HISTORY OF THIS HI8 HANDYCAM
My professional and private background is all about electronics, audio and 'The Arts' but NOT really video, film or photography!
Over the years, I seem to have gathered together a bunch of camera's (some are very odd looking) and instead of sitting in a plastic box it is time to see if anyone can make use of this OLD technology I am seeking someone who may find a use for this Hi-8 Handycam (display, spare parts or heaven's forbid, if it is actually working - use it!)
I am not a domestic video or photography enthusiast so this Hi8 Handycam is offered as-is (described to the best of my abilities)
Actually I have a number of camera's and accessories I am sorting out and testing (if I am able to) ... look for more camera's HERE on my website.
I offer the description below as best I can but this Handycam MAY have other fault(s) or issues including the lens system which could be dirty (I am not prepared for or knowledgeable enough to evaluate the optics properly)
I am not even sure anyone is interested in old video camera's but I am very 'big' on sustainability and if this fits into someone's museum of antiquated video equipment or even as a spare parts 'farm' for other SONY Hi8 Handycam's this would please me greatly.
PLEASE read the description completely and decide if this Handycam may be of interest to you.
There are no returns or refunds offered, this equipment is second hand and offered 'as-is"
CANON - Video Camera
Technology: Digital electronics using Hi8 tape for storage
Model: UC5500E
Made in Japan
Release to the domestic market around the early 1990's (Yes, it is 'stone age' in the world of video technology)
Comes with a user hand strap
NO carry case could be found
Battery is supplied (Original CANON BP711 which WAS fully charged but I discharged it completely during testing - see below! Ni-Cd battery technology)
FUJI SHG Hi8 tape is supplied (this does have recorded material on it)
NO AC Adapter/Charger is supplied but I do have this (used it to charge the battery for testing) and you can see this charging equipment HERE
WEIGHT: 900g (with battery & tape fitted)
DIMENSIONS: 90mm wide x 190mm front to back and 110mm high
COSMETIC CONDITION:
CLEAN
NO camera body damage at all, but a few small marks/scratches here and there from normal handling. The rubber like material around the viewfinder is fine.
Tiny little viewfinder screen has no scratches or cracks, looks great (if you love monochrome!)
The viewfinder eyepiece swivels up and down as it should.
Battery contacts at the rear look to be clean and shiny.
The lens cover is supplied and has ALWAYS been fitted. Took a look at the front lens and it looks clean (to me, but I am not an expert in this field) and I cannot see any suspicious looking "mould spots" inside the lens.
I look under the various port covers around the camera and all ports looked to be clean and ready to 'talk' to the outside world
This is the part that really matters I guess!
TESTING:
Using both the direct DC input from the charger (advertised separately) and the fully charged battery (supplied) I tried out the camera.
NOTE: Although the battery WAS fully charged, it is no longer after my testing (a couple of hours) so you will need to recharge the BP711 battery or just fire DC direct into the camera via the DC-100 adapter advertised separately.
While I had the charger out of its package and the battery was fully charged, I had these "experiences"
Push down the main control rotary button to the required function.
Viewfinder lights up, shows battery condition and general status of the camera
The eject button opened the cassette door and I inserted the tape
I then pushed playback and it STARTED to play and then stopped. I could not seem to rewind or fast forward the tape.
I ejected the tape and repeated above but after a few times, the door would not open correctly either!
Oh me Oh my, the camera does not behave well!
I looked online to see if these models had a "history" and it does seem that they are "touchy" and some even suggest dropping them to fix the problem! I am not about to do that so I finished up my testing (such as it was) and it is now up to the new owner to either part it out or service the camera.
As I have now advertised this camera with the battery and tape, it has been placed in a sealed plastic packet to protect it from dust/dirt while it awaits a new home.
