Robert,

Did you upgrade from the GS200 to the DVC30? Or do you know have both cams? I'm thinking about moving from GS400 to DVC30 but I really like the high-res 16:9 on my GS400.

Is anyone using a non-Panasonic wide angle adapter on their DVC-30? Exactly what model do you use, and how do you mount it? My main gripe with the Panasonic AG-LW4307 43mm 0.7x Wide-Angle Converter Lens is that it has no front filter threads. (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=details_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=215130&is=REG)

I tried mounting a "generic" wide-angle converter in the store, using a step-up ring, but the step-up ring wouldn't fit on DVC-30, due to the bayonet mount for the sunshade. What brand of step-up ring is deep enough to reach the 43 mm threads without being blocked by the bayonet mount?

The salesman said the wide angle adapter doubles as a macro adapter. Is anyone using a macro adapter (aka achromatic diopter) on their DVC-30?

I could get along with the Panasonic wide-angle converter, if I could fit a clamp-on sunshade or matte box on it. Is anyone actually using the Panasonic converter with a clamp-on sunshade or matte box?

I am using a raynox hd 6600 wide angle adaptor on my dvc 30. It is available in 43mm threads to attach directly to the camera without any other adaptation and has 72mm front threads for use with filters if desired.

I have only used this lens minimally so far. I mainly use it when I am shooting skiing and snowboarding videos. This winter I will be using it daily. From what I have shot and from screen grabs I found on the net I am very happy with the performance vs. price for the lens.

Thanks Nathan. I haven't seen Raynox lenses in Denmark yet, but at $99 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=RAHD6600P43&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=227155) it might be worth "importing" one from B&H. Can you use the full zoom range with the Raynox?

I did upgrade from the 200. I notice no difference between the resolution in 4:3 or 16:9 on the DVC30, which I can't say for the 200.

I read a post somewhere where someone looked at screen grabs of the DVC30 in 4:3 and 16:9 and there was no noticeable loss in resolution even when blown up 2X it's size.

The difference in optics is incredible!

So I might finally suck it up and buy a DVC30 and I noticed that it does not have the interval recording capability that the GL2 has. Is this true? It's not a HUGE deal but I really like doing time lapse videos. Is there any way to get around this or to do it manually (other then simply speeding up hours and hours of tape)? What a bummmer.... Thanks for feedback.

Hi!

Sometimes my DVC30 has problems to get a proper focus when auto focus is turned on. Sometimes when auto focus is on parts of the image "vibrates" and when i turn auto focus off it looks perfect.

Does any body else have problems with DVC30's auto focus?

/Roger

I've only had my dvc30 for a short time but I see there is an interval recording - you set it between 0.5-2 seconds. It records for the preset time then pauses. You have to manually start it again.

Every autofocus can have these issues, depending on many things. Most common culprit is low light or contrasty light, but subject mattter can also cause problems.

Thanks for your input Bob, but this happens indoors and/or outdoors when the light conditions are good. I have compared my DVC30 with a DVX100 and the DVX100 had no problems to focus on the same object at the same time and light conditions.

EDIT:
I have also compared my DVC30 with my old DX100 and the DX100 has no problems to focus and no problems with parts of the image that "vibrates" when using auto focus.

/Roger

Well, more info always leads to better answers. Out of curiosity, is the image vibrating or changing focus? Is it an OIS issue?

Well, more info always leads to better answers. Out of curiosity, is the image vibrating or changing focus? Is it an OIS issue?
Parts of the image is vibrating while the rest of the imgage is in focus. No, it is not a OIS issue. It does not make any difference whether the OIS is enabled or not.

Here is a short (1 second, 1368Kb) example. Take a look at the tractor in the middle of the picture. A few second before this i shot with manual focus and when i turned auto focus on the image started to vibrate and did not stop until i enabled manual focus again.

This is not the best example but this what was i found right now:
http://members.chello.se/averdahl/example/dvc30.m2v

/Roger

I was looking at a pinout diagram of the remote port, and it looks like it would be very simple to build a small circuit to trigger the camera at intervals automatically. All you have to do is ground the tip to simulate pushing the record button. That combined with the above mentioned timer would do interval recording.

