DVX100A For weddings? at DVinfo.net

Scott Shama · February 12th, 2005, 02:48 PM

Hi everyone,

I have searched and read the numerous threads on this BB and others about camera choice and I've even started a few myself. :) I need just a little more help in my decision.

I just want to get an idea of how many wedding/event videographers out there are using the Panasonic DVX100A and what you are using for an on camera light when needed? Let's assume that it must be an on camera light as I am planning, for the time being, that I will not have the time to set up shots at the wedding or reception.

The sony users are always quick to praise the low light capabilities of the VX2100 and the PD170 which I have seen first hand now after shooting some test footage with a PD170 and the DVX100A. But, the difference didn't seem to be so drastic that the DVX100A should be discarded as a potential choice for weddings and receptions. Also, the color seemed (to my untrained eyes) to be a little richer on the DVX. Cine-gamma may have been on, I am not sure.

Any links to footage you have shot would be appreciated as well so I can see how the DVX performed during these events.

Kinda off topic...does the DVX100A do interval recording (time lapse)? I have been unable to find this info.

Thanks in advance, as always, for the wealth of knowledge and insight that all of you provide.

Cheers,
Scott

Mike Sakovski · February 12th, 2005, 05:14 PM

yes, it does have interval recording and 'merd' load of other cool thnigs

Glen Elliott · February 12th, 2005, 07:39 PM

The DVX is a fine cam and is more than good enough for weddings. It's probably the best choice for doing shorts, etc. It's geared a bit more towards controlled shooting. The Sony's (VX and PD) seemed to be best geared for conditions in which you DON'T have control over the lighting (ie dark reception halls).

The difference in low light performance IS pretty drastic. I'm not sure how much experience you have with both cams but I often cut my VX and PD footage with my assistant's DVC-80 and the variance in our low-light reception footage is staggering. It isn't, however, such a difference which makes it not "capable" of being a wedding cam. I know a few big name videographers that use nothing BUT DVX's.

Ray Boykin · February 13th, 2005, 04:49 AM

Hi Glen, would it be to much trouble for you to post a couple of grabs or small clips, comparing the vx and dvc low light footage. I'm considering a purchase of a vx to help my dvx with low light receptions. But first I would like to justify the purchase. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Peter Jefferson · February 13th, 2005, 05:30 AM

well....... the PDs were something i was considering until the DVX came out..

then it was a no brainer for me.. sorry to say this, but the features on the camera, configuration settings based on filming environment (ie scene files), wide lens, weighted balance (ie NOT top heavy likea PD170), huge viewfinder, large screen, anamorphic lens (cheap from singapore), super duper Leica lens.. Once u get a lens flare on this (which is really NOT a problem), youll be playing with lights all night long.. and with an anamorphic lense... well forget it.. u wont go home.. it just looks THAT stunning... i have not seen a camera of this "level" which offers this kind of image control. Not even the XL2 is as refined as this.. sorry to say and as good as the XL2 is in widescreen and Progressive, it just doesnt compare the the mobility, Image quality (10k pixel difference isnt really that much of an issue) and response of the DVX... some people will disagree.. but thats me.. im wierd..

The PDs are only really noticable in comparison to the DVX in low light when compared to the 100a, which is slightly noisier than the original DVX100 release. The origial release in my opinion is far cleaner in colour reproduction that the PD.. this is PAL that im comparing, NTSC may be different..
Another thing is that when shooting on a PD.. it DOES look likea PD with really warm skin tones in low light, which i personaly dont like, but thats just me..

by the way, i use 2 DVXs for Weddings and Corp events. havnt had an issue....

what i will suggest that if you go for a sony unit, u may as well go HDV.. now the FX and Z1 are awsome cameras and like the DVX, i cannot fault the Z1.. the FX.. well its the consumer model and it shows.. the Z1.. well thats a beast i waited long for.. I use 3 of the buggers for stage shows and theyre STUNNING. Shoot in HDV, downconvert to SD on capture ;)

John DeLuca · February 13th, 2005, 11:39 AM

I dont think a bride would pay more for 24p(even if you tried to explain it). I agree with glen, if your doing a short, or anything in a controlled enviroment, the dvx would be the way to go. In my opinion the color saturation, low light performance, and rugged build quality of the 170 makes it the best choice for weddings and live events bar none.

John

John DeLuca · February 13th, 2005, 12:38 PM

Scott I emailed you a jpeg frame grab of the PD-170 in a near zero lux environment(wedding afterparty). The only available light in the room is coming from the DJs "laser" show(not a true laser, just flashing colored lights). Email me at alpha1jd@aol.com if anyone else is interested. I cant thank glen enough for his original review on the 170. Its been a workhorse.

