I need some suggestions on what to buy with between $10-15K

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 12/15/2004, 4:22 PM
Well, most of the stuff that I do is played over closed circut feeds etc... as presentations, or informational updates of projects right now. I am looking at going into more of the same, but I have goals of producing mostly commercials and promotional videos for different organizations. I do not do indi films etc... and have no desire to do so, but I do make small story line bits and the like. I currently edit with Vegas 5.0b (build 160) on an inspiron 9100 laptop with 512MB RAM, a 3.2Ghz P4 800Mhz FSB Hyperthreading system. I have been renting cams up to this point, but I would like to buy 1 or 2 cameras to shoot with, a lighting kit, and perhaps some mics (which I have also been renting). Though i may continue renting mics for now. (I may be looking for an impossibility, but I would like a good quality and a small package (right now I'm looking at going with a Z1 or 2 AGDVX100A's (possibly 2 Z1's but that starts to get to be a lot of debt). I'm looking to have my investment last for quite a while (which is why I'm looking at either the Z1 or the DVX100A (with an Andromeda box on each). I realize that these are both MiniDV but I also don't think that I can get much better than miniDV in a small size package, and I don't think that I can do some of the things that I need to with large shoulder mounted cameras.

So, what do you guys think?

Can I get some suggestions as to what you guys would buy, I am looking at taking out a small business loan to get moving in the right direction.

Comments

Orcatek wrote on 12/15/2004, 6:04 PM
Don't forget a good tripod(s).

Camera's - that's a tough choice - I still have a tough time deciding. If you can get your hands on your prime candidates, rent them to see how they feel and what image you can get out of them with "out of the box". I don't like to spend a lot of time having to tweak my camera to get a good image. And I want the controls to feel good in my hands.

I would look at a desktop machine with dual computer monitors plus a studio monitor. This is a good investment if you spend lots of time editting. If most of your projects don't require a lot of editting, you probably can stay where you are. My projects take tons of more time in edit, so time saved here is very important.

There have been other posts for some good affordable light kits in earlier posts.

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 12/15/2004, 6:52 PM
I've got a Bogen 503 head and a good tripod. forgot to mention that.

I've looked at a desktop machine but I have an extra High res on my laptop and can just hook up another monitor if I really need it. The only reason I would is for Dual processor, but I also looked at getting a couple of cheap ones and then doing network rendering when it's time to render.

BTW, are there any good Jog/shuttle controllers that are out there for around 100 or less, I've looked at<ahref=http://www.4beatz.com/proddetail.asp?prod=shuttlepro2&partner=google>this one if that doesn't work http://www.4beatz.com/proddetail.asp?prod=shuttlepro2&partner=google <--- that's the address. thanks
Coursedesign wrote on 12/15/2004, 11:22 PM
I have the ShuttlePro2, it's very very nice to work with. I haven't heard of anybody who didn't get hooked after trying it for video editing.

Note that if you do a lot of compositing, hand masking or painting you should consider using a tablet like the Intuos2 (better than the 3 in some ways).

Grazie wrote on 12/16/2004, 12:23 AM
Shuttle and Graphics Tablet, may seem fripperies, but they aint! The Shuttle you can put anywhere - cable length accpeted - and zoooom about the t/l. The buttons? Well . . I'm not a "Power" editor, so I don't often need to use them. Graphics tab is great for moving fiddly things like Colour Correction Dots and markers AND those fine tunes for tiny slider increments. I use the GraphTab a lot in PsP . .. but that aint the same for Vegas. Tip: A good Pen with the "correct" selection side buttons is prime here . .. my is Pants!

Generally an assortment of multi/different control "devices" can guard against repetitive strain injuries [ RSI ]. Apart from anything else they give options for doing the same job in a different way which in turn can - HAS for me! - get down ideas faster and slicker . .

Grazie
rextilleon wrote on 12/16/2004, 6:01 AM
Small size is the key here--with that budget I would normally recommend that you pop up to a 1/2 chip camera--or even better the Ikegami 2/3 inch--but those are larger ENG cameras and with a decent lens and accessories would eat up your budget real fast. ---I think you are right on with the Panny--or maybe a couple of PD-170s with a Century wide angle lens---Over course the Panny 100 is a real nice camera too. As far as lighting goes, well I'm an Arri fan with a couple of Chimeras.

One of the problems iI have had lately is that there is such a huge prolferation of prosumer DV cams out there that they are creating havoc in the market place-.
craftech wrote on 12/16/2004, 6:20 AM
What kind of cameras have you been renting? That will give us an idea of what kind of quality you are used to. Also, are you shooting alone or do you have an assistant. Two cameras videos will get you more work than single camera work. The multi camera people get called back over the single camera guys every time.

John
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 12/16/2004, 2:13 PM
I've been using AGDVX100's for the most part, but I think I'm leaning towards the Z1's when they come out. I don't have to have Progressive scan, and I'm not sure that it's entirely usefull. The thing is, that I'm not sure that I need to try and reproduce the look of film so much. In my mind the best thing about film is that it's got incredible dynamic range. Well, the Z1 has better Dynamic range than the DVX100's (excluding the Andromeda box - which doesn't even exist yet, doesn't have a price tag, and doesn't make life easy if you want to record useing it (must have an ext. hard drive))

So I think it's gonna be the Z1 unless there's something that I see in it that I just hate.
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 12/16/2004, 7:48 PM
almost forgot to answer the rest of your question, I'd run a Two cam outfit. I married the best camera person at a place that I worked for for a while, and now she's probably one of the best camera people in town for hire on a contract basis. (From what I can see)
albatross1 wrote on 12/17/2004, 10:57 PM
How about a new Sony HDR-FX1 HD camcorder. I have done extensive tests and I can tell you that if you shoot HDV and then render out at 720x480 it will look way better than a DVX-100a . I own 3 100a's and 1 HDR-FX1..

If you have a fast modem and at least a 2.7Ghz machine, you can see some video here.

http://www.absolutedigi.com/hdrpictures.htm

You just need to get the Cineform connect HD and you're good to go for streaming HD and rendering at standard def. When Vegas 6 comes out you'll actually be able to print to HDV tape.
Grazie wrote on 12/17/2004, 11:02 PM
" When Vegas 6 comes out you'll actually be able to print to HDV tape." - Are you a BETA tester for V6? You signed an NDA .. or are you guessing?

Grazie