Taking the plunge... Need help ...

ksadani

ksadani

Active member
Dear Viewers ,

I I must thank Dvxuser as it absolutely taught and given me extensive knowledge in every aspect of filmmaking ...

I have been a silent learner for over 5 years and today ( FINALLY !!! ) my time has come ....

I am based in Dubai and have been involved in several local short films here and have finally found an investor to make my feature !!!

I am looking to use a lot of wide and MEdium and want to give the movie a soft look..

Unfortunately, there aren't any users of HVX in my city ( or atleast i could'nt find them) .. or the use of 35mm adapters so have been heavily dependent of my knowledge through this website and the Barry Green's Bootcamp DVD..

I NEED YOU HELP !!!

I have got a budget of 25,000 USD for my equipment and plan to make the purchase by the end of ther month.... I am just crossing the budget by about 4,000 USD. I need you help and suggestions on the equipment I have chosen and if you are aware of any vendors from where I could get better deal than what I have listed below ...

If you would have any contacts in New york, it would really help as I got a friend there who could make my purchase and save my shipping costs !!!

PLEASE MAKE ANY SUGGESTION THAT WOULD HELP ME ...

Panasonic AG-HVX202 (25p) - USD 5570 ( Local purchase )

Cinevate Brevis 35 Mp2 Flip Module - USD 1310 + Shipping ( Dunno the cost to new york !!)
( CF 1 , Nikon Mount , Setup Ring ring 43-72)
www.cinevate.com

Battery * 2 - DVXuser 5600mah Battery- USD 160 + 5 ( Shipping )
FireStore FS-4Pro HD 250GB w/ HC Field Kit USD 1299 + 10
www.adorama.com

Lenses
Nikon 50mm 1.4f lens USD 399 + 10
Nikon 28mm 2.8f lens USD 399 + 10
www.bhphotovideo.com

Follow focus
microFollowFocus v2 Complete Package USD 825 + Shipping
www.redrockmicro.com

Filters
Cokin or Tiffen ( is there huge difference in quality ?? )

Matte Box - GearDear.com USD 260 + Shipping

Monitors - Manhattan HF089c USD 699 + 15

Tripod System
Bogen 503/3512 USD 610 + 20
www.dvcreators.net

Dolly
RoweCine Dolly system has been discontinued .. any other options ??

Cranes
Kessler 8 Ultra Plus USD 640 + 50

Stabilizers
SpiderBrace USD 70 + 10
Varizoom Zero gravity Rig USD 999 + 120

Brevis - Rails to rod USD 437 + Shipping

Lighting
Lowel Kit
Super Ambi Kit USD 3045
http://www.lowel.com/kits/superAmbi.htmlhttp://www.lowel.com/kits/superAmbi.html
I have assigned about $17500 with above... please advise if youhave any aternatives ..

am i missing anything .. any suggestion on filters ... also need to know what would be the a good boom mike to use .. and what sound recorder is reccommended..

Guys .. be generous with your advice.. it takes a village to raise a child

Regards,
Kunal
 
First thing I noticed is you will need a Firestore FS100 not FS4. The FS100 is the only Firestore compatible with the HVX200.

The other thing is I would suggest purchasing more than two batteries. You can never have enough battteries.

I would go with a better tripod. Especially if you are adding a 35mm adaptor, follow focus, matte box and HD monitor. Personally I use a Vinten Vision 8 tripod as my primary tripod. But I also have a Sachtler DV8SB that does a good job as well.

I recently purhased the Indie Dolly System and am very pleased with the purchase. Great quality and easy to assemble and use.

You will likely want to add wireless microphones to your shopping list. I highly recommend Lectrosonics. They are worth every penny. You will also want a field mixer for your audio operator. I use the Sound Devices 302. It's a three channel mixer and has performed wonderfully. Mine has been through some very tough times and keeps on working. Great piece of gear.

For a boom microphone I use the Sennheiser ME66. You'll get mixed reviews on this microphone. But, personally I get outstanding results. When used and positioned properly it provides stellar audio.

I hope this information is useful for you.

