camera test Sony DXC-M3A (2008)

[chamelf0xx]

anus

[japhyriddle]

Now that this is the official M3A forum, I have a question :-). I just got the camera and I know about pre-heating before powering on, but I'm wondering if there's a protocol for powering it off. Should I turn it back to pre-heat before shutting it off?

[phoxetis]

@japhyriddle From what I could find in the service manual, the main function of pre-heat is to [1] conserve power in "standby use" and [2] let the power supply stabilize when turning on the camera (about 15 seconds). I couldn't find a recommendation for when powering down. So my guess is that it doesn't matter.

[japhyriddle]

@phoxetis Oh, cool. Thank you for the information. Good to know.

[pvx]

Yes, the M3A, I used two of these (along with a third DXC-3000) set up in a studio when I used to volunteer at the local public access station about 10-15 yrs ago. The station has since upgraded, and now has the M3As on static display (along with a menagerie of other old cameras, monitors, and video gear) in a storefront display case at their studios (a "video sculpture" of sorts).

[MissingInActionFilms]

Might I ask where this recording is from? The scenery looks really nice! It also appears to be a wonderful vintage camera to use

[oldmac6]

Realy the tube as something realy differant from CCD camera, maybe it's because there's no purple vertical strip or purple on the edge like CCD camera do.

[phoxetis]

@2migell These cameras require a camera tripod adapter plate. If you don't have it, you can't mount it. Yes I usually use a tripod for shooting.

[phoxetis]

@2migell You are one impatient human aren't you? If you actually read the text: leave the camera on Preheat a few minutes (with main power on at the back of the cam), then turn it on. The Video Output on the M3A is a BNC connector marked "Video Out" at the back of the camera. You can buy BNC-to-RCA adapters just about anywhere.

[phoxetis]

@2migell the M3A takes a "DC8" battery box with two NP-1 style batteries. That would be enough for 1-2 hours of power. In the old days, the video recorder would power the camera (so the battery was in the VCR).

[phoxetis]

@2migell your best shot is to start reading about "tube camera" and "umatic" on wikipedia. Then read lots of websites. You need to do some homework before operating these cameras. If you turn an M3A on, leave it in "preheat" for a few minutes to warm up, then switch on "on". Always close the iris if not using the camera and _never_ point at the sun or very strong light. You'll demolish your tubes forever.

[japhyriddle]

Does anyone know the difference between the M3A and the M3?

[phoxetis]

@japhyriddle . The M3A came with a much better lens, better tubes and better electronics. The exact differences are in the service manual but I'm not going to type that all here ;)

[japhyriddle]

@phoxetis Thanks. I think I'll end up getting one of these cameras at some point.

[phoxetis]

@2migell the simplest way to get started is to connect the Video Out on the back of the camera to a DVD recorder. If you looked at the comments you can see i use a Sony digital video walkman for recording (GV-D200/300/800/900 are the series for Digial8 and miniDV I think ).

[rtbvhsrip]

Can you capture the video using better equipment/compression? A lot of digital artifacts are visible. BTW... why "no value" ;) I think some 3-tube cameras could produce better quality than crappy mobile phones and digital still cameras with "moviemode" used by so many people

[phoxetis]

@rtbvhsrip Yes, I'd like to do so, but I don't know how to upload a better version without losing all comments. If you know how .........

[ausernamenonewants]

i love my bvp-330, check out the video response. I need to adjust some color settings though.

[ldlvideo]

Great video. I really like the old videocamera's.

Aan de rest van je video's lijkt het mij dat je ook gewoon Nederlands ben. Ik ook.

Is deze camera voorzien van een eigen recorder, of draag je deze los erbij?

By the way, kijk even op mijn account, daar staat ook nog een filmpje gemaakt met een oude Panasonic MS1. Al wel CCD.

Louis

[phoxetis]

@ldlvideo . Ha! Dat beeld kwam me al zo bekend voor, toen ik het klokje in beeld zag was ik helemaal zeker. Dat ding heeft dezelfde CCD en aansturing als een philips VHS die ik ooit had. De M3A's hebben geen recorders. Normaal sloot je daar een portable low-band U-Matic op aan in de jaren '80.

[Daniel22259]

wow,very good quality!

[heliovitorio]

I missed so much this camera , i used to work with it in 1987 (was the first professional camera that i used)

Thanks a lot for the video.

[RET80]

I just got my tube camera two days ago. I've used MANY cameras in my time. From CCD standard def, to cheap flip cameras, to full HD pro CMOS camcorders and I can safely say that a tube camera's image is A MILLION times better than most modern camcorders today. The way they handle stops between brights and darks is amazing. They look incredibly natural and levled. I will never go chip again, unless I HAVE to. I also posted a video testing mine out too.

[phoxetis]

Now don't get too excited about these cameras. You'll need to align them every now and then, and the light sensitivity doesn't help indoor shooting.

[japhyriddle]

I wish video camera companies would go back to tubes, even though that's super unrealistic. They're so much better than CCD and CMOS sensors in my opinion. They way they handle overexposed areas is so much nicer and more like film. I'd kill for an HD progressive scan tube camera.

[phoxetis]

Totally unrealistic yes. Nobody in their right mind would make an HD tube camera, though I wonder what it would look like if someone did anyway :)

[japhyriddle]

Actually, I just found out that there is still an application for pickup tubes in cameras. Search "HARP Camera" on YouTube. Really cool.

[gregliam]

yeah i have seen tube cameras with 650 lines so 720 would not be hard at all. The thing that destroys the quality is the analogue output and the stupid lo-res vhs

[RET80]

Oh man, seeing an HD tube sesor would be absolutely epic.  The quality of a tube camera in HD, pfft, forget about the RED camera.

[Whyrendog]

They must have used this in a lot of work safety videos, it seems so familiar :)

[BlairSimpkins]

I love the tube picture quality. I'm trying to get one myself.

[wackzackw123]

Very nice. What song is this?

[phoxetis]

Oh this is just some generic copyrightfree music from my library.

[stelian95]

don't think it has no value ! it's a part of electronics' history !

[SuburbanFamilies]

actually, they ARE pretty valuable. Check out ebay.

[guimbadriver]

hey phoxetis what do you use in this external shot for recording this video? u-matic recorder or a betacan recorder?

[phoxetis]

the videorecorder was a small portable Sony Video Walkman, with digital videotapes, which produces picture quality close to Betacam but doesn't weigh a ton to carry around :)

[phoxetis]

@2migell I'm afraid that you don't realise that this camera is completely analog. It is computer controlled though.

[phoxetis]

good luck, keep the tubes glowing!

[guimbadriver]

very good camera i got 5 DXC M3A,and two TK41C m the DXC makes amazing pictures so crisps and the colors are so natural, im restoring my TK 41C and i go put the video here too,

[newvicon]

Cool Camera! :)

[dsr300]

wow....i like to suck balls.... a lot