What to do, what to do? at DVinfo.net

Ruben Mendez · April 22nd, 2006, 02:21 AM

Okay had my job in (November 2005) lay me off so I could roll the dice and
write/shoot a 15 to 20 thousand dollar film by the end of this year. (I'm selling my just restored 68 mustang and WAS willing to use a 10,000 credit card that I have) Everythings cool except some work fell on my lap (promo video, weddings) that unexpectedly netted me $ 7,000. And now that I know I can earn a decent living doing weddings/promo videos. Im struggling with my instincts which say "still take a chance, or you'll regret it later. While my brain says "stupid, this money fell on your lap now be smart and use it wisely. So I would like to try and purchase equipment and a camera that I could use for both situations. I have changed my thinking from just taking a BIG risk to being some what more resonable, where in lies my confusion, on most forums everyone says for weddings (low light conditions use a vx2100, not an XL2. I need an honest answer to this question, will the XL2 do a good enough job (where the average customer will be satisfied) in these low light conditions. (I know it cannot compare to vx2100 in low light conditions, the guys at samy's camera made that clear to me.) This will help me decide which route to go.

Use this 7,000 to:

1. Go the safe route and use this money to buy starter equipment best suited for doing weddings (vx2100, beachtech, fire store, wireless mics, shot gun, 30 - 50 watt light etc...) and use this time to build up a client base for next year. (And go with my plan to sell my mustang and if need be use my credit card to shoot the movie)

2. Buy an XL2 and put the rest of the money towards the movie, with the 8 to 10 grand I will get from selling the mustang. (Forget about venturing into the wedding market)

3. Buy an XL2 and use the rest of the money for equipment specifically needed to shoot weddings with. (Then I can build up a client base for next year) And go with my plan to sell my mustang and if need be use my credit card to shoot the movie.

Also, I dont want to go the hd route, or buy a dvx100. I want the canon so I cant use a mini 35 + better lenses. I must make a decision before June, the company which owes me the money (my old job) new fiscal year starts then. They are willing to purchase the equipment for me (they get a school discount) or pay me out.

Sorry for the run on sentences, I know this is more than just a technical question. I just need some advice and sometimes its better to get it from people who are not in your cirlce of friends.

thanks.

Tony Davies-Patrick · April 22nd, 2006, 03:58 AM

The end choice is always yours, Ruben; but if it were my own choice I'd buy the XL2 and use it for the promos/weddings etc and slowly add extra kit as the money becomes available for use in the main film project. Both models are capable cameras, but I feel that the XL2 will offer far more options to add different lenses etc and control during the 'major' film, and it will also deliver superb results - even during low light levels - for the wedding shoots if you use it correctly.

Matthew Nayman · April 22nd, 2006, 06:16 AM

I'll trade you my $20,000 XL2 package for a mint condition 68 mustang... :P

Dude, I would keep the car and buy a cheaper camera!

Greg Boston · April 22nd, 2006, 07:10 AM

Plus, you can get good used XL-2 cameras without having to swallow a large price tag.

Mine may be up for sale soon. I am trying to determine whether I want to start shooting HD just yet. Attending the Texas HD Shootout didn't help cause I got to work with some awesome camera gear and am getting more tempted.

-gb-

Bob Zimmerman · April 22nd, 2006, 07:20 AM

Go with the XL2 and do some wedding on the side.

Marko Urbic · April 22nd, 2006, 08:40 AM

I won't tell you what to do, but I'll share my previus dillemas.

Started doing weddings with an XM2 and after some time decided it's time to get a 2nd camera.
I was not pleased with the XM2 lowlight performance so I was in a doubt:
- go with the Sony's proved lowlight performance or go with the XL2's proved best MiniDv performance, manual controls and great optical stabilisation.

After reading tons of posts on this great forum, I went with the XL2 and I'm very pleased I did.
The XL2 performs very nice in lowlight, you just have to study it's controls and manual presets.

Matthew Nayman · April 23rd, 2006, 12:32 PM

What kind of shape is your mustang in that yo uwould sell it for $8000?

Mathieu Ghekiere · April 23rd, 2006, 02:42 PM

It's funny, more people here seem to be interested in the Mustang then in the original dillemma :-D

Matthew Nayman · April 23rd, 2006, 03:05 PM

Well, being an autophile, a 67 Mustang is something very dear to my heart.

