to buy or not?

A

Adam E

Active member
hello all-

not sure where exactly where to post this, so someone feel free to move it.

i have been drooling over the dvx since it came out, but have never been able to afford one up until now. i have had two panasonic mini-dv cameras and both suited my needs at the time just fine. i got an imac g4 around three years ago and have been using it with final cut to do my editing. i am a college student so i dont have much money but i do have some set aside for school and my future in general.

three things i am considering purchasing:

1. dvx100a
2. panasonic anamorphic adapter
3. imac g5

i cannot afford to purchase all of these things at once since i dont want to spend everything i have...im going to re-invest for a bit farther down the road.

i am looking for input on whether or not it is worth the purchase of the camera and eventually the other two items. i figure since hd and widescreen are becoming more common, the anamorphic adapter would be nice since i cant afford an hd camera. unless there is anything else coming out soon?

ugh...sorry to make such a long post, but i just want to spend what little money i do have wisely.

thanks,
adam
 
If you can afford the DVX you can afford an HD (HDV really) cam. The Sony HDR-HC1 is under $2K, buy a copy of dvfilmmaker for $150 to convert to 24p and something like a low cost AT or Rode microphone, an extra battery and you would be under $2500. 16x9 HDV would look pretty spiffy for student projects.

Now converting to 24p isnt as good as shooting 24p natively, I have seen both and the DVX to 24p DVD is awesome. Although dvfilmmaker is pretty close.

As always with these "what should I buy" posts it comes down to what will you do with it. Now with the rebate, and the extras, the DVX is to good to pass up right now. Techno snobs will tell you that the DVX is obsolete now, but how many people do you know who have HD TVs or festivals that support HD screenings?
 
Welcome Adam,

It is hard to answer your question, because you didn't really explain what you are going to be doing with it. If you are a student filmmaker, the purchase of an HD camera doesn't really seem like the right choice, as most colleges and universities still use film or SD miniDV. I was in a similar situation, and I decided to go with the DVX100a. It is a camera that I can use throughout my stay at film school, as well as providing me the most film-like representations of my work. I hope to use this camera as a stepping stone, something to make a good demo reel with.

If, however, you are going to be using it for clients in the future, making video productions for hire, etc., you may want to think about going with HD, as it is certainly not going to be obsolete anytime soon. If that were the case, the only camera I could still recommend though, is the HVX by Panasonic, as no other HD camera will offer you the flexibility as that one, especially for the price.
 
thanks for the responses guys.

i apologize for my previous lack of clarity. i want a camera mainly for making independent movies, but one that would also give me the flexibility to produce videos for clients in the future. i understand that it is rather hard to buy a wonder-camera that does it all, especially in my price range of $3500 or less.

i realize that hd is just all around a higher quality format, but i really dont think that ill be able to afford the hvx. :cry: my rationale for the dvx with anamorphic adapter was that i would at least be able to shoot in the same aspect ratio as hd, even if the resolution wasnt quite the same as hd.

i saw this article awhile ago, and am qurious as to whether or not the camera will actually be produced and available. panasonic flash cam it seems that it either got turned into the hvx?? or perhaps since the release date wasnt until september 06 that no one is discussing it right now... i just dont want to buy a camera and then have something be released the next month with even more features that i would like.

im looking for 24p, good audio, good manual controls, true 16:9 would be nice, and of course hd or even hdv would be nice but i cant seem to find that combined with an in camera 24p. i do have dv filmmaker, it does a good job but i dont really like the idea of waiting forever for render time just for 24p...(trades offs :undecided )

thanks again for the input,
adam
 
Adam E said:
i want a camera mainly for making independent movies, but one that would also give me the flexibility to produce videos for clients in the future.

...im looking for 24p, good audio, good manual controls...
Click to expand...
After doing months of research, and with thousands of testimonials, I found the DVX to be the camera of choice. It is by far the best 24p camera in its price range...and you'll never know how valuable it is until you see your films shot on it. Check out Pine Lake Films and see what kind of image that this camera can produce. Look at the other films on here...I just watched "Awake", a short film that was absolutely gorgeous. I really wouldn't be so concerned about Hi-Def. So far it is good for the video look, but not for film (at least not in this price range). Also, the audio on the DVX is the best of any prosumer camera in this price range BY FAR, and it also has a plethora of manual controls and flexibility, in addition to the fact that you'll find many, many accessories and software made specifically for the DVX. For the money, it's your best bet. Good luck :beer:
 
Im with Joshua.... theres one small issue I will point out to you. Read around the forum and you will see what I mean... theres a few other bits and peices that you really need that cost $$ . But on the good side if you do get the DVX and learn to use it properly you can produce some good stuff without too much extra $$ there are so many posts here on how to do this or that cheaper........ what the best options are etc. I read a comment recently from someone i cant remember the thread exactly .. but it was around the lines of good camera use and knowledge vs spending all your $$ on extras... i think he had a point.

I would certainly get the 16:9 adaptor if you can afford it... images really are great .. downside is its hard to get readily available / cheap bits for it i.e. matte box. I have one for the standard lense.. but I have resorted to making my own for the 16:9 adaptor. I built a cardboard prototype tonight and its good. DIY is great thing.
 
thanks a bunch guys, ive decided on the dvx and anamorphic adapter. are used anamorphic lenses available at decent prices? i actually have some black foam core board that i was planning on making my own matte box with just as an expirament so i have no problem playing with dyi stuff.

thanks again for the advice; i cant wait to get this camera!
 
Good choice Adam, you'll be thrilled with the DVX! Check around and you can get a good price on an anamorphic lense. People post them on here sometimes, just keep your eyes open and react quickly! Best of luck...
 
The DVX is a good idea. But the adapter? I see people selling them all the time and I think they are a pain in the ass to use. Plenty of movies being made with the DVX without the adapter.
 
Get camera, learn to use it. Wait on anamorphic, I see lots of mixed opinions about them. You can always add it later at no additional cost, so why rush? The DVX will keep you entertained for a while, and you can shoot squeeze and letterbox first before deciding whether to go anamorphic. Save your money for tripod, microphones, headphones, case, filters, lights, monopod, steadycam, green screens, crane, ....
 
galt said:
Get camera, learn to use it. Wait on anamorphic, I see lots of mixed opinions about them. You can always add it later at no additional cost, so why rush? The DVX will keep you entertained for a while, and you can shoot squeeze and letterbox first before deciding whether to go anamorphic. Save your money for tripod, microphones, headphones, case, filters, lights, monopod, steadycam, green screens, crane, ....
Click to expand...
Absolutely. I have an anamorphic, and while it produces great images, especially when you zoom out, it's definitely not a critical accessory to have. I find I use my Sennheiser microphone all the time, but anamorphic only about half the time - and that's only because a continuing work on a documentary. All the 'little projects', those that I KNOW will only be for small screen, I shoot without the anamorphic.
 
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