I should have mentioned this: the tripods looked pretty cheesy to me too, but that quote ($7950)is substituting them with the Sony remote control tripods (it's what I wanted before finding out the camera comes with a remote and that they're not tall enough for me (I'm 6'6")). My main concern is the lenses, is there a chance that they could be inferior or even useless for say, weddings, high school sporting events, etc. (you know...all the gigs you guys don't want)
Thanks,
Randy

Have you ever been to 47th Street Photo? It's certainly an experience.

Al

No I haven't Al, I thought it was just an online store. Do you have an opinion on the deal?
Thanks,
Randy

Well in the late 80s when I was working in New York, they were one of the best places to go for bargains in hi fi, photo and video stuff. I have never been in a place (if I remember they had several stores not just on 47th st) that was so dedicated to selling stuff. It was absolutely frantic. It was a Jewish run store so closed on Fridays at sundown, I believe, and my abiding memory is of the constant calls over a speaker system for certain salesmen to pick up the phone to speak to customers. There was one guy who to my non Jewish ears went by the name of something like "Schlimey Kline". Sorry , I don't mean to offend anyone by spelling what may be a common Jewish name incorrectly. There was always this voice saying "Schlimey Kline 152, Schlimey Kline 152". He must have been a red hot salesman. I bought quite a few things there and always found them good to deal with as long as you knew what you were buying and you didn't mess them about. Of course, we didn't have the internet then, it was mostly off the street customers and telephone purchases.

Do you particularly want DV CAM?

Al

heh, weird. my default subject line read "RE: MAC VS. PC"

considering the actual topic, however -- I'm wondering if the storage footprint for DVCAM is larger than for miniDV? i.e. due to its inherently higher resolution, will DVCAM require more storage per second of footage?

experts, please weigh in...

- jim

DVcam is the same format as miniDV except for a few minor details and the fact it runs the tape 50% faster than miniDV's SP speed. Data is the same, resolution is the same. MiniDV tapes are not compatible with DVCam tapes, and vice-versa. I'm not a DVcam expert, but this is based on www.adamwilt.com.

As a general rule, we, as a group, avoid the types of deals 47th street is known for. They give you a price that is impossible to compute because of the pile of real junk included with an otherwise good product. Good tripods are expensive, and worth it. Good filters are expensive, and worth it if you actually have a need for them. The PD150 is fine, but the rest of your "bargain," including the Sony branded tripod, ain't no bargain.

This is the kind of answer I was looking for, thank you. I'm guessing something screwy happened with the server and the posts regarding DV cam verses Mini DV ?
Will you please elaborate on why you call the filters junk and what tripod (remember I'm 6'6")and filters would you recommend for doing high school sporting events,weddings,etc.?
Thanks very much,
Randy

Broadway Photo, at www.bwayphoto.com, has the PD-150 for $2145. Dont know if they're for real or not, but check them out. All these N.Y. places operate the same. If you order just the camera, they'll actually telephone you and high pressure you into purchasing their over-priced, junky, accessories. You can get around them by telling them that whatever you're purchasing is a backup item, and you already have all the extras you dont want. I've ordered cameras this way in the past, and gotten the goods. As far as your quest for a tripod goes, do a search on the web for Bogen, Vivitar, etc. You shouldn't have any problem getting one that'll get up to your height.yI've also heard you can also strip the camera control portion off the sony tripod, if it's not tall enough, and remount it on another tripod. Good luck

I'm glad you brought that up jboy, I've wanted to get peoples opinion on buying a grey market camera (as is any PD150 at that price). As I understand it, the only things you don't get with the grey market PD150 are the 1 year warranty (you can buy 2 years for $220) a battery and charger (I think I would buy two 2 or 4 hr. batteries anyway and a double charger) and the remote (not sure I need it right away). $1100-$1800 seems a bit pricey for these items to me but maybe there's something I'm missing. But then again, virtually all of those stores have terrible reviews on their customer service, including Broadway Photo(to the point of customers accusing them of theivery ). But then again to pay $1100-$1800 times 2!
BTW, 47streetPhoto has 94 of those packages I mentioned
( http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1347102202 )
earlier and they are also auctioning them off one at a time. The one that sold yesterday went for $3601 ; does anyone think it's a good deal at *this* price or do you think the "package" is just unusable crap? wcoxe1 mentioned in an earlier post:
"They give you a price that is impossible to compute because of the pile of real junk included with an otherwise good product." Admittedly, I've been a sucker to buying something because you get a free this or that with a "retail value" of 20 zillion dollars (you know...all that great stuff that is not offered in stores). Is this "Optics" brand the same thing or have some of you actually heard of it and they are just the "Chevrolet" of lenses? I ask because with all of the other equipment I have to buy, one Century Optics lense at $500 just doesn't fit into my budget.
Thanks again everyone,
Randy

