DV Info Net - First big camera purchase

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Duane Harper Grant

This is my first post on DV-i. I've been reading almost non-stop for several weeks. Will be starting to do a docu-project very soon. First shooting will be talking heads; interviews and conversations. Will move into outdoor scenes and the project will eventually, hopefully find some legs and be something of a long form project. But for now will be produced as an in house documentary and promotional for a sustainable community initiative conference for teams in NA and other countries coming to Halifax, NS .

After weighing all the paramaters and trying to future proof myself a little, still being very new but eager to dive in and learn (have had video experienes years ago at Rogers Cable Systems) - I was just about to pull the trigger on an FX-1. Lately and possibly from now on, they are MIA. They may be gone from the shelves for good - nobody quite knows. So another intense evaluation and then I'm just about to hop off on a sony vx2100 and someone tells me that it did not do true 16:9, which I must say is a sticking point for me for some reason. Am I being to fussy about this? 4:3 to 16:9 done acceptably is a reality? So I just decided to chomp down on the bullet even further and spin for a hvr-z1u - (a lot of camera) and then started to read all of the wonderful things (Adam Wilt's review in DV and other people making films) with/about the pana dvx200a/b - 24p/30p with possibility of pana and 3rd party anamorphic and wide angle attachments. Is this really worth going this rout to ge a more non-video but at the saame time "good" looking project?

This is my first camera; something that I need a lot of versitality and reliability with. I commiserate with you Amanda. Let us know what you decide. Meanwhile time is running out for me. I needed to decide yesterday (or the day before).
This is a great resource and it's been great reading. Thanks

Duane,

I ended up going with an FX1, the rodevideo mic, and I also bought a lav mic so I can shoot both of the docs I want to this summer. I was able to get my hands on the camera through a realitive who does docs for a living. He and his production company are VERY happy with the FX1's. My camera is being delivered on Monday - I ordered it from B&H for $3200. It shipped really quickly too and I think B&H had the best price out there for this camera.

Good luck!
Amanda

Yes this is correct

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Hodson

There seems to be some miscomunication here guys. Duane keeps referring to the DVX200, which I thought of as typo of HVX200, and it appears DSE is thinking the same thing, but then Duane mentions loosing 16:9 which makes me think he is really talking about the DVX100. Duane do you want to clarify?

Thanks for pointing this out Ken. I did indeed mean the panny dvx100 a/b. Was reading the reviews. A lot of "video film makers" for lack of a better way to put the term, are using this camera given that it has no true (native) 16:9. This is an interesting point for me. I'm curious to know what they are doing and is 4:3 their desired format or using anamorphic lense? Interesting.

Thanks for the focus and LCD tips and info Boyd. This is good to know. Focusing manually in HD, one must have some recourse to make sure.

Great Amanda! thanks for the heads up. Let us know how the shooting goes. I will do the same. The fx1 is what I'm leaning towards but my mind's not completely made up. Amazing that B and H have this back in. I spoke to them this past Wednesday and they had a 2-4 week wait going. EVS was out as were some of the other on-line retailers. i had even placed an order for one at another place but found out subsequently that they were out. Went back to research about the dvx100. Anyway, cheers on your find and best of luck on your project.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack D. Hubbard

Spot,
Based on your recommendation, I have had my Z1 for a year now. It runs flawlessly. For me it is camera that will work during the transition to the next capture system...disks...flash cards..drives. That is going to take a while and the Z1 is great in the interim. I am just getting to the point where I can use it well, consistently.

And the LightPanel is superb! Got the DV kit at NAB I have been using it has an interview fill both outside and inside. Great for wrinkles; put it on a steadibag pointing up to clean up the shadows on the neck. Made the lady look great.

Here's a question: I got the daylight version of the litepanel, spot, not flood, because I thought the throw of light was better. The gels and diffuser kit seems to work very well. What's your experience?

Regards,

Jack

Jack, I have both versions of the LitePanel, and use the spot more than the floods myself. Diffuser is wonderful with it. I made my own small diffuser from drapery sheers, works well, and can be easily 'halved" for when I don't want all of the light diffused.
Glad the recommendation worked out well!

Thanks Spot,
I might get a second light. If you have to carry just a couple of lights, I think the Litepanels should make a great travel kit.

Jack

This post has me thinking more about getting the Z1. Spot you should be a salesman!
What is your take by the way on the talk that HDV will be replaced by AVDHD? Do you see that happening? Or is that going to be in handy cams at wal-mart?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Zimmerman

I've not heard a whiff of AVDHD being in anything but very cheap consumer ware. Can't imagine it being anywhere else either. HDV, or a variant, is here to stay with us. XDCAM HD for instance, is nothing more than HDV on steroids.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas Spotted Eagle

Thanks Spot. The stuff I've seen shot with the Z1 and FX1 are really good.