I humbly request recommendations for additional equipment needed to use my PDX10 to produce professional cooking and training videos. I only have the barebones -- the PDX10 camera, but as I read the threads I see additional equipment is necessary.

I greatly appreciate anyone who can give me a list of equipment, with low-budget in mind, or suggest a good book.

Thanks

I don't think the equipment needs for the PDX-10 would be that different from any camcorder. The camera is totally functional right out of the box. Depending what you're up to you might want the basics like a good tripod, microphone(s), lights, a monitor, etc. Get the largest batteries - QM91 - they will give you about 4 hours. Rumor is that these batteries have been discontinued, so maybe a good idea to get these soon?

Browse backwards through our forum for some other ideas.

I definately agree with Boyd; a video tripod and some QM91 batteries are a MUST-HAVE. I've been having good luck with the cheapie Power-2000 brand QM91 knockoffs. Sure, they don't have the nifty LED charge indicator on them, but otherwise they work pefectly, even in SQ mode:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=303561&is=REG


I also purchased a Sony AC-SQ950D AC/DC Power Adapter / Super Quick Charger; I use it at home AND in my Jeep, and can run the cam directly off it, too:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=243839&is=REG


If you're doing a lot of work outdoors, I'd suggest getting a better wind jammer; the factory one doesn't work particularly well in anything over a light breeze. I bought a Rycote Mini Windjammer, but there are tons of different kinds available.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=259872&is=REG


If you want to buy a wireless lav, you'll find that there are a TON of those on the market. I got a Sony UWP-C1 (62) bundled with my PDX10. It works fine, and mounts right on top of the cam's XLR box. I don't have anything to compare it to, but it sounds fine to my ears...and definately better for voice pickup than the on-camera mic.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=274576&is=REG

Of course, since it sounds like you might be working in a studio (cooking show?) your best bet for lights and sound equipment might be to RENT. I know that I can rent much nicer equipment than I can afford to purchase, especially considering how infrequently I need nice lights and sound.


As for a tripod....I'm still looking for one myself. I've been using one from my wife's 35mm still camera stash, but it's really not worth a crap for shooting video. At this point, I'm leaning towards purchasing a tripod with the Bogen / Manfrotto 701RC2 Mini Video Fluid Head, which can come with a variety of legs. Here's a cheap set with the 3011BN tripod legs:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=342512&is=REG


Hope that helps! :-)

As for a tripod....I'm still looking for one myself. I've been using one from my wife's 35mm still camera stash, but it's really not worth a crap for shooting video. At this point, I'm leaning towards purchasing a tripod with the Bogen / Manfrotto 701RC2 Mini Video Fluid Head, which can come with a variety of legs. Here's a cheap set with the 3011BN tripod legs:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=342512&is=REG


I got the 701RC2, it's simple but I love it. It feels as if it was made for the PDX10. Much better than the 3031 I had before. I'd recommend the 3021 legs minimum. The 3011 are too flimsy, to my opinion. I have the 3221WN and I'm satisfied, although ideally i'd like to have the 755B MDeVe for head micro adjustments.

Thanks, that's good to know! I'll check out both the 3021 and the 3221. The latter is just a little more than I was planning to spend, but it's still very affordable.

:-)

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look to grab the tripod and a lighting set. I already picked up the 4-hour batteries when I learned that they might be discontinued.

I have two tripods, a Manfrotto 3221WN with 501 head and a Miller DS-5. The Manfrotto is a good value for the money (paid ~$250 a few years ago, maybe it's more now). The only problem is that for extreme telephoto shots it's nearly impossible to get smooth movement without a jerk when you begin a pan or tilt. On wide or medium shots this isn't so noticeable, but I often film performances with a Sony 2x telephoto which is the equivalent of a 1000mm lens in 35mm terms, so this amplifies every tiny glitch.

The Miller is a huge improvement (although far from perfect) but it cost around $800. Buy the best tripod you possibly can, you won't regret it. If you get a cheap one you'll just end up replacing it quickly when you get tired of jerky camera movements...

I also purchased a Sony AC-SQ950D AC/DC Power Adapter / Super Quick Charger; I use it at home AND in my Jeep, and can run the cam directly off it, too:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=243839&is=REG




Now that is a very hot add-on for Sony cameras!

Pity Sony or B&H do not recommend it more adamantly, like putting in their accesories suggestions list. It should be there. The standard AC supply is limited in what it can do, because you need the camera to charge the batteries and that is not good.

When I bought my PDX10 I got an external battery charger, as it's essential to get one to separate charging from the camera.

Will the SQ950D charge all Sony battery types? I mean those for other cameras, like the PD170, FX1, Z1, etc.? It seems like it does, but I am not sure. My charger works on any batteries, but they have to be M series. It will not charge PD170's series-L batteries. So an universal charger should be interesting to have.


Carlos

Will the SQ950D charge all Sony battery types? I mean those for other cameras, like the PD170, FX1, Z1, etc.? It seems like it does, but I am not sure. My charger works on any batteries, but they have to be M series. It will not charge PD170's series-L batteries. So an universal charger should be interesting to have.

Yup, I just took a look at the SQ950D package, and it says "for InfoLITHIUM M SERIES". Doing a quick search at B&H shows a variety of chargers, depending on the series of battery. I'm sure there's some technical reason why Sony didn't make a universal charger; I can't imagine that they would intentionally make so many different kinds of chargers if they could just make one...the manufacturing costs must be higher than any "double-sales" they may get from people with multiple cams.

