Hey guys,
I've got a friend who wants to buy a camera for film he plans on doing pretty soon. It seems he has between $3000 and $4000 to spend on a camera [man I wish I had that much to spend!] Anyways, what are your guys' suggestions and for what reasons? I appreciate you opinions. Thanks.
By the way, he's been looking at these, but the only one I recognize is the Panasonic one. I could only think of the XL1 and GL1/2 cameras, but I don't know a great deal about cameras. Thanks again.
http://www.filmmakers.com/store/video/camcorder/info/jvc300.htm
http://www.filmmakers.com/store/video/camcorder/info/jvc5002.htm
http://www.filmmakers.com/store/video/camcorder/info/jvx3b.htm

Well there's no disguising the fact that THEE camera o own as far as loxbudget/microcinema filmaking on the digital front is the Panasonic AG-DVX100.

I am the proud owner of one and I am astounished everytime I introduce it to a new environment at the image it produces and i got mine for just under $3000. I could link you to various videos shot on it and so on but it has to be seen in person, and viewed on a television to really be appreciated. Where most 3 chip prosumer cameras break down on say a 32" TV screen the DVX footage shines with vibrant "film like" colors. Forget the 24p (which is nice) the Cine-Like Gamma is what this camera is all about. Plenty fear the Gamma setting and claim they can achieve the same look in post but I have yet to see one single person shoot head to head with say an XL1 and then match the look in post.

Truth be told both the XL1 and GL2 are solid cameras. Whatever he gets he wont do squat ithout descent lighting, camera work and audio. The DVX is just the recent cream of the crop. If you already owned a cam id say stick with it but if your in the market you cant go wrong with the DVX.
R. Michael

P.S.
There is a DVX100a cming out with some new features but considering it will be a flat $5000 for what your getting the original is still a great investment.

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans
Tizzy Entertainment "Redemption" Hi-Def trailer

Take a look at the Sony PD150. It beats the hell out of a lot of the stuff that both Canon and Panasonic churn out, including that (horribly designed) DVX100 that everyone drools over just because it has 24p.

_________________________
http://www.jswfilms.com/

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Originally posted by TizzyEntertainment:
Well there's no disguising the fact that THEE camera o own as far as loxbudget/microcinema filmaking on the digital front is the Panasonic AG-DVX100.

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Like Clockwork!!!

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Originally posted by JW:
Take a look at the Sony PD150.

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Again... Like Clockwork!!!

Nota "As predictable as... my signature quotes " Mono

The Funny thing is while i have seen very impressive stuff shot on the XL1, GL2 and even TRV900 I have yet to see one thing ive liked shot on the PD150. "Tadpole" being one of the greatest examples. Of course this is simply my opinion. JW loves the cam and pimps it whenever possible. While I might seem die hard DVX I still can appreciate stuff originated from other cameras. I like it because of what you get right out of the cam. I was a die hard XL1 guy until I saw footage from the DVX (and not online. As I said you need to see it on a TV in person) but you asked for everyones opinion, therefore you shall get it. I pose this challenge... search the web and see how many DV message boards are a buzz with what the PD150 is doing. Now search for the DVX. As I stated earlier as well the 24p is almost secondary to the cne-like gamma. I have yet to meet someone who opurchsed the DVX and was not satisfied.
R. Michael

P.S.
In the name of equality I will submit this however. If two people had $3,000 and one droped the wad on a DVX100 with a "point and shoot" attitude and the other bought a PD150 for $1000 and spent the rest on lighting an audio equipment ( as well as learning how to use it) The PD150 owner with the production know how will turn out a better movie. Great equipment is worthless if all the areas of production arent taken just as seriously.

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans
Tizzy Entertainment "Redemption" Hi-Def trailer

quote:

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Originally posted by NotaMono:

quote:

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Originally posted by TizzyEntertainment:
Well there's no disguising the fact that THEE camera o own as far as loxbudget/microcinema filmaking on the digital front is the Panasonic AG-DVX100.

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Like Clockwork!!!

quote:

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Originally posted by JW:
Take a look at the Sony PD150.

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Again... Like Clockwork!!!

Nota "As predictable as... my signature quotes " Mono

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At first I thought about not posting at all but then i thought, "Think of all ther student filmers who expect me to post. If I fail it could cause a butterfly effect and insight mass genecide and armagedon itself and I'll be damned if I have to watch Ben Affleck and Bruce Willis cry like babies while Aerosmith whines out another ballad....." Yeah I pretty much trailed off from there. To be safe, I posted.
R. "needs a signature gimic of his own" Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans
Tizzy Entertainment "Redemption" Hi-Def trailer

Just for the record, I "pimp it whenever possible" because its a better camera. It's not like I work for Sony or are trying to sell it or anything. Its simply a better camera.

_________________________
http://www.jswfilms.com/

Just wanted to thank you guys. Do you know of any camera shops that would carry these to try out?

quote:

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Originally posted by JW:
Just for the record, I "pimp it whenever possible" because its a better camera. It's not like I work for Sony or are trying to sell it or anything. Its simply a better camera.

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Didnt mean to imply otherwise. Ive never doubted you believe its the best camera for the job. No alterier motives percieved on my end.
R. Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans
Tizzy Entertainment "Redemption" Hi-Def trailer

you know..i saw nice 16mm Bolex for 3500 the other day...