Same old problem, I want to get a 100b but suffer thru that "what's gonna be next" syndrome. Wondering if there will be a DVX100c in the near future. I know, one has to just take the plunge, as one could wait forever. At least an Arri S was the same camera for 50 years, no need to have been improved, it was perfect. Of course that was film.
Wait to buy?
- Thread starter Jimmer
- Start date
Jimmer
I went through the same doubts as you for a long time, then finally I got my 100a. About 5 months later...the 100b! Get it in your head that You can't keep up with digital, stills or tape. So go ahead and buy the 100b. 2 days after you open the package expect the 100c or d or f to come out. Ask yourself...what is it that I need a camera for.....when the new one comes out ask... is there anything in the new one that is so important and new that I have to switch? Most likely the answer will be...no! I will never forgive myself for wasting so much time deciding and for the work I never did in the process. You are right about film cameras..the production company I used to work for had 7 35mm Arriflexes acquired in the 60s and up to the mid 90s we were still shooting high end commercials with those dinosaurs. This came to an end when parts were phased out. We turned the 7 cameras into 3, using the older ones for replacement parts. They are still being used. Same with still cameras. I had 2 Nikon F bodies bought in 65 when I went to RIT. Although I had to get a couple of new lenses along the way, I was able to use them until the mid 80s. Shot thousand os rolls, abusing the crap of those bodies. Now a one year old digital is ancient.
I went through the same doubts as you for a long time, then finally I got my 100a. About 5 months later...the 100b! Get it in your head that You can't keep up with digital, stills or tape. So go ahead and buy the 100b. 2 days after you open the package expect the 100c or d or f to come out. Ask yourself...what is it that I need a camera for.....when the new one comes out ask... is there anything in the new one that is so important and new that I have to switch? Most likely the answer will be...no! I will never forgive myself for wasting so much time deciding and for the work I never did in the process. You are right about film cameras..the production company I used to work for had 7 35mm Arriflexes acquired in the 60s and up to the mid 90s we were still shooting high end commercials with those dinosaurs. This came to an end when parts were phased out. We turned the 7 cameras into 3, using the older ones for replacement parts. They are still being used. Same with still cameras. I had 2 Nikon F bodies bought in 65 when I went to RIT. Although I had to get a couple of new lenses along the way, I was able to use them until the mid 80s. Shot thousand os rolls, abusing the crap of those bodies. Now a one year old digital is ancient.
The solution is not to wait till the perfect device comes out but to plan devise ways to make the gear pay for itself then buy what you need to full the deed.
Would you say to yourself before you have a job "what car should I buy to go to work? and SUV, hatchback or sports car. I can't go to work until I find the right vehicle and the cars keep getting better."
No of course not.....
you get the job by any means possible even if you must take the bus to the interview (this is equivlent of renting gear). Then you buy whatever vehicle will suit the needs of the job and future jobs.
If you need to travel far through country get an SUV. If gas mileage is import through city driving get an economy car.
sitting back waiting for the perfect technology stop with the perfect item is like sitting back waiting for the santa claus. the Tech is design to evolve like this. Even if they had the perfect camera corporations wouldn't unleash it all at once.
The only device out there that might be the perfect cam to stay insolete for awhile is the RED.
Would you say to yourself before you have a job "what car should I buy to go to work? and SUV, hatchback or sports car. I can't go to work until I find the right vehicle and the cars keep getting better."
No of course not.....
you get the job by any means possible even if you must take the bus to the interview (this is equivlent of renting gear). Then you buy whatever vehicle will suit the needs of the job and future jobs.
If you need to travel far through country get an SUV. If gas mileage is import through city driving get an economy car.
sitting back waiting for the perfect technology stop with the perfect item is like sitting back waiting for the santa claus. the Tech is design to evolve like this. Even if they had the perfect camera corporations wouldn't unleash it all at once.
The only device out there that might be the perfect cam to stay insolete for awhile is the RED.
Zim
Veteran
at least with cars you know a new model is coming out. With the camera companies it is like the Manhatten Project. If you have a new camera coming out let us know.
And I'm close to getting the DVX and yes I would be pissed if the next day a 16:9 AVCHD came out. There is a lot changing right now so it is wise to keep your eye on the market.
I'm trying to decide if I should wait and see what happens after sept 30th. Gamble on the $350 rebate. Instant HD isn't that big of a deal or MB.
This buy for me isn't about making money. It is about making something. I want the best I can get and for a good price.
And I'm close to getting the DVX and yes I would be pissed if the next day a 16:9 AVCHD came out. There is a lot changing right now so it is wise to keep your eye on the market.
I'm trying to decide if I should wait and see what happens after sept 30th. Gamble on the $350 rebate. Instant HD isn't that big of a deal or MB.
This buy for me isn't about making money. It is about making something. I want the best I can get and for a good price.
Zim
Don't buy SD ...anything SD... your right for me I won't be buying anything until about march or april whn wedding season starts again. this will give me time to see what new benefits the market has.
but once you have HD the new stuff is minor. I can't see me needing anything else as far as cams are concerned what I have is so far ahead.
but SD is dead...like a screaming drawing man...
HD isn't that much more expensive. If you truley want the best you can get for a good price look at the Sony A1u or the better yet the consumer version of this cam.
always remeber that acheive SD on a HD cam is a simple as flipping a switch.
Don't buy SD ...anything SD... your right for me I won't be buying anything until about march or april whn wedding season starts again. this will give me time to see what new benefits the market has.
but once you have HD the new stuff is minor. I can't see me needing anything else as far as cams are concerned what I have is so far ahead.
but SD is dead...like a screaming drawing man...
