panosonic dvc30 worth getting?

[jblles]

i have been looking into it and cant decide if i just get it with a xlr adapter or save more and get a sony pd170.

I plan on making short, experimental, and maybe feature films.
I havent seen very much footage that was shot on the dvc30, but have a lot with the pd170 and was very impressed.

does anyone have any experience with the dvc30 or have seen it used in any short films.

any help would be appreciated.

 

[Lazlo]

I own the DVC30, and have shot a lot with teh pd170. I really like the dvc30 much much more... It just handles better in my opinion. Also, you have so much more control over the image with the dvc30. For instance, you can only make small change to the image in terms of black pedestal and sharpness with the 170, whereas you can define a unique look with the dvc30. Also, you definetely need to have a monitor or bigger LCD with the 170. It can be incredibly difficult to judge sharpness and framing at times. I've never had that problem with the dvc30. The dvcam mode really is overrated. It isn't that special. It lowers dropouts. But it doesn't make the image any better beyond that really. The zooming is a lot smoother with teh dvc30 also in the sense that you can do really nice extremely slow zooms that don't feel mechanical. I would recommend getting the XLR adapter with it, that's the one drawback, but I've had no problems with mine over the past 2 years. It's a really great camera, the dvc30 that is.

 

[jblles]

thanks a lot, i sort of had that impresion of the pd170 from all the shorts i have seeen that used it.

does anyone known of a film or short that i can check out on the net shot with the dvc30?

 

[Lazlo]

I shot a film, Backspin: A Story of Ping Pong Greatness that you can check out on youtube. That was all shot with a DVC30. Of course, be mindful of the compression... Really, quality-wise, they're close enough that your skill level will determine which provides better images.

 

[jblles]

your film looks great, even though it is compressed i could still see how good the quality is on the dvc30.

great work, and thanks

 

[Lazlo]

thank you, i appreciate it. Anyways good luck in your search for a camera.

 

[Red Prince]

I shot a film, Backspin: A Story of Ping Pong Greatness that you can check out on youtube.

Wow! Great work!