Now what?

[Fred Garhart]

I ordered my PV-DV953 Panasonic camcorder from B+H yesterday, along with an extra battery and the Lowepro Nova3 protective camcorder carrying case, the blue one. I guess I did okay. My questions are these:

1. What protective UV filter should I buy locally?
2. I never used a camcorder before. How should I get familar with this professional broadcast quality camcorder?
3. I have been reading that professional camcorders are black, but the PV-DV953 Panasonic camcorder is gray in colour. I was thinking of maybe painting it. What kind of paint is recommended?
4. How long should I charge the batteries for?
5. If I take the PV-DV953 Panasonic camcorder on a jet plane, will the high altitude harm it in any way?

Thank you and sorry for all the questions.

[Frank Granovski]

#5: it shouldn't hurt it at all. But check Peter Utz's article on what they do at airports: X-rays and magnetic wands. You can find Peter's website listed here: http://www.dvfreak.com/links.htm

[Fred Garhart]

Thank you for that link. I have not found that article yet. Who is Peter? Is he some camcorder expert? What about my other questions? I don't mean to be rude but I would like to know and then ask a few other questions. What UV filter should I buy? Hey Frank. How old are you? Are you married? Do you get paid for answering questions? I am just curious.

[Frank Granovski]

What protective UV filter should I buy locally?

Read, http://www.dvfreak.com/filters.htm and the links there.

I never used a camcorder before. How should I get familar with this professional broadcast quality camcorder?

Study the manual carefully, try simple things with your cam, don't force anything.

I have been reading that professional camcorders are black, but the PV-DV953 Panasonic camcorder is gray in colour. I was thinking of maybe painting it. What kind of paint is recommended?

DO NOT PAINT YOUR CAM!

How long should I charge the batteries for?

This will be explained in the manual. Usually a light will stop flashing on the charging unit.

Who is Peter? Is he some camcorder expert?

Yes, a well-known writer with a PHD in broadcast.

What about my other questions?

Ask away.

What UV filter should I buy?

Anyone with a thread size of 43mm; the more you spend, they better the UV. Don't buy a Leica filter though. It won't fit.

How old are you?

Almost 50.

Are you married?

I try to pretend I'm not.

Do you get paid for answering questions?

No. But I get thrown a red herring once in a while.

[Rick Tugman]

I travel with my DV953 all the time. I put in my backback and send it through the X-ray all the time with the tape loaded. I have had NO problems although some people would say you shouldn't x-ray video tapes. Well isn't it magnetic media? Aren't computer hard drives magnetic media? They go through airport x-ray machines all the time.

The bottom line is, if your concerned, just take the tape out and have them check it by hand.

As for charging the battery. The DV953 charger has a light on it for when it's charging. When the light goes out, the battery is fully charged. Also in the viewfinder, there is a battery level indicator.

Good luck with your DV 953. It's a great cam for the price.

[John Locke]

No. But I get thrown a red herring once in a while.

So...do you like fish, Frank?

[Frank Granovski]

Actually I love pickeral, whitefish and goldeye. Smallmouth and trout are okay as well. I don't eat meat.

[Bryan Beasleigh]

Don't be ashamed of your camera. A 953 isn't a pro camera and there is no way to make it look like one. It certainly isn't crap.

It is a very good camera so learn how to use it. Read the manual, then brew a pot of coffee and mount the camera on a tripod (or hold it). Jack a SVHS cable from camcorder to tv and experiment. Go through every setup screen and adjustment on the camera.

I fly with my VX2k several times a month and never have a problem with security (x-ray and scanner) or altitude. Cabins are pressurized and your ears will blow out before your camera would suffer (In the case of an accidental decompression)

Frank likes Red Herrings!!!! Does that mean he's a commie?
:rolleyes.gif:

[Frank Granovski]

But, Bryan. The PV-DV953 is a professional cam. It's just not as professional as say a JVC DV500/0, or the VX2100. (Time to upgrade, Bryan.) Me, a commie? Naaaa. A socialist with a free enterprising spirit, but not a commie. Keep in mind I grew up in a NDP province---where the snow is white and the goldeye get smoked. You recall Omand's Creek, don't you? Every spring I did my Huck Finn-like rafting there.

[Yow Cheong Hoe]

Originally posted by Frank Granovski:

But, Bryan. The PV-DV953 is a professional cam. It's just not as professional as say a JVC DV500/0, or the VX2100.

Pro, not exactly, but as good as a few thousand bucks can get you. Pro cams have LARGE CCD and absolutely much better low light performance. I certainly would not rate the DV953 (MX series) as broadcast quality.

But I have had not many complaints from people when I shoot weddings and other events. Mind you, paid jobs! But there was one guy who had dinner banquet in near darkness and told me that the images looks washed black (sigh), can't they just understand that videographers do not create light, merely capturing what's available.

My excuse (valid, you'll see) to most people is that the videographer needs the smallest equipment to be less intrusive into the event. We want guests to look at the wedding couple, not the gigantic video camera blasting 1000 Megawatts of light with 24 wires running from the back to the mobile editing station which is the size of a van. I strongly believe that the videographer should be 'invisible' at all times!

Some people equate size and complexity with quality. If need to, mount a LARGE wide-angle lens, add an XLR adaptor and a long shotgun mic, put on the tripod permanently and connect to the waistbelt power supply.