John

Linda Walker · February 13th, 2005, 01:31 PM

I purchased the DVX100 last year and we use it for weddings all the time. We also use a canon GL-2 and it's a nice camera, but in all honesty, the DVX100 is much better. To get the most out of any camera, you must know how to operate it. The best suggestion: sit down with the manual and read it throughly.

Good luck with your purchase.

Linda

Scott Shama · February 13th, 2005, 03:50 PM

Thanks for the screen gab!

So are there any DVX users with screen grabs in low light that I can view?

Also, what on camera lights are you DVX'ers using?

Thanks,
Scott

Glen Elliott · February 13th, 2005, 09:45 PM

I'll look through the footage from the wedding I'm cutting now and see if I can't make a screen grab from the reception (while our cameras were synced). I can't do it tonight- I'm away from home (and my desktop) but will do so at my earliest convenience.

Ray Boykin · February 13th, 2005, 11:58 PM

thanks Glen

Linda Walker · February 14th, 2005, 07:25 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Scott Shama : Thanks for the screen gab!

So are there any DVX users with screen grabs in low light that I can view?

Also, what on camera lights are you DVX'ers using?

Thanks,
Scott -->>>

Scott,

At the present time I don't have any screen grabs to share. As for the on camera light....I use the Pag6 light. Other than carrying around the heavy batteries (I put the battery in a hip sack to carry it) this light weight on camera light works great!

Here is a link for the light: www.pagusa.com

Hope this helps you.

Linda

Robert Mann Z. · February 14th, 2005, 07:36 AM

low light image of dvx can be found here http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/shoot3/

Bob Costa · February 14th, 2005, 09:49 AM

Thanks for heads-up RObert. Good article, but seems somewhat biased towards DVX.

Robert Mann Z. · February 14th, 2005, 10:24 AM

the article is lame..but the image is what Scott wanted

February 12th, 2005, 02:48 PM	#1
Scott Shama Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 399	DVX100A For weddings? Hi everyone, I have searched and read the numerous threads on this BB and others about camera choice and I've even started a few myself. :) I need just a little more help in my decision. I just want to get an idea of how many wedding/event videographers out there are using the Panasonic DVX100A and what you are using for an on camera light when needed? Let's assume that it must be an on camera light as I am planning, for the time being, that I will not have the time to set up shots at the wedding or reception. The sony users are always quick to praise the low light capabilities of the VX2100 and the PD170 which I have seen first hand now after shooting some test footage with a PD170 and the DVX100A. But, the difference didn't seem to be so drastic that the DVX100A should be discarded as a potential choice for weddings and receptions. Also, the color seemed (to my untrained eyes) to be a little richer on the DVX. Cine-gamma may have been on, I am not sure. Any links to footage you have shot would be appreciated as well so I can see how the DVX performed during these events. Kinda off topic...does the DVX100A do interval recording (time lapse)? I have been unable to find this info. Thanks in advance, as always, for the wealth of knowledge and insight that all of you provide. Cheers, Scott

February 14th, 2005, 09:49 AM	#14
Bob Costa Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 850	Thanks for heads-up RObert. Good article, but seems somewhat biased towards DVX. __________________ You are either growing or dying.

February 12th, 2005, 05:14 PM	#2
Mike Sakovski Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: nj, usa Posts: 65	yes, it does have interval recording and 'merd' load of other cool thnigs

February 12th, 2005, 07:39 PM	#3
Glen Elliott Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,898	The DVX is a fine cam and is more than good enough for weddings. It's probably the best choice for doing shorts, etc. It's geared a bit more towards controlled shooting. The Sony's (VX and PD) seemed to be best geared for conditions in which you DON'T have control over the lighting (ie dark reception halls). The difference in low light performance IS pretty drastic. I'm not sure how much experience you have with both cams but I often cut my VX and PD footage with my assistant's DVC-80 and the variance in our low-light reception footage is staggering. It isn't, however, such a difference which makes it not "capable" of being a wedding cam. I know a few big name videographers that use nothing BUT DVX's.

February 13th, 2005, 04:49 AM	#4
Ray Boykin New Boot Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: round lake il. Posts: 13	Hi Glen, would it be to much trouble for you to post a couple of grabs or small clips, comparing the vx and dvc low light footage. I'm considering a purchase of a vx to help my dvx with low light receptions. But first I would like to justify the purchase. Any help is greatly appreciated.

