The History of Skateboarding's Favorite Camera

After seeing one too many of our written articles get turned into KZbin articles by rats left and right, we’ve decided to try our own video essay style content.
To start off this new experiment, we wanted to take one of our favorite old articles, an investigation into all things VX1000 originally written by Nic Dobija-Nootens for our second book, Jenkem Vol. 2, and bring it to life for even our most illiterate followers.
We tapped a dude with a good voice, Alex Coles, to help us visualize and narrate the reporting, and the end result, (while still a little vloggy to keep the kiddies interested) is a good first step toward our total domination of the KZbin blogosphere.
MORE INFO: www.jenkemmag.com/home/2020/09...
Original VX1000 Article: www.jenkemmag.com/home/2018/07...

[@LLusion]

you guys did such a great job on making a story about a camera so fascinating

[@codaschneider8988]

Woah it’s llusion

[@sleepyboi4989]

Yoooooo I love your remixes

[@Burgerss]

They really did

[@elprimo8348]

Illusion wtf are u doing here? Do u skate?

[@atletekno]

Hsu nollie back heel still makes me shiver with joy

[@Erik-cq4vc]

one of the best tricks ever caught on film

[@MichaelSvenson]

@@Erik-cq4vc at least at that spot. I'm still a fan of reynolds bsflip at wallenburg.

[@aidan33]

Jenkem is going to explode with the quality of this kind of content, Mark my words

[@sarcasmenul]

Already did. It’s one of the best skate media

[@alh.3025]

I mean they are at 101k subs so I think they are pretty poppin rn

[@dylanstandingalone]

This scrappy up and coming "Jenkem" thing is gonna be big! Big I tell you!!

[@jasondashney]

I found this video absolutely riddled with ridiculous statements. I was a professional skate filmer during this time so I'm intimately know the whole story inside and out, and I was also blown away they got technical things wrong too. I wrote a larger comment with a breakdown of the problems so I won't repeat it here. I downvoted this dreadful, dreadful video.

[@live4u609]

I’m a former news cameraman from that era, we used this camera for sports, floating sports cam, and on special assignments. It did well at night too. Then we upgraded to the P2 bucket cams. Back then it was only 2g of storage, later on it went up to 64g. My favorite cam was the JVC GY101, sure it was heavy, and the lens was long. But it was a badass for it’s day.

[@memorysometimers3067]

“Ga Ga GangStarr.....one of the best yet”. Dammmmm. So many skate vid tunes

[@youngiiwillii]

Its all good in this buisness of rap

[@magaz]

I remember back in the mid 2000’s being so jealous of the “pro filmers” near me running a VX and death lens when Injad a jenky handicam and tiny clip on fish eye converter...

[@davebell06]

oh man the clip on lens, I remember around 07-08 there was a "raymod" where people were combining the clip on Raynox fisheye with some other wide angle (maybe sony) lens.

[@ubahnrider1337]

@@davebell06 holy shit man i remember this!

[@mesohunt704]

davebell06 yea I did that by following a tutorial on skateperception. You literally glued this piece of glass from the other lens onto the raynox or whatever the lens was called. It’s been so long I can’t remember. I do remember that it made it a good bit wider. I had that on my GL2 for a bit until I was able to get the mk2. I will never know why I got a GL2 back then. All my friends including our filmer who was very popular on skateperception told me to get a vx1k or 2k but I was a kid so of course I wouldn’t listen. I think I just liked the way the GL looked. Haha thank god I don’t base decisions in my life off looks anymore.

[@10DollarProductions]

That was me man! The thing I was most jealous about was the handle on the camera actually. I basically had to palm mine like a ball when I was filming lines. I wanted a handle soooo bad. I miss that camera and clip on fish eye though.

[@AHappyMediumSkateboarding]

Thanks for including us! Vx1 ♾

[@lovelesstv]

i am 35, and hearing Photosynthesis described as "raw" when it was hyper-produced(for it's time) is totally hilarious. thank you for this video, quite the trip down memory lane.

[@dishwater63]

Same here (same age too), but I do remember seeing Photosynthesis for the first time and it had such an impact on me. It showed me that skate videos could be art. I watched it every day for a month straight.

[@devon5590]

Same age as well, I agree with the art project reference. What was Welcome To Hell shot on?

[@beatsbeercigarettes]

The Mr. Dibbs soundtrack was absolutely killer. I still have my VHS.

[@Brokemf08]

Nah memory screen is as raw as it could get. Even before the VX.

[@JimmyTheGiant]

Great video bro, animations are really nice

[@vanheestvisual]

that was awesome. The VX1000 has started so many careers of filming. It was a camera you could film with, learn about, and also hustle. Buy them, fix them, clean them, find the missing accessories and then sell for a profit. I learned how to film with a vx1000 and also how to hustle. High school and college - the VX days. Sold it to upgrade into the HD world and started making money filming things and into a full career. Wish I still had it as shelf art with the big MK1. what a classic look

[@dude995]

in crust we trust

[@DilbertHernandez]

used to get so hyped to watch your stay stackin edits on skateperception!

