About to Buy HVX, Advice Needed

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You are correct. They didn't show the Zoe in the picture, but in the "included in this kit" section it listed them both separately.

Whew.

In fact I think I'll go and delete my original post because it's totally inaccurate...
 
FilmBoy77 said:
what a coincidence i found this thread...i just got off the phone with this company in NY that is selling the HVX for $3,500 at http://www.ccicameracity.com/panasonicaghvx200.html

is it considered a scam if they are not an authorized dealer?

by any chance did anyone manage to get their HVX less than $5k? I finally have the money but have just been looking for the right bargain.
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With all the "accessories" - which they will probably force you to buy, its still comes out to 5500$. They are too lazy to even include real photos of items...

8 hour battery? wow, they must have gotten a hold of some UFO technology...
Hi res filter kit? gotta love that red filter, we are using "film" after all
4 year, repairscamtech warrany, If it don't work, send it back! you'll never see it again!
Super Pro wide angle digital platinum titanium wide angle converter lens, with appropriate stepping ring. Day or night vision and infra-red compatibility! only 599$ wow, this is awesome!

If someone could add the infamous pic of the sony hadycam with the hvx200 sticker on it, it would make the thread complete...
 
kgb said:
Specialized has a pretty good deal...after the 2% check payment, it's about $5300 bucks. I don't want to incur massive taxes by ordering from a local California reseller. I'll call Specialized tomorrow to see if they have them in stock. Thanks guys.

By the way, Can...how long did it take you to receive your camera? Were you able to add any kind of warranty on top of the manufacturer's warranty?
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Just sent a cashier's check out to Specialized Communications. Everyone on the phone seemed very friendly and helpful. Jasmine Reed took care of my order, even put one on hold for me to guarantee that they're not out of stock by the time my check gets there. I did one day priority just to make sure Jasmine didn't forget, but I spoke to somebody else who knew immediately that I had a camera on hold. I like when phone reps actually talk to each other. I guess the extra battery will come in handy.
 
thanx everybody for the advice.

kgb: i didnt see where the other guy answered your question so i'll ask you: Were you able to add any kind of warranty on top of the manufacturer's warranty?
 
FilmBoy77 said:
thanx everybody for the advice.

kgb: i didnt see where the other guy answered your question so i'll ask you: Were you able to add any kind of warranty on top of the manufacturer's warranty?
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I asked, but they didn't have an extra warranty available. I guess it's fine, since I'm just up the street from the L.A. Panasonic repair center. I guess I'd be a little nervous after the first year...just need a good hard metal or plastic case for transport and storage.
 
kgb said:
Specialized has a pretty good deal...after the 2% check payment, it's about $5300 bucks. I don't want to incur massive taxes by ordering from a local California reseller. I'll call Specialized tomorrow to see if they have them in stock. Thanks guys.

By the way, Can...how long did it take you to receive your camera? Were you able to add any kind of warranty on top of the manufacturer's warranty?
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I didn't ask about additional warranty coverage.
With the free UPS shipping, it took about 7 business days to get from Spec Comm to me in California. UPS was terrible. On the estimated delivery date, I received the P2 card I ordered from Spec, but the camera was delayed over the weekend. According to the online tracking, it had arrived in my city on Saturday, but after running through their phone robot system, I finally discovered they're not open on Saturday. Not only that, but apparently you can't arrange to pick up a package at their local building. I wanted to get the camera as soon as they open at 10am, but no, they have to put it on the truck at 5:30am and deliver it at 4pm. :violent5:
Sorry to hate so much... It was only a few days, but it was longest few days of my life...
Spec-Comm is great. UPS is.... well, just go with FedEx.
 
