Pulling the trigger. Buying a DVX100B tomorrow!

Robert Eldon

Robert Eldon

Well-known member
We're going to EVS tomorrow to purchase a DVX100B. We did a lot of research (and reviews from this forum) between the DVX100B and HVX200 and decided to go with the 'conservative' decision of buying the DVX100B.

Does anyone have any suggestions for additional gear to get started?

This will be a start up in the Digital Video arena.

Thank you in advance!
 
John, thanks for the great info! Is that cinebag for the camera as well... or is it just for the other stuff?

Also, the DVXuser battery looks great! How can I find out if they still have those cool T-shirts?

Thank you.
 
my cinebag holds the camera WITH the 4x4 matebox and rod supports installed as well as my 2 sets of radio lavs, and much more.

that bag is the single best case I have ever used.
 
schteevie said:
my cinebag holds the camera WITH the 4x4 matebox and rod supports installed as well as my 2 sets of radio lavs, and much more.

that bag is the single best case I have ever used.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up! Is the bag pretty sturdy? And, can one person carry the bag? It looks large!
 
Coming from fast-paced feature experience: Bags are ok for some guys but a Pelican case is the best overall if you are outside a lot, or taking it into harsh terrain/water, or overnight camping, or putting gear into a trunk and racing to the next location, etc.

You'll absolutely need an extra battery or two AND the best shotgun mic you can afford with a shock mount (the stock mic mount is 100% worthless!!). I'd go for a Senn. 416 since you have the cash. Get good headphones, at least $100 worth, full coverage type. Don't go crazy with a tripod, most are way overrated. No one can tell when I use a $250 set-up. Most think I'm on some big name fluid head but it's not ness. for these cameras!
 
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There is some truth about a cheap tripod. They're cheap. Don't mean to bash CineCell but a good tripod is worth it and I'm sure most filmakers know this . I'm sure everyone knows sombody who has spent more on their tripod then they did on their camera.

just a thought
 
What kind of pricing are you anticipating on the DVX100B (including rebates)?

I'm ready, too.

EVS the best source?
 
When it comes to accessories, we can pretty much take as much time as you need to show you everything and take you through the pros and cons of every item.

And we've got StarWars Episode III on the big plasma... just because.

Hope to see you soon.

Tommy Mack
EVS Sales
 
CineCell said:
Don't go crazy with a tripod, most are way overrated. No one can tell when I use a $250 set-up. Most think I'm on some big name fluid head but it's not ness. for these cameras!
Click to expand...

I disagree.

Smaller cameras like the DVX need a good tripod head as much, if not more, than full-size pro cameras.
You can really see the money spent when doing critical pans and tilts.

A good tripod is worth it's weight in gold...and some actually are.

-BillP
 
bsmall said:
What kind of pricing are you anticipating on the DVX100B (including rebates)?

I'm ready, too.

EVS the best source?
Click to expand...

Well, EVS has a discount if you're a Dvxuser member and I'm not sure that I could quote a price but I expected to pay (and did) just a little over $3000 (after rebate).

That's the best price quote I got from a qualified dealer, plus they're about 2 hours away and the staff there are very knowledgeable and helpful.

Good luck on your quest.
 
Tommy,

It was a pleasure to see you again and thank you so much for spending the time doing the 'tripods 101' class.

I think we made a great decision based on the information provided by you and Jonny.

We enjoyed watching StarWars on the big plasma.
 
BillP said:
I disagree.

Smaller cameras like the DVX need a good tripod head as much, if not more, than full-size pro cameras.
You can really see the money spent when doing critical pans and tilts.

A good tripod is worth it's weight in gold...and some actually are.

-BillP
Click to expand...

Thanks BillP. We ended up getting a Bogen 3246 2-Section Tripod and put a Bogen 3460: 503 Pro Video Fluid Head on it.

We're very happy with the quality and price. I think what sold us was what Tommy at EVS described as the LAH feature of the 503 head. LAH = Long Ass Handle.
:)
Just kidding, but for a 'mid-range' set up we're more than happy.
 
Hey RobertE, I am thinking about getting the same 3246 tripod and 503 head that will be used with a dvx100b. I like the extra height it has. Does it seem pretty solid with the column extended? Also, is it pretty easy to balance. Alot of people say get a tripod that has a ball for balancing. Is a ball really that big of a deal? Just wondering how you like it.
 
Those sticks don't look super-stable to me... Think lateral wind... but then, I've always been a big advocate of twin sticks... Must be a reason why all the very large, very heavy, very expensive professional tripods have them...

The ball ("bubble") leveling system is great. Allows you to quickly and easily ascertain horizontality of the camera platform on uneven terrain or when you're not sure whether you've extended your sticks exactly the same length on all three sides.

And as regards the "Long Ass handle" (funny, that), there's an even better thing : the 503 head allows you to use *two* handles in opposite directions, and this helps a lot when doing super-precise pans or tilts (see my tripod page here [in French, sorry about that, but with many pictures] : http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cinedv/trepied.htm).
 
Hey david jerome, I'm Robert's son. We both agree that the combination of the 3246 tripod and 503 head was a very good decision. The tripod, fully extended to all three stages with the shaft up seemed quite stable (considering that it's eight feet tall). I'm sure that with a sandbag or two it's incredibly safe to use, and so tall that you can get some crane-looking shots with it.

The lack of a ball-balance was the only thing that was a slight drawback, but if you so desire you can actually add one on to it (it's $60 or so).
 
This is a very interesting discussion; as I'm also looking around for some accessoires (I plan to purchase a DVX100B but want to do all of my research first). I'm a bit new to all this, so what exactly is a ball-balance and what does it do?
 
Thanks for the info Jaron. Hey alpha54, a ball(bubble) attaches in between the pan/tilt head and the top of the tripod legs. It allows you to easily balance the camera without having to adjust the individual tripod legs. I would be interested in knowing if there is anyone who actually prefers not using a ball balance on the tripod and why.
 
Monglane said:
Those sticks don't look super-stable to me... Think lateral wind... but then, I've always been a big advocate of twin sticks... Must be a reason why all the very large, very heavy, very expensive professional tripods have them...

The ball ("bubble") leveling system is great. Allows you to quickly and easily ascertain horizontality of the camera platform on uneven terrain or when you're not sure whether you've extended your sticks exactly the same length on all three sides.

And as regards the "Long Ass handle" (funny, that), there's an even better thing : the 503 head allows you to use *two* handles in opposite directions, and this helps a lot when doing super-precise pans or tilts (see my tripod page here [in French, sorry about that, but with many pictures] : http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cinedv/trepied.htm).
Click to expand...

Awesome website. I wish I knew French! I was able to understand some of it using the similar English words. I loved the detailed pictures. At first I was against a floor spreader because I was worried about the possibility of shooting on an uneven surface. But now I am not sure. I like how stable they are. How do the tripods that have floor spreaders perform on uneven surfaces?

I am still leaning towards the Bogen / Manfrotto 351MVB2 with the 503 head. Since I'm on a tight budget, but don't want to spend twice, this seems like the best compromise.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...351MVB2346&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=387808

But damn it was heavy! Between the tripod, camera and other neccessary equipment I'm going to need to hit the gym.
 
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