Pivotal Question - Go Exclusive GH1?

seanmcleod

seanmcleod

Well-known member
So here's my dilemma... cash... if I had the cash I would outfit my new GH1 with all the bells and whistles it needs to really soar... but I don't. What I do have is my DVX100b which I still own but am reluctant to sell and just have the GH1, cause sometimes with clients, size does matter (and not only that but obviously the DVX is a versatile and reliable workhorse). The world is getting increasingly HD crazy so the price my DVX could fetch will just keep dropping as I wait, so do I pull the trigger now and go all out on the GH1, or do I hedge my bets still and keep the DVX in my package? Has anyone else found themselves in this situation and if so, what did you do? Looking for all the pros and cons here!
 
Are you using the DVX100 at all? If you sell it, do you have the option to rent or borrow a DVX or HVX as needed? You're right about the advantages. Clients sometimes like the size. I actually had to borrow one before some people would hire me because the people on set would not be in the media production profession, so they wouldn't realize the camera is worth anything. Being able to capture to tape is increasingly not mattering, but it sometimes does, depending on your market. But the first question is the important part of my post. If you'd only be using it on rare occasion, finding another source to rent from would be best.
 
Oh boy! Sorry but why don't just go and flip burgers? If you are in business shooting video the answers are a no brainer. If it is just a hobby why don't just do crochet? It is not an expensive one.
 
John, that's not exactly the kind of helpful response we encourage on this forum.
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Sorry, I am just been sarcastic. There is so much information flowing here that I find it puzzling that people need to be told what to do. Use the information and learn from it. Go out and test the new equipment you might want. Decide if it is what you expect. Analise the financial aspects and if they fit you. By yourself and for yourself.
 
seanmcleod said:
So here's my dilemma... cash... if I had the cash I would outfit my new GH1 with all the bells and whistles it needs to really soar... but I don't. What I do have is my DVX100b which I still own but am reluctant to sell and just have the GH1, cause sometimes with clients, size does matter (and not only that but obviously the DVX is a versatile and reliable workhorse). The world is getting increasingly HD crazy so the price my DVX could fetch will just keep dropping as I wait, so do I pull the trigger now and go all out on the GH1, or do I hedge my bets still and keep the DVX in my package? Has anyone else found themselves in this situation and if so, what did you do? Looking for all the pros and cons here!
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I'm keeping my DVX100 probably forever... since I have some number of DV tapes, and no other reader... I would not be able to read old tapes once the DVX was gone... and then I'd have to hunt around for a DV tape player in the future... like I had to for the 3/4 in. U-matic tapes I have...
 
John Caballero said:
Sorry, I am just been sarcastic. There is so much information flowing here that I find it puzzling that people need to be told what to do. Use the information and learn from it. Go out and test the new equipment you might want. Decide if it is what you expect. Analise the financial aspects and if they fit you. By yourself and for yourself.
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I read this topic because I've been going back and forth on whether or not to upgrade as well and thought there would be some useful insights in this thread.

I can't tell you the number of times I come across sarcastic and snide comments and responses to threads and I can't help but wonder why you waste your time posting a response in the first place.
 
the man asks if he should sell and fly solo with the gh1 or keep his dvx to please his clients in terms of size to reinforce their belief in his capabilities. Seeing as these are paid gigs, renting as mentioned maybe a good option for you down the track. Maybe keep your dvx for show shoot with the gh1 to build up your portfolio with it. This also allows you to understand the limitations of the gh1 for you to decide whether to keep or sell the dvx and rent based on job requirements.
 
John Caballero said:
Sorry, I am just been sarcastic. There is so much information flowing here that I find it puzzling that people need to be told what to do. Use the information and learn from it. Go out and test the new equipment you might want. Decide if it is what you expect. Analise the financial aspects and if they fit you. By yourself and for yourself.
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You're sarcastic way too much to be considered any sort of contributor to this forum. If anything all you do is detract from it. Just like ctb1010 I've seen only rude or smart alec responses from you. I'm glad Barry said something and I hope moderators of this forum take steps at warning these types of posters that it's not okay to operate like this as it damages the integrity and usefulness of a wonderful forum like this. If you actually read my post you'd see I wasn't looking to be told what to do, but looking for other's advice and experience, WHICH IS WHAT THIS FORUM IS FOR! If you believe you're supposed to test and research and do everything by yourself and for yourself, then why are you here? This is set up exactly so you can learn from others. You contradict yourself from one sentence to the next "Use the information and learn from it" then say "By yourself and for yourself". Incredibly frustrating for a person looking for genuine opinions and advice from peers, not someone hijacking a topic.

Now then, that is more than enough time wasted on this... please all future posts refer to the original posted question... that is what I want to know about, not forum ethics, that's another topic.
 
