How many years that I can use FS100 if i buy now at DVinfo.net

Thomas Wong · March 8th, 2012, 10:29 PM

I am planning to pay $2k and put the rest on a lease plan, wondering if i should go for 2 or 3 years

technology goes so fast, i worry within 3 years FS100 becomes very outdated when 4k become standard

but be honest, I am still mainly give DVD to most of my clients now.

Eric Olson · March 8th, 2012, 11:19 PM

NTSC Video was standardized in 1941 with about 500 lines of resolution. HD television was standardized 50 years later with about 1000 scan lines. Assuming an exponential rate of technological progress, 2000 scan lines might become a television standard in another 50 years.

Don Bloom · March 9th, 2012, 06:14 AM

There will always be something new, something better (a relative term) and "The Next Best Thing".

If we all buy into it, then we are always behind the 8 ball money wise and the manufacturers get rich while we struggle to justify our purchases.

I don't see 4K becoming the "standard" anytime soon and dvds will be around for a long time yet.

If it were me, I'd have no problem going ahead with the plan you have to go 2 or even 3 years with the camera but if you want to feel more comfortable, go 2 years, see what the new next best thing is, if it's something you need to have to continue to make a profit in your business and then you can decide based on information and fact what you next move should be at that time. Since no one has a crystal ball to be able to read ahead into the future, that to me seems like a logical plan.
Your choice.

Oren Arieli · March 10th, 2012, 01:30 AM

I would ask the question differently: How long before this camera pays for itself? Will I earn more money because of it? Will it open up new revenue options for me?

I'm still getting use out of a Sony DSR-390 that is 8 years old (and SD to boot!). It paid for itself in the first year of purchase. HD tech is more volatile than SD, so I wouldn't expect 8 years of use from ANY camera purchased in 2012. I'd be glad with 3 to 4 years of use.

Rather that worrying about what's around-the-corner (4K, 8K, 3D, etc), I'd just be concerned that you can generate enough business to offset the purchase before it outlives it's usefulness. In other words, you need to calculate your ROI.

Les Wilson · March 10th, 2012, 05:21 AM

What is more likely to be a decision factor in this class of camera is ND filters. I think what prevents the FS100 from totally dominating the under $5k market is its lack of ND filters which is a Don't Care for some but a strong negative for others. From what I have read, it's a product of some fundamental design decisions of the camera and that adding them is significant.

That said, if a new model came out that had ND filters, it would probably be a price increase but you may find a deal on the current model.

Matt Sturns · March 10th, 2012, 08:57 AM

all things considered = 3

Bruce S. Yarock · March 11th, 2012, 09:18 PM

I use adjustabel nd filters like singh ray. A bit of a pain but they work great.
Bruce Yarock

Chuck Fishbein · March 12th, 2012, 10:10 PM

I agree with Oren's assessment. "How much are you going to make with it?"

My guess is that if you get a signed up with a long term project that requires 4K, (considering you can rent a camera for a one-off project) you'll get paid enough money to buy or lease a better camera.

March 8th, 2012, 10:29 PM	#1
Thomas Wong Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 144	How many years that I can use FS100 if i buy now I am planning to pay $2k and put the rest on a lease plan, wondering if i should go for 2 or 3 years technology goes so fast, i worry within 3 years FS100 becomes very outdated when 4k become standard but be honest, I am still mainly give DVD to most of my clients now.

March 8th, 2012, 11:19 PM	#2
Eric Olson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 553	Re: How many years that I can use FS100 if i buy now NTSC Video was standardized in 1941 with about 500 lines of resolution. HD television was standardized 50 years later with about 1000 scan lines. Assuming an exponential rate of technological progress, 2000 scan lines might become a television standard in another 50 years.

March 9th, 2012, 06:14 AM	#3
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Re: How many years that I can use FS100 if i buy now There will always be something new, something better (a relative term) and "The Next Best Thing". If we all buy into it, then we are always behind the 8 ball money wise and the manufacturers get rich while we struggle to justify our purchases. I don't see 4K becoming the "standard" anytime soon and dvds will be around for a long time yet. If it were me, I'd have no problem going ahead with the plan you have to go 2 or even 3 years with the camera but if you want to feel more comfortable, go 2 years, see what the new next best thing is, if it's something you need to have to continue to make a profit in your business and then you can decide based on information and fact what you next move should be at that time. Since no one has a crystal ball to be able to read ahead into the future, that to me seems like a logical plan. Your choice. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

March 10th, 2012, 01:30 AM	#4
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 919	Re: How many years that I can use FS100 if i buy now I would ask the question differently: How long before this camera pays for itself? Will I earn more money because of it? Will it open up new revenue options for me? I'm still getting use out of a Sony DSR-390 that is 8 years old (and SD to boot!). It paid for itself in the first year of purchase. HD tech is more volatile than SD, so I wouldn't expect 8 years of use from ANY camera purchased in 2012. I'd be glad with 3 to 4 years of use. Rather that worrying about what's around-the-corner (4K, 8K, 3D, etc), I'd just be concerned that you can generate enough business to offset the purchase before it outlives it's usefulness. In other words, you need to calculate your ROI.

March 10th, 2012, 05:21 AM	#5
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: How many years that I can use FS100 if i buy now What is more likely to be a decision factor in this class of camera is ND filters. I think what prevents the FS100 from totally dominating the under $5k market is its lack of ND filters which is a Don't Care for some but a strong negative for others. From what I have read, it's a product of some fundamental design decisions of the camera and that adding them is significant. That said, if a new model came out that had ND filters, it would probably be a price increase but you may find a deal on the current model.

March 10th, 2012, 08:57 AM	#6
Matt Sturns Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 53	Re: How many years that I can use FS100 if i buy now all things considered = 3

March 11th, 2012, 09:18 PM	#7
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Re: How many years that I can use FS100 if i buy now I use adjustabel nd filters like singh ray. A bit of a pain but they work great. Bruce Yarock

March 12th, 2012, 10:10 PM	#8
Chuck Fishbein Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Weehawken New Jersey Posts: 210	Re: How many years that I can use FS100 if i buy now I agree with Oren's assessment. "How much are you going to make with it?" My guess is that if you get a signed up with a long term project that requires 4K, (considering you can rent a camera for a one-off project) you'll get paid enough money to buy or lease a better camera.