Newbie in need basic buying advice please!!!

T

T33

New member
Hi, I need help bad. I am totally new to this area of cameras and I am attempting to buy the DVX 100A...however, after searching around, I'm a little confused as to what I need to buy.

ALL I need is a basic, functional model....I'm not doing any films or anything serious at the moment. I want to just be able to shoot video as basic as your $400 camcorder you can buy at best buy.

Here's where I'm split and these are my options:

1. Piece it together: I have found you can buy just the camera, nothing else for somewhere under $2k...then I'd need to buy a few accessories like:

- battery
-ac/dc cable
- lens hood
- eye cup
- lens cap
- remote control

Any advice on this option? I don't know if when I buy the camera, in this option, it'll be missing things that I'll need that are expensive or not. Any other accessories I'll need, or don't need?

ORRRR

2. Buy a package: Or for about $3k... I can buy a camera that has the camera, and all the needed accessories except for maybe a longer life battery.

Any advice, or anything will help. This camera has so many parts and pieces I'm not sure what I need or not!

THANKS!!!!
 
SORRY..I realized I shoulda put this question in the hardware section...just noticed that!!
 
Be careful, you don't want to run out and buy from the cheapest place. Most of the under 3k places are scammers and will put you through hell. The cheapest place I found was buydig.com, great service and really fast delivery.

All those "accessories" should come bundled with the camera. Panasonic puts all that stuff in the box when they ship it out. If there is a place thats selling the camera without those things, then don't buy from them. You probably wouldn't get a warranty either.

Where did you find this camera for under 2k? I'd like to see the link.
 
Here's the link I've been going through:

http://www.streetprices.com/Electronics/Consumer/Camcorders/Mini_DV/SP1243107.html

It lists multiple companies and prices...I did wonder about why some are so cheap so they told me it is just the camera and nothing else. I thought that was weird at first but I'm assuming its for those people that already have everything and just wanted to purchase a camera...like peole with multiple cameras and don't want to spend extra cash on more batteries/cables/ etc....

On that site each company seems to have different packages with different accessories...the "retail" package, the one that has everything in it, is about $3200 as to what I've heard...

I've tried to price out the accessories and got it to about $400...and couple it with the basic camera, i'd be in there for about $1800-$2200. Which is better than $3200...or $2900 w/ that rebate.

If that link doesn't work, just google "Panasonic dvx 100a".

Thanks for the reply, I'll take it into consideration!
 
I can pretty much garantee you that the cheapest prices are scammers. Panasonic has authorised certain dealers to sell their camera, as a sort of buyer security. I would stick with one of these dealers. Do a search and you'll find them listed somewhere on this forum.

When I was going to buy the camera I almost picked one of the cheaper options looking to save myself $500. After reading up on some of the buinesses and found out about their tactics, I took the plunge and when with buydig.com.

Check out www.resellerratings.com and search on some of the places on that list, you'll see what I mean. B&H is a authorized dealer by the way.
 
Thanks for that site...thats a great site and its very helpful...you're right, many of the low priced fellas had bad ratings. Now I just have to find one with good ratings and its fun with the DVX time!!!
 
toilet_bob said:
The cheapest place I found was buydig.com, great service and really fast delivery.
Click to expand...


Toilet Bob-

Does Buydig.com charge tax? I have decided to finally break down and purchase this camera but I see that the price at Buydig is about 100 dollars cheaper than B&H. And, at B&H, I will be saddled with a couple hundred dollars tax fee. I ask because I went to the site myself and 'mock' bought the DVX by putting it in my cart and next to the tax field is said (o%). I was wondering if they don't tax anything? Of course, I didn't go all the way with this 'mock' purchase. I didn't want to have to put in all of my personal information, including credit card info just to find out if they charged tax or not. But if you have the answer, please pass it along. Thanks.

Rick
 
I will probably get bagged by everyone for this, BUT, if, as you say, you only intend using the camera for basic video ...DO YOU NEED A DVX ??? Panasonic has other 3CCD cameras that are cheaper. The 24p is the function that makes the DVX what it is. If you do not intend transfering video to film for use in cinemas you MAY be buying something you will not use. Any comments folks?
 
Why DVX ? Well, that was not his question. Maybe you need your own thread asking about his thread? :)
 
Let me know if I'm wrong here.....The DVX has a certain "film" look, like the movies, that regular ol 3CCD cameras dont have. I know its kind of over kill for my use, but I need that look and quality to differentiate my product...I'll let you guys all know if I become a millionare!!!! As to what that product is..cant tell ya yet. lol. But, it is the DVX that we all want here, and eventually for small indie things...eventually..but as for now, just the basic shoot, capture, and edit...just gotta figure out where to buy it. thanks for the replies so far..and still, if anybody has any ideas about my original thread..i'm still open for suggestions..thanks again!
 
I don't know if buydig.com will charge tax, here in fairbanks we don't have sales tax so I never had to worry about it either way.

Yes the DVX gives a look that is very similar to 16mm film. That is why I bought it. I use it all the time for commercials and it really does help. I had one client say, "Isn't it wierd how everything looks 'different' when you view it through a camera." I have never gotten that through the standard cameras that shoot 60i.

The nicest thing about the DVX is that it can change frame rates on the fly and have tons of options you can customize to reach different looks.
 
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