Opinions in Purchases appreciated

[svf1972]

Hello all, not really sure which category this would go under because it deals with a few but some opinions in purchases I am about to make would be greatly appreciated. I've been filming with the DVX100a for some time now and usually wind up borrowing most of the other equipment I use. I ran into some extra cash recently ($3500 to be exact) and I was goint to set myself up with some decent lighting and audio (couple of other little things too). I use the camera to make films and anything else I do I like to look like film. So far based on research I have done my list looks something like this:

1. Shoulder harness - VariZoomVZ 1Shooter $129.00
http://www.varizoom.com/products/supports/vz1shooter.html
(I'm always trying to get the camera on my shoulder and boy is that painful, for the price I figured what the hell)

2. Shotgun mic - Audio-Technica AT4073A $549.00
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...317&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
(heard pretty good things about this mic. Is the quality as good as they say going straight into the camera as oppsed to into some kind of mixing board? Do I need any other accesories besides a boom and windguard for it?)

3. Lighting kit - ARRI SOFTBANK D4 TUNGSTEN LIGHT KIT $2299.00
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=571963
(Goodbye home depot lights...This is a pretty expensive kit but if it gets the results I want it's well worth it. Any gel kit suggestions, etc.?

Thanks in advance, and any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm not very savvy in sound so any comments on my audio choices would also help.

 

[OregonDank]

i don't know anything, but i think you're right - the VariZoomVZ thing does look pretty sweet for the lowlow price...

anyone seen anything cheaper?

 

[Zach Lien]

i dont think you should spend that much on lights- i'd check more options out. you could get a cheaper lighting kit and then have more left over for other stuff. If I were you i'd get a decent lighting kit, and save some money- use that money to get a really good stabalizer or something.

 

[svf1972]

If I were you i'd get a decent lighting kit, and save some money- use that money to get a really good stabalizer or something.

The reason I was going to spend a little more on lighting is: 1) I feel it's very important to get the lighting you're looking for and with a kit like that I don't see any problems 2) I had bought a cheaper one and EVERY time I used it they smoked and stunk out the places we where filming. If anyone has suggestions for cheaper lighting kits that are of decent quality then I'm all for it. Thanks for your reply.

Also any decent stabalizer suggestions would be helpful. I have used the steadycam a few times and did not like it at all. Setting it up over and over again just to get mediocre results was not worth it IMO.