Attn: Jan and Panasonic: informal poll on removable lense for HVX-200

[Emery]

1. Do you want removable lenses on this camera? Most definitely

2. Would you pay more? Absolutely

3. How much more would you be willing to pay? I would pay up to $3,000 more.

If we had the option of a removable lenses model there would be NO competition whatsoever. At this point however, the JVC model has me on the edge due to its superior optics.

Emery

[Graeme Nattress]

You say the JVC has superior optics, but you can’t possibly know that. The lens they ship with the camera is incredibly cheap for an HD lens, and therefore I don’t believe it can be a true HD lens. Even good SD lenses cost more than the JVC camera and lens together.

I think that Panasonic will probably do a big borther to the HVX200, and that will be like a SDX900 / Varicam hybrid on P2 steriods. That will have real lense and cost real money.

Seriously, by keeping the lens of the HVX integrated, Panasonic can spend more on it and get us better quality glass than if they’d spent the money making it removable. If there was a removable lens then I reckon it would cost twice the cost of the HVX to get a decent quality one that will do the camera justice.

In essence, calling for a removable lens on the HVX200 is just plain daft. Poll or no poll, Panasonic aren’t going to do that. If you really want the camera with a removable lens, then go get a Varicam.

Graeme

– http://www.nattress.com – Film Effects for FCP

[Blub06]

Sounds like a control freak to me. Do this, don

[Luis Caffesse]

[Blub] “I sense that most people who want a removable lens mount don

[Jp Driscoll]

I work for a small-market (100+) TV station looking at making the switch to P2. Right now we have the (dis)pleasure of using MII (not one of panasonic’s finer products) as our main format. Needless to say, when this station makes another jump in format, it will be as far ahead as possible because of the cost involved in format changes. P2 looks good. The initial investment may be spendy, but it’s future-proofed a lot better than say XDCam. It’s also cheaper than another tape format switch. No decks, etc.

The HVX200 looks like the key to convincing the people with the checkbook that this is worth it. The lack of removable lens is a big setback to me. But really, with news, the only time we take a lens off is when it’s broken. So have an extra camera on hand for any problems. They’re about the same price as a lens. But I’m in the comercial production side. Even though we are typically low-budget, there are times when a macro or wide-angle lens is needed. Will this camera have any of that?

If so – I’m in. If not, better think a little harder. I’ll even take an adapter that fits on the lens.

BTW – love the forum. Huge source of info for me in my research of P2. I’d love to hear from any low-budget commercial production or news broadcasters currently using P2.

JP

[Graeme Nattress]

Yes – I’d say go for a fully manual non-removable lens as long as it doesn’t impact on the picture quality. I’d pay another $1000CAD for a fully manual lens.

Graeme

– http://www.nattress.com – Film Effects for FCP

[Chris Bell]

I am sure panasonic has researched this issue extensively. First thing, there are no 1/3″ HD zoom lenses from Canon or Fujinon. It is unclear of what quality the JVC/Fuji lens has. I am sure Panasonic made the determination that at this price point, an interegrated lens made the most sense for 2 reasons:

1) Cost Control… a good HD lens could cost more than the camera. My Fuji 20x HD lens cost me $20k.

2) Quality control…Since Panasonic builds the lens, they are able to control the quality of image from the camera.

I think it is unrealistic to expect Pansonic to priovide everything at this price… that is why they offer the Varicam.

Chris Bell

PS: I think the only reason Canon offered a removable lens for the XL1 is because they are in the Lens business. Sony never offered a removable lens at this price point.

[Graeme Nattress]

My first real camera was an MII and I loved it! Better picture than BetaSP for lower price. Given that they were not popular I picked it up really, really really cheap – about the cost of a new VX2000 or whatever DV camera was around at the time.

I don’t see any problem putting filters or other adapter lenses on the HVX200 – and indeed, I reckon Panasonic will make and market some themselves. I hope my existing matte box fits though!

Graeme

– http://www.nattress.com – Film Effects for FCP

[Luis Caffesse]

[Graeme Nattress] “I hope my existing matte box fits though! “

I wouldn’t hold out hope on that Graeme, given that the HVX’s lens diameter is 82mm, most of the lens accessories probably won’t make the switch.

Luis Caffesse
Studio 3 Productions, Inc.
Austin, Texas

[Emery]

wow, my poll failed right off the bat. I was hoping we could keep this thread specific to the poll.

Graeme I respect your opinion as you’ve been a leader on this and other forums. Surely you understand the benefits of the ability to change lenses. Im astonished that you folks that have responded so far don’t see the need for such a camera.

The glass is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle when it comes to image quality. Its just plain crazy to state that a true fujion HD lens wouldn’t make any difference. I dont have first hand experience with the lens that ships with the JVC, but the camera certainly has the ABILITY to have superior optics.

Having control over what glass you put in front of the camera is one of the most, if not the most artistic choice you make in regards to cameras.

The implementation would not be expensive, the guys that chopped off the front of their FX1 clearly showed that. I think there should be two models, one fixed, one removable.

The price increase would be mostly due to the fact that a removable lens would take sales away from the Varicam.

Emery