However, so is the Canon XL2. Therefore... both in one topic, Aye Carumba!

Connor Roberts · April 23rd, 2006, 03:33 PM

You can get a Panasonic HVX200 with a 120GB harddrive for $6,500 - $7,000

This would give you a far superior camera to the Canon, and features like variable framerates, etc..., I mean just look at this sample HVX footage and THEN tell me you still want a Canon...

http://motivitypictures.com/hvx200/m..._snow_day.html

::: Connor

Ash Greyson · April 23rd, 2006, 04:13 PM

HVX is indeed HD but it is not a HUGE difference from an XL2 and there are other factors. The cost is more than double and the workflow will be more expensive once you add reliable redundant back-ups, something you HAVE to do to work professionally and safely. Prolly looking at a $10k investment.

When I am done with this project I am working on I will post some XL2 footage I cut into Varicam and HVX footage, you will be pretty stunned how well it holds up. I didnt use anything fancy, just intantHD...

ash =o)

Dale Guthormsen · April 23rd, 2006, 10:25 PM

Ash,

I am truly looking forward to the comparison footage you talk of!!!

Can't wait!

Thanks in advance!!!

Bob Zimmerman · April 23rd, 2006, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Connor Roberts

You can get a Panasonic HVX200 with a 120GB harddrive for $6,500 - $7,000

This would give you a far superior camera to the Canon, and features like variable framerates, etc..., I mean just look at this sample HVX footage and THEN tell me you still want a Canon...

http://motivitypictures.com/hvx200/m..._snow_day.html

::: Connor

very nice footage

Bob Zimmerman · April 23rd, 2006, 10:32 PM

Ash did you use a XL2 for "Strong Enough to Break"? I watch it at your website. It looks good.

Neil Fontaine · April 24th, 2006, 12:38 AM

Wow! That HVX200 footage looks awsome. I am truely impressed.

I would recomended taking the safe road. Sooner or later you will get the money to make the movie. If you take a big chance you will be left with camera equipement, that sould be able to film weddings. I mean if you can shoot a film with it why not weddings?

April 22nd, 2006, 02:21 AM	#1
Ruben Mendez New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles, Ca Posts: 16	What to do, what to do? Okay had my job in (November 2005) lay me off so I could roll the dice and write/shoot a 15 to 20 thousand dollar film by the end of this year. (I'm selling my just restored 68 mustang and WAS willing to use a 10,000 credit card that I have) Everythings cool except some work fell on my lap (promo video, weddings) that unexpectedly netted me $ 7,000. And now that I know I can earn a decent living doing weddings/promo videos. Im struggling with my instincts which say "still take a chance, or you'll regret it later. While my brain says "stupid, this money fell on your lap now be smart and use it wisely. So I would like to try and purchase equipment and a camera that I could use for both situations. I have changed my thinking from just taking a BIG risk to being some what more resonable, where in lies my confusion, on most forums everyone says for weddings (low light conditions use a vx2100, not an XL2. I need an honest answer to this question, will the XL2 do a good enough job (where the average customer will be satisfied) in these low light conditions. (I know it cannot compare to vx2100 in low light conditions, the guys at samy's camera made that clear to me.) This will help me decide which route to go. Use this 7,000 to: 1. Go the safe route and use this money to buy starter equipment best suited for doing weddings (vx2100, beachtech, fire store, wireless mics, shot gun, 30 - 50 watt light etc...) and use this time to build up a client base for next year. (And go with my plan to sell my mustang and if need be use my credit card to shoot the movie) 2. Buy an XL2 and put the rest of the money towards the movie, with the 8 to 10 grand I will get from selling the mustang. (Forget about venturing into the wedding market) 3. Buy an XL2 and use the rest of the money for equipment specifically needed to shoot weddings with. (Then I can build up a client base for next year) And go with my plan to sell my mustang and if need be use my credit card to shoot the movie. Also, I dont want to go the hd route, or buy a dvx100. I want the canon so I cant use a mini 35 + better lenses. I must make a decision before June, the company which owes me the money (my old job) new fiscal year starts then. They are willing to purchase the equipment for me (they get a school discount) or pay me out. Sorry for the run on sentences, I know this is more than just a technical question. I just need some advice and sometimes its better to get it from people who are not in your cirlce of friends. thanks.