[@vanheestvisual]

@@DilbertHernandez !!! Sick hell yeah !! Staystackin yallreadyknow

[@johnnyc.3261]

Such a good job on this. FR stoked on this one. Thx Jenkem

[@theshiftygod]

I’m not the best at skating but I’ll be one hell of a skate historian thanks to Jenkem

[@Ricksonsaito8]

but thats important!! lots of kids these days can skate but dont know the history!! keep it up

[@blb281]

I’m 100% positive that Fully Flared took longer than four years to make

[@skatefever14]

Pretty sure it was 5

[@ryanhingorani4019]

i thought 7, maybe im think of a different video

[@blb281]

@@ryanhingorani4019 7 is the correct answer.

[@ryanhingorani4019]

B Anon Didn’t Stay Gold take a long time to film also?

[@blb281]

@@ryanhingorani4019 Stay Gold had 7 years between release dates with this is skateboarding. TIS came out in 2003, Stay Gold came out in 2010

[@rentablebunion23]

Just read the article a couple days back while taking a dump... coincidentally 3 days later taking another dump watching this video.

[@jacknicholson3442]

Lecture quality material

[@KRUSTYskates]

This is why i love Jenkem. I had the VX1000 & VX2000 both with death lenses. I had always fantasized about having one after seeing Emerica TIS, and Girl Yeah Right. We made some dope memories and videos on my channel. Then slowly Majer Crew was born and we all upgraded to DSLRs. The VX will always have a special place in my heart❤️

[@kishascape]

I prefer vx2100. It was a great documentary cam.

[@MultiBeautifulDays]

jenkem, if you continue with these videos i promise the reach will be worth it, in the case of the vx1000 article this video felt planned from the get go. loved it.

[@shapes216]

What I think is interesting is how neglected the dvx100 is, it’s basically the vx’s older brother that can shoot in 30p and is now far cheaper. I’m a filmer from the middle of illinois and I was able to find mine for around 170$, and it has some serious raw power for the mini dv age. A lot of people claim the colors (which are very very tuneable) and the mic (which is pretty much the same) are worse than the vx, but I think they are honestly much better and much more pleasing.

[@SkateJunk]

Agreed that the DVX is under rated, there's some "Energy" parts on Thrasher that are filmed with it. I'm a VX guy but I still appreciate some DVX footage.

[@MichaelSvenson]

I filmed the What the Fuck is a Bachinsky video and all the City Skateboards podcasts mainly on a dvx100b and I loved it. I just got an old canon xh-a1 off ebay and experimenting with its hybrid style HD.

[@TinLeadHammer]

Many cameras could shoot 30p back then, even cheaper ones. The selling point of the DVX was 24p, not very useful for skating unless you carefully compose the shot.

[@michaellimbeck5671]

I just got one as a gift from a retired filmer 🙏🏾😭🙏🏾 Deeply grateful 💙 Started with a Panasonic NV VZ 17 Vhs-C in 2018, updated to a Canon XM1 mid 19 and finally last week I got the VX 🙏🏾💙🌍💦 This video made me appreciate the camera and the gesture of 'the best filmer around' even more. I will live up to this, Niels. BIG TY 💪🏾 CV2020 soon...

[@markeugene1293]

Thanks Jenkem! I love the long form videos that are packed with info :)

[@CheapSushi]

this is so well done, the amount of info, the details, the footage, the history.... awesome all around

[@GreenLeaf5656]

the title card in the style of old sony manuals. nice touch, also now i know why so many skate videos all look the same

[@OM3N1R]

This is incredibly well narrated and edited. Really upping the quality. Appreciated

[@MonsieurSub]

Absolutely incredible quality of content, I am excited to see skateboarding culture so rigorously examined, with careful analysis and well-constructed graphics. This Jenkem video decidedly slaps

[@khrissyboy69]

BAKER 3 was filmed on the Sony TRV900

[@cremigproductions377]

are you sure?

[@SkateJunk]

Cremig Productions a lot of it

[@buttonpusher2338]

Yep a lot of it was 900, a thread-on version of the death lens and not a bayonet mount like vx. Beagle acquired the lens from me and I got the lens off J.Strickland which had previously filmed baker 2g and baker bootleg stuff

[@khrissyboy69]

@@buttonpusher2338 hence the clip of beagle sawing the glue to get the lens off. That’s dope, thanks for the reply that’s legendary

[@mesohunt704]

Yea TRVs were dope. I had one before I got my GL2. The fisheye that went on the TRV was called a “baby death” as in baby death lens. I don’t remember what it was actually called.

