The Basics with a DVX100

G

GEdwards

New member
Does anyone have any suggestions for a good reference for someone who has had no cinematography experience? I bought a DVX100A and got the Barry Green book with it, however the book starts out explaining the Gamma settings along with interlace and progressive modes for auto focus assist assuming that I know what it all means.

Is there a "DVX100A for Dummies" book or pamphlet out there? I need the Basics. Once I know the basics, I think the Barry Green book would be more helpful.

I have been an actor for almost 4 years now and I am sick of junk that some of the film makers want me to do. I want to make my own films but don't want to spend the next two years learning how to use the camera. Thanks.
 
No DVX for dummies that I know of, but here's some of the resources I used to get up to speed:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=143479

http://www.adamwilt.com/24p/index.html (linked to in the above thread)

http://www.temple.edu/fma/referencelibrary/manuals/FouldDVX100menu.pdf (explains the menus in a little more detail)

... and there's always the search on DVX user :thumbup:

Barry's guide is invaluable, but the real way to get "good" with the camera is to pop in a tape and shoot stuff (I'm still learning :) )
 
GageFX said:
Basics: Set it to scene file F6. You're ready to shoot.
Click to expand...

I agree 100%. This is really the best way of learning, and in many ways, the best way of shooting. The best looking DVX feature, IMO, is LAND OF PLENTY, and they started out using their own settings, but soon changed to just using F6 and then altering colors etc. in post.

What you need to do is connect your DVX to a big TV screen or monitor (don't rely on the DVX's monitor) with a nice long cable, and find a place that has both nice available light and bad available light. You'll soon see how beautiful the results can be if you light it well, and how crap it can look if you light it poorly.

Put it on auto, then lock it onto manual when you get a nice look, that's the best way to start. And keep white-balancing. Keep practising, shoot heaps and HAVE FUN!
 
When I first got my camera, it was 4 months before starting principal on a feature. I read every bit of information there was about camera settings and then did tests. Tested TONS of different custom scene files all allegedly the "best". I ended shooting stock f6 and I dont have a single frame of footage I dont like except for a missed framing or out of focus.

Stock F6 is my friend.
 
Absolutely. When I first got my DVX, I switched it straight to F6 and was so happy with the results I didn't change it for weeks. When I finally did, I experimented with different settings but F6 is always my favorite.
 
What is the stock F6?

I bought my dvx used and have never had oppurtunity to test it out. I have always been using custom settings.
 
???

I dont know the entire list of all the settings. It's probably listed in the manual.
 
You can always go back to the initial factory settings for each Scene File but here they are:

1218170157.jpg
 
:dankk2:Thanks a million dude. One step closer to figuring it out.

Thanks. Got a setting chart from someone and I see what you mean by Scene F6. Thanks for the tip.

Great information. Thanks dude. I figure...keep using it until you perfect it.

Thanks a million dude!!

That was my plan but anything I find along the way to shorten that learning curve is what I am after. Thanks for the note...

F6 it is!!!

If I didn't say it before. Thanks fo rthe feedback.
 
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