Essential Accessories for DVX100
 

I'm working on my budget for my upcoming short film I will be shooting in early 2003 with an AG-DVX100 and trying to decide what accessories to budget for.

I sold my Canon XL1, Canon 3X and 14X lenses and the Century Optics .7x bayonet mount adaptor (it was the model made esp. for the Canon lens). I also have sold my steaditracker extreme (it was too tiring to use 4-6 hours a day) and balancing when changing lenses became a real pain).

I already own lights, tripod and audio gear.

What I'm considering is:

(1) Tele-Extender (would like at least 2X and best image quality possible). Have not heard what might be available.

(2) Wide Angle Adaptor. I frequently used the Century Optics on the Canon 3X lens and love that look. There's a Panasonic part number in the brochure and owner's manual, but no info.

(3) Stabilizer. Prefer body mount and ability to move camera in 4 axis during shot. Comfortable as possible.

(4) Jib arm on dolly track. Must fit in tight spaces and lock camera and jib securely to track (have shot at edge of cliff).

(5) Set Monitor. I have a 14" Sony Broadcast, but low end model, only resolves around 350 lines. Also heavy and requires AC power. Would like quality monitor for critical focus and color adjustments, but want portable and battery power. Not sure if LCD on camera will meet those needs. Thinking of a strange solution - a Toshiba DVD player (http://www.toshiba.com/tacp/portable/current/SDP2000.html)

(6) 16:9 guides. I do not want to use in-camera letterbox (want to do this in post), but can't figure out if camera has 16:9 guides. Maybe fashion something to LCD.

(7) Anamorphic Lens - not sure, hopefully details will be forthcoming soon.

Re: AG-DVX100 - what accessories to buy?
 

<<<-- (6) 16:9 guides. I do not want to use in-camera letterbox (want to do this in post), but can't figure out if camera has 16:9 guides. Maybe fashion something to LCD. -->>>

I am curious about 16:9 conversion in post vs. in-camera letterbox.

It is my understanding that letterbox will place black bars top and bottome to reduce the active 480 vertical (to 360 or whatever the magic number is) giving the new active area a 16:9 ratio. I understand most feel that this is inferior to editing 4:3 to 16:9 in post.

The question I have not resolved in my mind is why? What magic will be done in post other then clipping top and bottom to achieve this 16:9 ratio (loosing the same lines letterbox lost). Squeezing down the image size won't work after capture only before with an anamorphic lens. Same vertical resolution is left after clipping active down that would be clipping black bars off.

I can see possibly making use of the off center (vertical) content to help with less then perfect camera work, but other then that I'm stumped.

Please enlighten me on this as I from the 4:3 world, soon to become transfused into 16:9... Ouch!

-Rodger

Re: "AG-DVX100 - what accessories to buy?"

An Arri as a back-up?

Actually, you can go all out with this one, or settle for a good tripod and fluid head.

>>An Arri as a back-up?

As long as you're buying stock. I like to shoot about 10:1...

I've heard that Tiffen is making some lens adaptors for the DVX100.

All I need is that wide angle and I'll be da man!
-Vinson

About to order DVX100, last minute questions!
 

Hey guys, I'm finally ready to order my DVX100 (Zotz has an amazing price)... and I'm wondering what accessories people wish they'd bought up front? Any suggestions? Specific tapes (I'm looking at the Panasonic 63PQs)? Filters, batteries, etc, any info would be helpful, thanks guys.

Moore

Accessories
 

Forget the PQ, go with the MQ tapes. Here is the best price
I've been able to buy online ($5.75 each, cheaper than lots
of other overpriced places selling PQ tapes):

http://tapestockonline.com/pan63minmaster.html


The supplied battery is pathetically small (i.e. 45 minutes
max). Go with a couple of bigger batteries (3600ma,
compared to the default 1600ma batteries):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh1.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___261329___POCGRD28___REG___CatID=0___SID=F2 2BC5B3982

Get a polarizing filter (72mm), you choose the brand, for outdoor shots where you want to see the blue sky.

