Need some assistance with equipment selection

[randbcreations]

Dear DVX Users,

I am a self taught still photographer that specializes in headshots & commercial product photography.

A few months ago, I was fortunate to take on the task of video taping a small (no budget - or for "free" if better put) yoga video for my friend's wife. I used a Canon XL2 attached to my older Imac as a monitoring system. Well, it came out OK for a first time job. I used my strobes as "hot lights" and an extra 10 - 250 watt bulbs to light the video area. I have borrowed and rented some other video cameras to try out and have decided, I would like to take the next step and purchase a DVX100B.

I am self imposing a limit on my budget of $4,000 - $5,000 (I have spent a fair amount of money on my still camera studio setup).

I will be shooting two person interviews, outdoor video of landscape designer's work here in Phoenix, nature shots, small product videos detailing product uses, etc. No real productions on a "grand scale."

I located the DVX100B at Adorama (where I buy my still camera equipment) for $2,249 + the Magic Bullet & Barry Green handbook.

What I need assistance on is selecting, within a $2,000 - $3,000 budget, are the following:

Bellowed Matte Box (was looking at the Cavision 4 X 4 bellows matte box with rails for $600.00). Is there a less expensive solution for a matte box?

Basic Follow Focus System (I have no clue about a reasonable price for this item). Is there a reasonably priced solution for this?

35mm Adapter (for better D.O.F.) for using either my Canon EF & FD lenses. (Looking at the Letus extreme $1,199.00 (steep and might blow my budget out of the water))

Decent Tripod (Bogen - Manfrotto Video Pro Tripod $400 & dolly $200). I have a Manfrotto tripod I use for my still photos, can I use that attached to a dolly to stabilize the video camera. I already have a fluid video head that can support 15 lbs.

A Shotgun Mic & Pole (Sennheiser ME66 Short Shotgun Mic $200 & Gitzo Microphone Boom Pole $80)

Ikan 7" LCD monitor w/flip adapter $500

A Cobra Crane type system for over head and vertical panning shots $600.00.

I figure I can rent my lighting until I have enough work to pay for a decent lighting kit.

Here is the kicker - Knowing that most video systems are transitioning to HD and away from mini DV, am I better off buying a HXV200 for $5,200 (instead of the DVX100B + all the accessories) and saving the money I get from future work to fund my additional needs for the HVX camera.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Ryan:dankk2:

 

[homer]

i just bought my dvx from newegg.com and it was 2400 with a 250 rebate, which makes it 2150, you could save a hundred bucks (unless the 2250 is before the 250 rebate and in that case good buy!)

 

[randbcreations]

Thanks Homer!

Thanks Homer!

I checked out Newegg before I checked out Adorama. The $2,249.95 is after the $250 rebate, but I figure I could use the Barry Green DVX book ($70 value) since I am fairly new to the intricacies of the DVX. Plus, I noticed that the Magic Bullet Look software package was also a $399.00 value.

I due appreciate the heads up on Newegg pricing. If it wasn't for these added value items, I would have bought from Newegg.

Thanks!

-Ryan

 

[homer]

i believe the dvx book and magic bullet comes with it. there's a link for the mail in rebate form. and it says it comes with it. the rebate comes directly from panasonic who you choose as a authorized dealer doesn't matter as long as they're authorized

 

[randbcreations]

You are right! That is terrific. I wonder how many people like me didn't see that offer detailed on the main page and looked elsewhere for the camera.

I will definitely check out Newegg as my purchase point.

Thanks for looking into this, I really appreciate it!

-Ryan

 

[homer]

personally the mechanical stuff. I'm going to make myself. like matte box, seems ridiculous to spend money on something that a craftsman can make with some joint and light wood. even rails seems like an easy DIY project.

i'm also looking for a mic right now, maybe save a few hundred on making your own mattebox and spend it on a mic? audio is half of the deal anyone

i'm looking for a mic right now too on a tight budget but i know that i should probably spend more than 200

even for the boom stick, you could probably find a cheap solution.