HVX200 - Starter Kit! Recommendations?

M

Mavoz

Well-known member
Hi!

I've been in the process of saving furiously for the HVX over the last 4 months or so...(without dipping into other investments!)

I am currently a full time Teacher...but have always had a passion for the creative arts...and so am considering a bit of a radical change of direction/or at least trial of just what could be....

Key purposes of purchase:
  • To buy quality camera + gear that will provide tremendous learning opportunites
  • To create mini documentaries related to stories of friends and family...incorporating "creative" fillers/impact footage
  • To create short "clips" with all manner of creative footage that can be used in Church/School/Online Resource type contexts
....I'm now getting a lot closer to the target amount...have worked on a bit of a 'vision' statement and Panasonic Australia has certainly sweetened the deal by throwing in an 8gb card if I buy before end of March...so I've even got a deadline now!

But the next catch is what is a good starter package to aim for? Frankly I don't want to spend ridiculous amounts...but I also don't want to spend too little....

Any comments on the following "Starter Package":
(Listed in purchase order ..ie probably won't get it all at once!)

Camera:
Panasonic HVX202 (Considered some of the 'cheaper' HDV options...but all the various threads here have convinced me of the merits of the cam..I'll start shooting in SD..as time goes by and target audience/and computing hardware becomes more HD ready/affordable I can make the shift...

P2 Card: Bundled 8gb

Lens Filter
Something worth getting here I'm guessing (based on my DIG SLR experience!)

Spare Battery

Tripod:
Manfrotto 503 Head 525 Tripod (or 351 Tripod?)

Sound:
Currently have a Sony ECM-MS907 Sony Electret Condenser Mic and a Sony T145 lapel mic...both of these have 3.5mm consumer jacks..I can either adapt them or ditch them!
Guy at Video guys was recommending:
sennheiser ew 122-p G2 Wireless Lapel Mic. (or a 112)

he also talked about NTG-1 or NTG-2 Mics and Sennheiser K6 mics...but I guess if I'm starting off with an interview focus..maybe the first priority is the wireless lapel mics...

Basic Lighting Kit:
Don't know that much about lighting at this stage..but figure these babies are very important! (In the past I've used Hardware store lights!!)
Videoguys salesman was suggesting:
Lowel DV Creator 55 Kit
http://www.videoguys.com.au/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=512

Anyone recommend a good value lighting "kit"? (For indoor interview type situations)

Editing:
keep using Adobe Premiere Pro...with hopeful possibility of better HVX202 support built into the upcoming Adobe Suite


So have I missed anything here? Anything else I absolutely must buy to get started in this caper?

Thanks for any tips!!
 
first, let me say that you type like a teacher.

but seriously,

you've got a good set up, dont forget that youre going to need a program to convert your MXF files into an intermediate to use with premiere. From experience, I can say that CineForm has been decently solid (except in the case of a few 10 minute takes).
 
You might want to get 2 or 3 spare batteries.

Do you already have enough hard disk storage? 1080 takes about a gig a
minute. I know you said you'd shoot SD but as soon as you get that p2 card that will probably change :)

I got a Hoya UV filter from videoguys (videoguys are brilliant) for about a $100, don't skimp there.

One things you realy should have on your list is a hard case for the cam. They're pretty expensive but pretty essential. I paid AU $520 for my pelican 1650.

Yeah, you do type like a teacher.
 
After doing research when I buy my new camera I plan to get what your getting so ide say your on the right track. I was going to get these:

HVX200 or Canon A1 (undecided)
Lowell DVcreator Light Kit 1
DVcreator Location Sound Kit (Rode NTG-2)
Bogen 503 fluid head tripod

Pretty similar. Good luck with your purchasing! Dont forget to get a UV protector lens for the camera and an extra battery.

- Kyle
 
- More batteries (try the DVX user batteries sold here)

SOUND:
- Oktava MK012 w/Hyper Cardiod Mic
- Audio Technica AT4073a (Shotgun Mic)
- Accessories (baby ball gag, wind cover, shock mount, boom pole, etc.) - see the stickies in the audio section

- UV Filter, make sure to get a good one. Plan around $100. B+W makes a great 82mm UV Filter.

- You are shooting SD to start. Then get a bunch of MiniDV tapes, or considering recording SD straight to Hard-drive (unless the 8bg P2 card will be enough for your shoots and you can dump that off as you go. Expect around 40min of SD). For HDD recorder options, the Firestore drive is currently available. This summer the CinePorter 3 will be available, which will be better...

- 4-year MACK Warranty (people will debate on this). This covers manufacturer problems with the camera only, like any warranty. It is not insurance. They will fix any problems. It is 3rd party, so you do not take it to a Panny Authorized dealer. You must mail it in. Make take a few months to get the camera back. Costs $300. You decide. I do not think Panny makes an extended warranty.

- Insurance - check with your insurance company about getting the gear insured.

- Lighting kit: you can buy a starter kit, or you can build a DIY kit. You can save a lot with a DIY kit and get very good results.

- Hard-case or great soft-case. I don't think a hard case is neccessary, and also makes transportation difficult. If you will be working with a lot of equipment and putting in a van and having people handle it, etc.... then yes a hard case is a great idea. If this is stored at home and you are responsible for transporting, the "soft" cases are still pretty hard and provide very adequate protection.


You'll also want cleaning materials & a white card (for white balancing). If you are using miniDV, you should pick up a MiniDV tape rewinder (avoid rewinding with the cameras tape drive). Some people also recommend a seperate miniDV camera just for capturing miniDV tape onto the computer to avoid hurting your miniDV tape mechanism.

There are also other accessories to consider, such as a Wide Angle Lens or Shouldermount.

Here is my HVX200 shopping list and feedback:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=85320




Good luck, hope this helped.
 
Hans Moleman said:
first, let me say that you type like a teacher.
Click to expand...
lol...too many years of doing lesson plans...setting out objectives/outcomes/belief statements etc etc

..sorry bout that...will try to sound more dvxuser like! :)

Thanks for the tips here... ideas re UV filters/cases/DIY lighting etc....seems I'm on the right general track....

I guess lighting is one area I could save some dollars at the start ..

..even thinking about buying this set to get a few clues...
Elite Video Digital Lighting Magic
http://www.videoguys.com.au/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=120


..no doubt my teacher colleagues will probably figure I'm a bit nuts stepping into this world of expensive toys...er...tools of productivity...
.. (even the salesman attempted to get me into some lesser cam)...I guess I've just caught a healthy dose of "dvxuseritis" :)

Thanks again!
 
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