Why I (probably) will never sell my HVX

M

mcbob

Veteran
I've had one for a long time, I've used it, it's been a useful tool, and now it's old-in-the-tooth and I have better cameras that I use more often - in fact the HVX has been working as a camera on a paid job exactly once this year. But so what?

Instead of some distended blubbery love-fest over my Japanese hunk of metal, plastic, and glass, I've decided it just makes good business sense. What lives in its bag is currently worth far more than the going rate of ~$1000-1200.

It can serve as a cheap P2 reader, DV tape deck, firewire audio interface, and heck, even a pretty decent camera. It can easily stream video through a macbook, record for over two hours at 100Mbps 4:2:2 1080, overcrank, undercrank, timelapse, pre-record, snap zoom, manual everything, and if I haven't killed it yet with everything it's been through, it likely will never die. Show me $1000 worth of currently available consumer camera that can do all that. My HVX has earned at least its current worth in the first half of this year just by serving in those atypical capacities.

Yeah, the sharpness blows compared to something as simple as a $600 hacked GH2 (plus about $30-3000 depending on the lens), and noise certainly isn't hard to create, but heck... for cash cows like web video, it still gets the job done well.

Most likely by the time the technologies it employs have long since obsolesced, it can be relegated to a revered wall hanging or knick-knack like a buck saw or Kentucky Flintlock or Bolex... it and its A-class P2 cards will likely be ready to roll as always 20 years from now when my kids want to start making artsy retro HD movies. Then I'll blubber over it.
 
I'm with you for all the reasons you mentioned and even a couple more. Most everything in my price range is now cmos and it's nice to have a CCD sometimes. I agree with the softness comment, but a number of my clients still just do SD and it's always been plenty sharp for me in SD. No sentiment here either, if it would bring in a good amount more in resell than I currently earn with it, then I would (somewhat reluctantly) wave goodbye.
 
Second (or third) that ...

DVCPROHD via Raylight works great on a fairly modestly-powered PC running Vegas - a darn sight better than AVCHD anyway. A 200A, a 200 (and even a venerable DVX100A) get used all the time.
 
agreed. my hvx 200 is still my "go to" camera for anything in daylight. i also run Vegas 9 with Raylight 1.3. recently i purchased a Canon T3i with a 50mm f/1.8 so my low light situations are taken care of.
 
I bought a 170 a couple of years ago, had it for 6 months and loved it - but sold it to fund the 370. Now, I'm buying a used 170 (tomorrow Actually) for a second cam. For SD shoots, For CCD, For so much value.
 
ill give up my 170 when they pry it from my cold dead hands.
no jello, servo zoom, remote lens control and bullet-proof recording media. eat your heart out DSLRs ; )
 
I absolutely love my 170, its formfactor is onpoint. Blow up on big screen is solid and still wows clients. CCDs are very important to me cause I like to do fast camera moves.
 
I can key, colour correct etc the F%$& out of the DVCPROHD footage and its still noise free.

And yes CCD is very important for even moderate camera movements, F&%$ CMOS.

Also, works like a charm on the steadicam.
 
I now have an AF100 along with the original HVX, purchased in 2006. Which camera did I take on a shoot yesterday and which will I take tomorrow? The HVX. Client wants SD and converting AF footage to SD is a pain. With an HVX and a circular polarizer I've shot my all time best nature stock. I'll be using it as B cam in a feature this fall.
 
huh i just acquired a dvx 100b(302hrs) in trade for an nikon lens (24-70 f/2.8)that i was'nt getting much use from on my canon 7d.I like the look of the dvx for docs and simple shorts..but if i happen to run into a hvx 200A i will surely say good bye to these dvx's,lol!
 
