Buying an used HVX205A

M

meme

New member
Hi,
First time here. I have someone who bought a camera from B&H last year used hvx205a with a 64g p2 card A Series and selling it for 2,600.00 and he says it works perfect. My question is...is this a good deal? I know it's the Japanese version with no usa warranty but my questions are:

1. How can I check for DRUM HOURS or CAMERA USE HOURS on the HVX205A? Is there a way to check it out on the camera when I look at? (My first time attempting to buy a HVX, I do own a VX2100 sony camera)

2. No warranty but if for any reason it goes bad, where I can take it for repairs without warranty? Praying it will never break (I had the vx2100 for over 5 years a never had a problem, very good take care of and I shoot red carpet events 20-30 times a month)

3. Can I record HD video on the MINI-DV? or I can only do that on the P2 CARD?.

4. I need to move to shoot HD on the red carpets since is now more requested as well as shooting STOCK FOOTAGE and maybe some film shorts. Is this a good camera for it? or wait until I have more cash for the HPX170 which I've been having an itch to buy it but it goes past 5,000 with accessories, p2 card,etc.

Sorry for many questions but since most of you are experts, I would love to have your opinions before I make my own decisions. Great forum!

Happy New Year!

Meme
 
Hi Meme,

First question, is it a good deal. Compare it with HVX's being sold in the US and particular on this forum. Price alone is not a way of determining if you have a good deal. If possible you need to eye ball the camera.

Second question, in the menu structure you can check the camera total running hours as a total as well as how many hours the DV tape unit has been used. Two separate listings.

If no warranty do your homework well. Depending on the hours used and condition (physical) of the camera can give a good indication of how it has been looked after.

Test all functions of the camera a much as possible, such as recording, audio, zoom ( both servo and manual) operation, auto focus, you get the gist.

HD can only be recorded to P2 cards. But you can down convert HD onto the DV tape.

Some people say that the HPX170 is a better camera in as much as better CCD. Better low light recording ( less noise in low light). Has no DV tape if you require this. I guess it depends on what you budget is. You will pay more for the HPX170.

All these camera's can be expensive to repair so what ever you buy it would be good to get some kind of short term warranty return or repair by the seller if possible.

I don't know about experts, we are all learning no matter how long you are in this industry. Maybe some of the other forum members who own a HPX170 can give you some feedback on that model.

I own the HVX202EN which is the asian first model. I really like the camera for what it allows you to do for the money. But I would also agree that it needs more light to record good quality images. Depending where you are situated the focus ring on the newer panasonic camera's can have issues with cold weather where the focus ring sticks and is not smooth from a start position. I believe the HPX170 can suffer from this.

Hope that helps you a little.
 
About the HPX170, it really depends on what you want to do with the camera. It is lighter (no DV) and the waranty is better (5 years because no moving parts instead of 3). The CCD is better, also it seems to be closer to the HVX200a (the non a version gives more grain in high ISO). Another wonderful thing about the HPX170 is the oscilloscope to set your speed.

Imho, if you plan on using it for documentary or handheld, HPX170 is a good idea, as the low light and the lightweight can really help you. if you only do fiction with light and tripod, it doesn't matter.

ALSO, I own a HPX171E it is the european version of the camera and it has one wonderful feature that the US version is laking of. Frequency switch. It means I can shoot in 25 and 50 fps in 50hz mode but also 24, 30 and 60 fps at 60 hz. This is really useful to shoot for different countries. (there is no more PAL of NTSC in HD, only frequencies differences but you could think of 50hz as PAL and 60hz as NTSC)
 
Looks like Stephen covered all the questions about the used 200. Hope you don't mind, I wanted to go into a little more detail about repairs:

Between warranty repairs, and those not covered, by and far we see HVX200's that are non-warranty issues... ie: dropped cameras. If you are using the tape deck, you will eventually need to service the tape deck. Otherwise, what your biggest concerns are: lens and boards. These are very expensive parts to replace. It is rare to see an issue with those, but, things can happen.

If you do go with the HPX170 instead you're looking at a five year warranty coverage with a new camera. A new HVX200 & 200A has one year.

As mentioned, we repair AG-HVX200's including warranty claims. If you're interested, you may want to make arrangements to have the seller send his camera in for a cleaning / check up, and we can make sure everything is in good working order.

Best,

Jasmine Moore
Administrative Assistant
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858 (US)
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
jasminem@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com
 
Thanks all for all your answers. I bought the camera today (2,600) and just did all my checking now and looks fine, zoom, lens, p2 card (64gb A Series), tape drive, recording,etc and will take it to a red carpet tomorrow to see who it works under pressure. The camera had 0Hrs on Drum and 6H on Operation and camera looks brand new, no scratches, everything that came plus Petrol Bag and Petrol raincover. The only thing is that there's no warranty if it breaks but I'm planning on taking good care of it and hopefully it won't break. I was kind of worry at first when I got the camera when in OFF position, it rattle when moving up and down or side to side, looked like something loose inside but when turning it ON that disappears, I read that it is normal. I'm planning on shooting 720/60p at red carpet events and shooting on P2 Card and sometimes I might use the tape for SD (Or maybe shoot HD and convert to SD). I assume SQUEEZE is TRUE 16:9, right? Once again, thanks for your help!
 
Hi meme,

Congratulations on your buy. Sounds like that you got yourself a camera that has done very little work. The rattle is normal, as soon as you apply power the OIS cuts in the the noise disappears. You are correct in assuming that SQUEESE is 16:9. Depending on what shooting mode you are in some of these options are able to be changed. I suggest in reading the manual from front to back, and expermenting with all the different shooting modes the camera has. Options that can't be changed depending on your shooting are displayed in Blue.

Enyoy the experience. You are going to find that you have many more options now than your old camera, but with that, and I speek from experience, sometimes you can get unexpected results than what you intended, and I am talking about strobing/stutter as one. Do your homework first, test a shooting mode prior to going to a paid shoot, and you should have a error free result.

Plenty of forum members to answer questions. Happy shooting.
 
Congrats on the purchase! I went with an HVX205a after a lot of research and contemplation last year. I earned the investment back within a few jobs and I don't have the slightest regret.
After using Panasonic gear for years and years I feel pretty confident that proper care can avert nearly all repairs, warranty or otherwise.
 
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