I have carried my MX350 (older model from the MX500/DV953) on planes, into jungles and across rivers (but wrapped in Ziploc), with no ill effects to camera or tape, with the exception of condensation lock-up in the rain-forest-morning.

[Dave Largent]

I thought B&H sold that "Pro Look" Paint. Wish I could get some for my VX.
Must say I like the look of the VX2100 better. It's black/dark grey. Just like a real camera. I hope B&H comes out with them soon. (The cameras, not the paint.) I got some gigs coming up where it'll come in handy. Once I get that I'll never again have to be embarassed about poor low-light footage. Actually, Yow, I shot some footage using a VX2000
at a reception that was darker than most. Didn't use any extra light. In post I had to darken that footage because the gain went
up too far and made it look unnaturally bright. Everyone who attended that reception knows how dark it was. Now I limit the gain.
Yow, I see you strongly believe the videographer should be
invisible at all times. Is that why you don't use a light? Do you ever stage/re-create shots (such as the ring exchange, couple leaving/waving good bye, cake cutting). This is probably getting off topic but I feel like you about not being visible. I've noticed that as more videos are done in a "cinematic" style more of the events are recreated to make the finished video look better. Something about doing this just rubs me the wrong way. I guess there's a more appropriate forum for this.

[Fred Garhart]

Good morning! For me the professional Panasonic PV-DV953 camcorder is professional because I think it will do everything I want to do with a cam and more which I probably will never get into doing. Professional means making money with something full time and I plan to slowly make money with this camcorder in Calgary. I know people that have cheaper camcorders which are less professional than this Panasonic. I read the other Super Video thread and see that the professional Panasonic GS100 black camcorder is better, but so are other more expensive professional camcorders. This is my first camcorder. I have only been working for two years since I finished highschool and managing a women's shoe store is good for work experience and meeting women. Maybe I will even go back to school and learn more about professional camcorders once I have mastered the Panasonic. Have a great day.

[Yow Cheong Hoe]

<<<-- Originally posted by Dave Largent : Yow, I see you strongly believe the videographer should be
invisible at all times. Is that why you don't use a light? Do you ever stage/re-create shots (such as the ring exchange, couple leaving/waving good bye, cake cutting). This is probably getting off topic but I feel like you about not being visible. I've noticed that as more videos are done in a "cinematic" style more of the events are recreated to make the finished video look better. Something about doing this just rubs me the wrong way. I guess there's a more appropriate forum for this. -->>>

This is certainly going to be off topic. And it borders on faith matters, so excuse me a little if I offend anyone here.

Weddings are sacred to me, being a Christian, and it is the relationship ordained by God for a man and a woman. It is great joy to share that moment of the start of this relationship with others (family, friends and community).

I have seen videographers or photographers who are 'pros', who needs to deliver "good shots" and barges into the scene, pushing away friends, relatives and even stepping between the pastor and the couple. In opposite to this extreme, I try my best to remain 'out-of-the-picture'. I know that I cannot be invisible, but I try.

For shoots, I try to organise a few videographers and capture the events with several angles, choosing the best shot in post production. My approach is more journalistic, making sure that I get the best shots, without getting in the way, and no repeats.

Of course, I am also on an extremely cheap set-up. I would have been using the VX2000, PD150, DVX100 or GL-2 (all of which are giving better image than the MX series, invarious degrees) if only I can afford them.

I do use video lights sometimes, but I ask the client if they want me to. Most of the time, they say no. I ask my clients if they want a 'perfect' movie, they tell me get what was really there, including the slip on the stairs and the wine spilling. I guess I end up with wedding couples who are more 'reality TV' or 'documentary' than 'movie' or 'fairy tale'.

On the other hand, when I do commercials, training videos and 'movies', I will do whatever I can to get a good shot, even multiple retakes and large blaring spotlights used for stage works.

Everyone has a different style of working, and shooting. I am doing alright with my current practice, many of my clients actually thank me for telling them my style, and they appreciate me not intruding into their wedding ceremonies.

Back to 'pro cam', I use to make money with my 1CCD MX8, the poker cam that BB on the 'other' forum uses to shoot porn. BB is professional porn-maker. So the MX8 is professional? It is 1CCD, no audio control, no colour control and no zebra to warn of over-exposure. I have always considered the MX8 a very good comsumer cam, maybe a very low prosumer.

[Dave Largent]

Bryan, I didn't know you made porns. BB? You should post some of your work. ;-)
Yow, I like your idea about asking them if they want a light? Do you tell them that the picture quality may not be as good without
a light? What is the main reason they don't want one? And we're referring to lights at receptions, not at the ceremony, right?

[Yow Cheong Hoe]

<<<-- Originally posted by Dave Largent : Bryan, I didn't know you made porns. BB? You should post some of your work. ;-)
Yow, I like your idea about asking them if they want a light? Do you tell them that the picture quality may not be as good without
a light? What is the main reason they don't want one? And we're referring to lights at receptions, not at the ceremony, right? -->>>

BB from www.eeplaza.com (the other forum is www.dv.com), I don't think it is Bryan! I apologise for any confusion, but Frank can surely back me up on this.

Yes, I show them examples with light and without light, and I show them a shot of someone walking around with a video light on a cam during a wedding. Decision is easy for most of them after seeing the clips.

Receptions, banquets or ceremony, many of my clients accept the fact that when there is no light, video is bad. They live with that fact rather than to have spot lights walking around.