2nd Hand DVX-100A - anything important to check or keep in mind?

[zulubeached]

Hi folks,

I am in the market for a second hand DVX-100A. Any tips or any crucial issues I should check out when I'll be looking at a one? What are the potential weak spots of a previously owned camera? I'm very grateful for any hints or pointers...

Thanks in advance!

[cassese]

Stay away from rental cams, they get the S**t kicked out of them. look for low hours on the heads. I got mine with 19hrs on it, and it was in new condition. I would have bought new, but I also got 20Panasonic tapes, two 5400Mah batteries, and the shotgun Panasonic mic. If it were not for all that, I would have gone new for two reasons - the deals that Panasonic has going on including the rebate, and the warranty. If anything is going to go wrong, you can bet it will when you buy it used. (It's like Muphy's law, only worse.) In my history with Ebay, there is a bond between photographers that lessens the likelyhood of getting ripped off. Now I said PHOTOGRAPHERS - not filmmakers, so be careful. DO NOT buy anything from someone on Ebay who just joined, has no feedback, or negative feedback in excess, or who is NOT even a member. Good condition DVX100a's are hard to come by, but don't pay any more than say 2700- otherwise you might as well buy new.
Hope this helps.

[zulubeached]

Thank you for your advice! The cam I will be checking out has 30 hrs, and is about a year old - I will be able to have a look at it before I buying it...

[cassese]

That's nothing my friend. If it has that amount on the heads, common sense says that the rest of it is in great condition also, but since you get to see it first, you have no problem there.
A couple of things I would check:
In record mode, go thru the menu choices and change some settings to see if they change in the viewfinder when you do it.
Look close at the lense for scratches - if it has a protective UV filter on it - great, but TAKE IT OFF and look for scratches.
You can always tell the difference between someone who naturally takes care of their equipment and those who do not - unless you have the time to use it for a day without any commitment, go with your gut.

[Maximilian Niemann]

I have bought my DVX100ae from a Professionell on Ebay :).

But i have a problem, i only thrust myself :).

So i visited him to take a look on it. It was in great condition and only in professionell use.

And be careful with Ebay, I never would send nearly $3k to Hong Kong via Western Union.

Good luck while searching.

Greetz Max

[scharky]

But i have a problem, i only thrust myself :).
Greetz Max

I'm sorry to hear that. Sounds uncomfortable.

[zulubeached]

Hi folks,

I came, saw, and bought her. Was in great shape, with the Panasonic 5400mAh
included.

Thanks for your tips!