Would you purchase the DVX 200 again?
- Thread starter 7DDude
- Start date
I would for sure but it was a rough 4 or 5 months for some of us early adopters and it's still taking me some time to get over that. I'm glad I hung in there but two things happened during that time. It showed me Panasonic's commitment to the product and it really helped me understand the camera more than maybe I would have at this point in time being that I really spent a lot of time trying to tweak things to get something good out of it. I am still by no means a pro with the DVX200 but I don't think I've owned a camera that in the beginning I spent more time fiddling with than actual shooting and that's really helped me. After these last few firmware updates I'm now shooting with it a few times a week. I'm not sure that if someone like Barry wasn't the liaison between Panasonic and the DVX200 users we might not have ended up where we are today. The fact that the company listened to him and others also showed us all that we all weren't crazy when we took the camera out of the box only to find out that it wasn't what we expected and they humbled themselves and showed us what the technology behind the case was capable of.
7DDude
Well-known member
What and why do you think this guy's experience is so negative about the camera, old Firmware maybe?
This a May 9th 2016 Review from B&H on the DVX200 Listing. hate this crap just confuses things, I know, I need to jump in sometime.
rogar-SunGlass(DBG
By Olivier T
I had to film a documentary in Hawaii and the DVX200 was imposed to me. The experience was not happy.
It's not a good camera overall. Poor compression in camera (4:2:0). A menu that is counter intuitive. The LCD is not good in sun condition and the eye viewfinder in not better. There is only 12 stop of latitude and I believe it is less in truth. If the macro fonction is not engaged, the minimum distance for your focus is like 4 feet.
Well, I had 6 days of shooting with it, in many different condition and it fail all the time.
If you can avoid working with this camera, well...avoid!
This a May 9th 2016 Review from B&H on the DVX200 Listing. hate this crap just confuses things, I know, I need to jump in sometime.
rogar-SunGlass(DBG5/9/2016
Not great...at all!By Olivier T
I had to film a documentary in Hawaii and the DVX200 was imposed to me. The experience was not happy.
It's not a good camera overall. Poor compression in camera (4:2:0). A menu that is counter intuitive. The LCD is not good in sun condition and the eye viewfinder in not better. There is only 12 stop of latitude and I believe it is less in truth. If the macro fonction is not engaged, the minimum distance for your focus is like 4 feet.
Well, I had 6 days of shooting with it, in many different condition and it fail all the time.
If you can avoid working with this camera, well...avoid!
it's true that it offers too much things for the price
first I almost returned it to the trader
but I realized that it hasn't got rival in this category of other cameras
Panasonic has found a gap of the business
but it was a unlucky start to work with this camera
it was really hard to accept that this famous company
launched prototype-like camera
the company created this camera as a beginner
it had basic faults,
for example: it hasn't got negative gain,and
volume control on LCD is unnecessary, it has bad color reproduction, etc...
but the picture quality compensates for everything
i love this camera
first I almost returned it to the trader
but I realized that it hasn't got rival in this category of other cameras
Panasonic has found a gap of the business
but it was a unlucky start to work with this camera
it was really hard to accept that this famous company
launched prototype-like camera
the company created this camera as a beginner
it had basic faults,
for example: it hasn't got negative gain,and
volume control on LCD is unnecessary, it has bad color reproduction, etc...
but the picture quality compensates for everything
i love this camera
I've learned over the years that unless you know all of the details about the review and the reviewer you can't always trust what you read. Many people don't understand what firmware is or does. You have no idea the level of this guy's experience and if he has the latest firmware. He doesn't own the camera it was "imposed" to him. The menus were strange to me in the beginning because I hadn't been a Panasonic user since the early to mid 80's. They could be better but I adapted. It wasn't a deal breaker. Most LCDs are bad in the sun. You buy a shade and be done with it.