if you buy a gray market camera YOU ARE A FOOL!!!!!
i am looking to buy a 5 MEGA-PIXEL digital camera
i read posts left and right how they bought digital cameras on the gray market and they were from china
instructions in chinese etc.
they had a problem and they had a problem with the camera and were screwed
no one in usa would touch it
anyway--try b&hphoto in nyc
i do not work for them--but i buy all my equipment form them
great prices and great stuff
bhphoto.com i think is there website
sb

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

A FIVE pixel camera? Hmmmmm. not much detail in those images. ;)

B&H is indicative of "stable" prices and not-so-hard sell (there is SOME). Look also at www.vanns.com. My ownly experience with Broadway was an attempt to buy 6 Canon GL1s about 3 months after they first came out. I asked if they were in stock; answer, "Yes, and available immediately." I fended off the hard-sell of all the options in the world. Gave them the credit card and that was that. Three days later I received a call from them. Didn't I want to reconsider the batteries at full list price, and the expensive no-name filters, 3 for EACH of the camcorders, minimum, and not so few other things? I said, "No, thanks." That is when they informed me that the camcorders were NOT in stock. Sorry.

I asked about the order they had taken days earlier telling me that they were in stock. The answer was simple and direct, "They are in stock and available (with HIGH shipping prices), IF I buy several hundred dollars of accessories for EACH camcorder." Otherwise, they are not available. I called back 3 hours later that day, and yes, they were in stock and available for immediate shipping (at HIGH shipping prices), and, OH, by the way, don't you want this and that and this and that accessory?

I no longer even bother looking at their ads, and tell all my students about them and a few others.

I recommend shopping for accessories separately, at least until you know what they SHOULD sell for. Batteries, for instance, can end up costing you almost double LIST price in some of the highly advertised bundles. You can't tell it because often the tripod and filters, and bags, and this and that and the kitchen sinks are so cheap it defies price comparison. Interestingly, most of the huge pile of stuff isn't all that desirable even it it were TOP quality. I could see having SOME of it, different things for different people; but ALL of it? How in the world are you going to carry all that stuff?

For professionals on location, shop-bound shooters, or people with helpers, anything goes. But I learned a simple lesson some years ago traveling in places where you don't DARE put your cases or luggage down on the ground for fear of things growing legs and walking away when you are distracted by someone's partner in the borrowing business. The lesson: If you can't hold everything you have in your hands and/or strapped to your back for 40 minutes, you have too much stuff. You quickly learn that almost ANYTHING gets heavy after even 20, much less 40 minutes.

The Sony Remote Control tripods are not as good as I expected. The heads are not smooth, no matter how you adjust them. The handle is removable, if you can find a head and tripod you like that can accept it. The LEGS of the Sony tripods are light and a snap to extend or collapes, but the head kills the package.

I have the Sony VCT-870RM, the largest of the Sony tripods. With legs fully extended, center post DOWN, it is 51 inches tall and reasonably sturdy. With Center post UP, it is 64 1/4 inches, and not very sturdy. Not really tall. But, consider this: From 6' 6" high, you are shooting DOWN if you are using the eyepiece. I find that although my tripod is not quite as tall as I would like (I am 5' 8"), I get better perspective if I don't run it all they way up and use the swing out LCD Screen tilted UP so that I don't have to strain. This is PARTICULARLY true when shooting kids and animals which are VERY near the floor. I find I usually end up completely collapsing my tripod and kneeling on the floor to shoot those subjects or the perspective is horrible.

In addition, the controls on the handle of the 870RM seem, at least to me, poorly laid out. I am always having to LOOK for something, rather than just moving my fingers to it. And, the zoom controls seem completely backwards, to me, personally.

