Vintage JVC GR-C1 Camcorder - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Ryan_1993 · 4th Dec 2013, 1:31 pm

Hello,

Apologies if this is in the wrong thread, I was unsure what category best to put it in.

I wondered if someone could help me, I have purchased a JVC GR-C1 1984 Camcorder, essentially the same model which featured predominately as Marty's Camera in back to the future, but mine is missing its lens hood.

I just wanted to know is it possible to use any cheap looking replica generic lens hood that you can get on eBay if I buy the right size?

I am hoping the one from my 1982 none working Sony Trinicon Betamax camera will fit as it looks about the same size, but I'm unsure as the JVC hasn't yet arrived. I think the lens on the JVC is 49mm

Hope someone can help.

For anyone curious here is a picture the JVC.

dseymo1 · 4th Dec 2013, 5:46 pm

I don't know that model, but 49mm is a common filter size, so it looks likely.
Failing that, various push-fit hoods are available.
If you still have an old-fashioned local photographic dealer, they will almost certainly have something to fit.

mark pirate · 4th Dec 2013, 7:32 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan_1993

I have purchased a JVC GR-C1 1984 Camcorder

I did not realize these were that old, I have the same model hiding in the loft!
I am sure it will still work, but the battery will be shot by now.

Mark

Ryan_1993 · 4th Dec 2013, 7:36 pm

Yeah it will be, but believe it or not they sell brand new replacement batteries for them. Already got a new one for it

mark pirate · 4th Dec 2013, 7:44 pm

What was the cost of the replacement battery?
I will dig it out and see if it still works, it did record a good picture when I last used it.
I still have the cassette converter as well

Mark

Ryan_1993 · 4th Dec 2013, 9:09 pm

I ordered it from Amazon here. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Battery-GR-C.../dp/B001HR4CO0. I guess nowadays these batteries are going to be the only saviour for relics as old as this.

I am guessing though this modern one will last longer than the original did when it was new? Apparently when even when it was new you got 25-30 min of use from its battery.

Ryan_1993 · 8th Dec 2013, 8:55 am

Hello guys, hope I am posting on the right section of the forums.

Anyways my JVC GR C1E arrived last night overall condition is good and comes with a good amount of accessories. It's the camcorder which doc Brown owned in Back To The Future Part 1.

However, although I know the batteries are pretty much shot one said it was fully charged after about 40 minutes on the JVC charger. (I have bought the optional JVC power supply accessory and a new battery for it). It did power the camera on for about 30-40 seconds. I powered it on, it allowed me to eject and inserted a VHS-C cassette, the black & white CRT in the viewfinder came on, even the zoom worked for a brief moment, but all I got was a grey screen in the viewfinder no live image ever appeared. Is it possible that it didn't have enough power in its battery to fully power the camera tube and make an image? it was only on for about 30 seconds before the battery died And shut off.

The thing what has me a little concerned is when pressing the Iris lock button above the lens is that it just pushes back out and will not stay pushed in, I was just worried that the iris inside the lens was jammed fully in a position closed not letting in any light.

I hope someone can help.

Thanks,

Ryan

reelguy · 8th Dec 2013, 1:03 pm

I have the Ferguson version of this camcorder. Not sure where I have put it. I will try and find it later.
It should be possible to use it on mains with the correct lead connected to the charger ?

. But I will try and check ! The zoom operates by using a switch if memory serves.
Can't promise to look for it at the moment though.
Peter W .....Reelguy.

Ryan_1993 · 8th Dec 2013, 5:55 pm

hello thanks for the reply.

Yes, the only thing what has me concerned is the Iris lock button just under the Microphone of the camcorder doesn't stay pushed in, just pops out again. I wondered if this was normal? if so then I'll just have to wait for the new battery to arrive either tomorrow or Tuesday. If you do find yours would you try it and see if it does the same thing?

Thanks very much Ryan.

reelguy · 8th Dec 2013, 8:04 pm

The Ferguson I have is model number 3V41...
Quick update. Zoom is motorised OR manually operated.
And the button for iris lock pops back up when pressed on mine.
I don't remember using that button on mine.
As I mentioned earlier, the camera can be used with a dc input on
removing the battery on the camera.
The other end connects to the charger.
Just noticed I seem to have mislaid that cable.
Peter W.....Reelguy.

Ryan_1993 · 8th Dec 2013, 10:03 pm

Thanks for reply.

Well that has reassured me. I have just bought the JVC AC Power adaptor brick for it, should arrive shortly. It took forever to find one online through ebay. Guess its so rare as it was an optional accessory with the camera back in '84. The brick is essentially a larger charger unit, but with a cable which comes off it and allows you to plug into the 9.6 volt socket on the camera.

Hopefully the reason why I am having just the grey screen issue is because of the 29 year old battery being unable to deliver the required amount of power to power the camera tube it does shut off after about 30 seconds, but I was hoping it would give a live image though the view finder even for a brief moment.