I still see footage showing up on You Tube that was shot in the previous version firmware or the 1.4 setting and they list it as test. It's really bad for someone that's considering buying the camera to see that footage. That's not what it looks like now. I think Panasonic is doing themselves a great injustice by even allowing the 1.4 option but I understand why they had to do that. People had scenes that they wanted to use that were done prior to the current firmware.
If I were you I would buy the camera and use the heck out of it for 20-25 days allowing you some time in case you feel you want to return it.
I still see footage showing up on You Tube that was shot in the previous version firmware or the 1.4 setting and they list it as test. It's really bad for someone that's considering buying the camera to see that footage. That's not what it looks like now. I think Panasonic is doing themselves a great injustice by even allowing the 1.4 option but I understand why they had to do that. People had scenes that they wanted to use that were done prior to the current firmware.
If I were you I would buy the camera and use the heck out of it for 20-25 days allowing you some time in case you feel you want to return it.
Barry_Green
Moderator
Well, you can start with the attitude inherent - he says the DVX200 was "imposed" to him. If someone's inclined to hate something, they'll find reasons to. Sounds to me like he had never used one before, and didn't want to; it would be hard to imagine anyone coming out of that scenario happy with it. It is a complex camera, capable of excellent results, if you learn it and use it. He is correct on one thing, the LCD is not good in daylight -- it's very reflective and tough to see in broad daylight. So either a) use the viewfinder (as that's what it's there for), or b) get a hood. But to say that it "fail all the time" -- there's an adage that says a poor carpenter blames his tools.
The DVX200 isn't perfect. But it's a good solid camera that occupies an exclusive niche, it's pretty much the only camera out there that does what it does, and it offers excellent bang for the buck.
Jason R. Johnston
Well-known member
Yes. Absolutely. Three or four more.
I bought one of these. It fits pretty tight on the LCD. I've only ever used it once and maybe it will get better with use but it's so tight that it wants to fold in a little and it blocks some of the view. I think if I left it on for a long period of time it might hold its shape and fit better.
http://www.orcabags.com/product-tag/or-54/
Actually after looking at their picture it appears as though I'm installing it incorrectly. I tired to get it out over the outer side dimensions of the LCD. They show it on their site as resting on top of the LCD. That appears to be why it seemed so tight. I'll have to try and put it on properly. Duh...
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Ian Wilhelm
Member
I would definitely buy multiple if I could. This camera is great if you are a professional and take the time to customize it the way you like. IMO The Panasonic DVX200 is way better than Sony EX3. Also I use the Hoodman HC300 it fits great.
Regarding the hood, I have tried two of them and the Hoodman seems to be the best although it is designed for the Canon 5dMk111 I believe. The one from the UK, I forget the name, fits too tightly. I really worry about snapping off the LCD and breaking it when putting it on. How resilient is this mechanism? I seems quite flimsy. Cost of a repair must be quite high if you do have an accident with it. I am particularly worried because I have to give my cameras to other shooters and they may not be so careful. I tell them to use the viewfinder instead if possible.
Also just had a bad experience with it today....I was out in bright sunshine on a spring day in N. VT, daffodils were just coming up and things were a bit yellow looking as they are in the spring. I did a proper white balance with a card, then after one short sequence, I or someone else accidentally hit the user 1 button which was programmed for ATW. The rest of the shoot was really screwed up. Really ugly color. I am going to reprogram that button!
Also just had a bad experience with it today....I was out in bright sunshine on a spring day in N. VT, daffodils were just coming up and things were a bit yellow looking as they are in the spring. I did a proper white balance with a card, then after one short sequence, I or someone else accidentally hit the user 1 button which was programmed for ATW. The rest of the shoot was really screwed up. Really ugly color. I am going to reprogram that button!
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Larry Chapman
Well-known member
I would, no question.