February 13th, 2005, 05:30 AM	#5
Peter Jefferson Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Aus Posts: 3,884	well....... the PDs were something i was considering until the DVX came out.. then it was a no brainer for me.. sorry to say this, but the features on the camera, configuration settings based on filming environment (ie scene files), wide lens, weighted balance (ie NOT top heavy likea PD170), huge viewfinder, large screen, anamorphic lens (cheap from singapore), super duper Leica lens.. Once u get a lens flare on this (which is really NOT a problem), youll be playing with lights all night long.. and with an anamorphic lense... well forget it.. u wont go home.. it just looks THAT stunning... i have not seen a camera of this "level" which offers this kind of image control. Not even the XL2 is as refined as this.. sorry to say and as good as the XL2 is in widescreen and Progressive, it just doesnt compare the the mobility, Image quality (10k pixel difference isnt really that much of an issue) and response of the DVX... some people will disagree.. but thats me.. im wierd.. The PDs are only really noticable in comparison to the DVX in low light when compared to the 100a, which is slightly noisier than the original DVX100 release. The origial release in my opinion is far cleaner in colour reproduction that the PD.. this is PAL that im comparing, NTSC may be different.. Another thing is that when shooting on a PD.. it DOES look likea PD with really warm skin tones in low light, which i personaly dont like, but thats just me.. by the way, i use 2 DVXs for Weddings and Corp events. havnt had an issue.... what i will suggest that if you go for a sony unit, u may as well go HDV.. now the FX and Z1 are awsome cameras and like the DVX, i cannot fault the Z1.. the FX.. well its the consumer model and it shows.. the Z1.. well thats a beast i waited long for.. I use 3 of the buggers for stage shows and theyre STUNNING. Shoot in HDV, downconvert to SD on capture ;)

February 13th, 2005, 11:39 AM	#6
John DeLuca Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 496	I dont think a bride would pay more for 24p(even if you tried to explain it). I agree with glen, if your doing a short, or anything in a controlled enviroment, the dvx would be the way to go. In my opinion the color saturation, low light performance, and rugged build quality of the 170 makes it the best choice for weddings and live events bar none. John

February 13th, 2005, 12:38 PM	#7
John DeLuca Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 496	Scott I emailed you a jpeg frame grab of the PD-170 in a near zero lux environment(wedding afterparty). The only available light in the room is coming from the DJs "laser" show(not a true laser, just flashing colored lights). Email me at alpha1jd@aol.com if anyone else is interested. I cant thank glen enough for his original review on the 170. Its been a workhorse. John

February 13th, 2005, 01:31 PM	#8
Linda Walker Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Green Bay Wisconsin Posts: 29	I purchased the DVX100 last year and we use it for weddings all the time. We also use a canon GL-2 and it's a nice camera, but in all honesty, the DVX100 is much better. To get the most out of any camera, you must know how to operate it. The best suggestion: sit down with the manual and read it throughly. Good luck with your purchase. Linda

February 13th, 2005, 03:50 PM	#9
Scott Shama Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 399	Thanks for the screen gab! So are there any DVX users with screen grabs in low light that I can view? Also, what on camera lights are you DVX'ers using? Thanks, Scott

February 13th, 2005, 09:45 PM	#10
Glen Elliott Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,898	I'll look through the footage from the wedding I'm cutting now and see if I can't make a screen grab from the reception (while our cameras were synced). I can't do it tonight- I'm away from home (and my desktop) but will do so at my earliest convenience.

February 13th, 2005, 11:58 PM	#11
Ray Boykin New Boot Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: round lake il. Posts: 13	thanks Glen

February 14th, 2005, 07:25 AM	#12
Linda Walker Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Green Bay Wisconsin Posts: 29	<<<-- Originally posted by Scott Shama : Thanks for the screen gab! So are there any DVX users with screen grabs in low light that I can view? Also, what on camera lights are you DVX'ers using? Thanks, Scott -->>> Scott, At the present time I don't have any screen grabs to share. As for the on camera light....I use the Pag6 light. Other than carrying around the heavy batteries (I put the battery in a hip sack to carry it) this light weight on camera light works great! Here is a link for the light: www.pagusa.com Hope this helps you. Linda

February 14th, 2005, 07:36 AM	#13
Robert Mann Z. Skyonic New York Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 614	low light image of dvx can be found here http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/shoot3/

February 14th, 2005, 10:24 AM	#15
Robert Mann Z. Skyonic New York Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 614	the article is lame..but the image is what Scott wanted