Your favorite DVX feature

Jan_Crittenden

Jan_Crittenden

Veteran
Hi,

I was in a lively debate the other day and we were discussing feature sets on a camera. Anyhow the short of it was, I am really curious about which feature, preferably the less obvious, ie not 24P, has helped you do your job. So the sort of features I am looking for are the Spot meter or the line level input or slow shutter speeds for the DVX100A guys.

Please tell what you love about your DVX. You don't have to tell me what you don't like, I read that thread. Tell me what has helped you.

Thanks,

Jan
 
Re: Your favorite DVX feature

Jan, the spotmeter is fantastic. I'd seriously consider any camera over another for the included spotmeter (A value of 500 dollars), it's a Joy to work with. Slow shutter speeds as 30fps (or 24) saved my ass sometimes in low light conditions, but since they are pretty standard in any camera, I feel it's somewhat a useless statement. I am still to remember other stuff (besides your examples) but will post when I do.
 
Re: Your favorite DVX feature

the built in ALC for the audio channels has been nice to have. it could always be tweaked a little to be better of course, but i think its helped on more than one occasion . also the ability to switch inputs for recording is VERY nice. ie: when you record both channels from input #2, or one from #1 and one from #2.
 
Re: Your favorite DVX feature

It might be too obvious, but the wide angle on this camera is superb, and extremely useful. Can't live without it.

No comments on the spot meter, as I have the plain ol' DVX100, not A. ;)
 
Re: Your favorite DVX feature

The viewfinder peaking feature is something that I couldn't go back to shooting without (or at least I wouldn't want to).
 
Re: Your favorite DVX feature

When I was a kid, I was fascinated by filmmaking. I got a super-8 camera and made a few short films. When I got older, I grew out of Super-8, but real film was beyond my financial means. I bought a Sony TRV-900 Camcorder, but was unimpressed with the video look, I ended up selling it. It wasn't until the Panasonic DVX100 came out that I got a new passion for filmmaking.

I think Panasonic did a number of things right on this camera that really made it the success it is. The XLR Jacks, the excellent lens and wider angle than other cams, the excellent sound recording features, etc. Most of all, it spoke to the passions of those that want to tell a story with the camera...
 
Re: Your favorite DVX feature

1. manual lens (zoom, iris)
2. viewfinder peaking
3. the whole audio (inputs, control, quality)
4. 6 scenefiles
 
Re: Your favorite DVX feature

Practically the unlimited number of moods... that you can capture and depict by manipulating the various cine gamma settings in the dvx00A, shines in the camera. In a recent feature I had to show a woman as very pale and clumsy...the chroma phase tweaking to the yellow end did some wonders that normal makeup might not have achieved. Disjecta's marymoor park is a true depiction of the serene calm of a hous by the lake...and ducks  :). and the list goes on

I think the ability to depict the real 'moods', or create moods according to your requirements, in a video camera with 1/3 ccd is the  most impressive feature of the DVX.
 
Re: Your favorite DVX feature

Ditto to all of the above mentioned items. Also, I love the rather compact size (not a "feature" as such, but a design characteristic I love). It's much more manueverable and flexible than the shoulder-mount design of the XL2, especially when you're looking for specific shots in rather tight quarters. I like than I can have professional audio input and so much control over picture settings without having to wield around a much larger camera body.

The fact that you can achieve such great looking results from such a small package still amazes me.
 
Re: Your favorite DVX feature

[quote author=jrv3034 link=board=nws;num=1101299189;start=0#3 date=11/24/04 at 07:02:49]
No comments on the spot meter, as I have the plain ol' DVX100, not A.  ;)[/quote]
The plain ol' DVX100 has the spotmeter too. It's the "marker" function.
 
Re: Your favorite DVX feature

I think the color processing firmware is probably the most overlooked feature of the DVX100.
 
Re: Your favorite DVX feature


it might be too basic but the ability to load it up with a shotgun mic and a matte box or to keep it plain and still use it on vacation or to the louvre where if it were its "full size" i probably wouldn't have been able to bring it in!

when i film something i often get asked what channel i'm with.

i just filmed the u.s. womens olympic hockey team and my wife got me a media pass so i was able to film up from the press box and nobody looked at my camera funny like i imagine that they would if i had a sony pd-150

matthew
 
Re: Your favorite DVX feature

When I shoot live action seen on projection screens, the ability to go into the menu and to have so many options if I need to color correct on the fly. Its like having an on board camera control unit.
 
Re: Your favorite DVX feature

My absolute favorite features list
By Stefan

Not in any particular order.
1.Great manual (wide) wide lens
2.Focus and zoom readout in the LCD
3.Focus peaking feature, worth the updgrade to the 100a IMO.
4.great feel to the focus and zoom rings.
5.3.5" LCD, not just a little half a#%ed two for one popup viewfinder.
6.onboard XLR,s.
7.Master PED adjustable, often overlooked, but not included in many cameras.
8.it says Leica on it!!!!
9.adjustable zeebra settings.
10.6 fully adjustable scene file settings.
11. cinegamma settings.
12. Can I say 24p, even though Jan said not to, please???

Thats all I can think of right now, but I'm sure I'll be back with more.
 
Re: Your favorite DVX feature

The obvious, the 24p capability! I also use it as a dumbell. I need a way to get toned you know. Flex them muscles beeeatch!
 
Re: Your favorite DVX feature

Just remembered: The MACRO.

Maybe it's just me, but I think the macro in the DVX lens is much better than any other camcorder I used in the range. Great images for when you want shallow DOF or just the plain old high magnification. This is one of the features that just makes you say: Thank god I brought my DVX.
 
Re: Your favorite DVX feature

I have to say the viewfinder peaking is my favorite DVX feature. I don't think I could go back to shooting without it(unless I had some kind of high resolution monitor to work with).
 
Re: Your favorite DVX feature

well i was finally able to get my hands on one last weekend.I shot a concert at the House of Blues here in Cleveland with it.I am so glad I was able to use it before actually buying one. I can safely say that I am 100% sold on this camera! I shot for over 5 hours straight and walked away extremely impressed with it. I loved how light the camera was. I was in fronty of the first row shooting up at the band for over 2 and a half hours, so it was a big advantage with the size and weight, since i was in pretty tight quarters.The wide angle on the stock lense was very helpful.That xl2 with the 20x lense would have been totally useless! The band was Eric Carmen and the Raspberries by the way.Shot everything in 24p.Sound check to backstage to meet and greet with fans.My rental unit dvx was a bit beat up, but performed exceptionally well.One question if someone could answer.Dose the dvx100a come with a mic holder? I have a couple of shot gun mics, a sennheiser and a panasonic mic that i can use, just wondered if i needed to buy the mic holder for it?Thanks guys!
 
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