V1 build materials.... at DVinfo.net

Ray Bell · November 14th, 2006, 09:35 PM

Can someone comment on the materials that are used to build the V1 ??

I'm asking in reference to the PD-170, as I think the V1 is the HDV replacement for the PD-170 cam...

The PD-170 cam has a lot of metal in the body parts and is a great cam build wise and video quality, does the V1 share in the build quality of materials as the PD-170??

Thanx for answers in advance....

Luke Springer · February 15th, 2007, 09:39 PM

I searched the forum for this topic and didn't come up with much, I too am curious about build quality, so I'm bumping this to the top :^).

Thanks,
Luke

Douglas Spotted Eagle · February 15th, 2007, 09:46 PM

The V1 shares in the same quality as the PD series, with a metal body/internal housing and plastic outer parts.
Tough enough to fall 25' and live through it...

Tim Allison · February 16th, 2007, 10:03 AM

"Tough enough to fall 25' and live through it..."

If so, I don't think I would want to buy one of your old demo units. :)

Robert Ducon · February 16th, 2007, 10:30 AM

Build quality: I once saw a box containing a Sony FX-1 blow apart into pieces as a truck backed over it (someone placed the camera box behind the vehicle's path) the FX-1 body stopped the wheel from rotating enought that the driver felt it, and thus, stopped the vehicle. I saw the FX-1 after, and I would never have known - not a scratch (foam was inside the box, so I think that prevented scratches). A 4x4 plastic filter that was attatched to the front was shattered as well. The hood had not been on at the time - had it been, it would have been destroyed. Nothing was off - the LCD and top handle were still firmly straight! I've never complained about the heft of the camera when doing hand-held work since! ;)

Zsolt Gordos · February 19th, 2007, 12:22 PM

I had a very unfortunate "field test" the other day. I managed to leave my V1E on tripod in a situation where it was imbalanced and while removing my hand, the cam together with the tripod fall and knocked to a piece of rock. The movement was accelerated by the weight of the head. The 970 battery flew off about 1 meter distance.
I freak out when I saw it falling and had no chance to stop it - then all I had in my mind was that my V1E has gone.
I checked the cam and apart from a missing piece of the rubber part of the eye piece, there was no damage whatsoever. After blowing off the dust from the battery I placed the it back and tried the functions, everything worked well.
I think I was lucky - but definitely the cam is pretty sturdy.

Robert Ducon · February 26th, 2007, 01:18 PM

Zsolt, glad it's okay. Let us know if anything wonky starts happening. Cheers.

Zsolt Gordos · February 27th, 2007, 06:39 PM

I kept on shooting after this unfortunate event and I have to say there is no damage whatsoever with any of the camera functions.
The damaged rubber looks ugly, otherwise no problem. I may not even get it replaced as the viewfinder is entirely useless, never used it during a 2 weeks daily field shooting I have recently done in Asia.

I tried to upload a photo, but somehow this time it does not work.

November 14th, 2006, 09:35 PM	#1
Ray Bell Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,414	V1 build materials.... Can someone comment on the materials that are used to build the V1 ?? I'm asking in reference to the PD-170, as I think the V1 is the HDV replacement for the PD-170 cam... The PD-170 cam has a lot of metal in the body parts and is a great cam build wise and video quality, does the V1 share in the build quality of materials as the PD-170?? Thanx for answers in advance....

February 15th, 2007, 09:39 PM	#2
Luke Springer Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Washington Posts: 60	I searched the forum for this topic and didn't come up with much, I too am curious about build quality, so I'm bumping this to the top :^). Thanks, Luke __________________ Luke Springer

February 15th, 2007, 09:46 PM	#3
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	The V1 shares in the same quality as the PD series, with a metal body/internal housing and plastic outer parts. Tough enough to fall 25' and live through it... __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

February 16th, 2007, 10:03 AM	#4
Tim Allison Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Starkville, MS Posts: 96	Douglas, have you actually "tested" this statement? "Tough enough to fall 25' and live through it..." If so, I don't think I would want to buy one of your old demo units. :)

February 16th, 2007, 10:30 AM	#5
Robert Ducon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 400	Build quality: I once saw a box containing a Sony FX-1 blow apart into pieces as a truck backed over it (someone placed the camera box behind the vehicle's path) the FX-1 body stopped the wheel from rotating enought that the driver felt it, and thus, stopped the vehicle. I saw the FX-1 after, and I would never have known - not a scratch (foam was inside the box, so I think that prevented scratches). A 4x4 plastic filter that was attatched to the front was shattered as well. The hood had not been on at the time - had it been, it would have been destroyed. Nothing was off - the LCD and top handle were still firmly straight! I've never complained about the heft of the camera when doing hand-held work since! ;) __________________ Mac + Canon HV20

February 19th, 2007, 12:22 PM	#6
Zsolt Gordos Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Budapest, Hungary Posts: 414	I had a very unfortunate "field test" the other day. I managed to leave my V1E on tripod in a situation where it was imbalanced and while removing my hand, the cam together with the tripod fall and knocked to a piece of rock. The movement was accelerated by the weight of the head. The 970 battery flew off about 1 meter distance. I freak out when I saw it falling and had no chance to stop it - then all I had in my mind was that my V1E has gone. I checked the cam and apart from a missing piece of the rubber part of the eye piece, there was no damage whatsoever. After blowing off the dust from the battery I placed the it back and tried the functions, everything worked well. I think I was lucky - but definitely the cam is pretty sturdy. __________________ Sony XDCAM EX1r, Canon 5DMkII, Røde NTG2, Røde NT1000, Røde Stereo Videomic, Sachtler DV6 SB on Gitzo 1325V, Steadicam Merlin, Omnitracker, Hackintosh 3.5Ghz Quad 8Gb RAM

February 26th, 2007, 01:18 PM	#7
Robert Ducon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 400	Zsolt, glad it's okay. Let us know if anything wonky starts happening. Cheers. __________________ Mac + Canon HV20

February 27th, 2007, 06:39 PM	#8
Zsolt Gordos Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Budapest, Hungary Posts: 414	I kept on shooting after this unfortunate event and I have to say there is no damage whatsoever with any of the camera functions. The damaged rubber looks ugly, otherwise no problem. I may not even get it replaced as the viewfinder is entirely useless, never used it during a 2 weeks daily field shooting I have recently done in Asia. I tried to upload a photo, but somehow this time it does not work. __________________ Sony XDCAM EX1r, Canon 5DMkII, Røde NTG2, Røde NT1000, Røde Stereo Videomic, Sachtler DV6 SB on Gitzo 1325V, Steadicam Merlin, Omnitracker, Hackintosh 3.5Ghz Quad 8Gb RAM