New User, Thinking about HMC150

Elmy

Elmy

Well-known member
Hello, I'm new to these forums and semi new to the filming world in a way. I owned a DVX100b for about a year, loved it, but didnt get much use due to everyone in South Florida wanting HD, and I work and go to college full time so doing my own projects was sparse and difficult on my own. Anyways that said I sold the DVX in hopes to save up for other equipment that I hopefully can put to good use as I so desperately want to.

I plan to use the camera for a lot of things, from basic filming of events, to hopefully full on small productions of my own for short films with a lot of DIY lighting and available light, and possibly some professional productions if I can pick some up, doubt it at my current situation though. If there are any more questions about me or what my needs are please ask, I'm trying to be specific so I can get a good answer to my questions without annoying you guys :D

Anyways my first question is do you think the HMC150 is a good idea? It attracts me because it being HD, SD which is very cheap for me as I have a friend who works at Best Buy and can get me good cards for dirt cheap, and I own a MacBook Pro 4gb RAM and Final Cut Studio 2 (I've already read up on the transcoding process and converting the codec and stuff so I understand that process with the AVCHD). It's also a relatively inexpensive camera.
I was originally saving my money to purchase a HVX200a as I've used and liked those however I'm pulling away from that idea due to its high cost and then high cost of P2 cards as I hate tapes.

Second even though this is far off for me due to money issues, I'm eventually looking to purchase a 35mm adapter, I was interested in the LetusExtreme, but then discovered the SGPro and SGBlade, do both work on the HMC150? Anyone able to give a response on which is a better bang for the buck? I know SG is located in the UK i believe right? So I'd have to pay extra, so that could be a factor however I'm not sure if its much extra as it says its about 1k pounds which I haven't checked recently but a pound was 1.5 the dollar, which isnt too bad. I know a good amount of info on the technical side as I've been doing Photography for a couple years so I do have that to my advantage.

Due to the 35mm being far off for me, as i work a retail job and money is slow...a more relevant question would be a good suggestion of a tripod to buy, one that I could eventually add a 35mm on with its accessories. I've been using some cheap fluid head from BestBuy that does the job but isn't great, and would like to get something more professional.


I guess finally a hello! :D, I've been lurking around for awhile and finally decided to sign up and say hi. I've learned a lot from these forums, so thank you guys for that. Anyone else located in Florida, I'm in the Ft. Lauderdale area. If you are and are actively doing projects or want to let me know. I may not be too experienced on sets with is unfortunate as I am quite capable just no way to prove it, but if your in need or anything really just let me know.I'd like to get some ideas out there, just difficult doing everything alone. Basically I'm a first year college student who discovered he loved filming(always loved MOVIES, but didn't think about filming) at the end of my Junior Yr in high school, was unable to then join the Production class and get help and a way to do productions with no cost to me. I struggled to do my own things but nothing really worked out. I didn't get to go to a great college to start with a good Film Program, so I'm going to try transferring after I achieve an AA but it might be too late for a undergrad film school by then, and even if it isn't not even sure which school I want to attend.

So ya now you guys know all about me :D

(After i wrote this I realized the last paragraph was silly to put in this part of the forum, oh well, I'll probably ask all that in some other section also, I couldnt find a section dedicated to saying hello =P)
 
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First... Welcome to the forum.

I think you may have answered your own question about the 150 being a good idea.
I think it's a good idea and based on what you wrote it sounds like it's a better move for you too!:)

I never used those 35mm "things" so I can't help you there but it seems like you're on the right track.:thumbup:

Welcome to the Mojo.
 
Ya i realized that, i think i just had to ask the question to make myself just feel content, i tend to over write and explain everything so I don't miss anything. Hence why I wrote a novel as my first post lol, but thank you for the response
 
Sometimes the process of writing things down turns out to be a letter to ourselves, and can be very illuminating! Welcome and good luck.
 
Ya, I sort of wrote that last paragraph as an attempt to help myself I guess, since no one can really answer it, sort of my own path. question though any of you have a good suggestion for a tripod system though? Still have no clue in that area =P, I'm looking for one in the 200-400$ price range, not sure if there are any good ones in that range, let me know if i'm offbase
 
There's thankfully a lot to choose from in this price range. I picked up one by Davis and Sanford as a lightweight 2nd tripod/travel system. For 180 bucks it's really pretty darn good. Solid build, fluid movement and able to support the 150 or the 200a. It does have a few points that it misses on though. Some of the knobs will only work if the arms are in one spot, it doesn't go very high or spread out wider, and when you get it... it really stinks. Literally have to let it air out for a couple day.

I also like those libec tripods.. great for the money
 
JP, I recently used that Tripod. WOW. I didn't know it was that cheap. It's really not a bad tripod at all. Very lightweight and strong with fluid control. The only thing I didn't like was how the tripod plate is mounted and how it comes off.. a bit of a pain till you figure it out... OTher than that, was great for the money...

I think it's great that you don't need to spend 600 bucks to get a decent product. However, I do still use my broadcast quality tripod stick as it has so many options.. is rock solid and just can take a pounding. I bought it used 10 years ago for 500 bucks and it's been the best purchase.. Gone through 4 cams in that timeframe and one set of sticks.
 
I think i might go for the M25, seems like its the best bang for the buck at my current situation, of course I wont purchase untill I can get the HMC150, I still need to find a good place to order the camera for a good price, I've called one place, going to see what they say, but If i can i'd like to find a place I can get a good financing program from so I can purchase it sooner :D, Justyn thats funny about that tripod stinking, never heard of that happening but I guess it does, Ill look that one up also.
 
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