New comparable cameras to a VX1000...

[BigRaw]

So, what's a new camera out that most closely has the features of a VX1000? I'm asking because all the VX on ebay go for a $1000 or more, are probably from Japan, or they are $300 because the viewer/veiwfinder doesn't work. Which might not be a problem but finding someone who can repair it for an additional $150-$200 seems like more hassle that could possibly be worth.
If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, or knows any reputable websites please don't hesitate to share.
I'm into the vx because of work like The Threads Idea dudes; I really like how their videos come out.

[cheese_wigger]

I thought that you were supposed to use them without the viewfinder for hardcore points

[BigRaw]

I thought that you were supposed to use them without the viewfinder for hardcore points

No idea, bro. I don't even know if they will work without it. I'm just getting into it.

[MRCK]

you can't use a vx1000 without the viewfinder ; they have no LCD screen, so the viewfinder is your only way to see what you're doing, be it filming long lens or (and especially !) fixing the settings, most notably the most essential, basic ones : shutter speed, aperture and focus. the viewfinder is your only reference there, nothing else really is digital on the camera, so even though, technically, you might be somewhat able to film fisheye without the viewfinder (you don't need to watch your shot if you know your lens), in the sense that footage will be captured on the tape, it's almost a guarantee that the clips are going to come out over- or under-exposed, blurry, etc... not even talking about washed up colors you could then fix in post, it's really just going to be unwatchable, and you don't want to be that guy essentially ruining your friends' efforts by filming them with a camera that just works at random.

so you need a working viewfinder. and of course a problem with the basic construction of the vx1000 is that everytime you lift said viewfinder (you don't have to for it to work, but lots of people who aren't familar with the camera love to do it) it clicks and pinches the very ribbon cable inside the camera that makes it work (basically the cable transmitting the data from the tape to the viewfinder display), after a little while the ribbon cable just breaks and you have to get your camera fixed, which takes time and money (even if you learn how to fix it yourself, you still have to have the spare pieces) and of course you have no way to predict when yours is going to wear off, especially not on used vx's that previously had other owners (and seeing as the camera has been out of production for over 15 years, it's not like you have the option of finding a brand new one). anyway, if you ever get a vx1000 somehow, look into the viewfinder all you like - you'll need to anyway - but never ever lift it up.

as far as camera alternatives i'd suggest the sony trv 900 or the canon xm2, both are of the same generation as the vx1000 and footage that looks kind of similar. or you could go ahead and find a vx2000 / vx2100, those have a lcd screen are you can usually find them in much better condition that most used vx1000's on the market (which really are skeletons more often than not - trust me, you'll just lose money)

ps. also it doesn't matter if you get a vx1000 from japan. those are just as good as the US ones and better than the euro ones (due to the FPS)

[MRCK]

examples of skate videos using alternative cameras that have a vx type of look

sony trv 900
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihQHeCHip48

canon xm2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a32CKnu1LAI

[BigRaw]

Wow, thank you for all that, it is appreciated. The Sony trv900 and Canon xm2 certainly seem like viable alternatives. And in ref to vx1000s from Japan I meant that those were readily available on ebay, sellers in Japan it seems. The prices were still the same as US sellers.
What cameras if any are brand new on the market right now that would provide a vx aesthetic, if any? And, how likely is any camera to become somewhat obsolete within a year or so? How often are they updated/revamped/changed/whatever? This would be totally separate from my original question, if I found a camera I liked I wouldnt really care how outdated is was or was soon to be if I really like it, but curious as to how often they are updated.
Thank you again, you have certainly provided a vast wealth of information.

[BigRaw]

Wow, that xm2 is pretty much exactly what I'm looking for; it has the perfect "grainey-er" look that I like. I trv is good as well, the colors are more subtle, almost dull but not in a negative way.
My whole thing is not so much anti HD, but I don't care for HD at all. I don't like how it looks like people are in the screen. It's creepy looking, and somewhat distracting.

[MRCK]

wish i could be of more help but as far as i'm concerned, i don't really follow the market and couldn't careless about the new hot stuff coming out (not interested and even if something cool did turn up, i'm too broke anyway). i stick to the cameras i naturally find out about and develop a liking for, as you said. doesn't matter whether or not it's 'outdated' (to me that's not even a concept unless you're trying to make a blockbuster movie). the vx is outdated by like 20 years and people still make transworld videos with it.

i think it's important to remember that the camera is just a means of capturing whatever is happening around you - it's an inanimate tool with certain common electronics, meaning that most cameras (even the shittiest ones) actually have similar properties. you can learn your way around any camera and manage to come up with cool shit by mastering it, it doesn't matter if it's a handicam or a vx. use a vx without any of the most popular modern alterations everyone has adopted (mk1 lens, 'cool' white balance and sharpness settings etc...) and the default settings, dad cam style, and you'll be surprised how much ugly footage it can produce. really any cam can be a dad cam, or to the contrary have its very quirks figured out and taken advantage of, so that you can actually shape & form your footage according to your vision, resulting in the aesthetic you're looking for. for instance i'm sure you could learn your way around a HD rig and find the right lens to make its footage output look exactly like the one of the xm2 in that video (good luck doing this the other way around though, haha). over the past 3 years or so i've ditched the vx myself and only work with smaller mini-dv cams and even digicams sometimes, i'm having a blast, learning all the settings and fisheyes and if i can't achieve something due to the camera limitations i can usually achieve it in post. we live in an era where phone apps can make slick HD footage totally look VHS, the possibilities are endless.

just trying to give some perspective really, you have to be careful of what camera you pick obviously (it has to have the features you're looking for) but a camera doesn't necessarily equal a certain look. for instance the videos i just linked you up to, i was trying to provide examples of what's doable with those cameras but those guys film a certain way with them, they have developed a filming style that makes the footage look the way it looks (grain, fisheye distortion etc.). you may not instantly achieve that just as soon as you get your hands on the camera - but at least you know you have the option to get there.

you mentioned the threads videos, yes those guys use the vx and super 8 combo 75 percent of the time but as far as the funky looking b-roll is concerned (vhs & other cheap camera clips etc...) i'm sure it's just the result of them having fun toying around with any footage-capturing device they can put their hands on. lots of other great historic skate videos were the results of exactly that process, too (krooked gnar gnar etc...). when you think about it it used to be the actually standard way to go about filming skateboarding pre-release of the vx. good luck with your research

[BigRaw]

Wow, thank you so very much. You have a been a tremendous help. Last thing, though. I recall wanting a canon gl2 a few years ago, I had written this down for some reason and can't recall why I wanted this particular camera but I found one on craigslist and was wondering if you had any info on it or what you might think about it.
Thanks again, it is all certainly appreciated.

[Hoovyendy]

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