Spoiled by the DVX (consumer camcorders)

Sean Michael

Sean Michael

Well-known member
Well, I just got back from a great trip through Yellowstone National Park.

Before departure, fearing the DVX would prove too unwieldy for this camping/hiking trip, I bought a $350 Panasonic GS31 at Best Buy.

After a couple of days, I swapped the GS31 for a 3CCD/Leica lens GS150. The rest of the trip was filmed with the GS150.

Result: as you might expect, the GS150 (clocking in at $650) video was far superior to the GS31. The GS150 has better resolution, better color reproduction, and produces all-around superior video.

But viewing some of the footage, I can't help but wish I'd had my DVX.

Overall I'm pleased with the GS150, but find myself now considering the next upgrade from Panasonic or even the new Sony HD camcorder. :shocked:

Anyone else have similar experiences? Anyone have a great consumer camcorder to recommend as a DVX backup?
 
Sean Michael said:
Anyone have a great consumer camcorder to recommend as a DVX backup?
Click to expand...

No. :grin: After the DVX, I can't go back. I used to really love my TRV38. Now it's my deck.
 
I used to live in West Yellowstone Montana, and spent a LOT of time in the park. During that time, I was into photography, not yet having discovered video. I have hundreds of 35mm photos and really enjoyed it, but still felt something lacking...not quite satisfied. Then, got into movie making, and when I went back for my honeymoon last year, took my DVX. I have about 12 hours of video that to me is awesome beyond description. I loved being able to capture the mud pots and hot pools in full motion with awesome color, not to mention the Buffalo and Elk. And being able to get sweeping images of the landscape was far more fullfiling than just static mountain shots. The only thing I really wish I wouldve had was my tripod, but it came out mostly ok handheld.
 
Daniel_Runyon said:
...and when I went back for my honeymoon last year, took my DVX. I have about 12 hours of video that to me is awesome beyond description. I loved being able to capture the mud pots and hot pools in full motion with awesome color...
Click to expand...


oh, the things that are running through my mind... :evil:
 
Yeah yeah yeah, Lasater! Actually though, there was none of that....we had our 3 year old with us. But man, that does indeed create some strange...and in one case nasty imagery....yuck! (no offense to those who are into that kind of thing)
 
Lol – Daniel, I worked in Yellowstone in the early 90s. This was my first time back in the Park in 12 years. The “mud pots and hot pools” are every bit as arousing, err, inviting, as they were back in college. Saw two grizzlies and a black bear, too. :thumbup:

My only regret is leaving the DVX at home. The GS31 is a decent camcorder, but the results were very consumerish. I shot in cinema (letterbox) mode, and the lack of resolution is quite noticeable on my 60-inch HDTV. Of course, the sound is tinny.

The 3CCD GS150 is a vast improvement. Color reproduction is noticeably better. I suppose the sound is comparable, but the resolution of the GS150 is clearly superior to that of the GS31. The footage looks pretty decent on my TV. I could see using this camera as a relatively cheap backup (say, in a high-speed car mount shot in which you’d rather not jeopardize your DVX). No 24p, but good, clean video.

Next time I go to Yellowstone (possibly this winter, possibly next summer), I’m packing the DVX. In the meantime, I’ll edit my recent footage; if it looks worthwhile, I’ll post it here.
 
Sean Michael said:
Of course, the sound is tinny.
Click to expand...

I edited music into mine. I used some of the Sacred Spirit CD, and Cherokee Morning Song by the Coolidge sisters. It came out awesome! It starts with footage out the window of the plane taking off, shows some amazing shots from over the clouds, and then landing....then goes into the Yellowstone scenery.

Where did you work there? My wife worked at Canyon and Grant Village, and I worked at Rendevous snowmobile rental, Running Bear Pancake House, and the IMAX. Had a Navaho friend who worked as a backcountry trail rider, repairing trails. Some of the best times of my life. 98 and 99. Over my bed is a huge photo of the Grand Canyon Of The Yellowstone, lower falls.
 
So let me get this straight..... You own a DVX but bought this other camera for a trip to Yellowstone National Park?
That's like saying "We're gonna go to the moon but that Hasselblad is way to bulky. Someone run down to Walgreens and buy a couple disposables cameras.":evil:

Sean - go stand in the corner for the rest of class.:grin:
 
I worked at Canyon in 1991 (Employee Dining Room), then at the Fishing Bridge General Store in 1993. Some of the best times of my life, too!

During this recent visit, it was refreshing to see that little has changed. The Park is beautiful as ever, and we saw some stunning sights (the aforementioned grizzlies--which were feeding on a bison carcass--come to mind). We camped at Bridge Bay, Canyon, and Mammoth.

Good idea on the music. My goal is to compile all the footage highlights, then assemble into a creative narrative--producing a really off-the-wall vacation video! I may shoot a few scenes with the DVX to fill in the gaps.

BTW, I'm seriously thinking of spending next summer in Montana near the Park.
 
Sirius_Doggy said:
So let me get this straight..... You own a DVX but bought this other camera for a trip to Yellowstone National Park?
Click to expand...

Ummmm, well, what I was thinking was.... well, there would be hiking and camping and bears...and what the hell WAS I thinking?

My fear was that the DVX would be too heavy and bulky for this kind of trip. But in hindsight, I could've had a BLAST with it. Gents, I hang my head in shame. :huh:
 
Sean Michael said:
BTW, I'm seriously thinking of spending next summer in Montana near the Park.
Click to expand...

I would highly recommend Fort Jax RV Park, where you can rent a permanently mounted camper for $350 a month (99 prices, at least) which includes ALL utilities...cable TV (you provide the TV) and the landlord, Jack, rocks to the fullest. Cheapest place to stay...period, in West Yellowstone, and less than 2 minutes from the park gates, with a spectacular view of Two Top mountain right outside your door. When I went last year, my old camper was still vacant!

We (wife and I) watched a grizzly eat an elk carcass one time, cant remember exactly where, though. And right around the corner from my camper was a trail that goes up a mountain that had been created during the last big eruption, and there was a black bear and a couple of cubs living the whole summer right there at the foot of the trail.

I think of all the gate entry towns, West Yellowstone rocks the most. Be sure to go see Scott, owner of the Book Worm bookstore...the finest house of reading I've found in the entire USA. Check out his first edition of The Odyssey encased in glass! If you havent already, I would definately recommend watching the IMAX movies Yellowstone and Wolves.
 
I have a good friend who lives in Red Lodge, Montana. For this reason I'm leaning towards Red Lodge, but have a few fond (albeit blurry) memories of West Yellowstone. I remember a "grill your own meat" bar there which allowed free camping on the lawn outside. I took 'em up on it a couple of times. :beer:

Here's my gal at Canyon.

Yellowstone_Kristy_Lower_Fa.sized.jpg
 
Red Lodge is cool...much more rustic than West Yellowstone, which is indeed a highly alcoholic town. I used to hang at The Gusher, and there were some serious regulars there, fully blasted, every eve. A bar on every corner. The cook your own meat one is out at Hebgen Lake, like a remote installation! It's near the camp of Buffalo Nation, the guys who get up in the stands to block the rangers from getting the Buffalo euthanasia traps. Great people.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top