So these days, with AVCHD around the corner, and the XH A1 looking ever more tempting, can $3500 for the DVX100b really be justified? I've been in the market for a camera for a long time, and I'm sort of getting tired of the wait and see phase. Needless to say, I'm giving this a lot of my own thought, but it couldn't hurt to have other people chime in, so here's what I've got floating around:
Option 1. A brand new, $3000-3500 DVX100b
It's clean, it's shiny, it's authorized and legit, it's everyone's favorite camera. I've wanted a DVX for some time now, but now that I can finally afford one, I'm starting to ask myself - is the price really worth it for a camera that is slowly starting to show it's age? Out of all the prosumer cameras out there, I have the most expierence with the DVX, having shot several shorts on friends and rented ones. I love the camera... but I also love my $3500.
Option 2. A used, $2000-2500 DVX100a/b (with a potential Andromeda upgrade down the line)
I saw in the marketplace the other day a DVX100a with all kinds of accessories, a matte box, etc., for just 2k, but how am I to sleep at night knowing that I'm sending my hard earned money to a total stranger with no guarantee of getting anything in return? Ebay is a bit safer, and yet at the same time it's less safe - we all know about those greymarket scammers and their tactics. There are places like eletronixmax who are legit, but they're prices ($2500-2600 for As and Bs) might not be worth sacrificing a warranty. I dunno, it's a tough call. What makes it so tempting for me is that I feel like this is the price the DVX is actually worth - it's a great camera, sure, but I just don't see it as being worth $3000 these days. My initial plan was to get a used DVX100a/b, make some money with various jobs and eventually upgrade it to an Andromeda for another $2000 (student discount). I'm in love with the Andromeda look, and for $4000 (used DVX + andromeda), it's price competes with the XH-A1 - and it's picture blows it out of the water. But still, I'd be dealing with a used product, and that makes me nervous.
I'd love to hear people's experiences with used DVXs. Anybody wishing they had a warranty?
Option 3. A shiny new $4000 XH-A1
A lot of people have said that they see no reason for a DVX now that the A1's are around, and part of me is inclined to agree with them. But being that $3000 is already stretching my budget, the $4000 price tag is a hard sell, considering I prefer the DVX's image at standard definition. Still, everyone, including me, loves big pictures, and it's certainly tempting.
Optioin 4. Wait and See
BUT MOMMY I WANT MY CAMERA NOW!!!
Yes son, but you'll be kicking yourself in a few months when Panasonic releases the $3500 AVCHD DVX100C SUPERTURBO EDITION.
ALRIGHT FINE.
If it helps, I'll be swinging back from short films to videography, doing both about equally.
Option 1. A brand new, $3000-3500 DVX100b
It's clean, it's shiny, it's authorized and legit, it's everyone's favorite camera. I've wanted a DVX for some time now, but now that I can finally afford one, I'm starting to ask myself - is the price really worth it for a camera that is slowly starting to show it's age? Out of all the prosumer cameras out there, I have the most expierence with the DVX, having shot several shorts on friends and rented ones. I love the camera... but I also love my $3500.
Option 2. A used, $2000-2500 DVX100a/b (with a potential Andromeda upgrade down the line)
I saw in the marketplace the other day a DVX100a with all kinds of accessories, a matte box, etc., for just 2k, but how am I to sleep at night knowing that I'm sending my hard earned money to a total stranger with no guarantee of getting anything in return? Ebay is a bit safer, and yet at the same time it's less safe - we all know about those greymarket scammers and their tactics. There are places like eletronixmax who are legit, but they're prices ($2500-2600 for As and Bs) might not be worth sacrificing a warranty. I dunno, it's a tough call. What makes it so tempting for me is that I feel like this is the price the DVX is actually worth - it's a great camera, sure, but I just don't see it as being worth $3000 these days. My initial plan was to get a used DVX100a/b, make some money with various jobs and eventually upgrade it to an Andromeda for another $2000 (student discount). I'm in love with the Andromeda look, and for $4000 (used DVX + andromeda), it's price competes with the XH-A1 - and it's picture blows it out of the water. But still, I'd be dealing with a used product, and that makes me nervous.
I'd love to hear people's experiences with used DVXs. Anybody wishing they had a warranty?
Option 3. A shiny new $4000 XH-A1
A lot of people have said that they see no reason for a DVX now that the A1's are around, and part of me is inclined to agree with them. But being that $3000 is already stretching my budget, the $4000 price tag is a hard sell, considering I prefer the DVX's image at standard definition. Still, everyone, including me, loves big pictures, and it's certainly tempting.
Optioin 4. Wait and See
BUT MOMMY I WANT MY CAMERA NOW!!!
Yes son, but you'll be kicking yourself in a few months when Panasonic releases the $3500 AVCHD DVX100C SUPERTURBO EDITION.
ALRIGHT FINE.
If it helps, I'll be swinging back from short films to videography, doing both about equally.
