Reasons to keep the DVX100?

J

jerbuds

Active member
Hey guys, I know this conversation has been talked about a little bit, but I wanted to throw it back out there for 2012. My DVX100 has been good to me, and now I'm looking to possibly upgrade and sell my DVX in the mix to get a little bit of cash for the upgrade. But as most of us are aware... once you get rid of something, you need it again shortly after. So I wanted to see what most peoples opinions are for keeping the DVX100 in the closet for when you might need it. What are the possible scenarios in todays time that might require to break out the DVX100 over other camera options? So the question here is... To sell or not to sell the DVX100? Or Reasons to keep the DVX100?

Thanks :)
 
Live Streaming, Firewire pass though SD A/D convertor, Old Tape Capture device ( I would never do this with an every day production camera but...), Family Event Loaner, Alternate angle for HD PIP shots, Get that "2002 look", and last but not least you might not get that much for it. I sold mine 2 years ago with 4 big batteries and the Official Panasonic hard case for $500. The AG-HT100G case still sells new for $383.
 
I've got one client that hires me occasionally only as a camera operator and wants the raw tapes right after the shoot. If you have a client like that, you have the right tool.

But whenever it is my choice I go the tapeless route. Also as Kgimedia says, I don't think you'll get that much on the used market especially if it has a lot of hours.
 
Im trying to get rid of my DVX100B with Letus35 Extreme. The sad part is a few yrs ago this whole set up costed me more than $4000.00. Now you can't even get half, not even close to half of that if you try to sell it.
 
They make really nice on-set audio recorders. The cool thing is you can capture the slate visually, too. If you're shooting DSLR they can be handy for that purpose. (Or sell it and get a dedicated audio recorder, but you asked...)
 
Just did a multi-camera conference DVD series with my two 100's and dvc30 that paid more then I'd get on the open market for the cameras. Client was thrilled and planning on another conference in August. 4x3 no less!
I'd say that's reason enough to keep them........
 
Keeping my DVX's, especailly since discovering the Sony MRC1 works so well with it. Actually works better on the DVX than on Sony cams unless you have the Z5 or Z7 because the DVX controls the start/stop from cam same as on the Z5 /Z7 rather than having to hit the dual record buttons on the MIRC1. DVX is still SD but good SD and the cam is a joy to work with.
 
I always keep my old cameras until my newer ones are replaced with even newer one.. then the old one (backup) is sold for penny (yes penny not pennies) on the dollars. I don't have enough room to keep everything I buy. I have found on a rare occasion I need the old/backup camera for an overbooked day.

I sold my DVX100B not because it was the oldest, I owned, but the lens was limiting and I had no use for it since I had other old cameras... so I sold my DVX100B for around 1k, a year or two ago. (my old post will show the time period)

I'd say: It still has resale value and eventually it will 'break' to the point that the repair is higher than the value Soooo try to sell it for a fair amount that you would be happy with unless you need it as a backup.
 
Reasons to keep it:

- it has CCDs
- it's SD. Although it is 4x3... Can it shoot in 16x9?
- good lowlight - if you need SD.
- it's a small-ish cam
- it has very little resale value so if you'll want to shoot something that you'll be scared that the camera might get a bump or to (or worse) use the DVX.
- try to rent the camera. I'm sure that it would get rented a couple of times.
 
Because it's a classic! been toying with the idea of selling mine but just can't let go, there is still nothing else out there quite like the dvx; ccd's, amazing gama curves, super sharp lens and fantastic audio capabilities. but obviously that all means jack sh*t these days as resolution and depth of field beats everything else. (even though half the people with hd tv's don't even watch hd content on them...)
if you really want to sell it and get a good price look at selling it on the worldwide market where hd isn't so prevalent; went to India on a job a few months ago and encountered a couple of news crews shooting stuff in relation to what i was there for, and every last camera op was still using either a pd150/170 or a dvx, (shooting in 4:3 aswell!) so the market is still there if you want to get rid of it.
 
Just get rid of it. It was a great camera in its time, but that was long long ago. This is one time when the grass really is greener on the other side.
 
You'll never get out of it now what you've put into it.

My vote goes to "keep it" and use it as an audio recorder/back-up camera for those more sketchy shots where you don't want your "better" camera damaged.

Just for the audio alone, if you're shooting with a DSLR, the camera can make synching so much easier.

I can't tell you the number of times I've dumped some older gear, well below cost, then kicked myself for not hanging onto it when a future need arises.
 
I like that the DVX has RCA input jacks for video. My Sony EX1 does not have such input jacks.

I have used my DVX100, for example, to record & digitize video from old VCR tapes.
 
I have upgraded to a tapeless camera but still keep my DVX100A. Main purpose I kept it is because I have taken care of it; it is in excellent condition. Two, I have less then 5oo hours of recording time on it. Third, people will not pay a lot for it so I keep it using it with my anamorphic lens attached allowing me to bump it up to 720. It is still a great camera, especially if your final delivery is to the web. Keep it. Great camera.
 
I dusted my dvx100a off yesterday. It only has 115 hr on it. It is like new, almos could not give it away two years ago. I'm going to shoot with it next week along with my two D7000's. Outputting to DVD sd anyway to be up resized by the player. I think it is still a good b roll backup camera, for DVD anyway.
 
I'm in the same boat as you. The technology is taunting me to move beyond tapes, just as memory cards enticed me enough to give up my film cameras for digital...although I will on occassion dust off my Mamiya RB 70. I've actually considered the Nikon D7000 as a combo for video and stills. However, sound is a big issue. When I play with the demo models at whichever electronic store I'm visiting, I sigh, then I come home and admire the beauty that the DVX100b has and I'm grateful for all it's great service it continues to give me year in and year out. Sometimes, old faithful friends can be trusted more than new exciting ones.
 
Can't think of a good use for it anymore, unless you just want to get out there and mess around/train yourself on the basics with a camera that gives you a lot of quality manual options. I used a DVX for years, loved it, but made the transition to HD whenever the situation called for it. Sold my DVX off 3 years ago and never looked back. SD is yesterday. HD is today. Find a buyer, sell it, and put whatever money you make off if it towards an XH-A1s, or HVX, depending on if you care about your rig being tapeless or not (I prefer tape, but that's another argument). You'll get a good decade of value out of either one of those cameras. And, really, they aren't that much money, especially if you buy used.
 
I've been debating the same thing. I love the DVX, but I've been spending a lot of time with the HVX200 and I've fallen in love with it. I'm trying to sell my DVX now so that I can upgrade. If you can afford to keep the DVX and upgrade, you should. It is still a great camera. If you need to sell in upgrade, I say sell it.
 
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