I want to buy this b/c I found a site that sells them for under 2k and that's a great deal for HD features like this one has...

but i'm not a tech girl, so i'm not 100% on this yet-i'm going to shoot a short this summer and i wanted to rent this very camera and it would come out to about half of what it costs to buy one... so i figured i'd invest. (charge it) and then have it.

so any thoughts, comments or info you want to share about this little gadget, bring it!

That's really most likely a scam site. If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The HVX is over 5 grand on bhphotovideo.com. There's really no possible way that anyone could sell it for 2 grand.

Even the ones on eBay are going for $3500.
I'm thinking that you found one of many popular scamming sites. Either that or perhaps maybe they are only selling part of the camera?

Actually I just found one on eBay for $2300. The seller has great feedback scores and ebay+paypal are generally scam proof. I am tempted...

really?

hmm... how can they do this then? refurbished maybe?

ohhh, i just called them and they sell the 'shell' no operating system, no nothing for that price... they sell the complete for 4500.

sheesh.

so what do you think is different about this camera vs the hvx 100 (the last model)

Do you mean teh DVX100? There is no HVX100, but the DVX100 is very nice, not HD though. By the way, in addition to buying the HVX you would also need to buy p2 cards since it doesnt record onto tape. Those cost almost 1000 dollars a piece. It also requires a very fast editing system. I'd either go with an SD camera like the DVX100b, or get a more consumerish HD cam for around 1500. You can find some like the HV20 that are surprisingly capable for that price. Also the Canon XHA1 can be found for under 3400 dollars, and is arguably just as nice as the HVX (easier to use too). I own that camera and love it.

Hey NySpree89-

Thanks for the reply, very helpful, and yes, I now realize the hvx200 is pretty out of my league... so i'm smallening my sights.

what do you mean, exactly, by "consumerish HD cameras"?

What exactly intrigues you about the HVX? The actual price for a full version will almost certainly run you around $4000 (or more), and with the cost of P2 cards, you're getting into much more serious dough.

For that kind of cash I'd actually suggest an HD100 (or, I guess they're now the HD110). It's an incredible camera, and you could probably find a decently priced HD100. If you got one it would last you years and years (really good long term option).

But, if you are "smallening your sights"... are you intent on an HD camera?

Oh, and by "consumerish" I'm assuming NySpree89 is refering to stuff like this:

http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_Handycam_HDR_HC7/4505-6500...312626.html?tag=also

(PS - I wouldn't go with consumer HD cams, go with a semi-professional DV cam instead, if you don't go full-blown HD)

Cinematical-I do have a consumer camcorder, but wouldn't use it to shoot this film.

i decided it'll be smartest to try a camera or two before investing (I got ahead of myself)

So i'm gonna rent one and i have four options, please do tell which you think would be the best image quality, best user friendly(for a newbee) and best all around:

Panasonic DVX-100A

Sony/PD-150

Canon XL-1

Canon GL-1

(Keeping in mind this film is being shot in the woods, no electricity except for car adaptors, and on a boat. All shot mostly in daylight, with the exception of one night/fire scene)

I would immediately rule out the XL1 and GL1. They have decent capabilites...but just generally inferior.
I would tell you to definitely go with the DVX-100a but I am not very familiar with the PD150 and his performance.

Thanks braininabox...

Yes, I was leaning DVX b/c I've worked with panasonic before.

Only thing is the Sony rental package comes with a car-charger, and since i'm shooting at a remote site, with no electricity at all, I want to make sure i can have some source of electricity...

If you go with the DVX package, usually it comes with at least 2 batteries which should last you at least 4-6 hours. How long are you going to be in this remote location at a time?

4 days, thur-sun... so i def need a car charger/adapter. i just reserved the Sony b/c the DVX was already booked that week.

but the Sony comes with a car adapter/charger anyway.

i'm going to buy a waterproof camera bag too, b/c one whole scene shoots on a boat and i want to be safe (and maybe get in the water with it) allegedly, these are the same bags that surf videographers use to get in the ocean with their gear.

although, geez, i'm super paranoid about taking a rented camera into the water... yeesh.