And if there was any confusion... I do own my GH1 and have worked with it on paid gigs several times already. Haven't used the DVX since the GH1 arrived, but still hesitant to pull the trigger like I said.
 
seanmcleod said:
And if there was any confusion... I do own my GH1 and have worked with it on paid gigs several times already. Haven't used the DVX since the GH1 arrived, but still hesitant to pull the trigger like I said.
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Sean,
Almost same situation here, except that I have a PD170 - and I decided to wait a while before I got the GH1. I will probably never get rid of the PD170, because even in this day and age for some corporate clients it is all they need and they dont want to pay more for HD. I've also got hundreds of material tape that I will definitely have to go through again in the future.

On the other hand, I plan to wait a few months before I pull the trigger and buy the GH1. I think that going HD and DSLR is definitely in my future, but I can afford to wait, and maybe a new cam might come up that will change the discussion (yet again).

If I were you, keep the DVX100.
 
RandyQ said:
...some corporate clients it is all they need and they dont want to pay more for HD...
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Though HD files require a bit more render time et.all, I find the tapeless workflow so much quicker and nicer that everyone I work with gets HD whether they want it or not!
 
I'd say that you should sell your DVX soon if you plan to sell it at all. These are getting cheaper and cheaper, so there will be a point in time when you just won't want to sell it because it's not worth it to sell. Some may still pay $1000 for one, but soon enough (a year or so perhaps), I'd think you couldn't sell it for much more than $600-$700, due to the rapid changes that are happening in technology.

At that point, it would just be too painful to sell such a great camera for so little.

I personally think that once I attach my H4n to the hotshoe, the look of it changes dramatically. There are of course many other things you can add to your rig that make it look more legit.
 
Well that's something I considered too... if we're going superficial looks, ie client feels confident it's a pro setup even know they have no idea what the hell they're looking at usually, I do have rails, a mattebox, a follow focus, a loupe, a hotshoe multiplier, shotgun mic, and shoulder mount, so yeah, when you start adding all those bells and whistles, which I could aford things like filters and sliders and on board monitor and such with the extra cash, then yeah, i think it would look okay at that point... again I must stress superficially... I know its not the toys its how you use it.

Also i guess the main question would be, what can the DVX do that the GH1 can't? Can't think of anything off the top except the CMOS rolling shutter issues with quick pans and the jello effect,
 
seanmcleod said:
Well that's something I considered too... if we're going superficial looks, ie client feels confident it's a pro setup even know they have no idea what the hell they're looking at usually, I do have rails, a mattebox, a follow focus, a loupe, a hotshoe multiplier, shotgun mic, and shoulder mount, so yeah, when you start adding all those bells and whistles, which I could aford things like filters and sliders and on board monitor and such with the extra cash, then yeah, i think it would look okay at that point... again I must stress superficially... I know its not the toys its how you use it.

Also i guess the main question would be, what can the DVX do that the GH1 can't? Can't think of anything off the top except the CMOS rolling shutter issues with quick pans and the jello effect,
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Not a bad idea to use the mattebox anyways, especially if you end up getting some older primes to use along with the GH1, it's nice to have extra flare control and even good lenses can flare when you've got a bunch of lights going at a gig. The GH1 is great - I'd go that route, and as you said, either put the bells and whistles on if you think a client needs to see that, or if its a well paying gig, just rent something that looks more "pro."
 
seanmcleod said:
Also i guess the main question would be, what can the DVX do that the GH1 can't? Can't think of anything off the top except the CMOS rolling shutter issues with quick pans and the jello effect,
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uhm, 720p 60p, 1080p 24p(w/pulldown) interchangeable lens. small form factor. solid state media tapeless workflow. changeable iso's.
 
The # of days you used the DVX in the past year * average daily rental rate of DVX in your area - current used value of DVX = your answer. I kind of agree with John that this should be a no-brainer that nobody else could possibly answer for you.
 
Car3o said:
uhm, 720p 60p, 1080p 24p(w/pulldown) interchangeable lens. small form factor. solid state media tapeless workflow. changeable iso's.
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Those are things that the GH1 CAN do, and the DVX CAN'T, I was asking what the DVX CAN do that the GH1 CAN't...and apocalypse I do use older nikon primes, so yeah the mattebox I use with cokin filters works great
 
thanks for the formula mkeep but again I'm not looking to be told what to do... im seeking advice from people in similar situations to help me weigh pros and cons... and selling a camera you paid 3000 for that you love is definitely not a no brainer, ever.
 
I understand, and I'm not remotely in your situation or even a pro shooter. I was just trying to look at it from a purely financial point of view. I would look at it less as a camera that you love that you paid $3000 for, and more as a camera that is currently worth around $1200 and falling, and which should have some quantifiable value as an asset to your business.
 
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