Get a UV filter to protect the lens in crappy conditions (sandy
eaches, etc).

Get a lens cleaner and real lens cloths (the viewfinder glass is
extremely subject to fine scratching, more so than the lens).

A 1394 firewire cable if you don't already have one.

Tim

Before buying tapes from anywhere else, be sure to check with our sponsor, Pro-Tape in Austin, TX at www.pro-tape.com -- if they don't actually beat that price, they'll come close. Pro-Tape is an authorized DV Info Net sponsor and they will definitely treat you right. I've been buying tape from them for 13 years. Hope this helps,

MQ tapes...
 

They are higher quality tapes than the PQ line... go only with the MQ tapes... there is no reason at all to buy PQs at all.

Tim

Too bad Pro-Tape does not give realtime shipping costs. I think it's a bit gutsy to order something without knowing how much shipping will be.

Otherwise, there prices look just as good as my normal tape provider, Tape Resources.

accessories what will i need ?
 

Hi i just purchased a DVX100 and am looking for the accessries i will need for shooting a short movie can anyone tell me what i should get ? I know ill need lighting and tripod and an extra battery case etc. but what type of filter should i buy and what lenses should i get etc. I would be greatful for any advise in this area and if you know of a good price a on the items what i should pay for them so that im not getting ripped off .
Thank you.
Randy Turner.

A Lowepro Nova 5 or 6 bag is nice, and inexpensive. For filters, a UV and a polarizer are good to have. Tiffen, Hoya, Vanguard are good yet inexpensive. Get some Fuji or Pana tapes. A head cleaning tape and a lens cleaning cloth can be handy. For a tripod, you have many options, depending on how much you want to spend. How much do you want to spend?

And even though your zoom goes fairly wide it's still in need of a wide-angle converter in my view. Getting them in 72mm diameter fit isn't going to be easy or cheap but get a good one and you'll hardly ever take it off.

tom.

72mm converter ?
 

what lenses and filters fit the DVX100 as far as the size i need etc.
Thank you.

help with accessories
 

hi, i got a dvx100 and im wondering where can i go to get film like accessories for it. im talking lenses, viewfinders, everything.

p.s. i use it to make short movies with my friends so big accessories are ok, im not looking to run with my camera outdoors it mostly sits still on a tripod

Get a UV filter to protect the lens, an extra battery and a case. For outdoor shooting, think about a polarizer as well. Where to buy? Check out dvinfo's sponsors.

those are all good and i thank you for your suggestions but the kind of accessories i was talking about are the kind that make the camera look bigger, kind of like a film camera. like when you look at rental house adds you could find my camera but it looks nothing like mine cause all the attachments and accessories and i have no idea where i can find that stuff.

Check out this site.

http//:www.cinetactics.com

For matteboxes, shoulder supports, rod systems, and follow focus units check out:

Cavision
Chrosziel
CineTech

ZGC, one of DVInfo's sponsers, is a distributor for Chrosziel through 16x9inc, another company. The other two you can purchase directly.

thanks guys. i didnt know matte boxes could be so expensive

Anyone used the Cinetactics stuff???
 

I think this stuff looks pretty interesting and for the price, it seems like a good practical/portable solution(mattebox and french flag). I especially like the idea of being able to store this stuff with relative ease.

Randy

i am very curious about the cinetactics stuff, i haven't had an opportunity to lay hands on any of it.

one suggestion would be a mini-rover handle and a french flag, i just got a table manners french flag from filmtools.com and it has a threaded bolt at the end of the flexible arm that threads perfectly into the extra hole on top of the mini rover - mate thingie.


on the documentary shoot i did a week ago i wish i had the french flag, i had a setup where there were awful lights that i couldn't really frame out of the picture.

matthew

They are good products but you can save some $ by buying the oversized french flag and using binder clips to attach it to your stock lens hood. Very effective. And cheap.

