HELP! INPUT WANTED FROM ALL

[PatrickCoyle]

...Is it worth paying £1000 for a used Panasonic DVX100a? (same camera as the one I was using at the meet-up)

Hopefully the filmmakers among you may have an idea how to answer some of my queries...

There's one on ebay now for that price and a grand is about the most I can stretch to for a new camera (although it would mean not getting the xbox 360 or HDTV). I don't think there's a better camera at that price than the DVX, is there? I know there are some kind of his-def cams cheaper than that, but are they actually better?

What I want a camera for.... Between now and Christmas, I want to make a short film or two. Next year, I plan on making a couple more shorts and a feature next summer - all on the DVX100 (and hopefully them getting some festival play and leading to some funding for "proper" films).

Now I can frequently borrow the camera I had at the meet-up/screening, but generally only for a day or two at a time because there are always events and people going on that want it. If I had my own camera, it would allow much more flexible shooting schedules as I could shoot things over longer periods, and have access to the camera at all times etc. But I don't know if this alone makes the investment worthwhile... If I did have my own camera, then I always have it to hand, and can make films on the fly. Especially with the feature, I'm planning on shooting it in a solid block of around 10 days, and that would be a lot easier with my own camera.

Actors - I don't know how many of you have experience with this, either the actors themselves who read this, or other filmmakers who are working/have worked with actors... But what is the actors' view of a DVX100 (miniDV) project. Does it seem "real" and worthwhile?

Basically, what I'm asking is - in the opinions/experience of you guys, can a movie shot on a DVX100 be seen as professional? If so, I can justify the cost. But if it isn't really seen as professional, I'm probably better off borrowing one every so often.

Cheers for any help you can give,
PC

[salvador]

If I was going to buy a camera for a budget I'd buy the DVX100, I love that camera. I think a film shot on it can be professional, definately professional enough for film festivals etc.

I might be wrong but you should be able to pick one up for less than £1000 on ebay, when I was thinking about getting one they were going for about £600.

[wiggy]

i was interested in one of these for the 25p feature as it is easier to transfer it to film and it gives a real film look, i havent seen one for less than a grand plus im always dubious of buying second hand electricals from ebay. i believe it is a very good camera though but watch for how many hours usage it has had! i was also looking at a sony pd170 but i have now decided to save up and invest in the new sony hvr v1e progressive hdv.
i was told to steer clear of the entry level hdv cams as they have poor light levels and are a pain to edit.
all in all i myself may end up buying a dvx 100 myself though as they are tried and tested. try prestons they sell second hand with warranty.

[PatrickCoyle]

Cheers guys. I looked at Prestons, the search on their site is pretty dodgy now (I don't remember it being so last time I looked) and only showed about two or three results - the 100B for £2k and the original 100 for £1.5k used.

I might have a pop at getting someone with a better credit rating than me to help me get something like the v1e or the z1 (or the a1e)... But at the moment, I can't edit in HD so it isn't vitally important. Salv, I did see a DVX100 on ebay that went for £600 a couple of months ago - but no such luck lately.

[RydCook]

well i dont know much about the camers.. but i say

BUY IT! MWA HA HA AH AH

[Tom]

Well, you know what my background is dude, but I'd suggest borrowing a camera for your shoots, or hiring a camera (you can get a HDV cam for about £30.00 a day).

Second hand gear is a minefield, so tread careful and all that stuff. Where are you shooting? I can always get you connected with people - and worse comes to worse, you can always advertise on a film makers site for a DoP (mandy.com or shootingpeople.org)

Don't panic too much a bout the "professional" aspect of the camera. That's irrelevant. It's all down to how you use it and the look you're hoping to achieve. Robert Rodriguez shot El Mariachi on a second hand 16mm Bolex that hardly worked. And that film was theatrically released.

Anything over £600 should give you a great set of results, it's up to you how you manipulate them. If you are looking at festival entries, you should definitely invest in your audio as well as your camera, as (and this is from prior experience) there's no point having it look sexy if it sounds like shit. I know you'll be on the ball, but just a few pointers: DAT if you can afford it or miniDisc if not. Oh and a good stereo mic. I have a book that I can send on to you if you like? It gives loads of advice about cameras and aduio, and I've not looked at it since I shot the first film. Let me know if you want it - it's one of the Guerilla Film Maker's Handbooks. Just propping up a shelf now, but would be useful to you for this stuff I think. Let me know man.

[PatrickCoyle]

Cheers bud - I've already got the latest edition of the handbook, though I have only skimmed over the technical pages (and I've misplaced the CD-ROM, which is besides the point but proof of my idiocy). I'm expecting to have to fork out for a MiniDisc recorder and a stereo mic eventually - I've used expensive mics before but only plugged into the camera, so I'm looking forward to recording sound totally separate from the video. I didn't know that HDV cams could be rented that cheaply! I can't edit in HiDef yet, but it'd be nice to shoot something in the format, even if it ends up downconverted. I think for the moment I'm gonna go the borrowing/renting route as I have several particular projects in mind and given advance warning, I can get hold of the necessary equipment. I'm not so much worried about those... I just wish that I had a decent camera to hand all the time, so if a little notion strikes of a morning, I could go out and shoot something.

I know Colin was written, shot and cut in six hours - how did that come about? Had you planned to do something for that day and got Mike, the camera etc ready?

[Tom]

I had the idea for Colin on the Thursday, spoke to Mike about it and then said that my next day off would be on the Monday. That was it really. Sounds crazy, but it really worked for having no timescales.

Definitely know what you mean about having a decent camera to just get out and shoot. I bought my MiniDV camera to finih night-Bird but it's served me well as a means of making small films quick. Even if you do shoot HD then downgrade, it looks way better, so that's not a bad idea.

Keep me posted dude.

[andrewr]

Hey Patrick

First off I think people work differently. I have the DVX100B, I also have a HD camera. I make a lot of corporate videos and unless the client requests HD I always shoot with DVX. Although the HD provides a high quality more crisper image, I much prefer the DVX, mainly for the 25p mode. And I do have a HD editing package.

If you film in 25p and in post production if you desatuate the image by about 60% and put the contrast up, the image will look a lot more like film.

I couldn't live without my camera, but I work fulltime so I am filming and editing almost everyday. Think how often you will use it and how you use it? If you wake up at 5 in the morning and feel insipired to film the sunrise then buy one, but if you only ever use the camera when you've planned the shoot for a month, then borrow it.

I agree with icharus about the sound, audio is so overlooked especially by student filmmakers. I record all audio into the camera but make sure you have an decent mic. Also spend a bit of time in post playing with the sound.

And also make sure you have good actors, I'm based in Stoke so if you need any local acting agencies I can pass you a couple of good contacts.