Is this a good deal?

C

coloradodawg

New member
New user here.

I've found a local production company selling an original DVX100 for $1100. The cam has 322 hours on it and doesn't come with any batteries. In fact, it just comes with the camera, charger, and ac adapter. Also, the on-board mic is taped up with gaffer tape cause there's a crack in the housing, but I've tested it and it works fine. I'm familiar with the A & B models, but not the original. So, is this a good deal?

I'm looking to buy a camera to shoot a promo video for a Nigerian AIDS clinic I'm visiting with my church in January. I'd love to shoot anamorphic 16x9, but not with this cam. But if this is a good deal, I don't know if I should let it pass just based on the fact it doesn't do 16x9.

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated! Merry Christmas!
 
if you really want to shoot in 16x9 then find a good deal on a canon xl2 i have seen them selling used for as low as $1800
 
I used a 100 for many trips overseas and think it is a good camera. I sold mine with more hours than that for $1200. I moved on to the Canon A1 because of HD and 16x9, but still need tape as I work on international projects. If 16 x 9 is a big deal, then this camera is not worth it. Also, you will have to buy batt's, uv filter, bag and tripod, which will add a few hundred dollars at least. If you have time and money, you could keep looking and see what comes up on DVX User or craigslist, etc.. The great thing about buying used is that you (many times) get great extras at little or no cost.

If it was me, I would determine the 16x9 issue, if it is not a make or break issue (I shot 4x3 and letter boxed in post), I would look for a 100A with some of the goodies you will need - something around $1500. I think the 100 series is the perfect camera for the job.
 
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I used an "A" for years, never even using the squeeze mode feature. I just masked letterbox (a feature I believe the original has). The overall difference in resolution is hardly noticeable. Shooting squeezed, or with an anamorphic adapter is difficult for many people without a 16x9 monitor.
 
I don't know, for a few hundred more you could most likely find a 100a with a batt or two. I think that the 100a is definitely worth the upgrade over the base 100. The 100b over the 100a isn't as big a deal.

Don't worry about 16:9 on this cam. It will produce beautiful images if you know how to shoot. People here like to get into pissing matches about a few hundred pixels. Go shoot something.
 
fyi, my camera has over 500 hours and still going. I think some people freak out to much about the hours on the heads. that seems like a decent deal, but like others have said, you may be able to find a 100a for a few (or more like 400 to 500) more. in eithercase, you buy the camera and you buy a battery from here and for 1180, you got a nice set up.
 
Thanks for all your replies. I'm still on the fence, though if I find an A version with all the fixins, I'll probably go that route. I can live without 16:9, but having to buy batteries and a case is a significant expense to consider.
 
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