I know just enough about electronics to be dangerous, so any suggestions are appreciated.

Well I guess I'm another lucky one then... I just got my DVC30 in yesterday and have the same hot pixel issue. On the LCD screen there is one pixel that is contantly red. It wasn't there when I first started playing with the camera, but after a bit it reared it's ugly head. I too am bummed, but will talk to BH about replacing it. Robert, any problems with your replacement unit? How was the process? Did it take long for them to ship you a new one? Thanks a bunch. Happy shooting.

Just a question on this. It is possible to have a hot pixel on the actual LCD display as well as the CCD image pickup device.

Do the hot spots show on the EVF as well as the LCD flip out display? If it does than it is the CCD, if it doesn't then the CCD is fine and you just have a hot one on the LCD. Not a reason not to get it fixed, but at least that to me is not as bad as having a hot on the CCD.

My 2 cents!

Jeff

Yeah I did some research right after my post and realized that it's just the LCD and not the CCD. Which is good, but still kind of annoying. Talked to B&H about it and they said 1 hot LCD pixel doesn't warrant an exchange according to the manufacturer. I was a bit surprised about that. Kind of stinks, but it could definitely be worse. Don't guess there is much else I can do at this point. Other than that I'm loving the camera!

Just curious though, are there alot of people out there with hot LCD pixels? Just wondering if it's really that common...

Check the Panasonic web site

http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?storeId=11201&catalogId=13051&itemId=68840&catGroupId=14571&surfModel=AG-DVC30&displayTab=R

you can find a User Guide and brochure there.

When I looked at that camera, I seem to remember it was very similar to the DVX100a, but without 24p. You may be able to use Barry's DVX book to SOME benefit, but I am only guessing.

Hey,
I got my DVX100A about a week ago, and sure enough, there are about three hot, green pixels on my LCD. They aren't too noticeable, but they are annoying. I actually didn't notice them until tonight. ARG! Is this definitely the LCD and not a fault on the CCD? I captured some video, zoomed in on Premiere, and didn't seem to notice anything. Makes me think it is just the LCD, which is okay since most of my shooting comes through the viewfinder anyway. Any thoughts? Thanks.

-Paul

Sorry for the dealys, just back from vacation (on which my DVC30 also went!)

In my case the pixel was definitely on the CCD itself. I overnighted the camera to B&H on a Thursday and they overnighted me a new one by Saturday morning. They were very helpful.

Before sending it back I called Panasonic on the advice of one of the engineers at work (I work for a TV network) to see if the pixel could be mapped out without sending it in. Apparently our studio cameras remap if you black balance several times in a row.

Panasonic was also very helpful and told me that their less expensive cameras didn't have this feature. He asked me if I was sure it was the CCD and not on the LCD, but then stopped himself and told me it didn't matter since I should not tolerate a camera that had *any* dead pixels on the LCD either. Apparently Panny is very proud of their build quality.

I would call their professional tech support if B&H won't exchange it for a dead LCD pixel.

I appreciate what B&H did for me though since it was definitely Panasonic's responsibility in the first place.

Cool, thanks for the advice Robert. I shot with it all last weekend and rarely even noticed the one bad pixel. It's not as annoying as I originally thought it would be. I guess I am just too busy looking at the beautiful pictures this camera makes! I am really impressed with this little cam.

The Raynox 6600PRO is a bit of a special in that it's quite a powerful wide-angle converter that has minimal barrel distortion. It's much better in this department than the much more expensive Century 0.65x lens for instance, the only downside is that the Raynox goes soft after the mid way point on the zoom towards tele.

Raynox are very up front about this, but the softness (a mixture of flare and chromatic aberation) can be used to good effect on ladies of a certain age. For me the lack of barrel distortion means I can track room to room without the door frames bowing outwards as I pass through them - a big give-away of an 'amateur' at work.

tom.

I have the Kenko .65Xpro wide angle that I use with a stepup ring. I also have a clap on sunshade that is made for this lens that costs about $35. I use 2 step up rings, 1 43-55 and the other 55-58. No problems after a year so far.

On my dvc30 i use one 43mm-52mm from hama which fits "inside" the hood mounting and then i use a 52-58 ring from century.

