ALEXA MINI: Max Hours on a Used Alexa Mini?

Peter C. said:
I've had cameras that would break it out hours on and recording hours. Now that we don't use video tape, recorded hours isn't important anymore because there no physical wear.
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Hours definitely are not as important as they used to be, when our cameras were tape and you had heads and transport mechanisms that wore out pretty quickly, but I also don't think you can just blindly buy a solid state camera and completely ignore the hours, either. Especially when you are getting up into that 4K-5K hours ballpark. Not so much for the "body", but the sensor.
 
A very while ago someone knowledgeable on the forum said Blackmagic cameras, just like ARRIs, black balance as soon as they turn on. I used to repeat that but I actually didn't know for a fact if that was the case so I stopped saying that, but they would be the only two companies I know that you don't black balance (at least some of them, not sure about every new model).
 
Since manufacturers aren't going to release failure rate data, I suppose the best source for anecdotal information would be your local rental houses.
 
There's PLENTY of rental Minis out there with well over 10,000 hours (I've used a good number of them), and still going strong. I think the general condition of the camera (the wear and tear it's seen) is generally going to be a far bigger indicator of trouble down the line, than just sensor hours.

And they are built really, bloody well (compared to everything else out there).
 
NorBro said:
4000 would be the highest I'd also go with if I had to pay more than $10K.

For $5K I'd take a shot at more.

Back in the day, 10000 hours was even considered low by some, but I think the general consensus over time has changed to less.
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Where the heck are you finding Alexa Minis for $5K???
 
Nowhere yet, but a few more years...at least I think so after seeing Classics drop from $20K to less than $5K over the course of a decade.
 
Haven't you heard the saying never catch a falling knife. The only cameras I know of that go up in value are Leicas :unsure: Maybe that would be a better investment.
 
Peter C. said:
Haven't you heard the saying never catch a falling knife. The only cameras I know of that go up in value are Leicas :unsure: Maybe that would be a better investment.
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Leica's certainly do seem to hold their value over competitors.

How does everyone here view your cameras and gear though? I see them as tools, to be used as long as they're effective in generating income and a client will pay for their usage.

They are definitely not investments for me. I expect them to be basically worthless by the time I'm done with them, at which point I'll need to buy something new to make money with.

They are not appreciating assets. Unless you somehow bought K35's for cheap on eBay 20 years ago.
 
NorBro said:
Nowhere yet, but a few more years...at least I think so after seeing Classics drop from $20K to less than $5K over the course of a decade.
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I think the one benefit of the Mini over the Classics is that the Mini at least does the 4k upscale, which people will still pay a premium for over the HD of the classic.
Even though the HD image of the Classic is probably still better than 99% of what's out there. And then of course the size/weight/etc. difference.

My main thrust in considering the Mini is that Arri is still really the only brand that has managed to get over the dynamic range hump that almost every other camera is stalled at. But apparently the price to DR tradeoff still isn't compelling enough for me to buy one at current pricing, since I've stuck with what I have.
 
20-30 years ago, guys/gals took out big loans to finance big cameras (literally and figuratively).

I didn't and would never do it in these times - but if business is good and permanent for someone, a house, a Mini LF or LF or even 35 might be available for $30K or so in a couple of years (maybe a little more).
 
DustinSchmidt said:
Leica's certainly do seem to hold their value over competitors.

How does everyone here view your cameras and gear though? I see them as tools, to be used as long as they're effective in generating income and a client will pay for their usage.

They are definitely not investments for me. I expect them to be basically worthless by the time I'm done with them, at which point I'll need to buy something new to make money with.

They are not appreciating assets. Unless you somehow bought K35's for cheap on eBay 20 years ago.
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I was j/k. Feel the same way. They're same as a computer.

I just had Leicas on the brain. Came up on Youtube feed. I knew they were expensive but couldn't believe how much until I looked up even m8 which is an old and pretty bad camera in technical terms compared to today's cameras. I just marvel at the psychology of it all. If you can become known as ridiculously expensive like a Rolex you become more desirable. I know I'm overly simplifying and if anyone who owns a Leica fully expect an angry reply excoriating me. But since I'm not a photo forum I hoping my blasphemy goes unnoticed.
 
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Peter C. said:
I was j/k. Feel the same way. They're same as a computer.

