Sony vx3 three chip Hi8? at DVinfo.net

Ben Idlewine · February 27th, 2003, 01:01 AM

I know this is not a DV camera and that it is very old, but is it a better camera than the 1 chip digital 8 and low end dv's???

Chris Hurd · February 27th, 2003, 12:04 PM

Yes, it is better than any 1-chip DV or D8 camcorder. My studio has one and it's just about the best Hi-8 camcorder you could want. Superb color; and it was the basis for the Sony VX1000. If you have an opportunity to get a VX3 at a good price, do so. Hope this helps,

Dylan Couper · February 27th, 2003, 06:22 PM

Chris, any idea what they are worth now?

Rik Sanchez · February 27th, 2003, 09:03 PM

I own two of them, I use them on the rare occasion that I can't find another DV camera to shoot with. I still see them at the shops I buy video gear at, they sell for about US$500. It was the first video camera I bought, back in '94 it was the top of the line, I think I paid about US$2,400 for it brand new. I bought a 2nd one used about two years later for US$1000.

Since I have so many Hi-8 tapes that I shot, I still keep them around. I later moved up to a VX-1000. I still use that camera as a second or third camera, I now have an XL-1 and sometimes my friend joins me with his XL-1s.

A friend wants to buy one of my old VX-3's. He does a lot of video experimentation using monitor feedback, he likes the signal on the VX-3, he hates the digital look of the new cameras, for his stuff he definitely likes the old analog feel to the video of the VX-3. The only thing I didn't like about it is when I filmed a lot of bands, very loud japanese noise bands, on certain frequencies, hard cymbal crashings or guitar screech, the image seems to vibrate and I'd get lots of ripples in the image, it has never happened when I started shooting with digital cameras.

A big plus on the VX-3 is the manual focus and zoom. I did some really fast zooms with the manual zoom ring. If you can find a one in good condition, buy it, it's a great little camera.

Ryan Humes · February 28th, 2003, 10:07 AM

I've seen this wavy distortion effect on Analog tapes (seems to happen like the ripples in a pond when the audio gets hot)

Somebody asked me the other day what causes this and... I didn't know (well I don't know alot of things but this was one of them.)

If anybody has an explanation for this and ways to prevent it, please let me know, I'm curious!

-Thanks all

February 27th, 2003, 01:01 AM	#1
Ben Idlewine New Boot Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oregon Coast Posts: 5	Sony vx3 three chip Hi8? I know this is not a DV camera and that it is very old, but is it a better camera than the 1 chip digital 8 and low end dv's???

February 27th, 2003, 12:04 PM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Yes, it is better than any 1-chip DV or D8 camcorder. My studio has one and it's just about the best Hi-8 camcorder you could want. Superb color; and it was the basis for the Sony VX1000. If you have an opportunity to get a VX3 at a good price, do so. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

February 27th, 2003, 06:22 PM	#3
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Chris, any idea what they are worth now? __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

February 27th, 2003, 09:03 PM	#4
Rik Sanchez ChorizoSmells Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Osaka, Japan Posts: 424	I own two of them, I use them on the rare occasion that I can't find another DV camera to shoot with. I still see them at the shops I buy video gear at, they sell for about US$500. It was the first video camera I bought, back in '94 it was the top of the line, I think I paid about US$2,400 for it brand new. I bought a 2nd one used about two years later for US$1000. Since I have so many Hi-8 tapes that I shot, I still keep them around. I later moved up to a VX-1000. I still use that camera as a second or third camera, I now have an XL-1 and sometimes my friend joins me with his XL-1s. A friend wants to buy one of my old VX-3's. He does a lot of video experimentation using monitor feedback, he likes the signal on the VX-3, he hates the digital look of the new cameras, for his stuff he definitely likes the old analog feel to the video of the VX-3. The only thing I didn't like about it is when I filmed a lot of bands, very loud japanese noise bands, on certain frequencies, hard cymbal crashings or guitar screech, the image seems to vibrate and I'd get lots of ripples in the image, it has never happened when I started shooting with digital cameras. A big plus on the VX-3 is the manual focus and zoom. I did some really fast zooms with the manual zoom ring. If you can find a one in good condition, buy it, it's a great little camera. __________________ ChorizoSmells Video Barrio Tamatsukuri, Osaka, JAPAN

February 28th, 2003, 10:07 AM	#5
Ryan Humes New Boot Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 5	What causes this I've seen this wavy distortion effect on Analog tapes (seems to happen like the ripples in a pond when the audio gets hot) Somebody asked me the other day what causes this and... I didn't know (well I don't know alot of things but this was one of them.) If anybody has an explanation for this and ways to prevent it, please let me know, I'm curious! -Thanks all __________________ ---