Can Scanner said:
I didn't ask about additional warranty coverage.
With the free UPS shipping, it took about 7 business days to get from Spec Comm to me in California. UPS was terrible. On the estimated delivery date, I received the P2 card I ordered from Spec, but the camera was delayed over the weekend. According to the online tracking, it had arrived in my city on Saturday, but after running through their phone robot system, I finally discovered they're not open on Saturday. Not only that, but apparently you can't arrange to pick up a package at their local building. I wanted to get the camera as soon as they open at 10am, but no, they have to put it on the truck at 5:30am and deliver it at 4pm. :violent5:
Sorry to hate so much... It was only a few days, but it was longest few days of my life...
Spec-Comm is great. UPS is.... well, just go with FedEx.
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Yeah, UPS pretty much sucks if you live in Hollywood. If you miss a package because you aren't around anytime they feel like delivering it between 8am to 8pm, you have to drive past downtown L.A. to pick up your package...usually standing in line for about 10-20 minutes. So for missing the package you have to take time off work to drive through lunch hour traffic on the 101 or 134 to get downtown (just as bad as rush hour) or pray that you make it there before they close after work. I dislike UPS for that reason.

Fortunately, I'm just having it delivered to work where there's always a receptionist upfront. They show who signs for things on the system. One time, I found out someone signed something for me without telling me that it arrived. Wasn't pretty.
 
have to put it on the truck at 5:30am and deliver it at 4pm. :violent5:
Sorry to hate so much... It was only a few days, but it was longest few days of my life...
Spec-Comm is great. UPS is.... well, just go with FedEx.[/quote]

By the way, Can, did you order Barry's HVX book through Panasonic's authorized dealer rebate? I got pretty excited after I saw the offer. Makes buying from B&H kind of pointless since that's their only selling point at $5500, not to mention being out of stock all the time.
 
kgb said:
have to put it on the truck at 5:30am and deliver it at 4pm. :violent5:
Sorry to hate so much... It was only a few days, but it was longest few days of my life...
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i just ordered yesterday and havent received a tracking number yet. how long did it take to get your tracking number?

i'm sweating bullets over here and she (Jasmine) said it would be like 2 or 3 days once it shipped out which is/was supposed to be today. i'm thinking its gonna be the longest 2 or 3 sayd of my life like you said!
 
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FilmBoy77 said:
i just ordered yesterday and havent received a tracking number yet. how long did it take to get your tracking number?

i'm sweating bullets over here and she (Jasmine) said it would be like 2 or 3 days once it shipped out which is/was supposed to be today. i'm thinking its gonna be the longest 2 or 3 sayd of my life like you said!
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I got a tracking number the day after I ordered. Find something to keep you busy or you'll go crazy!

kgb, I applied for the free book on Pana's site. Haven't heard anything yet, but it's supposed to take a few weeks.
There's a thread about B&H selling Japanese HVX's- if you have a TC in the serial number it's a USA model, but if there's an NC it's Japanese. Good to know.
 
Can Scanner said:
I got a tracking number the day after I ordered. Find something to keep you busy or you'll go crazy!
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too late, lol. jus called and only a tech guy answered and didnt have any info he said they're closed on weekends so i have to call on Monday to get the status. crap, i wish i'd ordered on a monday! :zombie_smiley:
 
I received my HVX-200 on Thursday. It was a happy day for me. I shot some stuff around my apartment that night. Yesterday, I went down to Culver City for a birthday party, and turns out there were helicopters and police on the field for some party of their own. I managed to run down and get a shot of the helicopter just before it took off. Nice way to break in the camera.

I've got a lot to learn, so I'm looking forward to getting Barry's book to accelerate that process. One thing I noticed right away is that the stock Leica lens is pretty slow. It really struggles to pick up anything at 4+ f-stop without some additional lighting. Plus, the ergonomics of the controls for thumbnail playback is a little clunky. It'd be nice if the buttons were backlit. I am kind of concerned that the P2 slots are underneath the viewfinder, which you have to raise to access the slots. After hundreds of exchanges, the viewfinder hinge might start to break down. But the image quality is great, and I can't wait to start doing some quality work with it.

Can Scanner said:
I got a tracking number the day after I ordered. Find something to keep you busy or you'll go crazy!

kgb, I applied for the free book on Pana's site. Haven't heard anything yet, but it's supposed to take a few weeks.
There's a thread about B&H selling Japanese HVX's- if you have a TC in the serial number it's a USA model, but if there's an NC it's Japanese. Good to know.
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Getting the HVX is like making it with a girl that you always wanted... you discover that she's not as perfect as you though, but when you wake up next to her, you feel that you made a right choice - even though the toast is burned a bit. =)
 
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