Buying my first Camcorder (VX2100), any helpful comments?? at DVinfo.net

Ray Sigmond · July 16th, 2004, 11:09 AM

I have been reading a lot of the invaluable information on this forum and would like thank you guys. I am basically an audio guy buying my first camcorder. I was torn between the Sony VX2100 and the Canon GL2 and have finally decided to go with the Sony.

In my current setup, I use Nuendo & Wavelab for audio, and Pinnacle Liquid Edition for my video editing. Below is my list for my camcorder gear, a few items I purchased already on eBay; the remaining items I wil purchase from B&H. Any feedback or comments you would care to share with me would be appreciated.

Sony VX2100
B&H Mack 4 year Pro Warranty
Sony LSF-S58 Lens Hood
Sony NP-F960 batteries (2)
VariZoom VZ-DBC Dual Battery Charger
Kenko KRW-065SB Wide Angle Converter
Sennheiser ME66/K6 Microphone (purchased on ebay for $300.00)
Sennheiser MZS-CAM Shotgun Camera Shock Mount
Sennheiser MZW66 Windscreen
BeachTek DXA-4 (purchased on ebay $103.50)
Bogen Manfrotto 3460/503 Head
Bogen Manfrotto 3021 Tripod (purchased on ebay $84.00)
Bogen Manfrotto 3127 Dollie (purchased on ebay ($51.00)
VariZoom VZ-B20 Bag
Hoodman H-300 LCD Hood
Lenmar High Speed Tape Rewinder
Tiffen Ultra Contrast #1 Filter
Tiffen Polarizer Filter
Tiffen UV Protector Glass Filter

Regards,

Ray

Allen Brodsky · July 16th, 2004, 01:06 PM

For several of your items, unless you know you have a specific need I would not spend the money on them now: the dual charger, hood, and tape rewinder.

Andy Browne · July 16th, 2004, 01:29 PM

Hello Ray...

New uiser here myself. I just got my VX2100 2 days ago and I love it. You have a very nice wish list. As long as you have the $$$, get it all man.

I see you use LE to edit. Me too. In fact I run the LE Users Group (PLUG) here in Charlotte. You can check out our website at www.dmvideo.net/edition. Lots of cool things plus reviews on all the LE tutotials available.

Ray Sigmond · July 16th, 2004, 02:09 PM

Hey Andy:

Congratulations on your purchase of your VX2100.

Great to see another Pinnacle LE guy on here! I visited your Pinnacle LE site, looks great. I just purchased the Power Start CD by John Mellicker. I will go through some more of your reviews to check on the others.

Regards,

Ray

Frederic Segard · July 16th, 2004, 05:05 PM

If you're an audio guy, then you should see the value of the XLR inputs on the Sony PD170. Something the VX2100 does not have.

Ray Sigmond · July 16th, 2004, 05:31 PM

That was why I included the BeachTek DXA-4

Steve McDonald · July 18th, 2004, 03:07 AM

Since you live in Jersey, the Mack warranty might work for you. Those like me who would have to pay shipping for 3,000 miles, both ways to their shop in your state, might wish they'd gone with another brand.

Definitely get the DV tape rewinder. It will save wear on the camcorder. I got the Sima SRW-62 and it's a gem. Some other brands may not be trustworthy with your tapes. If you can get a DV VCR for playback, even better. My $750. JVC HR-DVS3U, with dual-deck DV/S-VHS, is the cheapest way to go for one.

The NP-960 is a great battery, but I'm not buying a 2nd one, until I need it. With its huge capacity and the smaller included battery, I haven't coming close to running out of power yet. The Sima SPM-13 charger is the best I can recommend. I've used mine constantly for more than 3 years and it charges fast and dependably. It works with all Sony lithium camcorder batteries, at least the NP-F and NP-FM ones I've had. It does several other brands, as well, using 3 adaptor inserts to match their contacts.

I can't criticize your low-cost e-Bay acquisitions, but when I started with an expensive pro camcorder, I went overboard with the full set of every possible accessory and never really needed half of them. The best and most useful VX2100 accessory I have is a shoulder-mount/steadying rig that I made myself. It converts this king of the hand-held consumer camcorders into a more pro-like shoulder cam.

