New DVX user!

J

jpastuch

Carbonite Member
Hey guys, i'm a new DVX-er. My first 3 CCD camera. I've used my friend's Sony Handycam for a shoot and the XL-2 for a bit once, mostly have stuck to very low-tech 1 CCD camcorders (anyone a Canon optura 200MC fan in here?).

I'm not a technical guy, I use this stuff for cinema, if you want to call it that. My idea for a shoot recently was to make a film on very low-tech camcorders to see if I could (I sort of could- the cold weather destroyed one of them).

Anyway, my point is I'm less interested in just having the ability to capture a lot of pretty pictures and more interested in creating complex shots and atmosphere. I want to use the 24 frames mode but I'm not looking to "imitate" film. In fact, I want a very flat, barebones look for my next shoot. So perhaps someone can point me to some features on the camera I can mess with to capture a limited space feel (want to stay away from the ever popular shallow depth look).

Also, I'm buying this off ebay (gasp) but its in excellent condition. I paid a little under 1100 bucks for a DVX-100 with 118 metered hrs. Did I get ripped off or was this pretty good? I know the dvx-100 isn't new, but, 1100 left me totally and completely broke as it is. It came with a carrying bag, charger, 2 batts and remote.

One more thing: how different is dvx-A and dvx-B from my camera? huge improvements, or are we talking XP to Vista?

-Thanks-
 
Congrats on getting the camera!

First of all, get the DVX book by Barry Green. It will have a plethora of useful information that will help you achieve different looks and solve technical issues.

Not sure what teh current used value for a DVX100 is... The -A and the -B had some some tweaks, nothing HUGE, but helpful little things. I got an -A years back and how it was different from the -B wasn't a problem for me.

Have fun shooting!
 
So I got the cam today and have a few more questions:

-How often should I get the camera "serviced"? what does it entail? How much does it usually cost? I'm suddenly very paranoid about the condition of it, which is really good, but I want it to last a long time, as in I want this camera to function perfectly for like 6 or 7 years at least. So far it only has 118 hrs on it. I'm also lending it to a good friend before I even get a chance to use it, so he'll probably put a good amount of hours on it...

-Is there a place I can read the manual online? The person who sold it to me did not include it.

Sorry if these have been asked before- I searched for the service question a few times and couldn't find it. If there are already discussions about it, just link me. I just want to take very good care of the camera. I'm broke right now, and reading stories about paying 760 bucks for repairs is making me very very nauseous. And nervous. Especially since I'm letting my friend, (who is careful) use it.
 
the whole lending a friend thing is out for me (personally) unless its a professional. i'm broke and i spent 2 much for that to make a friend ruin it idling.Anyway just google the manual and u can download it...i did that b4 i got mine, but then i got the actualy hardcopy with the camera. it will tell u how to take care of it. in the mean while get a good cushioned bag for it, if u cant buy one then cushion up a napsack with watever u can ( sweaters ect) to keep it safe. buy a cleaning kit(usually cheap) and youtube how to clean with the kit. Get a uv filter (around $20) to protect that lens. Again...read the online manual.
 
OK, a few more questions:

-How important are UV filters if I'm not shooting in sunlight all that much? Are they basically like a lenscap anyway?

-Since I got my camera on ebay, it is about 4 or 5 years old I reckon- it's in perfect shape, but a bit dirty- should I get it professionally cleaned and "serviced"? Should I use a head cleaner (all I have is a cheap radioshack head cleaning tape- will that do?)

-Should the manual zoom be a bit noisy, with slight whirring noises when zooming in fast, or does that need cleaning too?


One more question about editing- I edited some test footage I shot in 24pA in FCP today- I set the timeline to 23.97- should I set it to 24 frames exactly?

I know some of these questions have been asked before but I can't find them anywhere on here since they use such generic terms. if people could link me I'd be super appreciative hawk.
 
I strongly recommend that you get a UV filter for your DVX. UV filters reduce or eliminate the haziness of distant objects when filming outdoor panoramas. More importantly, a UV filter places a relatively cheap piece of glass as a protective barrier between your expensive, delicate lens and the hazards of the world. It is much better to have a UV filter get scratched than your lens!