DVX100a Accessories
 

What are some of the worthwhile accessories for this DVX100a, which ones do you have?

the .6 wideangle from century is great. im considering the anamorphic soon as well. most of what i have been doing doesnt involve sound so i dont know much about mics and all that. i have a pair of cavision handgrips that have been very helpfull.

I need 2 of the best accessories for DVX-100
 

Working on a budget and have some room for a few "toys". I want to trick out my DVX-100 and give it the works. What are some of the major accessories that will help my camera be all that it can be?

Sennheiser G2 Wireless mic, and a Tripod :)

A set of filters for the lens - polarized, UV. I agree with Peter about the Sennheiser wireless mic and a good tripod.

how much is the P+S Technik converter?
 

Should I even dream about getting that Beauty?

Visited the website and looks to be around $7 G's

Is there anyone else who sells this converter for less???

If you check this website there is an article on 5 accessories that are worthwhile to own.

I agree that a really good tripod is an excellent choice, as is the wireless mic. A number of people also recommend the LANC controller since you can control a number of camera functions without touching the cam.

Re: how much is the P+S Technik converter?
 

<<<-- Originally posted by Jason Epperson : Should I even dream about getting that Beauty?

Visited the website and looks to be around $7 G's

Is there anyone else who sells this converter for less??? -->>>

It's actually about $10,000 once you get the adapter kit for the camera, etc.

And no, nobody sells it for less, unless you're trying to buy a used one.

Jason, why don't you tell us what you want to do with the camera. That should make it easier to let you know what kind of accesories to buy.

Best accessories for the DVX-100a
 

I'm about to buy a new DVX-100a. Beyond the obvious UV filter to protect the lens, I'm wondering which accessories folks have found the most useful, especially for the cost? Some of the things I'm considering:

- telephoto attachment lens (brand? cost?)
- some additional filters, of course
- the "small" Chrosziel setup (not the rails, but the lens attached filter holder)
- any other lens shading device?
- shoulder mount

I'm "graduating" from a GL2 (which has been an excellent camera for the money).

My number-one choice of accessory for any DV camcorder is a remote lens controller. After all, the best way to run a camcorder is without touching it. See http://www.dvinfo.net/panasonic/articles/tanaka1.php.

So, no support for LANC?
 

I guess I missed this. The article implies (but it's not as clear as it could be) that the DVX has NO support for LANC, meaning that the Varizoom controller I already have will not work with the Panasonic.?

Please confirm . . .

That's correct, Jim. LANC is a Sony protocol, which Canon has a license to use. So those are the only two manufacturers whose camcorders are compatible with LANC controllers. Panasonic does offer an auxiliary camera control jack, but it's not LANC, so you will have to change controllers. VariZoom Lens Controls and 16x9 Inc. (Zoe) both offer a variety of controllers for Panasonic DVX and DVC series camcorders.

Jim - just one quick suggestion. Wait until you have the cam and have played with it before deciding on too many accessories. For example, I also upgraded to a DVX from a GL2 some time back, and found that the DVX was plenty wide enough to not need a wide-angle lens for most of my applications, even though I had a wide on my GL2. (I am still insterested in an anamorphic adapter, but that's beside the point).

As far as shoulder mounts, you may want to check out the DVRig Pro, which has been getting rave reviews all around.

wait? shocking!
 

Waiting is fine concept, I admit. However, I've finally got all the stuff I need to really work with the GL2 and I figure I'm going to need more or less the same capabilities. I've shot with the DVX for someone else and I had concluded that the WA attachment would likely be unnecessary. But I found the tele attachment extremely useful at times on the GL2 (but the century model for the dvx is about double the price of the GL2 attachment - ouch).

If you needed a telephoto adapter on a GL-2 for what you do, then you definately need one on a DVX, which doesn't zoom nearly as much as a GL-2.