I just had Leicas on the brain. Came up on Youtube feed. I knew they were expensive but couldn't believe how much until I looked up even m8 which is an old and pretty bad camera in technical terms compared to today's cameras. I just marvel at the psychology of it all. If you can become known as ridiculously expensive like a Rolex you become more desirable. I know I'm overly simplifying and if anyone who owns a Leica fully expect an angry reply excoriating me. But since I'm not a photo forum I hoping my blasphemy goes unnoticed.
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I’ve never shot on Leica cameras. I’d like to at least give them a try to see what they’re like but the price makes it prohibitive and there’s not much reason for me to rent for any jobs. Maybe one day.

As a watch guy I’d push back a bit on Rolex though. Their reputation is earned in terms of being super high quality. They used to be the essential tool watch because of their robustness and reliability. They’ve embraced scarcity and elite pricing as time has went on for sure, but they still make amazing watches. I guess I’d think of them more like Arri.
 
DustinSchmidt said:
I’ve never shot on Leica cameras. I’d like to at least give them a try to see what they’re like but the price makes it prohibitive and there’s not much reason for me to rent for any jobs. Maybe one day.

As a watch guy I’d push back a bit on Rolex though. Their reputation is earned in terms of being super high quality. They used to be the essential tool watch because of their robustness and reliability. They’ve embraced scarcity and elite pricing as time has went on for sure, but they still make amazing watches. I guess I’d think of them more like Arri.
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Both can be said about Leica and Rolex. There's no denying they are well made but the price exceeds the quality by such a large margin. Because the price is so high there's a distinction for being able to own one and that's a big part of their appeal. I'd also like to try out a Leica too or at least get a digital range finders. What I find more interesting is a simple camera with manual controls and is small for street type photography. Maybe they sell clones that do that for less just for the shooting experience. What I've seen from photographs by the camera they are only special if the photographer and subject are great. Even if you could notice a difference in the technical look that in it self doesn't impart quality. Just like shooting film looks different than digital but doesn't make you better. I watched video on Leica's history and I found that fascinating. I respect and admire Arri in a similar way but I don't need to own one.
 
Peter C. said:
Both can be said about Leica and Rolex. There's no denying they are well made but the price exceeds the quality by such a large margin. Because the price is so high there's a distinction for being able to own one and that's a big part of their appeal. I'd also like to try out a Leica too or at least get a digital range finders. What I find more interesting is a simple camera with manual controls and is small for street type photography. Maybe they sell clones that do that for less just for the shooting experience. What I've seen from photographs by the camera they are only special if the photographer and subject are great. Even if you could notice a difference in the technical look that in it self doesn't impart quality. Just like shooting film looks different than digital but doesn't make you better. I watched video on Leica's history and I found that fascinating. I respect and admire Arri in a similar way but I don't need to own one.
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I have a Fuji X100V that scratches my Leica itch, so to speak.

It’s small and has great film simulations and it’s my “film” camera when I need to step back from post processing everything. It’s nice to scale back from shooting on the big camera bodies and lenses that get drug out for clients shoots. I just shoot jpeg on the Fuji and whatever happens, happens.
 
DustinSchmidt said:
I have a Fuji X100V that scratches my Leica itch, so to speak.

It’s small and has great film simulations and it’s my “film” camera when I need to step back from post processing everything. It’s nice to scale back from shooting on the big camera bodies and lenses that get drug out for clients shoots. I just shoot jpeg on the Fuji and whatever happens, happens.
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I watched some videos on it and similar cameras. It's quite the rabbit hole. I had no idea of the popularity and demand. For example Fuji has released a newer version and used V is $600 more than it went for when new on B&H. I'm not sure if it was the pandemic that started this hysteria like need to spend as much money to scratch your nostalgia itch.
 
Every hobby has its luxuries, there are collectors for everything.

People pay millions for cardboard (Pokemon cards).
 
Oh, how come? I've met many old folk like you who collect stuff from their childhoods [Star Wars, Cabbage Patch Kids, action figures, coins, etc.]

I'll always have a lifelong connection with Pokemon because I was a kid when the Blue and Red games and the cards were introduced in North America and I have cemented core memories of the frenzy.

Today, it's gotten so out of hand that I feel like the company intentionally releases so much different merchandise every week to prevent anyone from collecting everything in every country, but I collect official Pokemon Center pins from the Kanto Region, that's Gen I (I don't open them).

No franchise in the world in this category has made more money than Pokemon including ones you'd think that would like from Disney (Mickey Mouse, Star Wars, etc.) and Hello Kitty, so there are quite a few into Pokemon.
 
Check out The Professor's vids when you're ready to get back in it...you feel the burn, Peter, you're young again...life hasn't passed you by just yet, darn it:

 
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