Buying equipment for the present? or the future?

[Fade to inferno]

So at the moment I am still an HV30 user and will still be shooting with it for sometime. However, I am planning on moving into the DSLR (probably the 60d) eventually, I imagine 6-8 months.

I was wondering if I should be purchasing equipment that would compliment both to prepare for the future or should I purchase equipment for the now and just sell it later. There are certain items that i believe would be more efficient with the hv30 than with the dslr, but would not be efficient for the DSLR.


Or perhaps there is equipment that i am not aware of that should be efficient for both. Let me know if this exists. thank you!

[Fade to inferno]

any advice would be great.

[HueyNRolf]

What gear do you have now? Tripod, audio equipment, lighting etc.

[drapeama]

Well, all the gear that i own right now will be usefull even if i'd move to DSLR one day (JuicedLink, ZoomH2, lighting kit, tripod, rod support...)

[Fade to inferno]

I don't know about my tripod (dont have it with me at the moment) bought it at bestbuy, pretty sturdy one and its a fluid head so i'm not too worried about it.

Audio: dm50, NTG-2 (just the mic) i'm collecting accessories at the moment. Juiced link.

Lighting: basic cowboy studio lighting kit. still looking to get lights.

so as you can see i still have option of what to buy so hence my uncertainty.

so for example should i had bought zoom h4 instead of ntg?

[cgbier]

You should have bought the h4n instead of the juiced Link.
The DM50 can go to ebay.

I wouldn't buy any stuff until I have the 60d. You'll need a lot of cash to get all the gizmos you need for a DSLR.

[HueyNRolf]

How much was the Bestbuy tripod?

A sound recorder is a useful piece of kit for the HV and an essentiality for a DSLR based rig, unless one comes along with controllable audio.
Either way that's a win win.

The NTG-2 isn't of much use without a boom pole, shock mount and wind protection. Again, suitable for both cameras. Also on the audio side, look into getting some lavs and of course proper field monitoring headphones.

On the lighting end, do you have a reflector? Very important for shooting in bright sun and useful for bouncing lights off indoors.

There's plenty of stuff here which would be a good investment for the HV or DSLR shooter.

[Fade to inferno]

I paid about 100 for the tripod.

so far my impression is that Huey's stand is you can essentially find any use out of any equipment?

and cgbier's is buy for dslr? My concern is i still want to make films/ shoot videos at the best potential possible while i still have my hv30. So i was planning on finishing my NTG-2 accessory list (boom pole, shocke mount etc.) would that be a wise decision? or should i just return juiced link and ntg-2? its still possible to get my money in full back.

[HueyNRolf]

Huey's stand is you can essentially find any use out of any equipment?

Not really, a lot of it yes.
I agree with CG on ditching the DM50 and returning the Juicedlink. I would get the H4n and get the NTG-2 serviceable first. Then you have a setup that serves both cameras well.

[cgbier]

Keep the NTG, and add the other stuff to it. If you can, swap the Juiced Linked for an H4. The latter is a more universal piece of equipment.

Yes, I had to revise my suggestion to not buy anything... thought you were covered on the boom and shock mount.

[Fade to inferno]

gotcha. thanks you guys!

[Erik Bien]

Good advice being given here. As a rule of thumb, I'd advise you to hold off as long as possible on things which are either camera-specific (i.e. lenses, LCD loupes, shoulder rigs) or likely to drop in price and/or become quickly obsolescent (memory cards, hard drives, software). IMHO the best items to purchase during your 'transition period' are things which will remain in your arsenal for a long time, hold their value, and work with essentially any camera: a good tripod, a good shotgun mic with boompole and wind protection, a couple of lavaliers, an audio recorder, lighting & grip gear.

[Janke]

while i still have my hv30

I wouldn't let go of it unless you have to. Two cameras (one video, one DSLR) are great to have.

[Fade to inferno]

Oh yeah, I am in no way planning on getting rid of my hv30. I mean to say *primarily filming with.*

in fact I'm actually looking to purchase another hvxx for videography purposes.

[KingDucky]

a couple of lavaliers

What do you mean by this? Like just the mics or with the transmitters and everything. I've been readin up on lavs and I'm so confused by them...

[Fade to inferno]

What do you mean by this? Like just the mics or with the transmitters and everything. I've been readin up on lavs and I'm so confused by them...

im sure he means the whole set up. transmitters and all

[peltonwheel]

Before you pick up the H4n, consider that the H4n and NTG-2 are widely regarded to not work well together -the NTG-2 is too quiet for the recorder. Be sure to consider other recorders (the Tascam DR-100 may work better) or getting a pre-amp to use with the mic and H4n

[Fade to inferno]

can anyone else confirm this?

[KingDucky]

Before you pick up the H4n, consider that the H4n and NTG-2 are widely regarded to not work well together -the NTG-2 is too quiet for the recorder. Be sure to consider other recorders (the Tascam DR-100 may work better) or getting a pre-amp to use with the mic and H4n

I have the Ntg2 + Zoom H4n and It works fine for me. I mean the stereo recorder on the Zoom records louder than the Ntg2 - but it's also not directional, so it picks up more. The setup works great for me.

[askclifford]

Hold off for now on any purchases.

[KingDucky]

Hold off for now on any purchases.

Why do you say that?