Steve McDonald

Ray Sigmond · July 18th, 2004, 09:24 AM

Thanks Steve:

I had looked at the VariZoom VZ-1 Shooter
http://www.varizoom.com/pages/oneshoot.php

and the VZ-LSP
http://www.varizoom.com/pages/lsp.php

The first project that I will be shooting (a martial arts instructional DVD/VCR series) will be mainly shot using the tripod, that was why I had not included on the list. I definitely will keep your suggestion at the top of my list.

Regards,

Ray

Ray Sigmond · July 18th, 2004, 09:45 AM

Steve:

I looked at the Sima SRW-62 tape rewinder, I like especially the Auto-stop sensor. I will go with the Sima, thanks again for the tip!

Ray

Ray Sigmond · July 21st, 2004, 01:18 PM

Steve:

Here are a few other shoulder supports that I found from reading on here if anyone has any feedbacks

Tortle Rig
http://www.16x9inc.com/easyrig/tortlerig.shtml

MARzPAK
http://www.marztech.com/specifications.html

DV Caddie
http://www.dvcaddie.com/dvcaddie.htm

VariZoom VZ-LSP
http://www.varizoom.com/pages/lsp.php

VariZoom VZ-1 Shooter
http://www.varizoom.com/pages/oneshoot.php

Tom Hardwick · July 23rd, 2004, 01:17 PM

Another one is the Camsling. I've tried this and it works.

www.camsling.co.uk

Bryan Beasleigh · July 23rd, 2004, 01:52 PM

I can vouch for the Marzpak. It's well worth the money and it works better than a few of the shoulder mounts that i've tried(my opinion). The unit is assembled by Jaques Mersereau's wife (one of our members). The detail and workmanship is amazing for what the unit costs. The best money i ever spent.

Ray Sigmond · July 29th, 2004, 08:53 AM

Looking at many of the post on the forums with respect to microphones, I see that many prefer the AT4073A mic as opposed to the Sennheiser ME66/K6. Are any of you guys using the AT4073A with a Beachtek DXA-6 or DXA-8?

July 16th, 2004, 01:29 PM	#3
Andy Browne New Boot Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Venice, Florida Posts: 11	Hello Ray... New uiser here myself. I just got my VX2100 2 days ago and I love it. You have a very nice wish list. As long as you have the $$$, get it all man. I see you use LE to edit. Me too. In fact I run the LE Users Group (PLUG) here in Charlotte. You can check out our website at www.dmvideo.net/edition. Lots of cool things plus reviews on all the LE tutotials available. __________________ Andy Browne Venice, Florida

July 23rd, 2004, 01:52 PM	#12
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	I can vouch for the Marzpak. It's well worth the money and it works better than a few of the shoulder mounts that i've tried(my opinion). The unit is assembled by Jaques Mersereau's wife (one of our members). The detail and workmanship is amazing for what the unit costs. The best money i ever spent. __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ".......holy smokin rubber lips...what a ride!"

July 16th, 2004, 11:09 AM	#1
Ray Sigmond Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Edison, NJ Posts: 119	Buying my first Camcorder (VX2100), any helpful comments?? I have been reading a lot of the invaluable information on this forum and would like thank you guys. I am basically an audio guy buying my first camcorder. I was torn between the Sony VX2100 and the Canon GL2 and have finally decided to go with the Sony. In my current setup, I use Nuendo & Wavelab for audio, and Pinnacle Liquid Edition for my video editing. Below is my list for my camcorder gear, a few items I purchased already on eBay; the remaining items I wil purchase from B&H. Any feedback or comments you would care to share with me would be appreciated. Sony VX2100 B&H Mack 4 year Pro Warranty Sony LSF-S58 Lens Hood Sony NP-F960 batteries (2) VariZoom VZ-DBC Dual Battery Charger Kenko KRW-065SB Wide Angle Converter Sennheiser ME66/K6 Microphone (purchased on ebay for $300.00) Sennheiser MZS-CAM Shotgun Camera Shock Mount Sennheiser MZW66 Windscreen BeachTek DXA-4 (purchased on ebay $103.50) Bogen Manfrotto 3460/503 Head Bogen Manfrotto 3021 Tripod (purchased on ebay $84.00) Bogen Manfrotto 3127 Dollie (purchased on ebay ($51.00) VariZoom VZ-B20 Bag Hoodman H-300 LCD Hood Lenmar High Speed Tape Rewinder Tiffen Ultra Contrast #1 Filter Tiffen Polarizer Filter Tiffen UV Protector Glass Filter Regards, Ray

July 16th, 2004, 01:06 PM	#2
Allen Brodsky Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Eatontown, NJ Posts: 118	For several of your items, unless you know you have a specific need I would not spend the money on them now: the dual charger, hood, and tape rewinder.