Never use anything from Radio Shack on your DVX! If you are going to use a head cleaning tape, use a Panasonic head cleaner. You can get them from tapeonline. As far as having your DVX professionally serviced, it wouldn't hurt. In either case, try to limit the use of head cleaning tapes as much as possible as they are abrasive and add wear on your heads.

I cannot make a judgement about your zoom noise because 1. My camera is new and the motor is silent and 2. I very rarely use the power zoom. In fact, my zoom servo has been turned on only twice since I bought the camera. I prefer to keep the servo zoom off and use the manual zoom excuslvely. (Note: never turn the zoom ring by hand when the servo zoom is turned on as it will damage the zoom!)

I cannot answer your question about FCP. I use Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0. That said, the DVX converts its 24p and 24pA footage to 29.97fps with pulldown before putting it to tape, so I would hazard a guess that you would want to use a 23.97 timeline for editing.
 
There's a ton of information in this forum on cleaning and maintenance. For shooting I recommend getting Barry's book. It reads easy and is very helpful in getting your camera set up.
 
Thanks for the info. I can't really afford that book right now. As for the zoom- I meant the manual zoom is noisy (not incredibly noisy, you can barely hear it on the in camera mic- but the point is you can still hear it) not the servo. I don't use the servo zoom.

Actually, as a side note- the first time I picked up the camera I turned the zoom manually when it was on servo- I did this a couple of times ignorantly before I realized there was a manual switch- it doesn't seem to have affected the performance of either the manual or servo zoom, but now I'm worried it might affect it down the line. Like I said, the servo zoom still works and so does the manual- obviously I've been reading up before I do anything else dumb.

I've read on here that UV filters can make the image blurry if left on while shooting- or rather, not as sharp. Is this true, or debated?

Finally, what does "servicing" entail? Cleaning and checking to make sure everything is working OK?
 
Like you, when I first got my DVX100B back in March, I turned the zoom ring a couple of times with the servo engaged. Right after that, I learned that doing this will damage the zoom, so I have been careful not to do that again! The point is, I have been using my DVX since then with no problems, so I don't think it will cause you any problems in the future as long as you are careful not to do it any more.

I keep my zoom on manual only and never use the servo.

A little tip: Using the zoom while shooting gives a video that "home movie" look and should usually be avoided when shooting anything serious. Change your zoom to frame your shots between shots and use a dolly or trucking shot if you want to close in on your subject while shooting. If at all possible, move the camera, not the lens.
 
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I've actually shot many things before and don't zoom when shooting, but I've never used a DVX before (I've used 3CCD cams but nothing as good as this one), so I didn't know it had servo and manual- the first thing I saw was the ring so i twisted it and figured auto and manual were one and the same (forgive me, I didn't have a manual at the time!)

And the zoom issue is one of debate I'm sure. Personally- I think hand held, shallow depth of fields and crazy zooming are all a bit lazy and overdone with my generation. They work well with some people- Cassavetes, Altman, Duplass Brothers, documentaries (and especially mocumentaries), but for me, I'm all about the tripod and carefully framed static shots.

Just saying! But yeah, manual focus is the way to go.
 
actually, i've noticed that alot of the crime shows i've been watching lately (law and order, fringe, csi) have been using quite a bit of handheld shots...almost to the point of the camera being shaky, even in "talking in the office" scenes. They also use zoom quite a bit. I guess it depends what you're aiming for.
 
you don't have to go super cheese ball with the zoom and focus rings, but I couldn't help but miss em when I shot a segment with an XH-A1. There were times where I was getting Closeups and extreme closeups when something interesting was going on in the foreground, I tried to pull out on the canon...and waited...and waited...

by the time I had zoomed out the moment had passed >.<

where as with the manual- SWOOSH: zoomed in SWOOP-focused, SWOOSH: back out into a composed shot.
 
You will have fun with it. I got the DVX100B about 6 hours ago, and have been messing around for about 3 hours on it. I watched the DVD, and it taught me so much! I am not sure if you got the DVD too, but I learned so much in less than an hour! I don't know if the previous user(s) changed the settings on certain scene files, but if you're using 24p, you might wanna use the 24p scene file, which is #5 by default. If you don't have that, email me, and I can tell you some levels for all the color settings (everything in the scene file section of the menu). Have fun with it. My Email is andytheslash@gmail.com and my name is Andy Ryan.
 
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