Thinking about buying from Amazon

bootsycox

bootsycox

Member
Is amazon an authorized dealer? I am thinking about buying a new 100b from them. It is going for $2,399. I recently almost got burnt big time by Sunshine Electronics but pay pal came to my rescue. I would like to have this camera by late July so my sister and I could start shooting our film in September and October. I am looking for any advise. It is because of this site that I was able to cancel my order with Sunshine. Thanks for the help.
TLS
 
bootsycox said:
Yes, why wouldn't I want to buy a new one??
Click to expand...

Hmmm. Well it simply isn't a very wise purchasing decision. There are sooooo many people selling them because these people are moving up to HMCs, HVX/HPXs, and EX's.

There are tons of DVX's in great condition being sold for around 1500 dollars. And as soon as you buy your DVX, that is what the value will drop to. As soon as you get it. No one will care that it is new, it is worth the same as all of the other DVXs. I am guessing this will be a step up cam, even if you don't know it yet. You WILL want to move up to a better camera at some point. The DVX is a great learning cam. But it is just much wiser to buy a used one.

If you still don't wanna listen to us, that is fine. Amazon is always good. B and H is reliable and good as well. Specc com is where I would purchase. Able cine tech or whatever it is called is great too. Those last two are the best. Great customer service and prices.

But I recommend against buying one new like I said.

If you want a new camera, I would seriously consider the HMC. It costs only slightly more than what I bought my DVX for a couple of years ago. I think it is a much wiser purchase.
 
Good point about buying one "new". But I also knew that some around would have an opinion about SD vs. HD I do not know much about the HMC, but the DVX is still a great camera. Nothing has changed about that. The manual control and shooting speeds you have at your disposal are great.
I was torn between SD and HD when I bought my DVX (7 months ago) I knew that if I purchased HD, I would need a computer upgrade as well. I could have limped along, but I got 2 legs that are still getting me places and limping sounded like a bad idea.
There are so many pros and cons to everything. It all boils down to what you want. I decided that what I wanted was 24pa on a great camera with control features at my fingertips to learn more ( plus the price point vs an HD with similar control features+comp upgrade) was what I wanted.
 
The "I would need a new computer as well" argument just doesn´t fit the bill, when opting for a new camera.
If you´re a pro, it simply is a necessary investment you will soon earn back with your jobs.
If you´re a video enthusiast/non pro you just don´t need new gear, especially with so many low-use cams available from HD upgraders.

A tape workflow may still be of interest though, maybe you´re doing documentarys and shoot A LOT of footage.
But with the HMC150 there is a camera with a still cost effective recording format to cover that too.

Anyway, right know, as Entity pointed out, the DVX looses its value drastically as soon as they charge your credit card for it.
A revolutionary cam when it came out, but the revolution has moved on.
 
I really appreciate all the banter here, and I am picking up what your putting down. I won't buy a new car for that same reason, once you drive it off the lot it loses its value!
The only thing that concerns me is a warranty, and the fact that the used dvx's usually have a ton of hours on them, plus I would have to trust a strangers word, that can be a hard thing for me to do. I have been looking on ebay and here on the marketplace for a while now. The pickin's have gotten slim in the last month or so. I don't know maybe I want too much, one gold plated DVX for free please! Maybe Barry will give me some of the bail out dough...
TLS
 
Actually, not all of them have tons of hours on them. I bought my DVX 100a for $1400. It had 53 hours on it, and included 5 blank tapes, a carrying case, a Manfrotto tripod and head ($450 value), 2 batteries, and a $250 mic. Sure, it's got no warranty, but it's basically in perfect condition.

I found the deal on Craigslist, btw.
 
A DVX is still an awesome camera, as "non-HD" as it may be. If you're shooting for the web or DVD, then the DVX will give you as good a picture as you may need right now.

As for how much it will be worth as soon as you buy it...who cares? I mean, if you're just planning to shoot a couple of things and then get rid of it in 3-5 months, then it's a good point. But if you're planning to use it for a while (again...web video still very well served by this camcorder) then it doesn't matter what it's worth, because you're not selling it, eh?

Kind of like new cars...they lose their value as soon as you grab the keys from the salesman, but if you're planning to drive the car for a couple hundred thousand miles or until it's dead, then it doesn't really matter what kind of resale value it might hold in a couple of months or years.

All that being said, an HMC150 is a good camera, too....no tapes, but cheap SD cards, and only about $800 more than a DVX right now. Definitely worth considering the extra expenditure if it fits your needs and is a long-term purchase.

**EDIT** Also, B&H has that same price as Amazon right now and also the free shipping, but thought I'd tell you that Amazon's free shipping takes fffffooooorrrreeeeevvvvverrrr (and I'm in a major metro area). On the other hand, B&H's free shipping is UPS 3 Day Ground, and if you order today, you'll probably have it by mid week (if that makes any difference to you). B&H is also an authorized reseller, so it takes the questions about warranty out of the mix.

If you'd rather buy a barely used one (like less than 30 hours) there are usually people selling them on the board here, a lot of them in good or mint condition, and usually including all the same stuff as if you bought it new (minus warranty sometimes) and the prices are usually pretty good, between $1,200 and $1,800 depending on what all they include with it and which revision it is (DVX100, DVX100A or DVX100B).
 
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I personally have reservations when it comes to buying used equipment..Its hard to trust that someone took good care of it
 
Yeah, I know what you mean....however, as a general rule, if it looks like new, smells like new, and the hours of usage are below 50, it's a pretty safe bet.

Even better, if the person actually held onto and kept track of the shoulder belt, the manual, and the original shipping boxes, then they're probably pretty anal retentive, too. :)
 
Yeah I'm selling my DVX and moving up maybe to an EX3. Good old military deployment money :)

Buy slightly used, i've had mine for little over a year and it only has maybe 60 hours on it. Perfect condition.

Oh yeah and I bought mine from amazon for $2,500 back in '07. Just make sure the feedback is good from the dealer.
 
Klav, so you are selling? If so give me more info. I might be interested. It is funny how this DVX thing has become an obsession for me.
 
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