What accessories shoud I use with the DVX100 to make it professional quality?

W

Wezbert

Member
Hello,
I recently purchased a DVX100 and a 35mm DOF adapter. Both items are really good, and they both work really well, but I am just stumped as to what rail system, mattebox, and follow-focus I should get. My budget for the three items is around 300, and the follow focus is not a necessity, but I would really appreciate any advice on what rail system and mattebox I can get for fairly cheap. The cheaper, the better.
Thanks in advance for your help.
[FONT=&quot]Petar[/FONT]
 
Just adding rails and a matte box to your camera will not automatically make it "professional quality." In fact, it's what you do with the camera that determines "professional quality." You can get that with the bare, stock lens if you know what you're doing. It has much more to do with how you adjust your picture, how you set your exposure, and how you handle the zoom and focus. If you cannot shoot with the camera out of the box (without the 35mm adapter) and get good results, rails and a matte box (and the 35mm adapter) won't help.

A matte box is just another tool that you need to decide if you really need. If you're buying it for looks, don't waste your money. If you know what it does and you know that you need those features and functions, then perhaps you might look into one.

Since we're on the topic, use your 35mm adapter carefully and intentionally. It is misleading to call it a "DOF" adapter because it offers a heck of a lot more than just depth of field. It offers the use of a variety of lenses, and if you know what primes can do for you then you're in some creative territory. Folks get their hands on 35mm adapters, and now DSLR cameras, and wet themselves over the fact that they can shoot shallow DOF. I see videos all over YouTube and Vimeo where folks edit 5 or 10 minutes of nothing but shallow DOF shots... and it's really, really boring.

Shallow focus, like a matte box, is just another tool to help tell the story. Use it sparingly, and only when absolutely needed. Otherwise, you're just another shooter with a "DOF adapter," and you'll blend in with the crowd.

For what it's worth, you aren't going to find rails, a matte box, and a follow focus for $300. You might find a decent rails system with a matte box for that, though.
 
I think C2V hit that on the nail. I have sceen some awesome footage with stock DVX's with little work in post. It really depends on how you shoot. Like I am finding out, its Practice Practice Practice.

If you looking for cheap stuff as in cheap products then there are plenty around the net, but if you looking for good quality products for a Cheap Used price then hit craigslist and ebay. Its a buyers market and from my experiance there are plenty of people out there dieing to sell stuff for basically nothing.
 
Thanks guys. I do consider myself pretty good with the camera. I have been shooting for years, and its just that I am trying to put together a decent rig with which I can completely unleash my skills and a kit that can take full use of the dvx. The reason why I dont want to spend too much (if i didnt put a restraint on the $, i would be getting a redrock system, and a bellows mattebox,) is that I am saving up to buy a red scarlet system with 5 prime lenses. As for the use of the 35mm adapter, I do not use it too much, but when I do, i make it worth it. Im actually working on writing and producing a 2 hour feature film, which, unless i get the RED first, will be shot on the DVX.
 
Oh, and what do you people think about the O'connor model 100? That is the head I am using on my Bolex tripod.
 
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