I have a third party charger that I rarely use, but it works with a number of different types of batteries. To accomplish this it uses adaptor shoes that you snap your battery into, although it accepts the batteries from my VX-2000 directly. I suppose this works for other batteries, but it's a bit of a kludge which Sony probably wouldn't find acceptable. I think I would be disappointed to find a universal charger which required an adaptor included with a camera purchase...

I just took a look at the SQ950D package, and it says "for InfoLITHIUM M SERIES".


But will it charge L-series batteries too? Those are the PD150/170 types.

The standard supply for the PD150/170 and PDX10 is the same.


Carlos

Okay, I'm down to two choices based on your feedback. Thanks for all the input.

Here are my two choices:


The "Bogen / Manfrotto 3221WN (055BWB) Tripod Legs with 701RC2 Fluid Head and MBAG80 Softcase" (B&H for $ 308)

or

Bogen / Manfrotto 3246 Tripod Legs (Black) with 3433 (501) Pro Video Fluid Head (B&H for $360)

Any recommendations?

You might also look at the maximum height of the tripod. I shoot weddings (and plays) and one of my Bogen tripods will go up to about 8 feet high--a big plus if you need to shoot OVER some people at an event.

One of my tripods has the 501 head, the other has the 503 head. They both work pretty well and are capable of smooth movements. Practice for a while at high zoom to develop your skills. A jerky motion can destroy an otherwise perfect shot!

-Jeff

The "Bogen / Manfrotto 3221WN (055BWB) Tripod Legs with 701RC2 Fluid Head and MBAG80 Softcase" (B&H for $ 308)

or

Bogen / Manfrotto 3246 Tripod Legs (Black) with 3433 (501) Pro Video Fluid Head (B&H for $360)

Any recommendations?

the last one is heavier, yet it has a smoother head.
your application suggests the weight is not a big issue,
since you're going to deal with a controlled setup.
smootheness is important.

is price an issue?

Thanks for the information. Heavier suggest that its more sturdy. My settings are controlled. I am doing instructional videos for track events and a web-base news show that will be delivered in Flash. In both cases, having a steady filming is essential.

As for price, I can pay the few dollars more for the 3246.

For batteries, don't forget Bescor. I have the 9 hour pack and the Sony car adapter cord. That 12 cord has saved me a few times. Dead batteries on the way to a graduation ceremony, charge it on the way there. Things like that.

http://www.bescor.com/

Sean McHenry

A 9-hour battery battery....thanks. I'll check it out.

sorry for such a late reply - I just joined

if it were me doing a cooking show, I'd probably lean towards using a low con filter as you'll have lots of things with bright reflections, which the pdx10p does not handle as well as other cameras

It can be difficult sometimes to get the right exposure and contrast without blowing out a few highlighted spots so just keep an eye out for things like lights reflecting off silver or chrome pots and white plates etc....

In similar situations, I found underexposing a little as well as keeping the contrast fairly flat during shooting, can help as bringing up the highlights in post will get nice results.

again, sorry if this is too late

sorry for such a late reply - I just joined

if it were me doing a cooking show, I'd probably lean towards using a low con filter as you'll have lots of things with bright reflections, which the pdx10p does not handle as well as other cameras

again, sorry if this is too late

Firstly, I would like to welcome you Matt. It's always good to have new posters in this forum.

Showing my ignorance here, but a low con filter.
I am unfamiliar with them. Obviously different from ND filters, and different from the menu settings in PDX10 of sharpness. Is that correct?

Thanks Matt for your post

I have never used a low contrast or ultra contrast filter, but these are what Matt is talking about:

http://www.tiffen.com/contrast_filters.htm

LOW CONTRAST filers work by spreading light from the highlights to the darker areas.* Shadows are lighter, enabling you to see more detail.* They also create a very slight flare or halation around hot spots which can be a useful effect.* Low Contrast is the filter of choice for people who shoot video but want to achieve more of f film look.

Only caveat: before using a special effect filter like this be sure to observe the effect on a good monitor. The little LCD panel doesn't have enough resolution to show what's going on. Some things may look very cool on that little screen, but afterward when you view on a monitor you may find noticeable grain, blur, etc. which you don't like.

yep those are the ones
tiffen make vey good ones

Boyd has a very good point about the LCD screen - it's very difficult to see the true effects of filters on this so a little experimenting or a calibrated field monitor is necessary.

Filters are tricky to use in 1/4" CCD cameras like the PDX10.

Most contrast filters diminish resolution from object lines and details that already are not too well resolved by the CCD.

You can try a contrast type (like fog or contrast from Tiffen, or even myst types if you can afford it) or first try some tests with different type of silk filters that you can do your self. But whatever the type use them with care, because you may end up with a poor quality image.

What you should learn to manage are pola screens and graduated NDs. The first is easy to get, as is part of a basic Tiffen filter kit. But the grad ND is not so easy as it's not available for the PDX10 lens: you will need an adapter.

In my case I got a 37mm to 52mm adapter and a Tiffen 52mm clear to ND 0.6 filter.

An ND grad may save your life on many outdoor situations, as it will lower the sky usual whiteout, in backlight situations, down to manageable levels. It will let you open your F setting one or two stops.

I have always considered it an essentila filter in videocamera kit.


Carlos

Always have a monitor to set exposure and always have a ND2 filter and a polerrizing filter.