Advice on HVX kit with high Hours of Operation

C

cswaim

New member
Hi all,

I found an HVX kit on craigslist which I think it a really great setup. I spoke to the guy selling it, he is a working cinematographer and says the kit has been very well cared for. I'm still going to check it out for myself but I don't get the feeling that this is a scam.

Here's the link: http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/pho/2175912394.html

He's looking to sell the entire kit for $5800 which based upon buying each piece at B&H, that's marked down from about 11k.

What gives me pause is that the camera has 1161 hours of operation and 861 hours of head operation. I have had my DVX for 5 years and used it fairly frequently and only have 262 hours of operation.

My question is this: what is the HVX performance like over that much time? Any issues with these cameras and high hours of operation? Should I avoid this kit due to this fact?

I am looking to upgrade to HD (which I have wanted to do for a while now) and have been keeping an eye on deals for used kits. I am also interested in holding out and waiting for the AF100.

Any advice? Thoughts?

Thanks!
Calvin
 
the head time is only valid if you intend to use tape. once you start HD with P2, you will never go back to tape, so that usage time is irrelevant. The rest of the camera is solid state and it has obviously survived infant electronics mortality, so I would be more concerned with things like clean focus, servo-zoom, and manual zoom, iris control, lens condition, etc.
 
Personally i would not spend 2500 for a 200a with that many operational hours. the dv heads will need maintenance with that many hours. (Probably a professional cleaning depending on how he cared for it) Dick mentioned you will never go back to tape, but if you shooting strictly p2, why not buy a 170 instead of an 200a. IMO this is not a great deal. 1161 hours alone doent mean the cam is bad, but most likly it has been around the block. It probably is beat up. it may function fine, but will have signs of ware. If the average shoot was 2 hours, that's 580 times it has been in and out of the car, set up taken down.
 
I think you guys just confirmed what I had in my gut already. If this kit had significantly less hours of operation it would be a lot better of a deal. I think that with all the extras it is certainly a good deal, but the key component (the camera) is lacking. The more I have been thinking about it, the more I think I may pass on this deal.

I'm actually more interested in getting an AF100 when it comes out.
 
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