Purchase guidance needed, DVX100a or something else?

[cnymike]

I am not a film maker. At least not right now. I am an avid techie and a pretty good still photographer. I use a Mac. I fiddle with video and have previously owned a small Sony DV camcorder.

I have a theoretical budget of $2000 but if pressed, I'd go as high as $2600.

My goal is to buy a decent high end consumer or low end prosumer camcorder that will enable me to enter into the professional arena, ie: charging clients for my work whether it be capturing a High School play, taping a business seminar in a hotel conference room, creating video tours of wineries... these are all projects I have had to do using my small Sony camcorder which is just not cutting it anymore.

I have an opportunity to purchase a used DVX100a for $1700. It has about 450 hours on it (a concern because of hours on it already). It would also come with a Porta Brace case but is lacking the wired remote (maybe not a big deal)

Or I could buy a new DVX100b for around $2600 I think.

I think what I want for sure is something that will give me the ability to have a good, controlled zoom manually, good audio or the ability to easily add external microphones (one reason I like the DVX100 is the XLR plugs)

I'm really open to some of your sage advice. I probably will not produce film, so that's not a serious issue for me. But quality is of audio and solid manual zoom is a concern for sure.

If I could get by pretty well without having to spend $2000, great. What would that be though? I've read about the Panasonic GS400, now discontinued and hard to find. The replacement the GS500 is not desireable to me. I've also read about the Sony HDR-HC1 but not sure if I need HD. The Panasonic DVC30 has some appeal because of features and price but not sure about the zoom and external mic inputs.

Is $1700 for the DVX100a with 450 hours a good deal or should I look elsewhere for a camera with less hours?

Argh... so many questions and so little knowledge.

Thanks for your input.

Michael

[reaktor]

I would say $1700 for 450 hours seems like buying a car with 200000 miles on it.

[cnymike]

I made an error in the hours, it's actually 315 hours, not 450. But still, that's a pretty significant number of hours I'd say. Probably like a car with 160,000 miles :-)

[Huy Vu]

315 hours isn't too bad. It takes at least 500 hours before the camera is recommended for tape service (and most people went well beyond that before they have any problem). $1700 is fairly reasonable although you might be able to bargain it down a bit. If you're looking to make money with this camera I wouldn't blow all your budget on a brand new one. Spend the saving on a decent tripod, on-camera light, mic setup.

[cnymike]

One reason I was also considering the DVC30 (and other potential cameras that others might recommend to me in this thread) is because of the attractive price/performance point.

I've already told the seller that I'm going to pass on the $1700 DVX100b. I've seen others with way less hours on eBay for $1700-$1900 which if I spend that much would be a better end deal I think.

Primarily I'm hoping those in this forum can make some suggestions for what camera(s) might be appropriate for the work I've described.

Thanks.

Michael

[soeborg]

I hear you. I was looking at the GS500 due to price/features. Its got all i need except a headphone jack ARGH..

And the same story goes for every other camera ive looked at. If its got a headphone jack then theres no remote and so on, geez...

I think im getting the GS400 if i can find one

[soeborg]

Allright, i think i found it. All this time it was right in front of my nose :)

The GS230

It looks like we are seeking the same basic features so i was wondering if you could give me your thoughts on this one? Ive been looking at cameras for hours now and my head is starting to hurt. Could have missed an important detail :)

Thanks

[cnymike]

Well, that GS400 is also discontinued.

I'm really getting kind of peeved at Panasonic and wonder what the heck is going on with their product line. It seems like all their great prosumer cameras are being discontinued and being replaced by not as capable units or not being replaced at all. DVC30, awesome camera, gone. GS400, gone and replaced with the GS500 which is not nearly as capable.

I ended up buying a DVC100a with 74 hours, along with a Steadicam JR, manfrotto 501 head and tripod for $2475. Ouch! but hopefully it will do what I need it to do. I'm just hoping I didn't pay too much for it and I'm not so sure the Steadicam Jr Lite is going to be too useful for me...never really used one so we'll see.

[soeborg]

Hey, i know you went and bought your camera but if someone else comes across this thread looking for a DVX alternative they should check out the GS500 and the following thread: http://www.pana3ccduser.com/showpost.php?p=56284&postcount=17

GS500 have all basic features, except headphone support. But the thread mentioned above has a solution to this problem :D Very nice