HVX200 worth to buy used now?

HVX200 worth to buy used now?

  • Buy it :)

    Votes: 1 100.0%

  • Don't Buy it :(

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    1
  • Poll closed .
C

closeupman

New member
Hi All,

First post to this forum :)

I'm considering buying an HVX 200 via ebay for around $1225.
It's got close to 1100 hours, but I figured that wouldn't matter seeing as it comes with a 16GB R series(is that not as good as the E series I think I saw talked about here) & 8GB p2 card and that the hour meter would only matter if I'd do tape.
Also it comes with a wide angle adapter, several batteries(a couple Panasonic, the others non branded), led lite panel w/gel.

It seems like a good deal to me, except that it has so many hours. Would that affect the firewire or anything else. The person said they did mostly interviews and 2fps shooting, and that it's in good condition, but they don't accept returns.

Just a little weary about buying electronics over the net, especially with other hvx200 users reporting problems here with firewire, focus ring, creeping, and other problems. Just don't want that to happen to me like a week or a month after getting the camera.

Thanks for your input.
 
Mine has more hours than that, is 5 years old and still ticking. The hours are of no consequence when it comes to P2, and few users use the tape section much. I would base your decision on their feedback. If they have lots of transactions (at least some of them high dollar items), near 100% positive feedback and the photos look good, go for it. You could always question them about specific items like the firewire. I would want 2 grand for mine without the extras.
 
Hi Mainstreetprod,

Thanks for your input. what you'd want for your hvx and what it'd get are two different things (especially on ebay) :p
I've read here that b&h or some other company were offering people just $1300 for their hvx.
They have pretty good feedback. I'll ask them about the specific items, was just a little worried that it could just happen, like it's a known problem that will happen sooner or later.
I was just thinking whether I really need it or not. I know I could hire it out sometimes and probably make some of that money back. I was also looking at the 170, but it'd be a bit more, but new, but I'd have to get a p2 card.

It seemed to me like a good deal for less than $1300 to get all that and the hvx, just it's such an old camcorder, I believe cnet or another main site removed their editor's choice because it was so old, and there were better cameras now.


Also, I was leaning towards getting a dslr with a 50mm lens and maybe a macro lens and just doing video as a bonus. I already shot a short student film with a canon 60d and an 18-200 lens.

side note: You can transfer the p2 cards when in the camera through the usb correct? I though I read that somewhere and just wanted to verify. Would save me from having to buy a card reader.

Thanks :)
 
I just spoke with B&H about two weeks ago and was offered $1900 for mine with 1 8gb P2 card. Def wouldnt sell it for $1300....ESPECIALLY with P2 cards which still go for a decent premium used.
 
Ok, thanks Mb & Cosimo.

Was checking B&H used section and they don't even have the 200 listed to try to sell to 'em, just the 200a, and the 200a w/a p2 card was giving an automatic quote online around $1300, so I guess talking over the phone is a much better way.
I guess I'm just on the line whether I really need it or not. I had a feeling it was a good deal, just I'm not shooting that much and might be better off with just a dslr.
Also, even though they have good ebay feedback, just kinda not sure about buying USED electronics online.

Thanks for your input.
 
I was sold on the HVX for a couple of features you just can't get on DSLR. Sometimes I think I should have gone DSLR (pretty much every time I buy an accessory and have to pay many times more) or DVX but every time I use these features I'm happy again.

It shoots native 24p (not many cameras do) and has all the video formats except 1080p. Of course using them leads to the next wallet haemorrhage, an NLE that actually supports the ones you want to use...and a system capable of running it. Motion shots look fantastic in 24pN.

Genuine undercranking and overcranking is not to my knowledge available on any other camcorder in this price range or any DSLR (slow-mo on other cameras involves the software guessing at the in-between frames, it doesn't actually shoot them).

Less important today is the inclusion of both tape and P2 card options. It allowed me to shoot while saving up for P2 cards and made it backward compatible and somewhat future-proofed. Also consider the HPX170 which as I understand it is a HVX minus the tape option. P2 cards rock (but expect to pay upwards of $10 a gb). You will probably want 2 or more cards, preferably with between 32 and 64GB in total. The HVX holds 2 cards and can record continuously across them. You can also offload one card while shooting on the other. Be aware that you will want a PCMCIA PC-slot to read it, NOT ExpressCard.

R-series P2 cards are generally regarded more favourably. They have a lifetime guarantee and command a higher price, both new and especially secondhand (2nd hand r-series often cost more than new e-series). E-series cards use a different technology and require a firmware update to the camera, are cheaper and last 5 years if used once a day (so likely more than 5 years, or less if used professionally). They also transfer data a little faster if no other bottlenecks are present. There are also A-series cards which I believe are the latest (and most expensive) and I would assume would also require a firmware update. You can use USB to offload but it's USB2.0 and you film at the same time.

At the time I wanted a heavy camera that looked like a movie camera. But now I'm not so sure, it's hard (actually impossible) to be guerilla with one of these things once you've added a 35mm adapter. On the other hand when you have permission to shoot, time to set up the tripod and work static it definitely feels the business! No-one ever mistakes this for a handycam.

Even most consumer cameras available now look better on paper than the HVX on the short version of the spec sheet, but they're not. There are a lot of little things that make this camera feel more professional, like actual numbers on the display screen settings instead of slider bars. This makes it easier for repeatable settings. The scene files (which I didn't consider when I researched it and am still in the process of understading) are the key to unlocking much of the power of this camera. Fortunately a lot of the work there has been done for us by the good people of this site. The DSLRs are certainly impressive and I'm regularly blown away by the footage in the user films, but they too have their limitations and fall short of the 'film look' in their own way. The DSLRs cost more initially but on the other hand they are small and light and cheaper to build a rig around.

Best compare the HVX to what else is available in the same price range (not a great deal of selection) and also look at the relative cost of accessories. You can always sell it on. There were DVXs still going on eBay for almost a $1000 when I bought mine so I think it will hold its value a while longer. With a tripod, an extra p2 card and basic accessories the total cost will be approaching 2000. If you want DOF the 35mm adapter with rails is likely to set you back at least 600-800 on ebay and then there's lenses.

I'm not going to tell you to buy it - it is slowly sliding towards obselesence and may not be suited to your needs. But if you want a HVX it is a great camera, it ages well and at the price you are looking at does err on the side of good value (especially coming with a p2 card although 8GB won't satisfy for long). It is packed with professional features - it is not a toy.
 
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4:2:2, is sweet for green screening, I have always loved the look of the hvx200 with a dof adapter, There's something about the pani mojo when teamed up with a redrock that looks beautiful and filmic to my eyes, I have considered grabbing one myself for when I have the time to set up actual lighting and shoot narratively. From what I understand, pani, used sd ccd sensors, then uprezed them to hd. Something I really cant elaborate on because of my lack of knowledge, but Barry could explain much better how they did this. Either way, it's not as high rez as many other "hd" cams. But still looks great on a big screen. I say grab one, And try to stay away from the latest and greatest trap many of us get in with new cams coming out all the time. It becomes counter productive, and many spend more time buying and selling , upgrading than actual film making. I have been guilty in the past myself of this never ending cycle.
 
THe HVX is like today's "VX1000" The Sony VX was the first prosumer camcoder that was so good, 5 years later the images still looked great compared to the latest and greatest. ANd when I look back at my old footage, I'm still impressed. I just sprung for an AF100 (while keeping my HVX200) and while I like the AF, it is not blowing away the HVX by any means. It is just incrementally better.
 
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