitely get beautiful imagery out of the HVX... just don't expect it immediately. My first footage sucked, but it gets better and better all the time... I just wish I had the time to shoot way more than I have since I got my cameras (going on a year now). But, I haven't been in that position to do so yet... Partly my own fault... partly life. I've only recently begun to scratch the surface.

Anyways... good luck to you... It looks like you have been doing your research and your not just going in blind and deadset on the fact that you want a particular camera for no particular reason... or, asking what camera you should get without knowing much about any of them... Just do what you want... If it is a business investment primarily, justify the cost vs. the benefit and how long it will take to make your money back. If it is also a personal investment (for fun, personal projects, etc) well... that generally makes it a bit *easier* to shell out the dough :) At least in the beginning.

Good luck,
Jason
 
the 516 is a pretty heavy duty head. may be overkill unless youre planning a rails/mattebox/35mm adapter or jib setup - great head though! i use it all the time...

what are you planning to do with the motu traveler? you gonna bring the house mix into it? i cant imagine what youd need it for other than that in a live video situation...

did you budget for software? there is another probably $3k

id rent lights. that arri kit is good, but youre probably going to need an array of lights. easier to rent what you need on a project to project basis. plus those lights get HOT. people are already kinda pissy at weddings sometimes - you might want to look into floruescents.

i say rent the camera as you need it. save your money and buy it when you have the CASH! too many start up folks get in over their head with financing. i always say, if you have to ask - the answer is no. your gut will tell you what to do, not us ; )

BTW, you charge WAY to little for weddings.
 
Well Jason I do appreciate your sound advice, I am currently cutting on my macbook pro and I was using the imac, but it will soon be sold. I agree with having a camera in had and such (you get time to really practice and just be comfortable with your equipment).

What I just realize Since just getting a company card with only a 3k limit
it might be best to hold off on the Mac pro and get lighting and marketing materials (business cards, redesigned website) generate serious business, and with a slew of clients then save get the mac pro and soon there after the HVX.

Yeah I know that the footage I've seen here came with time and practice, but I've been using a clients DVX100b so I feel I will be quite comfy using the HVX just have to practice till I get my results.
 
wgzn said:
the 516 is a pretty heavy duty head. may be overkill unless youre planning a rails/mattebox/35mm adapter or jib setup - great head though! i use it all the time...
Click to expand...

Yea I will add rails and such later on (don't want to buy another tripod anytime soon)

what are you planning to do with the motu traveler? you gonna bring the house mix into it? i cant imagine what youd need it for other than that in a live video situation...
Click to expand...
Well the motu was going to be used to mic various folk during interviews, live events, and the likes (cant' depend on mixers any more)
will be using the following:
http://tinyurl.com/ygbccw
http://tinyurl.com/y5mpul

did you budget for software? there is another probably $3k
Click to expand...
Software I haven't budgeted for as yet, but thanks for reminding me

BTW, you charge WAY to little for weddings.
Click to expand...
starting at $1200 (just been hard with only 1 VX2100)
 
i dont know that the motu is going to do what you want... as far as i know its just an hardware interface, so youre going to have to have a computer running digital performer - which in a run and gun situation may be a big pain in the ass.

just out of curiosity - why cant you "depend on mixers anymore" and why do you need multiple mics for interviews?

not trying to get all into your face, just would hate to see you buy gear that isnt what you really need...
 
wgzn said:
i dont know that the motu is going to do what you want... as far as i know its just an hardware interface, so youre going to have to have a computer running digital performer - which in a run and gun situation may be a big pain in the ass.

just out of curiosity - why cant you "depend on mixers anymore" and why do you need multiple mics for interviews?

not trying to get all into your face, just would hate to see you buy gear that isnt what you really need...
Click to expand...


Well I goto certain places that don't have good audio... I would have multiple mics for events where there is singing (to control the each input). The motu is a stand alone device as well. You are right if I don't need it I wont buy it. I was looking at the Marantz and those other boxes, but they only record as it (don't have the option to adjust each individual input).
 
What i decided to do was wait on the Macpro. Get the Arri's and Source fours:
http://tinyurl.com/29cgh6 The key is to spend money in marketing materials, and enhancing production gain clients, build business and then macpro, Caldigit, motu... HVX.

PS. The source fours have a nice throw, and they wick their heat from the rear, can be used with productions and I can rent them
along with my service.
 
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