What to look for in a used HVX200

L

legion

Member
I was interested in buying a used HVX200. I looked on craigslist and the prices have really come down. I've found 2 or 3 that are priced between $1500 - $2000 and come with P2 cards, a tripod and a couple batteries, plus whatever comes with the camera new. What do I need to check, so I don't end up with a brick? I don't plan on using tapes at all, just P2 cards, so I'm not really worried about tape heads. But that's the only thing I know people check.
 
any reason youre not looking at an hvx200A or hpx170? way better overall cameras for not that much more dough
 
Sorry, I took it for granted that it would be an HVX200A. But now that I'm looking at the ads again, the ones in the $1500 range are HVX200, the HVX200A's are going for $3500+. Is the difference that much? As for the HPX170, I haven't looked at it in a while, but I remember when it came out thinking it seemed like an HVX with less features.
 
I can try to help you out a bit from what I know of these cameras. The HVX200a and HPX170 has much better low light capabilities than the original HVX200, HPX170 smoking them both. Also, there is less noise. The HPX170 is a smaller camera compared to the HVX200 and HVX200a, but contains the same features plus more including SDI out for external recording and monitoring and DRS (Dynamic Range Stretch). If you think those features are worth the extra money, I'll go with the HPX170, if not, I'll go for one of the HVX200s. Hopefully that helps :)
 
I would keep an eye here at dvxuser. HPX170s come up for sale quite often. What will usually go first on the camera is the iris wheel which may give inconsistent control. The inside contacts will wear or get dirty. With the latter a high suction vacume may help. Things that usually end up missing are XLR plugs that fall off or the front lens cap. I would try to find one from the original owner that kept all the paperwork and boxes as well as Barry Green's user book. Used P2 cards are selling for between $150 and $175 for 16GB and are pretty robustly built.
 
If you don't want to use tape then I'd get a HPX170 just on the form factor and weight. I have a HVX200 and that is my only regret with this camera. Although the HVX200a is better, if you use lighting then I don't think you'll see $2000 of benefit for lowlight capability, noise and other minor upgrades. If you're spending the extra might as well get the HPX170.

Pay close attention to accessories that come with it. The gotcha is the price of accessories. A few batteries, a couple of P2 cards, support equipment will all cost a lot more buying separately. I got my HVX a year ago with under 10 hrs on it for at the time about the same price as low hours DVX, a bargain but with only a battery and charger. I've since spent twice that on accessories and I have only really got the basics. I got two brand new r-series 16GB p2 cards for $450 and that is a bargain. Second hand they are often at least half as much again. If you can get them in a package deal it will work out a lot cheaper and chances are they'll be the desirable r-series rather than the e-series. Multiple batteries is good too. Bear in mind it is a heavy camera, a cheap tripod isn't going to be cheap. I would say it's worth it though. The footage from these cameras may not wow the pixel peepers these days but it sure is pretty once it comes out of the NLE.
 
As for the HPX170, I haven't looked at it in a while, but I remember when it came out thinking it seemed like an HVX with less features.
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absolutely not. no sir. quite the reverse. you may have been thinking about one of the hmc cameras as the hpx170 is FAR better in low light and has FAR more pro features than the hvx200.
to this day, its panasonics best and most full-featured small footprint, budget CCD camera

i shoot a lot of live music events where i have no options of adding light. i shot one recently where i used an hpx170 and an original hvx200 (not 200a) and the difference in low light performance was STAGGERING. the 200 footage was so full of noise (grain) it was barely usable. if it werent for the "neat video" de-noise plugin, i would have been out of luck.

if you shoot mostly indie-feature /narrative things where you typically light the set anyway, the original hvx200 is still a GREAT camera. but if you do a good bit of event or ENG style work where you wont have the option to add light. i would just grow my money until i could get an hpx170.
 
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another thing i WOULDNT do is focus on a full package - i mean if you can find the right one, thats great. but you'll probably be waiting a good while for the right combo of things.

id keep myself open to buying a camera here, tripod there, p2 cards somewhere else.

another thing to consider is - is this type of camera even what you NEED?
tell us about the kind of work you do, or plan to do and we may be able to suggest better options...
 
This is just a hobby. I want to mess around making my own movies/videos. Production value wise, probably no more complicated than what you'd see on something like Angry Video Game Nerd. I've already got a solid computer and a lot of audio recording equipment, so I just need the video side of things.
 
This is just a hobby. I want to mess around making my own movies/videos. Production value wise, probably no more complicated than what you'd see on something like Angry Video Game Nerd
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then id probably get a DSLR then. like a second hand t2i or gh2 or something. you can pick either of those up pretty regulalrly for $500-$700 or so depending on package

heck, a new t3i is only about $850 or so...
 
Although a DSLR would probably do the job, it just doesn't make me interested. I want something that feels like a video camera, a good video camera, not one of those consumer handicam things. Photography doesn't really excite me, so the dual role ability of a DSLR isn't really compelling for me. Anyway, I'm pretty set on either an HVX200A or an HPX170, I just want to make sure I don't buy a broken one.
 
Although a DSLR would probably do the job, it just doesn't make me interested. I want something that feels like a video camera
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very good point. thats one of my complaints with DSLRs (form factor, lack of true timecode, etc...) and for someone with your audio gear. having full-size xlr ins will be nice

if vision_filmz reads this, he'll probably have a heart attack hearing ME say this - BUT if you are really just a video hobbyist. i think a DSLR will give you a broader range of creative options. with a basic shoulder rig and a loupe magnifier, the only thing a DSLR cant give you compared to proper video camera is: servo zoom and true, hands-off autofocus, and lack of "skew" problems. and if you need any of those. end of discussion. NO DLSR.

im really NOT trying to talk you out of an HPX170. i have one and as ive said in other discussions - "they can have it when they pry it from my cold dead hands"
you simply will not find a more capable video camera out there for the price.

just want to make sure you're making the right decision for the right reason.
 
HPX170s come up for sale often here. I have yet to be "burned" on any purchase on dvxuser. Look for someone who has sold before and has been on the forum for a while. Used HPX170s are a great value. If you like nature stuff you can see some of the video qualityof the HPX170 on my site at https://vimeo.com/channels/3523
 
Mark: Nice work. Did you get that depth of field with the stock lens or are you using something like a Red Rock?
 
wgzn: Cool, I guess I'll be on the look out for a good deal on an HPX170. I'll keep my eyes on the dvxuser classifieds for anything near me.
 
The original HVX is a giveaway at today's prices. I've owned mine for almost 7 years, finally upgraded to an AF100, but I still grab the HVX for most video jobs and use the AF for narrative work. Most everything on my demo reel was shot with the HVX:


It's easier to get great shots with this camera than the AF. Noise has seldom been an issue for me, just light the scene correctly and it's not a problem (low light capability can be a hindrance to newbies sometimes, keeps them from learning to light). If you can find the "A" model for an additional $500 or so, get it. Otherwise, the original is a great buy.
 
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Very nice stuff Mark. I really like the shots with the close up lens. Even had to take a quick trip to the B&H site to see what one would set me back for the hvx200.

One other thing I would suggest in regards to evaluating a used hvx200 (and probably a 170) is to listen for noise during a power zoom. Mine actually made a bit of audible noise when it was fairly new, but it eventually went away. It was more of an annoyance than anything and never made it to the soundtrack that I could hear, but it's something I would listen for if I had a hands on check.
 
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