July 16th, 2004, 02:09 PM	#4
Ray Sigmond Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Edison, NJ Posts: 119	Hey Andy: Congratulations on your purchase of your VX2100. Great to see another Pinnacle LE guy on here! I visited your Pinnacle LE site, looks great. I just purchased the Power Start CD by John Mellicker. I will go through some more of your reviews to check on the others. Regards, Ray

July 16th, 2004, 05:05 PM	#5
Frederic Segard Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 209	If you're an audio guy, then you should see the value of the XLR inputs on the Sony PD170. Something the VX2100 does not have.

July 16th, 2004, 05:31 PM	#6
Ray Sigmond Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Edison, NJ Posts: 119	That was why I included the BeachTek DXA-4

July 18th, 2004, 03:07 AM	#7
Steve McDonald Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 366	Since you live in Jersey, the Mack warranty might work for you. Those like me who would have to pay shipping for 3,000 miles, both ways to their shop in your state, might wish they'd gone with another brand. Definitely get the DV tape rewinder. It will save wear on the camcorder. I got the Sima SRW-62 and it's a gem. Some other brands may not be trustworthy with your tapes. If you can get a DV VCR for playback, even better. My $750. JVC HR-DVS3U, with dual-deck DV/S-VHS, is the cheapest way to go for one. The NP-960 is a great battery, but I'm not buying a 2nd one, until I need it. With its huge capacity and the smaller included battery, I haven't coming close to running out of power yet. The Sima SPM-13 charger is the best I can recommend. I've used mine constantly for more than 3 years and it charges fast and dependably. It works with all Sony lithium camcorder batteries, at least the NP-F and NP-FM ones I've had. It does several other brands, as well, using 3 adaptor inserts to match their contacts. I can't criticize your low-cost e-Bay acquisitions, but when I started with an expensive pro camcorder, I went overboard with the full set of every possible accessory and never really needed half of them. The best and most useful VX2100 accessory I have is a shoulder-mount/steadying rig that I made myself. It converts this king of the hand-held consumer camcorders into a more pro-like shoulder cam. Steve McDonald

July 18th, 2004, 09:24 AM	#8
Ray Sigmond Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Edison, NJ Posts: 119	Thanks Steve: I had looked at the VariZoom VZ-1 Shooter http://www.varizoom.com/pages/oneshoot.php and the VZ-LSP http://www.varizoom.com/pages/lsp.php The first project that I will be shooting (a martial arts instructional DVD/VCR series) will be mainly shot using the tripod, that was why I had not included on the list. I definitely will keep your suggestion at the top of my list. Regards, Ray

July 18th, 2004, 09:45 AM	#9
Ray Sigmond Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Edison, NJ Posts: 119	Steve: I looked at the Sima SRW-62 tape rewinder, I like especially the Auto-stop sensor. I will go with the Sima, thanks again for the tip! Ray

July 21st, 2004, 01:18 PM	#10
Ray Sigmond Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Edison, NJ Posts: 119	Steve: Here are a few other shoulder supports that I found from reading on here if anyone has any feedbacks Tortle Rig http://www.16x9inc.com/easyrig/tortlerig.shtml MARzPAK http://www.marztech.com/specifications.html DV Caddie http://www.dvcaddie.com/dvcaddie.htm VariZoom VZ-LSP http://www.varizoom.com/pages/lsp.php VariZoom VZ-1 Shooter http://www.varizoom.com/pages/oneshoot.php

July 23rd, 2004, 01:17 PM	#11
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Another one is the Camsling. I've tried this and it works. www.camsling.co.uk

July 29th, 2004, 08:53 AM	#13
Ray Sigmond Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Edison, NJ Posts: 119	Looking at many of the post on the forums with respect to microphones, I see that many prefer the AT4073A mic as opposed to the Sennheiser ME66/K6. Are any of you guys using the AT4073A with a Beachtek DXA-6 or DXA-8?