This is everything I'm thinking about buying...

D

dreamache

Member
I'm on a budget.


DVX100B: http://buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=PNAGDVX100B
$2,900 after $400 rebate.

3 Point Lighting Kit: http://www.rostronics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=1500Wfull3kit
$439

Tripod (Vanguard VT-558): http://buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=VGVT558
$200

Green Screen (11x24 ChromaKey): http://cgi.ebay.com/11x24-GREEN-BLU...618414181QQcategoryZ30079QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
$150

Carrying Bag (Pelican 1600): http://cgi.ebay.com/Pelican-1600-Ca...ryZ30051QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
$133

And I've yet to find a wireless lav for audio, I'm hoping to find something decent for $250.


All in all, it comes out to: $4,072 - which doesn't include shipping and such.



I'm a complete newb to video. A couple friends and I are starting a network of gaming sites and we want to feature streaming flash video of game news / commentary - and maybe various skits and such. I'm not looking to produce any movies or do freelance work, so I'm thinking all of that is more than sufficient for what I want.

Opinions?
 
I say just buy the camera, wait on the rest. Or just rent em, like I will do.

Ps, what happened to that deal on ebay? lol, I don't see how Buydig is any better.
 
FilmMakerr said:
I say just buy the camera, wait on the rest. Or just rent em, like I will do.

Ps, what happened to that deal on ebay? lol, I don't see how Buydig is any better.
Click to expand...

well i've done a lot of research since then and a lot of people from here give good praises to buydig.
 
TRIPOD: NO, NO, NO!

That is a $40 tripod that is good for....it is good for.....no, sorry, I can't think of ANYTHING that that is good for.

You would be better off going to walmart and getting their best one, which is about $40 or so.

Expect to pay about $400 for the minimum "decent" offering from Bogen?Manfrotto, although even THEY have some that start at about $240, and that's with a 501 head.
 
vidled said:
TRIPOD: NO, NO, NO!

That is a $40 tripod that is good for....it is good for.....no, sorry, I can't think of ANYTHING that that is good for.

You would be better off going to walmart and getting their best one, which is about $40 or so.

Expect to pay about $400 for the minimum "decent" offering from Bogen?Manfrotto, although even THEY have some that start at about $240, and that's with a 501 head.
Click to expand...

Ok, how about this for $380 from bogen:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...120&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
 
don't skimp on equipment, if you can't afford "decent" rent or borrow...

on that note, I've never rented anything. I bought my camera and nothing else. For over a year everything I used (tripod, lighting, mics, cords, etc) I got FOR FREE from my local community college. It's not the best equipment, but it is "decent", and free.

Actually all the video equipment belongs to the local access station which shares assests with the college. So if you aren't interested in the college credit, you could save the $28 a unit and just join your local public access station. In fact, they might have a DVX you can take out for free (mine does) which would allow you to get your feet wet before the plunge. You really should go take a look before spending several grand.
 
yeah, what you guys say does make sense. maybe i should just buy the camera and make due with natural lighting / environments and slowly build an arsenal based on priority and what I learn.
 
dreamache said:
yeah, what you guys say does make sense. maybe i should just buy the camera and make due with natural lighting / environments and slowly build an arsenal based on priority and what I learn.
Click to expand...

well, that wasn't exactly what we meant. You'll need the essentials (tripod, lights, mic) but don't buy anything you don't explicitly know you need, i.e. have personal experience with it. So in the mean time either rent, or better yet, check out ur local public access station or community college and use whatever you want, as much as you want, for free :)
 
dreamache said:
Green Screen (11x24 ChromaKey): http://cgi.ebay.com/11x24-GREEN-BLU...618414181QQcategoryZ30079QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
$150
Click to expand...
Get the foam backed stuff, it's much better. www.eefx.com

dreamache said:
I'm thinking all of that is more than sufficient for what I want. Opinions?
Click to expand...
You need more lights if you want that green screen to work. I suggest:

(2) Flo Light Flo-1400 ($499 each)
http://www.flolight.com/products.htm

(12) Kino Flo 55C-K5X Green Screen Tubes ($25/each or so)
http://www.kinoflo.com/sales_catalog_2004/lamps/001_lmp/visual_fx.html

Flourescents are ideal for green screens because they provide a nice "wash" of light, without any major hot spots. Without a balanced wash of light on the screen it will not key evenly. These tools will provide you the best chance for success with green screen. Oh, and if you use FCP, you might check out that new Vector Keyer plug in: www.oakstreetsoftware.com

Hope this helps.
 
colormeter said:
Get the foam backed stuff, it's much better. www.eefx.com


You need more lights if you want that green screen to work. I suggest:

(2) Flo Light Flo-1400 ($499 each)
http://www.flolight.com/products.htm

(12) Kino Flo 55C-K5X Green Screen Tubes ($25/each or so)
http://www.kinoflo.com/sales_catalog_2004/lamps/001_lmp/visual_fx.html

Flourescents are ideal for green screens because they provide a nice "wash" of light, without any major hot spots. Without a balanced wash of light on the screen it will not key evenly. These tools will provide you the best chance for success with green screen. Oh, and if you use FCP, you might check out that new Vector Keyer plug in: www.oakstreetsoftware.com

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Do you mean those are additional lights I should purchase on top of the ones I initially specified?
 
dreamache said:
Do you mean those are additional lights I should purchase on top of the ones I initially specified?
Click to expand...
Yes. I would use the Flo Lights w/ Green Tubes only for lighting the green screen and then use the Britek kit for lighting the talent. That's how it's normally done, anyways.
 
he's right, if your going to key properly, the 3 briteks probably wont work. plus if you used the briteks, how would you light your subject?
 
Well I'm going to go on an unpopular limb and say that if you're looking to do a newscast type broadcast with just some skits then change your kit completely.

OK, here we go...

Camera - GS120 @ $400. It is the cheapest 3CCD camera you can get. You will need a beachtek adapter to get audio into the camera, so add $200.

Lights. Dude, if you think there is a shot in hell that you can do a green screen set up with 3 lights you're insane. For my most recent film I did a green screen shoot and I had seven lights on the green screen and then three on my talent. This was only for one person in the frame at a time.

Wireless lavs. Why do you need wireless. Go to the audio section and read the top ten secrets for audio. One of the carnal rules is that my wire will always sound better than your wireless. Get a boom and an Oktava kit and you're done for $400. The cheapest level of acceptable wireless audio is the Sennheiser G2 at $500 a unit.

Greenscreen... $100 sounds about right.

If you're not looking for a film like look, you don't need the DVX. The features might be nice, but you're not going to need it. If money is that important, save yourself $3000 and get a GS120. If you want to invest more into a better camera look at the DVC30 or a used XL1. Both have pro audio, 3CCDs, and most importantly a beefier look.

If you have no experience with any of this then it is insane to go ahead and drop tens of thousands of dollars. Start shooting with a GS120, it wont disappoint and will save you thousands.

-Jeremy
 
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