Suggested HVX-200 Filmmaking and Producton Package

Hello All,

I'm new to this so please bare with me. I've been a DVX user for over a year now (that's what we shoot on at my school) and I am about to buy some equipment of my own. I intend to use this equipment for future school projects as well as on future freelance gigs. Despite being a Digital Media major I only own a G5 with the Production Bundle, a laptop with DVRack and a boom pole (the school doesn't have any so I gave in and bought it after using broomsticks on a project and getting crappy audio). So this leads me to my question: I plan to buy the HVX (and acquire HD when the P2 cards become affodable), but can anyone suggest an audio package (shotgun mic and shock mount and wireless lavs), a tripod (I've been looking at the 351MVB2 Pro from EVS), and anything else I'd need to have a relatively complete package (i.e. what camera bag/audio case, what batteries, what cables and chords, accessories, etc.). I'm looking to spend $7,000-$7,500 in total (HVX included). So what is the best equipment I can get for roughly $2,000 to have a wel-rounded and professional production package? Also, I intend to shoot short films with the camera so at some point down the road I plan to invest in a 35 adapter and some lenses, so I hope to buy around that (like invest in a good tripod now that'll be able to sustain that weight, a mic that has a good pick-up pattern for field recording and a good bag that'll fit the whole rig and accessories). Thanks everyone!
 
It's unlikely that you could purchase a good quality setup at that price as the HVX without P2 cards is $5,995 and with two 8GB cards is $9,995.
A shotgun I use is the Sennheiser ME-66 around $200-300 it's a pretty good shotgun for the money though the MKH-416 $800+ is much better I hear.

David Kirlew
 
Dyplodicus1975, you can get just the camera ($5795) and tether it to your G5 with a long wire, a laptop or a firestore device. Rent the P2 cards when needed (steadicam, handheld, etc.). I purchased a MKH-416 sennheiser on Ebay for $350.00. Its a great microphone or you can get the AT897 or the 4071a brand new. Boom poles can be purchased used and just get a new shockmount for the microphone. The good wireless mics are expensive if you buy them brand new. I also purchased used on Ebay Lectrosonics wireless receiver/transmitter and purchased a countryman lav mic brand new to connect to the Lectrosonics. The HVX200 should be a great camera but remember that HD takes up a lot of hard drive space and you will need a monitor to display a 1080i image. The Dell 2405 is a monitor that can be used in house and on location, so that should be a good match with the HVX. A lot of my friends who own DVXs record sound directly into the camera. I prefer to use a field mixer with good pre-amps to get clean sound. The DVX does record very good directly in the camera and I hope that the HVX does the same. If you rent the P&S 35 adapter for the HVX, according to the P&S folks, you will have to use the Pro35. The rental house will require you to have production insurance because this piece cost over $10K. The HVX is not a camcorder. Its a serious piece of filmmaking equipment that requires knowledge and attention to details. As with most of the folks on this site, we are patiently waiting for more info and a release date of the HVX200. This is a great time to be a filmmaker. Good luck!
 
We will be renting the P2 cards and we will have exclusive DVXuser "Filmmaker" rental rates for 4+ weeks shoot times, at approximately 19% of the value of the cards. :thumbsup:
 
It is most probably the AG-MC100G, but I went to the Panny website and it didn't list it, so this is just a guess. That's the mic always pictured with the DVX.
 
. If you rent the P&S 35 adapter for the HVX, according to the P&S folks, you will have to use the Pro35.
for a 1/3" Camera? I thought they where gonna desgin a Mini35 for the camera, as none of the current models will fit (even a Pro35 wont fit, as its a B mount)
 
They have designed a mini35 connecting kit for the 1/3" JVC HD100. Presumably an HVX connecting kit is underway as well...
 
dkirlew said:
It's unlikely that you could purchase a good quality setup at that price as the HVX without P2 cards is $5,995 and with two 8GB cards is $9,995.
A shotgun I use is the Sennheiser ME-66 around $200-300 it's a pretty good shotgun for the money though the MKH-416 $800+ is much better I hear.

David Kirlew

B&H Fall 2005 Pro Audio Catalog (fairly representative prices):

Sennheiser ME66 K6: $479
Sennheiser MKH416: $1,099.95
Audio-Technica AT897: $279.00

I think the last mic (AT897) is probably the best bang for the low-budget buck.:)
 
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