April 22nd, 2006, 03:58 AM	#2
Tony Davies-Patrick Trustee Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Worldwide Posts: 1,589	The end choice is always yours, Ruben; but if it were my own choice I'd buy the XL2 and use it for the promos/weddings etc and slowly add extra kit as the money becomes available for use in the main film project. Both models are capable cameras, but I feel that the XL2 will offer far more options to add different lenses etc and control during the 'major' film, and it will also deliver superb results - even during low light levels - for the wedding shoots if you use it correctly. __________________ www.WILDCARP.com www.NIKON.me.uk

April 22nd, 2006, 08:40 AM	#6
Marko Urbic Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 68	I won't tell you what to do, but I'll share my previus dillemas. Started doing weddings with an XM2 and after some time decided it's time to get a 2nd camera. I was not pleased with the XM2 lowlight performance so I was in a doubt: - go with the Sony's proved lowlight performance or go with the XL2's proved best MiniDv performance, manual controls and great optical stabilisation. After reading tons of posts on this great forum, I went with the XL2 and I'm very pleased I did. The XL2 performs very nice in lowlight, you just have to study it's controls and manual presets. __________________ Canon 5D2 & 7D, Canon XH-A1, Senn. G2, Steadicam Merlin, Glidetrack, Sony D-50, Edius 5

April 23rd, 2006, 02:42 PM	#8
Mathieu Ghekiere Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,195	It's funny, more people here seem to be interested in the Mustang then in the original dillemma :-D __________________ http://productionsofthe3rdkind.com http://pr3k.com

April 23rd, 2006, 10:25 PM	#12
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	comparison Ash, I am truly looking forward to the comparison footage you talk of!!! Can't wait! Thanks in advance!!! __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

April 22nd, 2006, 06:16 AM	#3
Matthew Nayman Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 917	I'll trade you my $20,000 XL2 package for a mint condition 68 mustang... :P Dude, I would keep the car and buy a cheaper camera!

April 22nd, 2006, 07:10 AM	#4
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	Plus, you can get good used XL-2 cameras without having to swallow a large price tag. Mine may be up for sale soon. I am trying to determine whether I want to start shooting HD just yet. Attending the Texas HD Shootout didn't help cause I got to work with some awesome camera gear and am getting more tempted. -gb-

April 22nd, 2006, 07:20 AM	#5
Bob Zimmerman Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Illinois Posts: 888	Go with the XL2 and do some wedding on the side.

April 23rd, 2006, 12:32 PM	#7
Matthew Nayman Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 917	What kind of shape is your mustang in that yo uwould sell it for $8000?

April 23rd, 2006, 03:05 PM	#9
Matthew Nayman Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 917	Well, being an autophile, a 67 Mustang is something very dear to my heart. However, so is the Canon XL2. Therefore... both in one topic, Aye Carumba!

April 23rd, 2006, 03:33 PM	#10
Connor Roberts New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Dallas, TX (USA) Posts: 13	You can get a Panasonic HVX200 with a 120GB harddrive for $6,500 - $7,000 This would give you a far superior camera to the Canon, and features like variable framerates, etc..., I mean just look at this sample HVX footage and THEN tell me you still want a Canon... http://motivitypictures.com/hvx200/m..._snow_day.html ::: Connor

April 23rd, 2006, 04:13 PM	#11
Ash Greyson Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,689	HVX is indeed HD but it is not a HUGE difference from an XL2 and there are other factors. The cost is more than double and the workflow will be more expensive once you add reliable redundant back-ups, something you HAVE to do to work professionally and safely. Prolly looking at a $10k investment. When I am done with this project I am working on I will post some XL2 footage I cut into Varicam and HVX footage, you will be pretty stunned how well it holds up. I didnt use anything fancy, just intantHD... ash =o)

April 23rd, 2006, 10:32 PM	#14
Bob Zimmerman Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Illinois Posts: 888	Ash did you use a XL2 for "Strong Enough to Break"? I watch it at your website. It looks good.

April 24th, 2006, 12:38 AM	#15
Neil Fontaine Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Napa CA USA Posts: 33	re Wow! That HVX200 footage looks awsome. I am truely impressed. I would recomended taking the safe road. Sooner or later you will get the money to make the movie. If you take a big chance you will be left with camera equipement, that sould be able to film weddings. I mean if you can shoot a film with it why not weddings?