Here is my specific situation: my church has a Z1, a member brings his own FX1, so I am basically using two identical cams. For a general view from the balcony (wide open shot, unmanned cam on a $20 tripod) I use an old consumer Sony - and I finally got $2K to buy another camera. The light is so-so, it's an all wood traditional church, I need +6 dB gain on the big guns to pull it off.

For this specific use, what camera would you recommend, not forgetting my limitations? The cams feed into a Datavideo SE800 so slight compensation for differences is possible - I am looking for an overall good quality camera (no need for good audio, that comes from the audio board, just the best possible video).

Thanks,

You could come awfully close to getting a used FX1 for $2k, if you are patient and shop around.

With the Datavideo SE-800, are you using the cameras in DV mode? If so, are you shooting 4:3 or 16:9?

As of yesterday they had refurb FX1s on the Sony Online Outlet site for $2250. Have no idea if they're still there.

Edit: As of 11:18 AM PT, they're still there, and they have added refurb VX2100s for under $2K (if anyone is still shooting 4:3 DV).

Shooting 4x3 but will go 16x9 soon. I am using component from the cameras to the mixer, component out to a Datavideo DAC15 box for digitizing to DV, one output to the PC for live streaming, the other one to a Sony direct to disc DVD recorder.

Plans include a component to *something* (not sure what at this point) to capture in a format higher than DV.

You could pick up a used JVC GY-DV300U for less than $1k. That will give you good 4:3 SD for now (maybe a tad better than what you're getting from the FX1).

Sorry, should have mentioned that SD is out... HD is in the near future...

Then start shopping around for a used (or refurb) FX1.

Evan I agree with most here and say shop around for a used FX1. As there are many people dumping their FX1's and Canon A1's to finance new Z7 and EX1 purchases.

As a matter of fact purchased 2 lightly used (almost mint condition) FX1s from people on this board a few months ago. And when I say like mint, I mean in immaculate condition.

I got these for $2,000 a piece. And one of the sellers was selling off his cameras because he was moving to the EX1's.

As always, the info on this site is invaluable... I almost made a big mistake... good thing I asked.

Thanks everyone, I started looking for a used FX1.

I just bought a refurb FX1 on the Sony Online Outlet site for $2025. Shipping is included, but they did charge sales tax (I'm in MA).

Yes, a $200 price drop after just two days on the site. And they now have FX7s but for $500 more...

I'd be pretty surprised if Sony isn't planning to discontinue the FX1 real soon.

Have to keep close watch on the Sony site... as of 9 AM on Monday March 17 they don't have any FX1s... I suppose they don't have all that many...

And I agree, Sony is probably phasing them out, they have some new cameras, although those are not quite a replacement for the hugely popular Z1/FX1. But life goes on... who knows, even now when almost everyone is jumping over to HD, they still have VX2100s...

Have to keep close watch on the Sony site... as of 9 AM on Monday March 17 they don't have any FX1s... I suppose they don't have all that many...

And I agree, Sony is probably phasing them out, they have some new cameras, although those are not quite a replacement for the hugely popular Z1/FX1. But life goes on... who knows, even now when almost everyone is jumping over to HD, they still have VX2100s...

They don't have any refurbished Sony's, but still have the FX2 listed under regular HD cameras for full price.

People have been assuming that Sony will be phasing out the FX1 for years now, and it's still going strong. I think this says something about how good this camera initially was and still is.

I don't see it going away anytime soon either, as there is no other cmaea to take it's place (since they pulled the FX7 off of the shelves).
Maybe they'll come up with a consumer version of the Z7, which might use the 1/3 CMOS sensors, not have a removable lens, and maybe or maybe not have the ability to mount (MRC1 CF recorder) to the rear of the camera without the need for firewire hookup.

Maybe they'll come up with a consumer version of the Z7, which might use the 1/3 CMOS sensors, not have a removable lens, and maybe or maybe not have the ability to mount (MRC1 CF recorder) to the rear of the camera without the need for firewire hookup.

Now that's the camera I'm looking for. I don't need the exchangable lense on the Z7 and can't justify the Z7's price tag in my head for what's beginning to look like, to me (from what little I've read/seen) as "no better than best in class HDV image quality." I don't want to spend similar money to a Z7 on an EX1 with it's step-up in image quality/bigger CMOS size/35MBs data rate because I still want tapes (as back-up) and don't like the price of SxS cards.

Come on Sony, I'm sure I'm not the only one!

They don't have any refurbished Sony's, but still have the FX2 listed under regular HD cameras for full price.
The Online Outlet is a different site you link to through the Sony Style USA main site. The Outlet and Refurbished site has FX7s and VX2100s, but as noted above the FX1s were gone as of this morning. Too bad; last night I decided to pick up one as a backup and obviously waited too long. They were on the Outlet site for all of five days.

The regular site does have the FX1 for full price (as does B&H, a trusted sponsor); I assume that's what you meant by FX2.