Price of a secondhand Sony PD150?

[Headshotzx]

Hey guys, I'm a newbie in videography and I'm finding out more info about a Sony PD 150 P.

What's the price of a second hand good condition (i.e. 10/10 ish)?

Also, what does the P stand for? PAL?

Is there anything to note about this camera regarding its features, drawbacks compared to other video cameras? etc.

Cheers!

Zexun

 

[jaegersing]

Hey guys, I'm a newbie in videography and I'm finding out more info about a Sony PD 150 P.

What's the price of a second hand good condition (i.e. 10/10 ish)?

Also, what does the P stand for? PAL?

Is there anything to note about this camera regarding its features, drawbacks compared to other video cameras? etc.

Cheers!

Zexun

This is a pro model camcorder and it has been discontinued for years. Therefore you will need to be very careful to check the condition of what you are offered. A new drum will cost $500 or $600 if I'm not mistaken.

The plus points on a good one are very good low light performance, and very easy to get good shots every time.

 

[Headshotzx]

Hmm.. S$500 to S$600 refers to...?

 

[pacifact]

Hey guys, I'm a newbie in videography and I'm finding out more info about a Sony PD 150 P.

What's the price of a second hand good condition (i.e. 10/10 ish)?

Also, what does the P stand for? PAL?

Is there anything to note about this camera regarding its features, drawbacks compared to other video cameras? etc.

Cheers!

Zexun

I think 170 or 190 is gd, 150 is too old, nobody is even selling it, if there is, the condition must be quite horrible.

150 is gd for low light, actually, not that gd, CCD will smear under strong light, LANC port is locating too near tape chamber, make sure it stay vertical, or it will cos problem when changing tape. view finder is black and white only(LCD is colored).

 

[jaegersing]

Hmm.. S$500 to S$600 refers to...?

This is my estimate of the cost of replacing the drum inside the camera that contains the video record/playback head(s). It is a wear-out part that needs to be replaced after a certain number of hours of use.

If you call the Sony service centre they might give you a more accurate figure.

 

[Headshotzx]

Ah. The supply of PD150's aren't there, or the demand isn't?

I'm actually trying to get one from someone I know at a dirt cheap price. Used professionally for weddings 20 times, and thus the cost of the camera has been paid for at least 4 times over. Does S$200 sound like a good price, assuming it's 10/10 without fungus, tape run time probably under 200 hours, and I have to get a replacement battery and mic foam cover / windshield OR a totally new / better xlr shotgun mic?

As I'm new at this and only interested because of the potentially low initial cost of trying out, can I just ask some general newbie questions:

- How much does a Sony miniDV tape cost each?
- Why would I want to use DVCAM instead of normal 60min runs?
- Is there really a need to play a few seconds of color bars at the beginning and end of the tape?
- What should I test to check if everything's in working condition?

Cheers,
Zexun

 

[jasonjoseph]

what are u gonna use the PD 150 for ?
business ? leisure?

 

[jaegersing]

Ah. The supply of PD150's aren't there, or the demand isn't?

I'm actually trying to get one from someone I know at a dirt cheap price. Used professionally for weddings 20 times, and thus the cost of the camera has been paid for at least 4 times over. Does S$200 sound like a good price, assuming it's 10/10 without fungus, tape run time probably under 200 hours, and I have to get a replacement battery and mic foam cover / windshield OR a totally new / better xlr shotgun mic?

As I'm new at this and only interested because of the potentially low initial cost of trying out, can I just ask some general newbie questions:

- How much does a Sony miniDV tape cost each?
- Why would I want to use DVCAM instead of normal 60min runs?
- Is there really a need to play a few seconds of color bars at the beginning and end of the tape?
- What should I test to check if everything's in working condition?

Cheers,
Zexun

Short answer is that if the camera is in good condition, working fine and $200, just buy it. Even if you don't want it later, you will be able to sell it for more than that.

 

[Headshotzx]

what are u gonna use the PD 150 for ?
business ? leisure?

Purely leisure and exploration of video.

Short answer is that if the camera is in good condition, working fine and $200, just buy it. Even if you don't want it later, you will be able to sell it for more than that.

I see. Thanks for your advice. A usual second hand PD150, though uncommon at this point in time, would cost me how much? Any specific things to check? Lens no fungus / scratches, LCD & VFs intact, mic working, tape runs well (buy a test tape), zoom/focus/iris rings and dials not stuck. Then?

 

[jaegersing]

Purely leisure and exploration of video.



I see. Thanks for your advice. A usual second hand PD150, though uncommon at this point in time, would cost me how much? Any specific things to check? Lens no fungus / scratches, LCD & VFs intact, mic working, tape runs well (buy a test tape), zoom/focus/iris rings and dials not stuck. Then?

So the condition 10/10 camera you mentioned earlier does not actually exist? And if it did you would want to pay only $200? Can you please clarify? :what:

 

[Headshotzx]

So the condition 10/10 camera you mentioned earlier does not actually exist? And if it did you would want to pay only $200? Can you please clarify? :what:

I haven't seen the camera yet, and thus my first question was "how much exactly does a probably well-used internally but externally pristine camera go for?" :bsmilie:

 

[jaegersing]

Externally pristine means that the camera has been well cared for. But of course with such an old camera there is a risk that internal parts have failed or worn out. This is where your testing comes in.

If it is really in good condition, functionally and optically as well as as externally, I expect the seller could get at least S$2k for it. Probably more if the buyer is a pro looking to replace an existing cam without switching to HD. So if your budget is really $200 you will need a bit of luck to get such a good example. (To put it into perspective, a new Sony battery is not much less than that.)

 

[Headshotzx]

Hmm if it's internally old and possibly worn out, 1k would be a good price, right? I've scoured Ebay US and it's like 700ish.

The camera is a cousin's, so I'm banking on goodwill / family price. She wants to get a Canon 550D which I might be able to help with about discounts.

 

[jopel]

The camera is a cousin's, so I'm banking on goodwill / family price.

I have just ask your cousin to read this thread. Just wonder how she'd feel? :bsmilie:

 

[Headshotzx]

Haha. Fact is that the camera has a lost mic wind muff and potentially has the audio hiss problem. Heard from my friend that units from 2001 had backfocus issues when zoomed in, and because it hasn't been touched for so long, i heard the zoom/focus rings can get sticky and the filter might be stuck. These sorts of things aren't considered external condition, so the jury's still out on its usage condition!

 

[chanxj]

Just note that tape head replacement can cost a bomb.