[@RKWDBMX]

Never clicked so fast in my life.

[@sarcasmenul]

Same.

[@CyrionWillems]

This is such a well made doc! And the nostalgia.... love it!

[@WheelMarks]

This was an awesome video, it was informative, put to together really well, it was engaging, and it was funny! I really enjoyed the facts, the history lesson and the end with the note on the lasting effect the VX has had on skate culture- please keep videos like this coming Jenkem much respect

[@eletor]

Thanks for this and congrats on 100k!

[@checker_boarder]

Best VX history video I have ever watched. You offered detail where detail is due. I love skateboard media and history produced by skateboarders. Thank you Jenkem. Ps tasteful touch with Miltons track from mouse. RIP KM

[@dude995]

so glad kerry at video electronics gets a mention. i think this my first time actually seeing what he looks like after knowing about him for almost 12 years haha. he's fixed my vx multiple times, and even translated the menus from japanese to english. dude's a g

[@ratinthecat2]

Full of information & extremely well put together video. Very fascinating! Nice work.

[@TLFILMS]

Awesome doc guys, that soundtrack, keenan forever at the intro, all the digging work, all the references, footages, voice copyrighting, I got all, that’s so cool as filmmaker and skateboarder to saw that

[@707lurks]

Jenkem you're killing it with these!

[@joms654]

the juxtaposition between the vx rail to rail 50 clip and the hd rail to rail 50 clip was impeccable. that attention to detail shouldn't go unnoticed. jenkem is made up of consummate professionals

[@joakimulseth]

Jenkem always has the content I wanna watch!

[@PocketSkateMag]

that was amazing! thank you for making this!

[@gabes8090]

CONGRATS ON 100K JENKEM! well deserved

[@dollabillwill415]

yall are gonna blow up if you keep making this kind of content. so good! id recommend looking at thescore esports' channel as a reference. edit: watched the whole thing and still loved it but it could use more interviews. hearing the quotes from the skaters themselves in the epicly later'd series is what sticks with me.

[@gravitykat1100]

I love this video!! Please make more mini doc type content! I love the usual stuff as well but this was just extra sick.

[@NormanWoods]

Made me nostalgic for puffy shoes and TSA pants. Awesome video.

[@TalbinSkate]

Jenkem has done it again. Great video, thanks guys

[@hunterdavis3003]

This is incredible! Great job jenkem

[@adambarker9493]

Great job, love the instruction manual credit sequence too.

[@CFronTV]

i fw this style of video heavily somehow this is exactly what i've been searching for

[@nexismfb]

WE NEED MORE OF THESE DOCUMENTARIES!

[@doctordothraki4378]

8:10 I think it's the aspect ratio that does that, not the lens so much

[@AuntNySkate]

nah it’s still the fish eye . you can use different ones and notice the subject get closer or further as well as the surroundings. it’s the reason i won’t use certain fish eyes

[@dailydoseofgarbage4940]

Probably one of the best videos on KZbin!!

[@mikeberrios1859]

Please make more of these this was dope

[@omarmacedo370]

yooo these videos are dope !! keep them coming

[@EricE549]

this is so well-edited, why does this not have more views?

[@HipHopBeatSource]

This was put together so well.

[@kaizokureeves]

Dear Mr. Jen Kem, thanks for posting this. Nice work Alex!

[@sk8erfreak540]

I respect that camera but I'm so glad everything is HD.

[@diabolical1976]

absolutly! I think now if the quality is that bad in todays day and age , videographers are just cutting corners.

[@izzybizzy9589]

hd does not have the golden colors of a vx1000. vx1000 forever

[@Phawcet]

Anyone who loves VX skate footy, you will love Spirit Quest! It might be hard to find, or it might be on KZbin by now, but the shots on that video is not only mind blowing, but incredibly creative and innovative.

[@chromebomb]

13 mins of JENKEM I LOVE IT

[@hiaceadventurevan3929]

Killer documentary!!!!! You guys kill it

[@ur_local_vans_modelken3315]

When the guy smashed his vx1000 to the ground my heart dropped

[@Mark_GL]

We where talking about this camera at the park today. Such a good content Jenkem!

[@EverythingsBeenDone]

Very well done! Thank you!

[@MrAdrienmartinez]

Well put together. Thank you.

[@malcolm341]

Great documentary, thanks.

[@Quesly1]

I remember in the late 2000s when people were trying to move away from the vx1000 to the vx2000 or the vx2100 and it was a big debate on skateperception and now people are still having those debates but with better cameras. affordable by amateurs is not that true because they were still a couple grand brand new.

[@jamiepippin3892]

A couple filmers made the vx2k and vx2100 with a modded mk1 look good. Chris Burt comes to mind.