Pics("autofocus" from hell...):
http://www.chma.net/images/cam.jpg
http://www.chma.net/images/lens.jpg

I use a 58mm Century wide angel and I also have a Century 58mm fisheye lens. Expensive, yeah, but you can feel the quality and the result as far as I can se isn't actually bad either...quite good;)

When I looked at that camera, I seem to remember it was very similar to the DVX100a, but without 24p. You may be able to use Barry's DVX book to SOME benefit, but I am only guessing.

Can anyone comment on this? Would this book on the DVX100a be valuable to a DVC30 owner?

Thanks in advance.

Since we have the same cameras, how have you accessorized your cameras? I'm asking because I think that it helps to see what others have so that when others are looking to buy accessories, they don't have to ask and hope that someone answers. This will give them a place to come and see what others have been successful with. Please also note what you generally use your equipment to do.

I'll start.

OEM Accessories: XLR Adapter, Wide Angle Lens, 9-hour Hi-Cap Battery
Mics: Rode VideoMic, Sennheiser EW100G2 Lavaliere
Filters: Tiffen UV Protector, Tiffen Soft/FX 3
Tapes: Panasonic Professional Quality (PQ)
Lights: Bescor MPL-325B Camera Light, Lowel Omni's, Tota, and Rifa lights with Impact 3218 stands
Tripod: Manfrotto 3046 with 501 Video Head and extra pan handle
Case: Pelican 1610
Misc.: Varizoom VZ-ROCK-DVX Zoom Controller, Impact 42" 5-in-1 Reflector Discs

Applications: Corporate videos for marketing and training.
Settings: Normally shooting in office buildings, factory floors, etc.

I'll throw my 2 cents in.

Must have's- XLR adapter (I tried to get away without buying it, but finally caved in. Life is easy now). rode NTG-2 shotgun (a bit long, but audio is so much better). fur cover for the shotgun (I laugh at wind now). Kenko pro .65 wide angle (not specifically this wide angle but a wide angle is great to have). Nice big sunshade for the wide angle lens.

filter-tiffen UV filter

light- I just bought a cheap sunpak light 20 watt ($25). not a great light but at least I have one now. I would like to have a variable output but i'm too cheap. a bit of toilet paper cuts it down enough.

Battery- went for one high capacity battery, can shoot most of the day with it.

tapes- I went for sony tapes as they were easier to find in stores.

shoulder mount- I bought a used shoulder mount for those long hand held shots.

Bag- I bought a cheap bag, holds the essentials.

Head- I bought a lower line bogen head. simple, sturdy.

Other stuff- I took my tripod that I had for my spotting scope, heavy but already own it.
manfrotto articulating arm mount with one of those superclamps. Clamp it to anything, position the camera anywhere I want and lock it into place. etymotic in ear headphones (awesome sound and cuts outside noise by 30db which is great for shooting in loud places). Radioshack headphones (not great sound but has a retractable cord so I can have just enough cord and not get tangled up in it). apple 12" laptop for on the road editing and using as an external monitor.

application- I shoot music related interviews, behind the scenes at studios and concerts, audio demonstrations, and a few triathalons.

Brilliant idea, Jeff! I'm 17, still a beginner, but here's what I've got:

OEM Accessories: XLR Adapter, 9-hour Hi-Cap Battery
Mics: Rode NTG-2 Shotgun (still need a dead cat, what kind do you have, Michael?)
Filters: None (yet!). Any recommendations on a ND?
Tapes: Panasonic Master Quality (MQ)
Lights: None (yet!). When I get the money I might go with a starter Lowel kit.
Tripod: Manfrotto 3221WN Wilderness legs with 503 (3460) Video Head and extra pan handle
Case: Porta Brace bag
Misc.: Philips Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Applications: Student-led and directed films, sports footage for my school's lacrosse teams.
Settings: Shooting outside a lot for sports, and inside a lot for the films. I've got my settings on Manual, haven't experimented with the "Film-like" mode or any of that (yet!), and the servo-ring controls the zoom. I find it to be easier to use than the rocker when it's securely mounted on a tripod.

Ha and when I win the lottery...Steadicam Merlin!

