Most useful accessory for VX2000/2100 under $200?
 

I'm going to be ordering my VX2100 from B&H over the next few days, and thought "let's save on shipping" - while I'm at it I'd like to pick up an accessory or two. I'm thinking wide-angle lens - I'm a student, and shoot a fairbit indoors in a fairly small student house. Any suggestions/specific brands?

If you haven't considered an external microphone, you will.

I vote for an XLR adapter and a microphone.

Panasonic SHAN-MC1
 

Thanks for the advice - I've already got a Panasonic SHAN-MC1 (Miniplug Shotgun video mic)- I don't believe Panasonic makes them anymore though, pretty good mic. I probably should get a shockmount for it nonetheless, maybe a sennheiser or something.
Good suggestion - any more ideas?

I bought and use the Canon WD-58, with hood. It's a very good piece of glass for the money, but threaded not bayonet mount. That doesn't bother me but there are many shooters who don't like the time threading takes.
The other accessory I've become very fond of is the mini Rover "L" bracket. The Beachtek-equipped cam mounts to the Rover, which has an upright post with hot shoe. The unit adds stability and makes for better hand-held work, provides a second shoe for mic or light and can be mounted to a quick release plate on the tripod. You can see it in action on my rig at http://www.contentshop.tv/newcam.htm

David Hurdon

How about a rain cape? I picked up an EWA-Marine (designed to fit the VX2000, but I suspect they'd have one for the slightly larger VX2100) from B&H last month. I had a chance to try it out in some pretty good downpours in Italy last week, and it worked like a champ. It's easy to put on and off the camera (there's a proprietary ring that screws into the lens -- it slips into a matching fitting on the cover and holds the lens against an optical glass port). It also has a little swing out pouch, so you can use the LCD if you don't want to use the viewfinder. I screwed an Adorama monopod into the camcorder and used it as a handle; it was easier to carry this way, and also avoided the problem of condensation inside the cape from the heat of my hand. I was able to get great hand-held street scene stuff in some fairly major showers. I got soaked, but the camera was dry as a bone.

The EWA cape was $159.

That's a good idea, especially considering the weather here locally: lots of wet snow.
Anyone know anything about this rain cape?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=210739&is=REG

Its about half the price of the EWA-Marine -

I looked at the Kata rain cover locally last week. It has no lens protection like the EWA Marine cover but it seems well made and has access from the top for reaching the carry handle and room for the LCD to open. The shop owner had cleared all Kata covers a month or so before to make room for a replacement line, which he didn't like as much when it came in, so back they came.

David Hurdon

Get the biggest battery you can afford if you haven't already done so. Also, pickup a wireless microphone (e.g. Sennheiser Evolution series) if you plan to videotape subjects in that aren't in isolated, noise-free rooms. However, B&H sells these for $835.
I picked one up for $495, so try to negotiate using prices from other vendors.

Any brands or suggestions on batterys? Should I stick with sony brand name?
I'll be shooting dialogue mostly indoors, so the wireless mic isn't the most important issue to me. If shooting outside it would be more scenic / action.

Ari, the big difference between the Kata and the Ewa is that, whereas the Ewa is more like a closed bag that the camera goes in, the Kata is like a drape that leaves that goes over the camera, but leaves the lens and the viewfinder exposed. I suspect the Kata would work well if the camera was fixed on a tripod, but hand-holding it in a heavy rain would almost certainly get it wet. The Ewa is completely sealed, except for the opening on the bottom, and even that snaps shut, so the camera is better protected.

Choices choices...!
Right now I'm thinking the rain cover, as I don't believe I'll be shooting outside in the rain/snow enough to justify the higher cost, an extra battery (still haven't decided which one - suggestions?), and maybe a wide-angle lens (a Kenko most likely - are they really Sony's OEM manufacturer?)

<<<-- Originally posted by Gints Klimanis : Get the biggest battery you can afford if you haven't already done so. Also, pickup a wireless microphone (e.g. Sennheiser Evolution series) if you plan to videotape subjects in that aren't in isolated, noise-free rooms. However, B&H sells these for $835.
I picked one up for $495, so try to negotiate using prices from other vendors. -->>>

B&H still sells the combo bodypack with lav and the plug-on transmitters with the bodypack receiver for $499.

batteries
 

I shot for a while with two 330s and two 550s, the latter putting out less and less over time. Then I bought a 750 and I love it. It shoots for a couple/few hours (I haven't timed it) and I have yet to need a second battery between opportunities to charge it. Everyone has different needs of course but starting out, this battery is a must have in my humble opinion - Sony NP-F750 to be precise. I think it's about $75 at B&H.

David Hurdon

I had a Kenko and returned it -- poor edge sharpness, lots of color fringing. Now I use an Optex -- a little more money, but better quality.

Doesn't the VX2100 come with a wide angle lens, or am I thinking of something else?

