Equipment purchase eval...

Hi everyone,

While relatively experienced for an amateur in the arena of still photography, I'm about to make my first foray into the DV world, with a significant purchase of equipment. I was hoping to explain my situation and needs, list the equipment that I've so far decided upon (after exhaustive research), and solicit possible opinions and further recommendations before placing the order.

I'm planning to record (for posterity...) family anecdotes of the older members of my family (grandparents, etc.) while they are still of sound mind and body (G-d willing). We'll be gathering 3-4 in the family room on a couch, and want it to be low-stress, so that it's not like a documentary/interview, but instead approximating after-dinner conversation and stories (as a matter of fact, we'll probably try to work it around some family meal to accomplish just that). The focus isn't so much to produce a professional finish, in that we don't plan to do any post-processing NLE _right now_, but we want to ensure that everything is preserved as taped (in raw form) in as professional a manner as possible (suitable with budget, time, one-person running the technical end, etc.)...

So here goes:

Panasonic AGDVX100 $3400
Kata CCC-101 Case $80
Hoya Multi-Coated UV Haze Filter Ultra Thin 72mm $42
Panasonic CGR-D28 Battery $80
Panasonic 63MQ 63-minute Master Quality tapes (x20) $5.86 (taperesources.com)
Panasonic AY-DVMCLA cleaning tape $5 (taperesources.com)
Sennheiser ME64 Mic with K6 powering module $400
Bogen Manfrotto 3087 Heavy Duty Boom Kit (3119 boom with 3071 stand) $270
Audio-Technica AT8415 Low Profile Universal Shock Mount $50
Sennheiser HD280 Pro Headphones $85
Canare Star-Quad L-4E6S 50' XLR Cable with Neutrik M - F Connectors $35 (haveinc.com)
Canare Star-Quad L-4E5C 18" XLR Cable with Neutrik M (RA) - F Connectors $20 (haveinc.com)
Canare A2V1 Composite A/V 10' Cable with Canare RCAP M - M Connectors $40 (haveinc.com)
Bogen Manfrotto 3433 501 Video Head $125
Bogen Manfrotto 3221 Pro Tripod $150 (already own)
Bogen Manfrotto 3330 Six Foot Light Stand (x2) $40
Lowel Tota-Light (x2) $110
Photoflex UM-ADW45 Adjustable 45" White Reflex Umbrella (x2) $30
Ushio EHZ Double-ended Halogen (300W/120V/3000K/5770L/2000H) (x4) $3 (filmtools.com)
Ushio FCZ Double-ended Halogen (500W/120V/3000K/10700L/2000H) (x4) $5 (filmtools.com)
Ushio EMD Double-ended Halogen (750W/120V/3200K/19500L/400H) (x2) $15 (filmtools.com)

Everything, except as noted above, will likely be purchased from B&H Photo. The total amount comes to a little over $5000, which generally seems reasonable considering what is being obtained. Any thoughts about one of those extended 2/4 year warranties offered by B&H and backed by Mack (cost $100/$200)? Does Mack do good repairs?

Well, any counterpoints on Mics, Lamps, Tripods/Heads/Booms, Cables, etc. would be _greatly_ appreciated.

Best wishes to all, and kind thanks for the help,
Daniel

[Michael Welles]

Everything seems okay except this - Sennheiser ME64 Mic with K6 powering module $400

You can get the Sennheiser ME66 Mic with K6 powering module for $375 from http://www.zotzdigital.com/

Good luck with it. I've just started on buying equipment too.

Thanks for the input, Mike. Actually, though, I spoke at length with an audio specialist at Sennheiser who was _very_ helpful, and we decided that I'm far better off with the cardioid pattern of the ME64 than the ME66's supercardioid, which wouldn't do as much justice to capturing 3 people on a couch all with the same intensity (since it's much more directional).

The B&H price on the ME64/K6 actually turned out to be $350, I was a little cavalier at times about exact prices, since when you factor in shipping/handling, it often pays to buy everything from one source, rather than scavenge around, but thanks for the tip anyway.

Best wishes, and good luck with your search as well.

Further input from other folks still gratefully received... :)

-Daniel

[Scott Silverman]

Well, here is what I would say:
The DVX100 seems a little overboard for what you’re doing. The GL2 or even GL1 would suit you fine I think. Plus you could save a truckload of $$. Both the GL1 and GL2 shoot excellent quality of video for a lot less money. And - someone correct me if I'm wrong - you probably wouldn't really see that much of a difference between the GL2/1 and the DVX100, enless you are planing to transfer to film. The XL1s might even suit you better for less $ than the DVX100. It has interchangeable lenses and has a great reputation with a ton of pro users. So, one question that might help solve this is: what is your reasoning for purchasing the DVX100? Maybe I am missing something here...

[Mark Nicholson]

You will definety see a difference between the GL1 and the DVX100, even between the XL1 and the DVX100.

That is beside the main point I believe Scott is making. Is this project large enough to justify the large price gap between the cameras? The difference in quality is evident, but if this is for a one-time deal, you might be happier spending less money. Not to mention, the DVX isn't really "beginner friendly," while the Canon GL1 is. No point to getting the DVX if you are not going to utilize its many diverse controls.

Hi all,

Thanks for the input re GL1, etc. We're willing to tradeoff the increased costs for the quality benefit. And I didn't mean to imply we won't use it again after this period of taping (otherwise, we might have looked more seriously into renting); we'll definitely continue to use it for many family issues, it's just that this anecdote taping is the primary reason for purchase. The XL1 is too difficult ergonomically for us to balance for later use off of tripod, and I don't think we'll need any benefit of interchangeable lenses.

Thanks again. Further input would definitely be appreciated, especially about the accessories chosen to complement the DVX100.

-Daniel