Video University: Video University Forums: HDV: FX-1 Good Long Term Investment?

VideoUniversity.com
Home	Free Library	Store
Free Catalog Please support VU by making your B&H purchases and links through this B&H ad. Doesn't cost a penny more.

See The New VU Postcard Catalog

To post in the forums see the Forum Guidelines.

Join or Renew Today.
New Benefits for all VU Members

Forum Guidelines and FAQ
Main Index	Search Posts
Who's Online	Log In

Home: Video University Forums: HDV:
FX-1 Good Long Term Investment?

krskrewz
Enthusiast

Oct 4, 2005, 6:06 PM

Post #1 of 6 (1455 views)
Shortcut

FX-1 Good Long Term Investment?	Can't Post

Hi all. I've worked on 4 or 5 weddings for family and friends this past year and have been using the HDR-HC1. The results have turned out really great! I'm now currently working with two HDR-HC1s for muliple view shots etc but was considering investing in my third cam (which would of course become my main cam) with the FX1.

What i'm wondering is if the quality different between the Main Cam FX1 and the HC1s will be such a big difference. I'm hoping they are not too far apart in quality that the FX1 will make my HC1s not even worth using during the video editing process. Can anyone give me some feedback?

Also, would an investment in an FX1 now be wise? By summer 2006, will a newer version of the FX1 be out from Sony or will the FX1 be around for 2-3 years before they update the model? The price has come down from when the FX1 first came out so is it expected that the camera might drop down even more?...possibly to just a little over $2000 or is about $2800 or so about as low as it'll get?

Thanks for the help all!

ourweddingvideo
User

Oct 4, 2005, 8:04 PM

Post #2 of 6 (1443 views)
Shortcut

Re: [krskrewz] FX-1 Good Long Term Investment? [In reply to]	Can't Post

there would be a world of difference and that unit has not dropped in price, you may be looking at one of the brooklyn rip off places, but it's holding steady at around 3200.00.
If you ever want to see a crock look them up at www.resellerratings.com

DSE
Veteran

Oct 4, 2005, 8:25 PM

Post #3 of 6 (1442 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ourweddingvideo] FX-1 Good Long Term Investment? [In reply to]	Can't Post

The FX1 will be around for a long while, IMO, based on Sony's method of upgrades. Figure about 3 years per cam...only shorter lived one I'm aware of is the PD 150 that was about 2 years before the 170.
The FX *kinda* replaces the 170, but not really...

However, the Z1 is the "real" replacement for the PD 150, as the PD is considered a Pro cam, while the FX is a consumer model. Different locations of tech support, etc.

Douglas Spotted Eagle
Author, producer, composer
www.vasst.com
"I enjoy music, long walks at sunset on the beach, and poking dead things with a sharp stick."

krskrewz
Enthusiast

Oct 4, 2005, 10:46 PM

Post #4 of 6 (1430 views)
Shortcut

Re: [DSE] FX-1 Good Long Term Investment? [In reply to]	Can't Post

thanks for the input guys. 3 yrs per cam sounds pretty good. So based on that, it looks like the FX1 has about 2 more years to go which is not bad. Seems like whenever I make a purchase on something tech, before I know it...a newer model comes out.

McBe
Enthusiast

Oct 5, 2005, 2:07 AM

Post #5 of 6 (1309 views)
Shortcut

Re: [krskrewz] FX-1 Good Long Term Investment? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Viewers watching 'My Name is Earl' on a SD TV missed this nice jewel of an easter egg. Cool

If you'll look at my lovely attire, you'll really vomit.
I am a fashion goddess.

KevinShaw
Veteran

Oct 5, 2005, 2:26 PM

Post #6 of 6 (1264 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ourweddingvideo] FX-1 Good Long Term Investment? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Note that the FX1 price has dropped significantly from its original retail and early-buyer cost, so the current price is probably pretty stable. I bought one recently from B&H at a WEVA show price of about $3000, so that's a believable quote if you can find it from a reputable dealer. Much below that I'd be concerned about getting grey-market goods or being harrassed to buy expensive accessories and a warranty. I called the bargain-basement places when I bought my last camera and concluded they're mostly con artists.