This is the first camera of this type I have purchased. Previously, I used (and still have) Canon XA10 & 70d as the "main" video cams. I'm a dedicated amateur, I don't make a living shooting stuff, but do independent art type films as a hobby - some of which won awards. I've had a pretty steep learning curve with all my gear, but I read, fiddle, learn, test, and eventually get it sorted out. I have the luxury of being able to spend a lot of time on my little projects and often the ability to reshoot until I get it right. This is a very different set of circumstances than you guys who shoot professionally and face deadlines, client expectations, time constraints, etc. If I had to function with the DVX in a pro environment to make a living, for where I am right now, I'd be kinda worried. It's a complex piece, but once set up really works fantastic. The potential is there - the limiting factor is the users ability to learn and adapt quickly. I've followed the DVX since it was released, and saw the feedback and upgraded firmware. I also saw some early test footage that perhaps didn't do the camera justice and was hesitant to pull the trigger for a big $$ piece of gear that may never pay for itself (in my world, anyway). But I wanted something that would allow me to stretch my abilities, be relatively "future proof" (to the extent any piece of technology can be in today's world), and be easy to use. That last bit may sound counter-intuitive but I've looked at Sony's and JVC's etc. and their proprietary codecs and how that would add another trancoding headache. The DVX uses nice, normal MP4's. I can run and gun it. It's relatively compact. Seems tough. Packs and transports well. Works better (for me) than a DSLR for video in most cases.
I've had it a couple of weeks; a very intensive week of learning about it, testing, etc. Here are my thoughts...
1) I don't think I could have transitioned to this camera without this site & Barry's videos. Panasonic owes him big, because THEIR support level is a bit lacking in comparison.
2) By extension, this forum is a lifesaver for me. Way better than some other user forums and I appreciate the early adopters experiences and perseverance. You guys really paid it forward!
3) Once set up, this thing kicks ass. It can do pretty much anything I want.
4) Panasonic's user interface needs work. Compared to the Canon's it's not very user friendly - but I have gotten used to it (sort of...)
5) This ain't a pro-sumer level product! It really is aimed (given all the features) considerably higher than that to where it is adjustable almost to a fault for what can be perceived as a "hand-held" unit.
6) Panasonic seems responsive to input and the latest firmware resolved my biggest issues with it (finally getting negative gain was one).
7) I can't find anything else out there that comes close for what I need.
8) Would I buy it again? Yes, indeed I would.
9) Would I recommend it? Yes, but with the caveat that to use it well may take more dedication and learning than some are prepared to actually do; but the results are well worth it!
I've had it a couple of weeks; a very intensive week of learning about it, testing, etc. Here are my thoughts...
1) I don't think I could have transitioned to this camera without this site & Barry's videos. Panasonic owes him big, because THEIR support level is a bit lacking in comparison.
2) By extension, this forum is a lifesaver for me. Way better than some other user forums and I appreciate the early adopters experiences and perseverance. You guys really paid it forward!
3) Once set up, this thing kicks ass. It can do pretty much anything I want.
4) Panasonic's user interface needs work. Compared to the Canon's it's not very user friendly - but I have gotten used to it (sort of...)
5) This ain't a pro-sumer level product! It really is aimed (given all the features) considerably higher than that to where it is adjustable almost to a fault for what can be perceived as a "hand-held" unit.
6) Panasonic seems responsive to input and the latest firmware resolved my biggest issues with it (finally getting negative gain was one).
7) I can't find anything else out there that comes close for what I need.
8) Would I buy it again? Yes, indeed I would.
9) Would I recommend it? Yes, but with the caveat that to use it well may take more dedication and learning than some are prepared to actually do; but the results are well worth it!
Mike Harvey
Veteran
It's a $4,200 camera. That's normal.
I find the menu to be far better than a lot of Sonys. Pepsi vs Coke, Ford vs Chevy. No opinion on the sun issue, as I haven't shot in the sun with it yet.
I find this one just baffling. It has 12 stops in V-Log. For a $4,200, that's pretty darn good.
This one I can get behind. It's annoying, but you learn to live with it.
This honestly sounds less like a camera issue than a user issue. It sound like he's trying to use it like an FS7 or C300. It's not.