Jim
 
I would definitly grad some filters they come a long way when it comes to shooting video production.
Also if you do hire a cinematographer to shoot your film, I am sure they will have alot of there own equipment as well, If not then invest in some filters they will make your project look great especially if there are outside scenes and you want the sky and the mid ground lite nicley, no other way to do it properly without filters, polarizing grads ect.

As far as everything else goes, you pretty much have alot already, now all it taKes is putting it to good use, and what otHers might need on there film project you may not need.

Im pretty sure someone can tell you to get a crane to add production value but is that part of the directors blocking plan.

Take all of that into consideration, break down your scenes one by one and decide how it's suppose to be shot. If you see a camera follwowing your talent down the steps then you might want to invest in a stedicam, if it's a dramatic moment and you want the audiene to feel it, invest in a dolly so you can push in at the right moment, im sure you understabnd and good luck.
 
instead of the Panasonic AG-HVX202 (25p) , you should check the HPX170, in now does 50 hz (25p) as well as 60 Hz (30p), it is 100% tapeless and consequently has a lighter body and a 5 year waranty (that'really good)

Also, instead of buying everything at once, I would suggest to buy little by little, so you can familiarize yourself with the camera first, then with a tripod and stabilizer, then buy a mini35 (check the Letus by the way) and then go with all the grip goodies.

If you buy everything at once, you will rush on the Mini35 without knowing how to really take advantage of your camera.
Take it slowly, run the most simple tests first.

V.
 
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Hi Jim ,

Thank you for your feedback .... I am now just looking into alternate tripods .. would you be aware of any manfrotta systems as I have worked extensively on them and have become a bit comfortable using the 503 ...

I have although decided move away from the 503 but would have any other options within the same brand ??
 
Hi Director Devin,

Thank you for your reply

I am actually having issues finding people in my city who are working as full time cinametographer as most of the people are flow down from India on assignments basis .. but will keep looking for DP..
 
Hi phenixone,

Thank you for your Comments .

I actually researched into the HPX 170 and it seems to be a lot more suitable to my needs ..

THanks buddy .. you just save me a 1000 bucks .. I can put that money against a better tripod !!!
 
Also don't buy lenses from B&H. Those are autofocus lenses which are terrible for adapter use. Get used manual focus Nikon from Keh.com or spend more and get the Zeiss ZF glass which are fully manual.
 
Hi Ksadani,

If you like Bogen/Manfrotto products and would like to buy a better tripod head, I'd suggest you get the Bogen 516 head. I use it quite often with my HPX170 & Brevis rig and I really like it. It's heavier but with much better fluid drags and construction than any 501 or 503 heads I ever used. I always pair it with a Miller Solo Aluminum DV legs and I just love the combo. To be honest I never tried any Sachtler or other more expensive heads/tripods but for the price I paid (around 1100 bucks for the kit), I'm really happy about both purchase.

Here are links to the B&H store if you need more info on the products :
Legs : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/407389-REG/Miller_1630_Solo_DV_Aluminum_Tripod.html
Head : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...by_Bogen_Imaging_516_516_Pro_Video_Fluid.html

I also agree with Huy about the Nikon lenses : get some AI-S lenses that have all-metal bodies and not those AF-series made mostly out of plastic. Here are four good reasons why :

1. Some Nikon AF lenses (the G-series) have no manual (external) iris rings since they're designed for DSLR bodies that controls the iris from inside.
2. AF lenses don't have as much focus throw for manual focusing compared to most older ones which might be a pain when critical focusing's important.
3. Metal AI-S lenses are more sturdy and wear down much less quickly than plastic AF lenses.
4. AI-S lenses are cheaper than AF (unless you're buying Zeiss ZF of course!)

I'd also recommend getting some good quality UV filters to protect your lenses' glass for when you're not going to use them with a mattebox and filters.

I hope this helps!
 
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I would say get a good ARRI kit instead of Lowel. Maybe 3 650's and 2 1K's to start. Lowel makes a decent Light kit (I have 2) but I, Like many others Prefer ARRI.

Other than that, Your list looks pretty solid. the Tripod issue has already been covered.

good luck and have fun. It's one hell of a good time, most of the time.:Drogar-Shock(DBG):
 
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