As for batteries, I'll second the 750. I've got a couple of them, and reliably get 5 hours or so out of each one. I also have a 960 which, I think, will run for several weeks. ;) The downside to the 960 is its weight -- fine for tripod use, but it'll kill you if you're shooting handheld.

I believe the PD170 comes with a wide angle lens, while the VX2100 does not.

I'm looking for the middle-of-the-line - not century precision optics, but not "precision opticals" or whatever the ebay brand is.

FYI Theres a guy on ebay from Hong Kong who sells new packaged 750s for $40 (USD, of course) including shipping to your door anywhere in the world. From what I remember, he has no negatives, over 100 positive feedback - all which read something along the lines of "great battery, thanks".

"David Hurdon wrote: I bought and use the Canon WD-58, with hood. "

I'll second that. Canon only sells the WD-58H these days, which includes the removeable hood. It's a zoom through lens, which is great for the type of video shooting I do (sports footage) as well as being adeqaute "wide" enough for vtaping a group of people sitting at a kitchen table.

I started with a HD-6600PRO58 58mm High Quality Wideangle Lens, 0.66X , which goes "soft" after a certain amount of zoom.

Tom Hardwick has written a few fine articles on wide angle lens tests. Search this group for his posts and article links.

How about a Kenko Pro wide along with a Hoya thin/multi-coated UV and a Hoya lens hood? (The Kenko Pro comes with front filter threads, many other adaptors don't have them.)

This one?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=203659&is=REG

It seems people haven't been as happy with the results of the Kenko as they have been with the Canon - but for 10 bucks more you get a Bayonet Mount !
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=240254&is=REG

right lens hood
 

Frank
Is this the lens hood you are talking about

oope fotgot the link
 

Oops i forgot the link for the hood

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=23169&is=REG

Any lens hood should do, but I find the Hoyas very good and inexpensive---at least here locally. My buddy has the Kenko Pro wide and tele. I don't know if they are the best, but they are built solid, and their footage clean, as far as I can tell. Don't go for the Sony VX2000 adaptors. They are almost exactly the same, but without the threads in front and a different color.

My decision
 

Here's what I think I'm gona go with:
(B&H Website prices)

Mack Price: $ 149.95
4-Year Extended Warranty for Digital Camcorder - Valued from $2000.01 to $3500
MFR# 1041 • B&H# MAEWDVC42

Kata RC-14 Rain Cover - for Sony DCR-VX2000 and DSR-PD150 Camcorders
MFR# KTVA80114 • B&H# KARC14 Price: $ 79.95

Price: $ 44.95
VCLES06 0.6x Wide Angle Lens for Sony Mavica Cameras
MFR# VCLES06A • B&H# SOVCLES06A

Kenko 58mm-52mm Step-Down Ring (Lens to Filter)
B&H Catalog # KESDR5852
Our Price: $ 6.95

Sony VF-58CPKS 58mm Filter Kit
Mfr Catalog # VF58CPKS • B&H Catalog # SOVF58CPKS
Our Price: $ 54.99

I'm over my original budget (Aren't we always?), but I think this will keep me pretty much set for the next 2 years (While I'm still in school).

The warranty really did me in - the reason I choose the 4 year instead of 2 year MAC is because the 4 year is only 50 bucks more, and I've had to pay to have sony products repaired before!

The most used accessories for me include:

- Larger battery NP-f750 or NP-F960 (the grandaddy)
- Rycote furry for the VX2000/1 (B&H) to cut down on wind noise
- Sennheiser wireless mic (evolution 100 series)
- Video light HVL-20DW2
- Polarizer and UV filters

The battery and video light you can get off Ebay for 1/2 price of new (Sony brand). Guys have them there in unopened packs. You'd be foolish to buy retail. The video light has saved a lot of shots that would have otherwise been unusable.

The wireless mic is over $200 so I guess it isn't in your cards right now.

Look at the Optex wide angle. It's been posted many times

If you have any camera problems you'll have excessive heart break at the border. Some things i'll buy in the US. With cameras I wouldn't take that chance.

So far as a lens shade, go with Cavision. It's even a Canadian company. http://www.cavision.com/LensHood/LH100S.htm

Their hood is a plastic or metal clampon. The Plastic is $70US and the metal $100. The plastic (ABS) is great. The shade itself is rubber and the hood has a 105mm thread for a UV.

I own the hood and a 4x4 mattebox.

I was instructed by the people @ B&H that the warranty is registerable in Canada as well as the states, so if repairs are needed under warranty I can get them done locally (Last time I needed a sony product repaired I brought it to Newmarket @ the sony building right off the 404). The extended warranty also has repair outlets in the GTA according to their website.

The $$$ savings are just too huge to ignore: $3168 all in CAN$ from B&H, $5175 all in from Henrys.

That's over $2000 in savings!

It appears that Sony is starting to sell extended warranties now. Might want to check on that. Some do not like the Mack warranty at all.