Why I (probably) will never sell my HVX

[mcbob]

I've had one for a long time, I've used it, it's been a useful tool, and now it's old-in-the-tooth and I have better cameras that I use more often - in fact the HVX has been working as a camera on a paid job exactly once this year. But so what?

Instead of some distended blubbery love-fest over my Japanese hunk of metal, plastic, and glass, I've decided it just makes good business sense. What lives in its bag is currently worth far more than the going rate of ~$1000-1200.

It can serve as a cheap P2 reader, DV tape deck, firewire audio interface, and heck, even a pretty decent camera. It can easily stream video through a macbook, record for over two hours at 100Mbps 4:2:2 1080, overcrank, undercrank, timelapse, pre-record, snap zoom, manual everything, and if I haven't killed it yet with everything it's been through, it likely will never die. Show me $1000 worth of currently available consumer camera that can do all that. My HVX has earned at least its current worth in the first half of this year just by serving in those atypical capacities.

Yeah, the sharpness blows compared to something as simple as a $600 hacked GH2 (plus about $30-3000 depending on the lens), and noise certainly isn't hard to create, but heck... for cash cows like web video, it still gets the job done well.

Most likely by the time the technologies it employs have long since obsolesced, it can be relegated to a revered wall hanging or knick-knack like a buck saw or Kentucky Flintlock or Bolex... it and its A-class P2 cards will likely be ready to roll as always 20 years from now when my kids want to start making artsy retro HD movies. Then I'll blubber over it.

[capt chuck]

I'm with you for all the reasons you mentioned and even a couple more. Most everything in my price range is now cmos and it's nice to have a CCD sometimes. I agree with the softness comment, but a number of my clients still just do SD and it's always been plenty sharp for me in SD. No sentiment here either, if it would bring in a good amount more in resell than I currently earn with it, then I would (somewhat reluctantly) wave goodbye.

[ceejay7777]

Second (or third) that ...

DVCPROHD via Raylight works great on a fairly modestly-powered PC running Vegas - a darn sight better than AVCHD anyway. A 200A, a 200 (and even a venerable DVX100A) get used all the time.

[kyleb]

agreed. my hvx 200 is still my "go to" camera for anything in daylight. i also run Vegas 9 with Raylight 1.3. recently i purchased a Canon T3i with a 50mm f/1.8 so my low light situations are taken care of.

[videoatlanta]

I bought a 170 a couple of years ago, had it for 6 months and loved it - but sold it to fund the 370. Now, I'm buying a used 170 (tomorrow Actually) for a second cam. For SD shoots, For CCD, For so much value.

[wgzn]

ill give up my 170 when they pry it from my cold dead hands.
no jello, servo zoom, remote lens control and bullet-proof recording media. eat your heart out DSLRs ; )

[xqzt]

I absolutely love my 170, its formfactor is onpoint. Blow up on big screen is solid and still wows clients. CCDs are very important to me cause I like to do fast camera moves.

[chromeboy007]

I can key, colour correct etc the F%$& out of the DVCPROHD footage and its still noise free.

And yes CCD is very important for even moderate camera movements, F&%$ CMOS.

Also, works like a charm on the steadicam.

[mainstreetprod]

I now have an AF100 along with the original HVX, purchased in 2006. Which camera did I take on a shoot yesterday and which will I take tomorrow? The HVX. Client wants SD and converting AF footage to SD is a pain. With an HVX and a circular polarizer I've shot my all time best nature stock. I'll be using it as B cam in a feature this fall.

[Jewlz the director]

huh i just acquired a dvx 100b(302hrs) in trade for an nikon lens (24-70 f/2.8)that i was'nt getting much use from on my canon 7d.I like the look of the dvx for docs and simple shorts..but if i happen to run into a hvx 200A i will surely say good bye to these dvx's,lol!