[@mesohunt704]

We had the 1k mk1 forever. My other buddy ended up getting the 2k with mod mk1 which I actually liked. I wasn’t a big fan of the 2100 other than it’s quality in low light. My dumbass had a GL2 mk2 😂. My og perception name was Hunt16er just like my Instagram to this day.

[@dishwater63]

Fuckin' Skateperception. Now that is a name I haven't heard in a long, long time. What a flood of memories that just gave me after reading your comment.

[@Wildest_Wahoo]

I miss SkatePerception! 💔

[@baqcasanke]

The 2100 wasn’t as good for skate filming it was bigger and it felt less durable. But that lowlight was basically witch craft back in the day. My buddy had the gl2 and that was nice and compact but i remember it used to glitch all the time

[@cptafar]

Great job on this, so educational

[@socialburden]

This is why I love you guys

[@Barletta1337]

does anyone else nerd out on the background music?

[@bmxskate19]

what's the song?

[@adamj5]

@@bmxskate19 Hahaha

[@AaronWandinger]

Thx jenkem for this

[@RajonTV]

Really cool. Thank you for this!

Soooo damnnnnn good and really well done!!! congrats and thanks for this piece!

[@ProdByClockwerk]

A lot of the shit you guys make is amazing, but this is next level shit. It’s as professional as it gets.

[@skarceoneafd9609]

This was rad.. thank u Jenkem

[@chrisshent]

Brings back memories. Thanks for the compilation. Let's also not forget Stacy Peralta and his stunning production skills and video studio featured in Public Domain. I filmed on the Canon XM-1. Loved the color science better than Sony's. The mic wasn't as good as the VX1000 though. I used the Century deathlens with bayonet mount.

[@312falsefooty]

Baker 3 was filmed on a trv900 beagle even said that in an interview

[@doubleghetto]

thanks jenkem for the gold content

[@therealpoka]

This is AMAZING. This is the kinda nerdy skate stuff I love

[@conradzacharias3981]

Yo this was FANTASTIC🙏📽📽

[@slob710]

Imagine the porn industry tried to hold on to the vx "feel" like skaters

[@donovanimg]

this brings a tear to my eye

[@memorysometimers3067]

Damn that background beat at the first was from an older vid...Hot Chocolate maybe !!?? Hmmm. Awesome memories!!!

[@Nilobich]

baker 3 i think

[@nikomyorobinson8147]

Very well done!!!

[@djfrigidfire]

Read the article a bit ago, solid vid

[@neighborhoodturnt]

I got a vx 2000 off Amazon years ago and it’s works fine other than the menu scroll button is glitchy but it’s still puttin in work💪😤

[@TheAnnoor]

The vx1000 were also really popular in bmx videos and I remember wanting to buy one as a teenager, it has an incredible authentic style. But today a panasonic gh5 with a Sam yang, Canon fisheye are the way to go, a skate video shot in 4k 60fps, high bit rate colour and some great colour grading is superior,

[@7evive]

Amazing video!

[@netnavigator3264]

Loved this!

[@JakeBorchenko]

What a production! So sick.

[@kdc6]

Great piece 👌🏻

[@SurfRawFiles]

Thank you for this!

[@DevonFrohne]

I got the PD-150 in 2002 after college. I used that thing for so many fun snowboard and rave videos

[@yanglu13]

i'm in love with this video

[@thedcarpo]

I wish I could subscribe again. Sick stories guys, thanks. 😊

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Great video

[@matheuspetroli931]

niceee video jenkem!From brazil here...go skateboarding

[@BurnerProd]

omar salazar mind field! Thank you jenkem for jogging my memory

[@triplflip900]

Man that part has really stood the test of time for me. Might just be my favorite.

[@Mikeysb___]

JENKEM PLS DO A FULL VIDEO LIKE THIS ON THE MK1 VS THE XTREME 🙏🙏

[@Saygoodbye130]

Love jenkim. Good shit

[@rangoononline]

Great video about an awesome camera. I started making youtube videos using one of those when I visited a friend in Cali that shot skate videos using one. He also had Final Cut on his computer. I think it was like 2002. Good times!

[@Naltddesha]

rangoononline KZbin in 2002?

[@rangoononline]

@@Naltddesha Good point. Naw, I was making videos and exporting them as mov files using quicktime. Then, I hosted them on a website I made. Pretty much the only people that could watch them were people in college that had access to high speed internet. You can check them out on my channel cause they're all archived.

[@Naltddesha]

rangoononline ah- I see. That’d be cool, how do I find them?

[@rangoononline]

@@Naltddesha kzbin.info/www/bejne/jp3Xo4qJfZWWkJI

[@Naltddesha]

rangoononline awesome, I’ll check it out. Thanks Edit: lol, I love it. Now I want a girl w/ ICP eyes. Good stuff man!

[@BobbyDigital864]

Well put!

[@arusure]

100k and an amazing vid

[@untiromas]

love youuuuu jemkem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!