Panasonic AG-DVC30

(bailey) · (bailey) **Join Date: May 2001** 04-21-2006, 8:10 PM

Anyone use this camera for wakeboarding or other sports footage. I am looking into buying a new mini dv and I want something that has good manual controls. Seems like most of the lower price cameras have done away with the manual controls unless you go through a bunch of menus.
Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

jpbray 04-23-2006, 5:05 PM

I already shot with a dvc30 but it wasn't mine. I own a dvx100a and I'm very happy with it. I always shoot with manual control. If you wanna check out a little video we shot a few weeks ago on hour first skateboarding day, here is the link : http://207.139.55.193/skateacton.htm

we aren't good skateboarders but between snowboard and wakeboard we try to pratice. I'm the guy with the green shirt and if you have any question feel free to ask them.

(bailey) · (bailey) **Join Date: May 2001** 04-23-2006, 5:33 PM

Thanks for the post. The video looks very good.
Do you know how much video quality differs between the 30 and 100? How much better are they than a step down version of the panasonic 3CCD. I have read a whole bunch of reviews on the net but I was interested in opinion from people who shoot sports among other things.
Thanks

(dcervenka) · (dcervenka) **Join Date: Sep 2002** 04-23-2006, 8:53 PM

The DVC30 has a 1/4 CCD censors vs. a 1/3 on the DVX.

At one time I was considering getting the DVC30, but ended up with the DVX100a.. If I had to do it all over again I would probably save myself the $1200 and go with the DVC30. First off the DVC30 comes with a 16x optical zoom.. The DVX100a only has a 10x (which is crap when shooting from the shore). Sure the DVX100a has 24p (film like) mode, but I can count on 1 hand how many times I've used it.. I feel that if you want to film look then shoot with film. Plus for action sports (my opinion) I think the 24p look like poop..

If you are an audio buff then the DVC30 does not have XLR inputs and that would be a BIG minus.

Depending on how you like to shoot the DVC30 does not have a top handle which is great for shooting chase on a skateboard, snowboard, etc..

Another cool feature of the DVC30 is the night-time shooting capabilities using an IR light. To top it off it's not the military green that you get with the sony's, but instead it shoots in black and white..

No matter which cam you get I think you will find that the color saturation of the Panasonic cams will impress you!

If you have the budget. Check into renting a DVC30 from a local studio for the weekend and try it out first hand.

04-24-2006, 9:08 AM

I shoot with the DVC 30. It does have a top handle. The camera is great. Manual settings are all easy to work with. Leica Dicomar glass which is the top of the line. The camera is pretty light weight. Ive used mine to film skiing, surfing, wakeboarding and skateboarding, along with a few short films.
here is so examples of what kind of image your going to get.
http://media.putfile.com/Aspen-Snowmass-Open
http://media.putfile.com/Ed-Allen-Skate-Vid
http://media.putfile.com/Bred-Up-N-Buttered
http://media.putfile.com/cab7truck

check those out

(dcervenka) · (dcervenka) **Join Date: Sep 2002** 04-24-2006, 12:38 PM

word up! my bad.. I forgot the handle was detachable.. woo hey! another bonus to add to the feature list.

Corey - Sweet videos. Nice color, good comp, and good editing. I really like some of the shots in the Ed-Allen-Skate-Vid.

Are you shooting in squeeze mode or using a 16x9 matte?

The guys losing his ski mid trick in the Aspen video is insane.. ouch!