Can anyone advise me of sunshade and/or mattebox with french flag that will fit the DVC30. I would also like it to fit a Raynox 6600PRO, too, if possible. If not possible, what sunshades/matteboxes fit the Raynox?

I got mine DVC30 back in September and have not had to many opportunities yet to really use it, but from what I have I like.

OEM Accessories: XLR adapter
Mics: Azden SG1 shotgun, Azden WLX-Pro VHF wireless
Filters: none
Tapes: Panasonic or Maxell
Lights: Whatever is around!
Tripod: Smith-Victor Propod III (modified)
Case: Semi-soft case came with camcorder on special
Misc.: Extra 3 hour battery, Sony earbuds,

Applications: Weddings, events, whatever I can get to do!
Settings: Have not tried to many, but learning

OEM Accessories: XLR Adapter, 9-hour Battery
Mics: AG-MC100G, not the best, but it works and was in a hurry..
Filters: None, yet..
Tapes: Panasonic Master Quality
Lights: None, but on camera light is in my "budget" for next year.
Tripod: Libec Th-950dv
Case: Samsonite Trekker backpack
Misc.: Century 58mm Wideangle and Fisheye lens, Simple Century Hood, Petrol Rainslicker(actually ment to fit a sony pd150/170)

Applications: Events, mostly Freeride MTB and some skiing.
Settings: Haven't tried that many, the "standard" setting seem to work for most of the conditions i shoot in.

Hey all. I am considering getting a DVC30 (still a toss up between this and the Sony VX2100). I have the Sony HVL-IRM Infrared Light already. Does anyone know if this will work on the 30 (since the Panasoinc extended light is so much $)? Also, how does anyone like the 30? How's the low light? We shoot horror shorts, so I still may get the Sony, but the Panny's a fair amount cheaper. Thanks for any response.

I've shot with both and I think the sony is better in low light. I think the video of the 30 looks cooler IMO. I have the 30 but borrow my friends 2100 a bit. There are things I like about both of them. I read somewhere that someone was using the sony light on the 30 with good success.

Pop over to www.cavision.com. I'm sure the Raynox 6600PRO has an outside diameter in the 80 mm range, and Cavision make some good hoods and flags.

tom.

I have recently ordered two ag-dvc30 cameras and some other misc. gear.(cases, tripod, lightscribe dvd writer, azden 100lt uhf wireless lapel, camera top condenser mic with shockguard) My question is...Is it possible to obtain "good enough" audio with a uhf wireless 100lt by azden and a shotgun condenser mic, neither of which have xlr and go straight to mini. I can't afford to buy the xlr adapters now, but how can I do the best with what I've got, or can get cheap. I am $500 under budget, but plan on purchasing a decent suit(for the weddings), business cards, flyers etc etc. Also, I have heard about mini disc etc. for backup, I found a digital voice recorder by panasonic with usb out, will this do the trick? One other thing, I'm looking for a decent yet relatively inexpensive shoe mounted light, that is dimmable, preferably an LED dimmable, know of any? Anybody know of a tall tripod, tall enough to be at the back of the church and see over the standing people that is in the $200 range..or cheaper would be ok!....Comments, advice, any age old wisdoms all is welcome and comes greatly appreciated. Thanks, Brandon

Whoa, Brandon! Very few of your questions pertain to the DVC30 camera. I suggest posting this in the Weddings forum. Maybe the moderator can move it.

You're really asking a lot of off-topic questions.

Tall tripod for $200: I recommend the Manfrotto 3021PRO if you can find it. I bought mine from Roberts Camera in Carmel. Matched with a Manfrotto 701RC2 fluid head, it serves my fully loaded DVC80 very well. Because your DVC30 is even lighter, you'll probably have even better results. I bought my whole rig NEW for $239, which is better than any mail-order price at the time.

I copied the question and moved it to the weddings forum I believe, I've gotten several replies.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=59122

If you care to join up on the conversation there please do. Also, I responded to your email, in short I can do that for you.

Brandon

Greetings:

I need to get one or two high capacity batterys for my DVC-30. In doing a search, I noticed that a couple of posters mention a 9 hour hi-capacity battery.

