To buy or not to buy...

frla

frla

Member
I am a total newbie. I don't have any camera. A friend of mine has a Canon XL-2 and an old DV-camera that he let me use when I need. I want to have my own camera since it's much easier to just grab the camera and go out and shoot. And he is also going on some long trips at which time I am without a camera. Since I probably classify as a techie geek I of course want HD. The primary reason is not that it's hi-tech but I want my forthcoming movies to be able to show nicely on moviescreen and reach it's way to some satelitechannels. I expect to shoot the first movie around x-mas this year or the summer next year. But I want to shoot locations et c to get more idea of what the finished material will look like. And I know that content is more important so I am also working hard on that :) I also want to be able to shoot just familystuff and such.

I really like the HVX200. The disc-thingy is smart and as long as you get good backup routines it's perfect. I have also looked at the Sony HDR-HC1. It's quite cheap and it probably classify as a good starter machine. The thing is I can afford the HDR-HC1 now. But should I wait? Should I save my money for the HVX-200 and continue to borrow my friends kit? I don't want to shoot the movie without HD. I feel like betraying it since I know that some scenes will be awesome in HD.

I will probably afford to buy a HVX200 when it's time to shoot the movie (or I will wait shooting until I can afford it). The HDR-HC1 can work as a second camera and if I get good interesting pictures in my location shooting then I can use them for the movie. There will also be places where a small camera might be better than the big one.

My thought is also that if I get a HD-camera now I get to work with it on my computer. I will probably need to upgrade that as well. And I feel that it's easier to have several small expenses than buy all stuff at once.

A sidenote related to editing. Is editing DVCAM-HD faster than editing HDV on the same computer? I figure that HDV use more complex algorithm hence require more processingtime?

So at the moment I am a little bit lost. Anyone in the same situation? My friend don't think I should buy the HDR-HC1 but rather wait and just buy the bigger one. What do you think?
 
I'm doing the same as Bilgami. Originally I was just gonna go out and buy a DVX but theres onlya 5 month wait and if you want to have a good movie, like you said, then you've gotta have good content. What I'm doing is spending that time planning a movie that Ill most likely shoot next summer so it will give me time to get a really solid script and practice with the camera.

-Edalgo
 
I hope to perhaps pick up an HVX200 early next summer.

I currently have a DVX100 w/PanaAna. When I do multiple camera event shoots, I rent DVX100a's from a rental house in downtown Chicago (SMS). I like owning ONE camera of a certain genre and then renting the same model for multicam shoots--that way I know my way around the equipment.

SMS will probably be picking up a few HVX200's when they come out, so if I buy one, I can rent others for multicam shoots like I do with the DVX100. I may not have an immediate need to shoot in "hi-def," but the cost of an HVX is only a bit more than a DVX100a + PanaAna, and given the formats it can write to, it seems like a future-proof purchase. P2 cards will drop in price in a year or two, making 1080p even more economical.

I'd love to shoot an indie film with an HVX @ 1080p. After Barry troubleshoots it, of course. I will want to know what it excells at and what to compensate for. I can't wait to buy Barry's HVX200 Guide (unless, of course, Panasonic includes it with each HVX--a real possibility by next summer!).
 
Hey Bart

A bit off topic, but does SMS require insurance for renting sound equipment or can they make different arrangements? Also, if I need insurance can SMS hook me up with some? Thanks.

PS...I am also from Chicago :thumbsup:
 
IndianFilmmaker,

They do a preauthorized credit card deposit with me for $3,500 per camera. So long as I return them in time, the charge never hits my card. SMS has a good weekend rate--1 day rental. Pick them up @ 3:00pm on a Friday and return them no later than 10:00am Monday and it is $200 per camera. Easy location to find--just off of 94 downtown.

They take good care of their cameras and demand that you only use Panasonic master-quality tapes, so the heads are generally in good shape. They send their cameras out to Panasonic for head cleaning regularly. Also, they are a mom'n'pop. Helena is who you will be dealing with 90% of the time. Nice lady. Tell her I sent you.

Bart
 
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