Description
📹 Sony DXC-1820P Professional Broadcast Camera Vintage 80s 📹
Complete set with electronic viewfinder DXF-1820CE and zoom lens VLC1012SY
⚠️ IMPORTANT - UNTESTED EQUIPMENT
This equipment is sold AS IS - UNTESTED. We could not verify its operation. Ideal for collection, spare parts, or restoration by enthusiasts. No guarantee of functionality is provided. Final sale with no return option for non-functionality.
✨ Product Description
Discover this authentic Sony DXC-1820P, a professional broadcast video camera from the 1980s that made history in television. This iconic model used Saticon tube technology, offering unique image quality and a highly sought-after vintage aesthetic today by collectors, video art directors, and retro audiovisual equipment enthusiasts.
The DXC-1820P represents a major evolution over the previous model DXC-1800, with significant improvements in image quality and professional features. This camera was used by television channels, production studios, and ENG (Electronic News Gathering) teams to capture reports, shows, and broadcast-quality productions.
📦 Complete set included: This sale includes the DXC-1820P camera, the electronic viewfinder DXF-1820CE (Electronic View Finder) for framing and image control, as well as the zoom lens VLC1012SY from Sony. A rare and complete set for vintage broadcast equipment enthusiasts.
⚠️ The photos are for illustration purposes only. Only the content of the listing is authoritative for the exact product reference and included accessories. If in doubt, feel free to contact us.
🔧 Technical Specifications
Color Video Camera
(circa 1984-1985)
Vintage technology
Professional production
Electronic View Finder
Zoom lens included
Analog system
Authentic vintage look
Japan
Robust construction
Modular pro system
Camera head + Viewfinder + Optics
Sold as is
Restoration
📦 Set Contents
- Sony DXC-1820P : Professional broadcast camera head with Saticon tube
- DXF-1820CE : Electronic View Finder for framing and image control
- VLC1012SY : Professional Sony zoom lens with focus ring and iris control
- Complete set : Professional configuration ready for collection or restoration
⚠️ Reminder: This equipment is sold UNTESTED. No power cable, CCU (Camera Control Unit), adapter, or additional accessories are included beyond the items listed above.
📜 Historical and Technical Context
The Sony DXC-1820P was launched in the mid-1980s and represented the pinnacle of broadcast technology at the time. It succeeded the DXC-1800 model with notable improvements in image quality, sensitivity, and ergonomics.
- Saticon tube technology : Unlike modern CCDs, tubes offer a unique organic rendering
- Distinctive vintage aesthetic : Comet-tailing, bloom, characteristic light response highly valued in video art
- Professional TV use : Deployed by local channels, studios, reporting teams in the 80s-90s
- Modular system : Requires external CCU (Camera Control Unit) and separate recorder (U-Matic, Betacam)
- Robust construction : Metal chassis, high-quality broadcast analog components
- Significant light requirement : Saticon tubes require studio lighting or optimal lighting conditions
- Burn sensitivity : Avoid direct exposure to intense light sources (risk of tube burn-in)
🎨 Contemporary Uses and Collection
- Video art and experimental creations : Filmmakers seek the authentic tube look that is impossible to reproduce digitally
- Retro music clips : Organic 80s aesthetic for vintage or lo-fi productions
- Broadcast equipment collection : Iconic piece for television history enthusiasts and professional equipment
- Museums and exhibitions: Witness to the evolution of professional audiovisual technologies
- Restoration by enthusiasts: Restoration projects for vintage electronics enthusiasts
- Source for spare parts: Components, optics, viewfinders for repairing other compatible equipment
- Artistic projects: Installations, sculptures, conceptual works incorporating historical equipment
- Training and pedagogy: Pre-digital technology demonstrations for audiovisual students
⚠️ Important Sales Conditions
- ❌ UNTESTED EQUIPMENT: We were unable to verify the operation of this equipment
- ❌ NO WARRANTY: Sold strictly as is, without a guarantee of functionality
- ❌ NO RETURNS: Final sale - no returns accepted due to non-functionality
- ❌ INCOMPLETE EQUIPMENT: No CCU, power cable, adapter, or recorder included
- ❌ NO TECHNICAL SUPPORT: We do not provide technical assistance or help with setup
- ✔️ IDEAL FOR: Collection, spare parts, restoration by knowledgeable enthusiasts only
- ✔️ CAREFUL SHIPPING: Secure professional packaging with carrier tracking number
- ✔️ PROFESSIONAL INVOICE: 0% VAT in paper format included in the package
By purchasing this item, you acknowledge that you have read and accepted these terms. This vintage equipment requires specialized technical knowledge in analog broadcast equipment and may require repair, replacement of components (tubes, capacitors), and expensive auxiliary equipment to function.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
📌 Why has the camera not been tested?
This professional broadcast camera requires an external CCU (Camera Control Unit) to operate, as well as a specific power supply system and a compatible recorder (U-Matic, Betacam). We do not have this expensive and complex auxiliary equipment. The camera is therefore sold as is, untested, intended for collectors or individuals who already possess the necessary infrastructure.
📌 Can I use this camera to shoot videos today?
Technically yes, but it requires a significant investment and advanced technical knowledge. You will need to acquire a compatible Sony CCU, an appropriate power supply system, specific multi-core cables, and a means of recording or converting the analog signal. The Saticon tube may also be defective or worn after several decades. This camera is mainly suitable for enthusiasts of experimental video art who already have vintage equipment.
📌 What is the cosmetic condition of the camera and its accessories?
This is vintage used equipment from the 1980s. The camera shows normal signs of use for its age: scratches, marks, paint wear, possible cosmetic impacts. The viewfinder and lens may also show signs of use. The overall condition is consistent with professional equipment that has been used in production. The foam seals of the viewfinder may be degraded. Refer to the photos for visual assessment.
📌 Is the Saticon tube in good condition or burned?
We cannot verify it without a CCU and test infrastructure. The tubes may show burn-in (permanent marks), color degradation, or be completely defective after decades. Replacement tubes are rare and expensive. Consider that the tube may require replacement. Purchase at your own risk regarding the condition of the tube.
📌 Does the VLC1012SY zoom lens work properly?
Visual inspection only. The lens appears mechanically intact with zoom and focus rings that turn. However, we could not test it optically (blurriness, internal fungus, misalignment). Older optics may show haze, element separation, or dry lubricants. The motorized iris requires the camera powered for verification. Sold as is without optical warranty.
📌 Do you offer assistance to restore or operate this equipment?
No, no technical support is provided. Restoring vintage broadcast cameras requires expertise in analog electronics, access to technical schematics, specialized tools, and rare spare parts. We recommend contacting technicians specialized in vintage video equipment or forums for historical broadcast enthusiasts. This equipment is intended for knowledgeable, independent buyers.
📌 Can I return the camera if it doesn't work?
No, final sale without the possibility of return. This item is explicitly sold UNTESTED, AS IS, for collection or parts. No returns will be accepted for non-functioning, technical failure, or incompatibility reasons. By making this purchase, you accept these terms. Only damage caused by the carrier during shipping may give rise to a claim.
📌 What is the value of this camera for a collector?
The Sony DXC-1820P is a historical piece representing the golden age of analog broadcasting. Its value depends on the functional condition (unknown here), completeness (having the viewfinder and optics is a plus), and collector demand. Some video artists, television museums, and enthusiasts seek this equipment for its unique aesthetics. Sentimental and historical value can exceed functional value for true collectors.
🎯 A Piece of Television History for Your Collection!
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