4th Dec 2013, 1:31 pm	#1
Ryan_1993 Hexode Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 329	Vintage JVC GR-C1 Camcorder Hello, Apologies if this is in the wrong thread, I was unsure what category best to put it in. I wondered if someone could help me, I have purchased a JVC GR-C1 1984 Camcorder, essentially the same model which featured predominately as Marty's Camera in back to the future, but mine is missing its lens hood. I just wanted to know is it possible to use any cheap looking replica generic lens hood that you can get on eBay if I buy the right size? I am hoping the one from my 1982 none working Sony Trinicon Betamax camera will fit as it looks about the same size, but I'm unsure as the JVC hasn't yet arrived. I think the lens on the JVC is 49mm Hope someone can help. For anyone curious here is a picture the JVC. Attached Thumbnails

4th Dec 2013, 5:46 pm	#2
dseymo1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK. Posts: 3,051	Re: Vintage JVC GR-C1 Camcorder Lens hood I don't know that model, but 49mm is a common filter size, so it looks likely. Failing that, various push-fit hoods are available. If you still have an old-fashioned local photographic dealer, they will almost certainly have something to fit.

4th Dec 2013, 7:36 pm	#4
Ryan_1993 Hexode Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 329	Re: Vintage JVC GR-C1 Camcorder Lens hood Yeah it will be, but believe it or not they sell brand new replacement batteries for them. Already got a new one for it

4th Dec 2013, 7:44 pm	#5
mark pirate Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK Posts: 5,185	Re: Vintage JVC GR-C1 Camcorder Lens hood What was the cost of the replacement battery? I will dig it out and see if it still works, it did record a good picture when I last used it. I still have the cassette converter as well Mark

4th Dec 2013, 9:09 pm	#6
Ryan_1993 Hexode Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 329	Re: Vintage JVC GR-C1 Camcorder Lens hood I ordered it from Amazon here. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Battery-GR-C.../dp/B001HR4CO0. I guess nowadays these batteries are going to be the only saviour for relics as old as this. I am guessing though this modern one will last longer than the original did when it was new? Apparently when even when it was new you got 25-30 min of use from its battery.

8th Dec 2013, 8:55 am	#7
Ryan_1993 Hexode Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 329	Help with JVC GR C1 camcorder Hello guys, hope I am posting on the right section of the forums. Anyways my JVC GR C1E arrived last night overall condition is good and comes with a good amount of accessories. It's the camcorder which doc Brown owned in Back To The Future Part 1. However, although I know the batteries are pretty much shot one said it was fully charged after about 40 minutes on the JVC charger. (I have bought the optional JVC power supply accessory and a new battery for it). It did power the camera on for about 30-40 seconds. I powered it on, it allowed me to eject and inserted a VHS-C cassette, the black & white CRT in the viewfinder came on, even the zoom worked for a brief moment, but all I got was a grey screen in the viewfinder no live image ever appeared. Is it possible that it didn't have enough power in its battery to fully power the camera tube and make an image? it was only on for about 30 seconds before the battery died And shut off. The thing what has me a little concerned is when pressing the Iris lock button above the lens is that it just pushes back out and will not stay pushed in, I was just worried that the iris inside the lens was jammed fully in a position closed not letting in any light. I hope someone can help. Thanks, Ryan

8th Dec 2013, 1:03 pm	#8
reelguy Heptode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 746	Re: Help with JVC GR C1 camcorder I have the Ferguson version of this camcorder. Not sure where I have put it. I will try and find it later. It should be possible to use it on mains with the correct lead connected to the charger ?. But I will try and check ! The zoom operates by using a switch if memory serves. Can't promise to look for it at the moment though. Peter W .....Reelguy.

8th Dec 2013, 5:55 pm	#9
Ryan_1993 Hexode Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 329	Re: Help with JVC GR C1 camcorder hello thanks for the reply. Yes, the only thing what has me concerned is the Iris lock button just under the Microphone of the camcorder doesn't stay pushed in, just pops out again. I wondered if this was normal? if so then I'll just have to wait for the new battery to arrive either tomorrow or Tuesday. If you do find yours would you try it and see if it does the same thing? Thanks very much Ryan.

8th Dec 2013, 8:04 pm	#10
reelguy Heptode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 746	Re: Vintage JVC GR-C1 Camcorder The Ferguson I have is model number 3V41... Quick update. Zoom is motorised OR manually operated. And the button for iris lock pops back up when pressed on mine. I don't remember using that button on mine. As I mentioned earlier, the camera can be used with a dc input on removing the battery on the camera. The other end connects to the charger. Just noticed I seem to have mislaid that cable. Peter W.....Reelguy.

8th Dec 2013, 10:03 pm	#11
Ryan_1993 Hexode Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 329	Re: Vintage JVC GR-C1 Camcorder Thanks for reply. Well that has reassured me. I have just bought the JVC AC Power adaptor brick for it, should arrive shortly. It took forever to find one online through ebay. Guess its so rare as it was an optional accessory with the camera back in '84. The brick is essentially a larger charger unit, but with a cable which comes off it and allows you to plug into the 9.6 volt socket on the camera. Hopefully the reason why I am having just the grey screen issue is because of the 29 year old battery being unable to deliver the required amount of power to power the camera tube it does shut off after about 30 seconds, but I was hoping it would give a live image though the view finder even for a brief moment.