Retailer Recommendations and square filter question

S

Sproketz

Well-known member
Question 1:
I have been pondering buying the HVX200 for several months and was waiting to actually see some reviews after it started delivering but now I think I should just put up the $$$ and get in line.

I have purchased from B&H many times before but I noticed that the company making the CinePorter has a pretty nice price. Even Safe Harbor, which is known more for graphics software, has a slightly better price than B&H. It just seems strange to me to buy a camera from the CinePorter people or Sharbor over B&H. What does anybody think. A larger retailer like B&H would have a longer wait list but would they also get a larger share of shipped cameras?
CinePorter adds an extra battery and a 10% discount on the CinePorter when it becomes available. But they don't normally sell cameras, they are mainly a gear maintenance facility.

Question 2:
I am looking to buy a matte box and start putting together a fliter set for the camera.
I have noticed that some of the small matte boxes seem to only take the 4X4 filters. Don't most of the full size HD cams (Varicam, CineAlta etc.) only use the 4X5.65 filters?
At the price these things cost I would rather pay a little extra for the larger glass and be able to get double duty out of them.
Do any of the matte boxes for the smaller cameras accept 4X5.65 or are they all 4X4.

Thanks for any info,
Sproketz
 
Sproketz, wherever you decide to go, make sure you purchase from a Panasonic authorized dealer. Especially considering the price of the HVX200, you wouldn't want to run into warranty issues if you buy elsewhere. That said, B&H Photo is a reputable vendor and a Panasonic authorized dealer, along with EVS Online, Zotz Digital, or Studio Exchange. Another very good vendor includes Abel Cine Tech, and a few others I'm sure I'm forgetting.

Aside from buying from an authorized dealer, there should be no need to deposit the entire amount; about $500 is the most I would go for until the camera is ready to ship.

Stay away from Safe Harbor. Heard bad things about them, if they are the company I'm thinking of...
 
I have ordered from B&H and EVS (and some others, but they don't sell HVXs). Both are great places, EVS has a bit more of the personal touch and the connection and history with this community. Rush is great. Ask for him, and the DVXuser discount.
 
Thanks very much for the info. I will look up the retailers that you guys mentioned and stick with them. I would rather pay more and have peace of mind than trying to work the price. Since everybody is pretty mum about delivery dates I would probably never know what the difference might have been no matter which way I went. I'll just get in line. I hope 2 months is not to unrealistic. No rush for a project, just eager to work with this camera.
 
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