tips on buying used HVX?

O

obi

New member
I am looking for a used HVX200 and was wondering if there any key things to look for. Is there a certain number of hours that is considered a lot? How many hours should the HVX be "good" for? thanks
 
Considering the tape mechanism isn't the main thing to worry about, you'd worry about other moving parts - mostly the zoom and focus assembly. In this case, hours matter somewhat less than /how/ it was used... events, documentary, and other situatuons with very fluid, often outdoors shooting conditions will impact greater than a camera that's sat in a studio the majority of its life.
 
the new HVX200a's sell for $3,000 now and used ones from $2,300 or so, so the price difference between new and used isn't that dramatic. i may lean towards just getting a new one.
 
I own an hvx and hpx170. The price difference is that much different, why not just get the hpx? My hvx is a 200a model so the sensor is the same and I love both cameras, but I just see no reason to get the hvx over the hpx since the price is really close. (Also hit me up when you go to buy accessories, I have a lot on the forum marketplace right now)
 
id vote again for the hpx170 (unless you NEED to be able to shoot SD on tape - then a 200A)

with a number of confirmed and rumored announcements from canon and red right around the corner. id bet you'll see a TON of them on the used market in about the next 60 days...
 
the two have different kinds and sizes of glass. but everything behind it was reportedly identical. goes to reason there would be some difference. but i never saw any side by sides that illustrated anything significant.

but a smaller footprint, better firewire port and hd sdi out on the 170 made any possible slight sharp/crisp difference a non-starter for me
 
I agree about headphone jack on a 200. But it can get intermittant without warning. It may work when you check out the camera and then quit the next week. The 200 also has a horizontal mounting battery, which seems to put an odd stress on the tabs that engage with the battery. Sometimes they can wear away which results in the battery falling off. Take the battery off and look down into that well. They need to be nice and square, not worn and rounded off. Bad ones almost look melted. Both the battery holder and the headphone jack can be fixed, but it's more money.
 
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