HD isn't that much more expensive. If you truley want the best you can get for a good price look at the Sony A1u or the better yet the consumer version of this cam.
always remeber that acheive SD on a HD cam is a simple as flipping a switch.
Barry_Green
Moderator
Well, that's easy. There will ALWAYS be a new model coming out.Zim said:
Dodgee-Doo
Member
I decided to buy the DVX100b after wait for like 6 months. I ordered it Wednesday after realizing my school's equipment sucks a lot. We went on a shoot and the camera at my dv tape so I ordered the DVX, got it overnight and have been shooting ever since. 3 class projects and 1 extracurricular done!
This camera is everything I need and more (right now). If they announced something new tomorrow, good for them, but for the next couple of years, I'll hold on to my baby. It'll always be good for something.
This camera is everything I need and more (right now). If they announced something new tomorrow, good for them, but for the next couple of years, I'll hold on to my baby. It'll always be good for something.
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
Was a DVX100c going to make or break your success as it was ?
Good for you; now get busy and start making movies!
Good for you; now get busy and start making movies!
DavidBeier
Veteran
There is a new model, it's called the HVX200 and it does everything the DVX100b does and much more (HD, variable frame rates, higher lattitude, and twice the color depth for starters). If your'e really worried about future proofing then get that. Don't get me wrong, something better will come out and probably pretty soon but that's how technology works. All I know is that the DVX100 is stil viable almost four years after it's release so I'm guessing the HVX200 will last you at least that long.
digitial dan
Carbonite Member
Just buy what you need now. Not want you want. Remember, whether it's the DVXa,b,c,d,e,f,g...etc it doesn't matter how advanced they are. It still comes down to the guy using it. Look at all the great films that were made with Super 8 cameras you can buy now in pawn shops all over the world for ten bucks. The camera doesn't matter. George Lucas could make a great film using VHS cameras if he wanted to. Pay more attention to lighting and sound than the latest and greatest camera.
Thanks for the replies, confirms that I just buy the camera and shoot. I decided to go miniDV mostly because I think HD isn't really going to take off for a few more years, and for what I'm doing, docs, letterbox is fine as I just finished a project and had no problem selling it. Besides, if someone wants HD I can transfer. You can get a darn good HD print from DV.
Kyle Stebbins
AD GURU
good for you... i just bought a dvx100b about a month ago... suits me for everything i do. -- i didnt have 6k to shell out for HD, so i took out a loan for the SD 100b -- and it ROCKS.
not to mention, i dont have the cpu specs to edit and render the HD content in it's full beauty. props to those with HD though, it really is stunning. oh, and about this:
i'm not so sure about that. - many clients demand HD nowadays. dont get me wrong, you made no mistake getting a standard definition camera, i'm just saying that HD has certainly found it's place.
not to mention, i dont have the cpu specs to edit and render the HD content in it's full beauty. props to those with HD though, it really is stunning. oh, and about this:
i'm not so sure about that. - many clients demand HD nowadays. dont get me wrong, you made no mistake getting a standard definition camera, i'm just saying that HD has certainly found it's place.
Jimmer said:
Sorry Zim...
Who told you that you could get a "good" HD print from DV?
Uprezzing SD to HD doesn't improve in the slightest the original imaging. It is like recording a cassette tape to CD. The transfer can't magically create information that was not there in the first place. Uprezzing can only limit further quality loss from anything thing else down the chain.
You really should do yourself a favour and rent an Hd cam for yourself before you invest. Yes your product right now may be acceptable but with all of your hard work imagine if your project even this summer has to compete against simular competetive docs but shot in HD.
You will be blown away to see what Hd looks like down rez to SD and the footage has longevity. This is the main reason why consumers invest in me for weddings so that their memories have main stay.
Take from someone using HD and have used SD they are night and day and the price is not that much more. It must say it confuses me lately on this forum why people fight to limit themselves in what seems to me a fear of change.
I can't even look at SD anymore I am so accustom to HD rez. and the transition for me happen so quick I can only see the mass consumer switching just as quick.
DOes Donald Trump make his millions by staying in his safe comfort zone and hiding from new technology? No of course not.
Try HD...
Do you homework...
then decide...
Its not about the cam investment it is about all the work you will put into your project.
The funny thing the guy I sold my DVX100 too as I was selling it too him I was like. "I wouldn't buy SD if I were you, I am telling this to you because I like you. My cams is in mint shape but you would be better off investing in HD". He gave me all the same excuses I have been reading in this forum.
The funny thing is me and this guy hit it off so well now he works for me as second cam and he gets to use the Z1u. within two wedding with Z1U he was like I should bit the bullet and got an FX1 or something. then he sees the completed wedding and the awesome imaging from both the HD100 and Z1u now his DVX100 is for sale :^)
You can't make the assumption with holding the cam looking through the viewfinder and flicking switches. record some footage, look at it on a even you computer monitor at 1280 x 768 if you can a CRT HD monitor. Then look at HD and you will say"SD is dead like a scream drowning man"
again I benefit nothing by sharing this with you I am trying to keep you from making a bad decision.
That's what I tell students when I talk to them. Check Craigslist....now when a job appears, they want a "Super Duper XYZ" cameraman or "shooter" (I hate that term!) instead of ...needed...a person with vision, talent and experience. By the way, 4 years since this original post, I still use my 100a professionally, it gets great results and no client has complained or even noticed that is not HD or the latest model.