Is this still a Varicam forum

[Noah Kadner]

I’d say it’s kind of morphed into a Panasonic Broadcast camera forum out of neccesity- with the SDX900 and HDX900 being quite the capable younger brothers to the Varicam. But voice your concerns to the Lindebooms- they are very responsive.

Noah

[John Sharaf]

I for one welcome the inclusion of the HVX900 into the Varicam Forum; the camera is very similar in concept and despite the difference in the tape size (gap and physical size) and the different controllers, I think we’ll find much intermixing of the two in production in the near future.

Because both are designed around the DVCPRO100 format, perhaps the forum could be renamed officially or unofficially as that (just as the Cine Alta Forum has morphed correctly into discussions of the HD XDCAM).

I’m certain that many producers will expect for that matter that Varicam owner operators match the HVX900 rental rates, which thankfully are only a little lower so far, unless of course they are seeking off speed or slowmo shots in which case the varicam should still comand a premium.

JS

[Bchsiao]

Seems to me the logical way would be for the HDX-900 rates to match with Varicam rates. Hopefully the rental houses and owner operator would stand their ground. 🙂 What other 2/3″ camera besides the F900 will do 24p work for 1080i delivery?

Bruce Hsiao

[Paul Cronley]

I agree. After all the rental charges I’ve paid I can’t wait to start pocketing the change.

[Peter Steinman]

I don’t see this at all. The HDX900 is not a replacement for a Varicam. Its an upgrade for the SDX900. It will command more then SDX but, less then a Varicam. The current rental market for the Varicam seems fairly strong. It’s got name recognition. It’s going to take time for HDX900 to be accepted. That won’t happen overnight.

People have spent a lot of time and effort developing their Varicam ‘looks’. These don’t transfer over to the HDX at all. You have to make all new ones. Crews are familiar with the Varicam not the HDX. It will make a lot more sense to continue to rent Varicams as the HDX doesn’t offer anything the Varicam doesn’t. If the rental price only ends up $100 different nobody is going to take the HDX over a Varicam. HDX owners should hope the prices stay far apart. Then they will see better rentals.

There is also going to be a lot more 900’s out there for rent.

[Chris Bell]

Thankfully the optics from Canon and Fujinon are still expensive. This will keep rental rates above SDX-900 prices. My guess is that HDX packages will go for $700-$800.

Chris Bell

[Peter Steinman]

I think thats about right. I suspect when rentals start happening the camera with lens will be in the $600/day range and a complete package around $700-$800 depending on gear. Nobody is renting them now so hard to say what the market will pay. Not only are people unfamiliar with them but, getting a replacement camera on short notice if something went wrong would be just about impossible. No commercial shoot will probably be willing to take that chance.

However, there may come a time when there is a glut of these camera’s in the hands of people that don’t make their living with rentals. I could see the the price dropping in certain markets where there are lots of owner/operators with camera available.

just my 2 cents.

[Chris Bell]

I don’t think Varicam owners have much to worry about. The HDX only will expand the use of DVCPRO HD, making it more ubiquitous. It helps keep the format relevant giving our investments a longer return.

The Varicam will always demand a higher rate, since it is a more advanced camera.

Chris Bell