Just wondering. Is there any specific brand that you are satisfied with? (also any that you wouldn't recommend?)

Thanks in advance,

I bought an extra generic 2800 mah battery when I got my 30.

http://www.bestbatt.com/

Jeff

Looks at these from dvxuser.com

http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/battery/

I have a generic 2800 mah with my dvc30 to.

I just got my DVC30 last week. Wow! Picture quality on it looks awesome! The "film-like" setting is sweet as well!

On to my question. When I'm in very low light situations with auto w/b, anything that has light on it is red. I then tried putting the camera in manual w/b, turned on some lights, white balanced on something white, turned the lights off, and everything still looked red. I then even took some shots outside around some street lights at night, and everything around the lights still looked red. Then when I went back inside, all the colors were as they should be. What is going on here?

Nothing is wrong with the cam. My DVC30 does the same thing. 2 things to check are that you are not blocking the WB sensor ( on the right just infront of the xlr/mic connectors ) and to try and use manual wb. Even in really low light I try and manually adjust the WB. Remember that as light levels drop or lights are dimmed especially incandesant lights they turn colour from yellowing to redish. Also remember that different light sources have different light temp! outdoor street lamps are different to your indoor bulbs so you need to manually adjust WB with every change of lightsources. This is why when you manual wb at a higher light intensity and reduce it it goes red again. Just a trick, in really low light just go manual and choose indoor lighting ( the bulb ), less red and usable last resort if you can't lock manual WB.

The DVC30 isn't the only cam I notice this with either, eg. my DSLRs are just as bad, while a consumer digicam cam auto WB much better, with DSLR's I need to constantly manually adjust WB or shoot raw and fix in post.

You can also try cranking the Chroma level way down. This helps a lot.

Hello,

This is my first thread on this forum and I'm excited to educate myself in the videography biz. My goal is to start a small business on the side with a focus on mainly Weddings and other special events. I just bought a DVC30 (it has the adapter) and I'm going to be using AZDEN for my wireless lavelier & a Rode mic for directional pick up. Please post your opinions on my new purchases. Will this do the trick? I didn't think it was worth it to spend 500 on the senheisser wireless set. The AZDEN has great results for a 160 dollar set up. Your response is appreciated. Thanks!

Don't worry about the setup, worry more about how you use it, it's the result that matter most in the end so as long as the mics sound good, and your clients are happy thats all that matters. You can always get the senheisser's later to so it's a good start.

Thanks alot for the reply. I received the Rode mic and needed to buy the 3 pin xlr fitting for it to fit my AG30. I can 't hook my AZden wireless to the AG30 because it did not come with a 3 pin connector either. Will a 3 pin like the one I bought for the Rode work with the Azden wireless? I tested and sound came through just fine. What are your thoughts on this? Keep in mind the 3 pin was made for the Rode and not for a receiver on a Azden wireless.

Thanks!

Question here, do you have the xlr box with your dvc30? if so you should have looked at xlr mics right from the begining not either of the 2 you hav now. The video mic and the azden will both work to the mic input or via the xlr adaptor to the xlr box, the rode xlr adaptor is not made just for the video mic but for any mic as well.

I appreciate the info. Thanks.

Just received a DVC30 that I bought off of Ebay that was advertised as "Barely Used" and used 3-4 times. Got suspicious when there was no manual with the camera. Checked the log and the heads have 74 hours of usage. I suspect my seller bought it with most of the time already on the camera.

So obviously I am a bit perturbed by this. How much risk do people here think I am running with a 74-hour-unknown-user-and-type-of-usage DVC 30? And what should I be looking for in the way of problem areas.


(Please don't lecture me about not buying new from one of the DV sponsors. I got that message already ;( ).

Thanks,
WGW

I don't think 74 hours is that much. I've got 100+ at least on mine and I don't do that much shooting, I think the heads can go for about 1000 hours before they need to be serviced. At that rate i figure i've got another 9 years of use. Some basic things to look out for is looking for any dropouts when you record something and play it back. Make sure all the little screws are tight especially the housing that covers the mic, if these work loose from using the handle they are hard to find. But don't over tighten them either. some people have said that their power button broke. Other than that, if everything looks likes it's working, start using it.