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VariCam HPX-3700 Trade-Up Offer ($30,000) Ending Soon – What will the resell value be afterwards?
Panasonic has had good success with their amazing $30,000 discount and are now severely back-ordered as people are waiting till the last minute, according to a local sales rep in Los Angeles.
Panasonic also confirmed that they are NOT extending the promotion.
I am in the market for a new camera and am seriously considering the purchase, but have to make up my mind before the 30th of Sept if I don’t wanna pay 60k for the body.What do you estimate the RESELL value will be, just in case down the road there is not enough demand for this P2 camera and I want to sell it again?
With a 50% discount I think the used price will be hopefully above $30k so I would not lose money. In this ever faster changing format world who knows what other camera is coming out next…. maybe a full frame Varicam or one that over-cranks to 60fps?
Would much appreciate your thought and insight.
Daniel Andreas
Director of Photography
Los Angeles
DVW970 DigiBetacam PAL
SDX900
HDX900 -
3 Replies
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My advice to you is only buy a camera if you can pay it off quickly and get a return on your investment. Technology is moving so fast right now, your camera’s value will go down quickly. Tape Varicams which sold for $65K just few years ago are worth $8-10K now, if you can find a buyer. Manufactures are turning over models fast, and introducing newer cameras w/ more features for less money. Cameras can be a good long term investments if your client base is happy with the format and not looking to change. It’s a weird world out there. Reality shows don’t want HD, and commercial clients are happier shooting video on still cameras. It all comes down to your specific area of expertise. The new Varicam makes a great picture… it could be a boat anchor in 2 years.
Christopher Bell
Cinematography
http://www.christopher-bell.com -
I agree 100%. The whole Still Camera for video thing really blows me away. I would have never guessed it would taken off. See, what do I know?
Ernie Santella
Santella Productions Inc.
http://www.santellaproductions.com -
Where the Betacams had a shelve life of 5 years, We have determined that any new tape less based camera will be 24 months. We have 24 months to cover the costs.Then sell them off at 40% and buy the next line. Where we have saved is in the maintenance department. No moving parts on the 3700’s or the 300’s. The PDW -800’S a few. but nothing like the F-900’s belts head cleaning. So far on the 3700’s we are ahead so far.
To your answer no idea. But I could answer this in 2011.
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