HD250 w/Ki Pro mini or another camera? at DVinfo.net

Randy Durham · December 3rd, 2010, 02:51 PM

Hi all. I'm looking for some input on a camera decision. I have two JVC GY-HD250U cameras with minimal hours on them. I love the cameras but I hate working with HDV tape these days. I've got a Canon 5D Mark II and a 7D and have been using those most of the time over the past few months. I'm afraid if I try to sell the JVC's I won't get much for them (one has a $10k lens on it) but I'll have to spend another $4k to get two AJA Ki Pro mini's to take advantage of the HD SDI out of the JVC's and to record to Apple Pro Res (by passing the HDV tape workflow). The JVC's are in like new condition with Anton Bauer mounts, batteries, etc. and would be perfect for a church or other organization doing live video (with the HD SDI outputs).

So do I keep them and buy the Ki Pro mini's or bite the bullet, try to sell them and get a replacement camera to work with the Canon workflow? Any opinions? Your thoughts are much appreciated.

Don Bloom · December 3rd, 2010, 03:22 PM

IMO it depends. How's that for an answer ;-)

First what do you think you'd be able to get for the 250s? Then what do you think you'd want to buy? How many of them? What's the outright cost of those cameras? Now subtract what you think you could get for the 250s and then you'd have a better idea of what to do. Figure that cost vs. the cost of the AJA Ki Pro minis. Now you should have a better idea of what you should do, unless of course you've just got a case of the "hots" for something new then the math doesn't matter but to me that doesn't sound like the case. Maybe I'm wrong.
O|O
\--/

Burk Webb · December 5th, 2010, 06:15 PM

Randy, I'm also pondering selling my HD100 so I feel your pain. I also went the DSLR route and I have to say it's easily been the best camera decision I ever made.

My sense is I missed the boat and the GY HDxxx series is going to be a bit of a tough sell. I know some guys who are getting $2500 bucks for their HVX200s but I'm wondering if anyone is doing as well with the JVCs. Don makes a good point but I'll add that the 250's will never be worth more than they are right now.

The church angle sounds like a good one.

I've also got to ask. How do you feel about the 10k lens purchase?

Adam Letch · December 5th, 2010, 07:00 PM

separately, its like when you buy a 4wd, you can either buy one which someone spent $20k doing up, and spend only $1k to $2k more than someone who didn't do anything. If you still got you stock lenses put them back on, then sell the camera's for the market rate and reduce your loss.
I have a HD251, and even though I'd love a PDW800, I'm still making money, and even though Im yet to physically see any advantages recording HDSDI out with this camera, I know it's still probably the best solution $ efficiency wise and will give me a bit more life with the camera.
Do you know what ball park figure you want for the camera's, I see they still sell for around $14k with stock lens

Randy Durham · December 6th, 2010, 01:28 PM

Thanks for the input guys. I would take $15k for both packages. One has the broadcast lens the other the stock lens. I think I'll try selling first and if they don't move in a reasonable amount of time I may look at the Ki Pro mini. The broadcast lens was a great purchase for the time that I used the cameras. :) Both have been meticulously maintained and have low hours so maybe I can find a home for them.

Brian Luce · December 7th, 2010, 02:00 AM

I'd keep the JVC. They're not worth much yet still produce a classy image and bring a pro vibe to a set that you don't get with DSLR ( I own a 7d). Okay, a DSLR can look pro after $12,000 worth of Zacuto peripherals. I appreciate the JVC's cleam image after using the moirey 7d.

December 3rd, 2010, 02:51 PM	#1
Randy Durham Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 50	HD250 w/Ki Pro mini or another camera? Hi all. I'm looking for some input on a camera decision. I have two JVC GY-HD250U cameras with minimal hours on them. I love the cameras but I hate working with HDV tape these days. I've got a Canon 5D Mark II and a 7D and have been using those most of the time over the past few months. I'm afraid if I try to sell the JVC's I won't get much for them (one has a $10k lens on it) but I'll have to spend another $4k to get two AJA Ki Pro mini's to take advantage of the HD SDI out of the JVC's and to record to Apple Pro Res (by passing the HDV tape workflow). The JVC's are in like new condition with Anton Bauer mounts, batteries, etc. and would be perfect for a church or other organization doing live video (with the HD SDI outputs). So do I keep them and buy the Ki Pro mini's or bite the bullet, try to sell them and get a replacement camera to work with the Canon workflow? Any opinions? Your thoughts are much appreciated. __________________ http://www.CredencePictures.com

December 3rd, 2010, 03:22 PM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	IMO it depends. How's that for an answer ;-) First what do you think you'd be able to get for the 250s? Then what do you think you'd want to buy? How many of them? What's the outright cost of those cameras? Now subtract what you think you could get for the 250s and then you'd have a better idea of what to do. Figure that cost vs. the cost of the AJA Ki Pro minis. Now you should have a better idea of what you should do, unless of course you've just got a case of the "hots" for something new then the math doesn't matter but to me that doesn't sound like the case. Maybe I'm wrong. O\|O \--/ __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

December 5th, 2010, 07:00 PM	#4
Adam Letch Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 414	Sell your lens separately, its like when you buy a 4wd, you can either buy one which someone spent $20k doing up, and spend only $1k to $2k more than someone who didn't do anything. If you still got you stock lenses put them back on, then sell the camera's for the market rate and reduce your loss. I have a HD251, and even though I'd love a PDW800, I'm still making money, and even though Im yet to physically see any advantages recording HDSDI out with this camera, I know it's still probably the best solution $ efficiency wise and will give me a bit more life with the camera. Do you know what ball park figure you want for the camera's, I see they still sell for around $14k with stock lens

December 6th, 2010, 01:28 PM	#5
Randy Durham Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 50	Thanks for the input guys. I would take $15k for both packages. One has the broadcast lens the other the stock lens. I think I'll try selling first and if they don't move in a reasonable amount of time I may look at the Ki Pro mini. The broadcast lens was a great purchase for the time that I used the cameras. :) Both have been meticulously maintained and have low hours so maybe I can find a home for them. __________________ http://www.CredencePictures.com

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December 5th, 2010, 06:15 PM	#3
Burk Webb Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 249	Randy, I'm also pondering selling my HD100 so I feel your pain. I also went the DSLR route and I have to say it's easily been the best camera decision I ever made. My sense is I missed the boat and the GY HDxxx series is going to be a bit of a tough sell. I know some guys who are getting $2500 bucks for their HVX200s but I'm wondering if anyone is doing as well with the JVCs. Don makes a good point but I'll add that the 250's will never be worth more than they are right now. The church angle sounds like a good one. I've also got to ask. How do you feel about the 10k lens purchase?

December 7th, 2010, 02:00 AM	#6
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	I'd keep the JVC. They're not worth much yet still produce a classy image and bring a pro vibe to a set that you don't get with DSLR ( I own a 7d). Okay, a DSLR can look pro after $12,000 worth of Zacuto peripherals. I appreciate the JVC's cleam image after using the moirey 7d.