I have found uses for it, but not nearly as many as I expected. A high quality Bogan or the like would be better for professional use. The Sony is just not smooth enough.

chienworks
whatever do you mean?
hehe - i edited my post
sb

THANK GOD I FOUND THIS FORUM!!!!( I went from GL-1 to VX2000 to PD150)
OK guys, I'm going back to square ONE!
If you were me, wanting to start a company shooting high school sporting events and weddings and there wasn't a huge concern about finding work (but actually had to get a bank loan) what would you buy (in detail please)? Once again, you just don't know how much I appreciate your input!
Randy

i have the sony vx2000 and couldn't be happier
bogen tripod--for the most part it's level
vv3
battery--8 hours
light on top--8 hours
wide angle lens
i am thinking about getting another vx2000 so i can edit high quality picture in picture
at the moment i use one vhs camera---and one vx2000
i am NOT a professional videographer
but my stuff is coming out awesome
it had taken me since november to really, really get a handle on this stuff
i do NOT have a DVD burner yet - from reading the posts i have decided to wait
To be a professional videographer, you will need to buy one anf offer it as an option
also, get Neato labeling stuff, it rocks
you also need a wireless mic---for interviews and to mic the dj/band sound system
i do not know which one to get--i am looking for one at present time
anyone please feel free to recomend a mic--i need one too
thanks all
that is all my knowledge, hope it helps
sb

Randy,

> "I went from GL-1 to VX2000 to PD150" <

Rather than go back to square one, Canon's new GL-2 is an improvement on the GL-1 and guess what. It has more pixels in the CCDs.

-- Burton --

I heard that the GL-1 was not too good in low light. Is the GL-2 better?

Al

Thanks guys,

SB wrote:
"i have the sony vx2000 and couldn't be happier"
The main reason I'm thinking the PD150 is the XLR inputs; I realize I can adapt but I also need balanced inputs for (potentially)long runs to/from an audio mixing board, and in some situations I would need phantom power which the PD150 has. I forgot to mention I'll also be shooting musical events. (Burton, the new GL-2 looked very attractive to me until I noticed it didn't have the audio features I need)

"bogen tripod--for the most part it's level"
I think you guys have finally convinced me of the importance of a high quality, smooth reacting tripod and Bogen is the only brand I've seen mentioned so I guess that part is settled.

"vv3"
I bought it a couple of weeks ago...very intuitive since I've done a lot of NLE audio but it may be a different story when I actually start importing/exporting.

"light on top"
Thanks for mentioning that, I've been meaning to ask about lights: with the PD150 being a 2 lux camera, should I wait to see if I need them. If not any suggestions on brand etc.?

"wide angle lens"
Lenses is the area I'm most concerned about. I mean I could easily spend $3000 in lenses (for 2 cameras)if I buy all Century Optics. I've been trying to get people to suggest some "Chevrolet" brands for me to start out with (anyone ever heard of Optics brand?) as the "Mercedes" is a little out of my budget right now. On the other hand, if you guys strongly suggest I go ahead and make the investment, is there a package deal you know of for the basics(tele,UV, etc.)

"it had taken me since november to really, really get a handle on this stuff"
If it weren't for this forum, I'd be asking you "November of what?"

"i do NOT have a DVD burner yet - from reading the posts i have decided to wait"
I have a $300 (from www.tigerdirect.com) Vivastar (a what-a-star?!) figured in. What should I search for to find out what the forum wrote to make you wait?

"you also need a wireless mic...i am looking for one at present time
anyone please feel free to recomend a mic--i need one too"
Yes, please recommend a lavalier in the $200 range.

Thanks again everyone,
Randy

Before you end up getting screwed from one of the NYC vendors who have been getting away with this stuff for 40 years, check www.resellerratings.com and stick to it like the bible. They are almost always right on the money.

John

the GL-1 does fine in low light for its pricerange. the GL-2 looks like a big step up. they fixed just about every problem I have with the GL-1.

Thanks John, that's a new one for me I'll check it out...but yes, I've been reading lots of horror stories at other comparison sites. Almost all the stores are in NYC. I don't think they even realize they're doing anything wrong, all is fair in competition.
Thanks again,
Randy