Putting together a DVX100a Kit

[Jacques Mersereau]

Hi DVX100 people,

we are looking to put together "kit" for a DVX100a.
I think by the time it is filled out the budget will be about $6000.
We are looking to shoot progressive fram, and movie style
in 16x9 as the end goal.

So, this means I am looking for these items/vendors and people's experiences:

DVX100a (B&H comes to mind as a reliable vendor) ~$3500.00

Batteries: What is the longest lasting/high quality/least expensive in that order

Matte Box and Follow Focus: Saw Chrosziel's follow focus rig at NAB. I think
Band Pro is the only distributor right now, but I am wondering if it will work
with Century Optic's *new wide angle* matte box. I called Century and it seems
that this new matte box will work with all their glass adapters (including the
anamorphic 16x9 when it finally appears) without issues that normal matte boxes
have. It will take two 4"x4" filters of which one can be rotated.
Anyone have one of these rigs (follow focus and matte box) yet?

Lens adapters: Anyone have opinions/recommendations?

Lens filters: Again, opinions are welcome.

Anyone using a battery charger that works off of 12volt?

LCD Hoods: Anyone use these and if so do you like them?

16x9 viewfinder adaptor: Anyone shooting in 16x9 who has one of these?

On camera light: I'm thinking Frezzi soft box, but a small HMI is another thought. Anyone use either of these?

Case: Hardshell that can hold the camera mounted with all this additional gak
so I don't have to take it apart and assemble it every time I have a shoot.

Remote controller:

Anything else we might want that I have overlooked?
(We already have mics and wireless, so no help needed there).

Thanks!

[Aaron Banks]

Well, if you want to shoot 16x9, you will probably want to throw a Panasonic 16x9 anamorphic adapter lense in there. Unless you really want to wait for the Century version...

As for batteries, the longest lasting is $120 Panasonic's, the best deal is the www.dvxuser.com batteries which are $45 for a 4 hour battery.

[Ken Tanaka]

Hello Jacques,

Vendor: B&H is always good. Also check EVS. Good folks, also a sponsor, good prices.

Batteries: The large Panasonics are pretty good. I -think- Power 2000 has recently introduced some big DVX batteries but I'm not certain.

Matte Box and Follow Focus: Definitely Chrosziel if you can afford it. First-class workmanship and materials. 16x9, Inc. (sponsor) is a distributor and ZCG sells them. See ZGC's page on their Chrosziel DVX rig for details.

Lens adapters: You'll probably want to get the Panasonic 16x9 adapter, per your specs. In-cam 16x9 is not bad, but the adapter produces the best results according to those who use it.

Lens filters: For your matte box, the usual 4x4 suspects. Polarizer, 2-3 degrees of ND grads, maybe a light softener.

LCD Hoods: I have a Petrol and it works pretty well on that lcd. Extremely light, stows flat, easy to attach. Why not?

16x9 viewfinder adaptor: Naw.

On camera light: Ewww!

Hardshell Case: Dunno. I use a PortaBrace. I'd bet that you could get an appropriately-sized Pelican to do a great job here.

Remote controller: Take a look at Varizoom's new Rock DVX. Also look at Zoe's new DVX-PZB. I just finished a review of the latter: thumbs mostly up.

Anything else we might want that I have overlooked? Have you considered a good shoulder brace like the DVRig Pro? What about a PortaBrace rain cover?

Have fun...with somebody else's money?!

[Barry Cheong]

Don't forget a good sticks/head combo. In terms of bang for your buck Manfrotto is probaly the best way to go.

I have a 350MV (Bogen #3190) legs and a 503 head. Solid combination.

You might wanna look into getting a portable 9" monitor as well.

[Jacques Mersereau]

Hey Guys, thanks for the advice! I've been on the road collecting
more nature audio and video. I got a chance to use a DVX100a,
so I feel a bit more educated now that I've had some hands on
experience with it.

I am considering the Century matte box as they
claim that their new version is a wide angle which will still work with
their other lens adaptors. Have you used a WA adapter, fisheye
or anamorphic adapter with the Chrosziel?
Century claims you'll get vignetting.

The battery that comes with the DVX100a is good for a bit more
than two hours, so I'll look into your suggestion Aaron.

I think the LCD hood is a good thing for outside. I had some trouble
without it the last couple of days. It seems like the viewfinder image
is kinda small on the DVX so the LCD gets more use.

I'm not a fan of on camera lights either, unless of course you have nothing else,
in which case they're better than nothing IMO. Maybe I can try and get
a 200W HMI instead :)

Panasonic is offering a decent Pelican type case for $175 which is about right.

I liked the varizoom rock at NAB (or was it the stealth?).
As long as the zoom rocker is smooth. I found
the auto focus to be slow and the manual focus ring a bit hard to work with
on the DVX. I'd rather have the focus ring be closer in and the zoom
further out.
The LCD seemed large, but just a titch soft when trying to really
lock down focus. Maybe it's me, but it seems hard to KNOW you're in focus.
It's a real drag that focus is not remotely adjustable
with the DVX100a. Kind of a big whiff imo.

Shoulder brace? Remember you're dealing with the co-inventor of the
Marzpak. We used two marzpaks the other day when we went deep into
the north Michigan woods to video tape goshawk banding. I wouldn't
take anything but a marzpak on this mission.
I could easily walk around the thick pine trees and their branches and get
all kinds of angles and super steady images. The camera always out and
ready to catch the unexpected as we tramped our way through the brush.
The shots ranged from being fully zoomed in
on the 'gabooner' grabbing the chicks out of a 40' high nest
(and being able to hold it with near tripod steadiness), to 12" away from
the chick sitting on the ground with the camera down at his level.
The Marzpak ROCKS!

Yes, The U. of Michigan is about to replace our three VX1000s. so we're
putting this quote together for my boss.

Again, thanks for all the help!

[Ken Tanaka]

Ah, sorry. I forgot about your relationship to the Marzpak!

[Steve Rogers]

There are some good battery deals on eBay. I got several of the 3300mAh batteries from a dealer on eBay, teaglecool or something like that for 31 dollars and change.

Also there is another guy, I can't recall the username, that sells the big 9 hour batteries for 90.00 each.

I use B&H for almost everything I buy most of the time. On occasion if I am looking to save a buck I hunt around for better deals.

Best deal I found on Cameras was from J and R Music World in New York. B&H wanted like 3400.00, I got the same setup from J and R for 3075.00.

The few hundred bucks paid for a 4 year warranty plus some extras.

[Barry Green]

For a 100? Or a 100A?

J &R (jr.com) lists the 100A at $3499, which is the same as B&H. And J&R doesn't show up on the Panasonic site as an authorized reseller. Is that the right site (www.jr.com)?

[Steve Rogers]

<<<-- Originally posted by Barry Green : For a 100? Or a 100A?

J &R (jr.com) lists the 100A at $3499, which is the same as B&H. And J&R doesn't show up on the Panasonic site as an authorized reseller. Is that the right site (www.jr.com)? -->>>


100, not A.

from previous experience with the company, I have found they are often a few dollars better on very expensive items and they have been around for quite a few years.

www.jandr.com