You know it's bad when video camera users have to justify their tools.... Amazing what Dslr video technology has done
 
Hi Vision_Filmz

We are not in any way justifying tools at all. I have HMC's and I love them to bits cos they give me no hassle and I can even point and shoot in full auto if things get hectic..I get decent video and more importantly I have decent XLR audio and can also record a 4 hour dance recital without any issues. Does it sound like I'm a DSLR hater?? Not all all..in fact I have extensitively hacked Panasonic GH1's which give a better image than my video cameras, I can interchange lenses, in fact I can even use vintage lenses. They are as light as a feather and give me outstanding DOF that the video cameras cannot give me. BUT, when I go out on a shoot I always reach for one or both of my video cameras and the DSLR's stay on the shelf.... It's simply because I love using them and to me there is certainly nothing wrong with that!!

Chris
 
I dont own an hvx, but I do still have a couple xha1's that I still use on a regular basis. I added some citidiscs to the mix for card recording, But I honestly still love having a tape archieve. I use an hv30 as a deck for that when need be. I agree, pound for pound, dollar for dollar, these old cameras still have signifigant role in the market when used to their strengthes. Heck, I did a shoot the other night, took a redrock xha1 RIG, and a gh2, for the job at hand the old big rig worked better and had a more organic natural look. So I agree that for what their selling for, your better off just keeping it.

When the dslr market hit, and most sold off their camcorders, I felt it was a big mistake. And sure enough, I see lots of threads like. "how to get good audio on dslr" "whats a good image stabilized lens" ect....

Good thread, lots of great points.
 
To me Dslr lead more to the world of cinema & teaches you a lot about lenses, lighting & cinematography. Nothing wrong with video cameras, we all used them I just find it funny how people continue to talk bad about dslrs..... They are the present and future & will only get better, stay with the times or lose your job as this industry does not care.
 
people continue to talk bad about dslrs..
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Nobody was saying a thing bad about dslrs until you changed the tone of the thread. This wasn't about this camera vs. that camera or this form factor vs. that form factor. It was a few of us remarking about how well a certain camera, although quiet dated still serves us well. Nor was I, or anyone else I would guess, was trying to justify a purchase made 5 or 6 years back. Yes there are both objective and subjective reasons to favor one form factor over another, but I thought given the tread title it would be safe from evangelists.
 
capt chuck said:
Nobody was saying a thing bad about dslrs until you changed the tone of the thread.
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Oh Really??? I don't remember the last time in a dslr thread even mention a standard video camera yet here they keep saying the benefits of it vs a dslr..... / thread
wgzn said:
ill give up my 170 when they pry it from my cold dead hands.
no jello, servo zoom, remote lens control and bullet-proof recording media. eat your heart out DSLRs ; )
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stay with the times or lose your job as this industry does not care.
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oh jeez-louise, here goes mr vision_filmz again, blathering on about things he has absolutely no experience with...

if you shoot sports or events where you have to move your camera quickly. many clients will SHUT YOU DOWN when they see your yard markers suddenly go diagonal.

EVERYBODY AINT TRYNA MAKEA HIP-HOP VIDEO or indie feature!

I don't remember the last time in a dslr thread even mention a standard video camera yet here they keep saying the benefits of it vs a dslr..... / thread
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thats probably because about 70% of DSLR jockeys have little or no experience in the actual industry and have nothing on which to base an argument like that.

GOD help me for getting into it again with you : (
 
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the DSLR-Pro camera war is over since... they sleep together in the same bag !! I always take both with me and i told them that only the result and
the money they can bring will make me keep 'em ! They are pretty wise since I've warned.

and yes HVX200 is the cam i'm still a little sad to not have owned.
 
Sadly this is not the only forum to have bitter squabbling about DSLR's and Pro Cams. I still don't see the reason for the divided factions either. We all don't drive Fords and yet I wonder if there there is the same issues between car owners.

Use the best tool for the job that you feel comfortable with and whether that's a DSLR or a ProCam does it REALLY matter???? I have both but I still prefer shooting with my shoulder mount cameras..not because I think they are better than DSLR's but simply because that's what I like to use to get the job done. Yep and I always take both to the job too!!

Chris
 
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