Posted by Toby on 10/13/05 07:24

"reqluq" <scredcropshonnospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:11kmbslt3aoem02@corp.supernews.com...
>
> Or are they just *tryin' to take my money* :-)
> I assume one would need extras to help out,but is it as grave as:*But
> without the proper accessories these cameras will be hard pressed to
> produce imagery that looks much better than your typical home video*
>
> http://www.saferseas.com/vsd/eye/eye1.html
>
> " A DSR-500 ($15,000 worth) will produce an excellent picture quality
> right out of the box as will the PD170, VX2000, and Canon XL1s. But
> without the proper accessories these cameras will be hard pressed to
> produce imagery that looks much better than your typical home video.Don't
> be fooled into thinking that the camera itself will make the video look
> good. Equally if not more important are the additional devices needed to
> capture scenes in varying environments and using methods that apply to the
> given situation."
>
> Then they go on to the asscessory price list:
>
> Package #1 The Eye of The Storm Studio
> PD-170 Pro Shooters Package
> Complete $7695 -Sony DSR PD-170 NTSC USA Retail Box Unit
> -7200 MA 12 Hour Battery Pack
> -Thermodyne Custom Fit Hard Case
> -Century Optics .65 Wide Angle Lens (Bayonet Mount)
> -Century Optics 2x Telephoto Lens (Bayonet Mount)
> -Century Optics Rectangular Sunshade/Filterholder
> -Century Optics LCD Magnifier/Sunshade
> -Schneider 4x4x1/4 inch "Tru-Pol Polarizing" Glass Filter
> -Schneider 4x4x1/4 inch "UV Haze" Glass Filter
> -Schneider 4x4x1/4 inch ".9 Graduated Neutral Density" Glass Filter (Soft
> Edge)
> -Schneider 4x4x1/4 inch "Clear" Glass Filter
> -Sennheiser ME66 w/K6 Power Module
> -Sennheiser ME66 Hard Case and Foam Windscreen
> -Vanguard Aluminum Hard Case for Lens/Filter Kit
> -Sachtler DV-2 II Aluminum Tripod 1-Stage
> -Sachtler 7051 Dolly)
> -Sennheiser EW500ENG UHF Wireless Microphone System
> -Sennheiser ME64 Handheld Mic Capsule
> -K-Tek Boom Pole w/Mic Shock Mount
> -2 XLR Mic Cable (1: 24 inch and 1: 30 foot)
> -20 Sony Premium MiniDV Tapes
> -1 Sony MiniDV Cleaning Cassette
> -1 Schneider Pro Lens Cleaning Cloth
> -1 Schneider Cleaning Solution Spray
> Etc...

First of all, a home video camera is capable of producing pretty nice
pictures. Better than what we used to get out of Umatic in the 80s. That
being said, none of the items that they offer in the package will not help
in one situation or another--each one extends the capabilities of the basic
camera in one way or another. But personally I don't like these packages,
because they don't allow you to choose only the items you need, or let you
choose among brands and models with items that you need. You could almost
certainly do without a clear filter in most situations, for instance, or you
could get a screw-on front lens protector instead of a square filter, which
offers better protection because it seals the front element against the
elements and being closer to the lens gives you less problems with dust
spotting, etc. Perhaps you don't immediately need a 30 ft XLR cable, or
perhaps you could get away without the Century doubler or the wide adapter
or both. You might prefer a different brand of tripod, and you could
probably dispense with a dolly altogether and just rent one for the very
occasional times you need it.

All of the equipment that they offer seems to be fairly decent--it isn't a
shoddy package--but unless you get a substantial discount on the individual
prices by buying the whole kit and kaboodle you would be much better off to
pick up what you need when you need it, and have the choice of buying the
brand/model of your choice.

Just my two cents,

Toby

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