Panasonic hdx900 Liked it so much I just brought one.

[Tony]

You should have also checked out the Sony F900R in addition to the 750.

Tony Salgado

[Peter Steinman]

The 900r is just a tiny bit more expensive 😉

[Johann Perry]

a)unfortunately none available to test on the day, b) great camera but three times the price.

[Michael Brennan]

Brave move Johann!
Yes shoot 50p palyback 25p and you have slomo.

But is 720 25p still not supported (native) by NLEs so you’ll have to go HDSDI?

The 1080i output from the 900 looks to be sharper than the Varicam, the camera is a excellent choice for PAL SD, but faces big competition from the Infinity in the low res HD market (if that market developes in Europe) Most post houses in Europe do not have Panasonic DVCPROHD decks, but the Infinity with its

[Bchsiao]

Michael,

How does discovery HD know if you’re using a HDX900 if you’re delivering in 1080i? Did they require HDCam masters? What about images from the previous HDX400?

[Robin Probyn]

Hi Johann

Another UK DP here! I also have a PAL digibeta,and know John at toptec,s…very good engineer.Sort of in the same boat as you and many others I guess as the What HD camera to buy question looms
I was very glad to hear about the HDX 900 as it seemed the answer to all freelance doco/corp type camera people who want to own their own camera.Having so many format choices,like the F900…BUT a fraction the cost.Iam sure the F900R is a (better) camera Tony,but for most people the price is a pretty big factor,I know a Bentley is better than my van…but I cant afford one…
Iam also hoping the camera will became very popular,and so accepted as a (proper) format,and then the post houses will have to buy the decks! not that we have buy the camera,s to fit their decks ;-).
I wonder that 720P is looked down upon,not so long ago everything was shot on betacam? and worse.
Anyway Iam sure alot of people will be wanting to know how you get on wiht your new beast,the pro,s and con,s
Keep us posted

Thanks

[Tony]

Price was not the point instead a more valid apples to apples when comparing the 750 and 900R to other cameras.

Hypergamma is a feature on the 900R which many need to see to appreciate.

Tony Salgado

[Peter Steinman]

Of course but, most people looking at the HDX900 are probably not in a position to buy a 900R even if they wanted too.

BTW, what was your opinion of the HDX900 ? You really havent said other then mention a few features/functions. Ron already gave you up so I know you’ve had a chance to ‘play’ with one 😉 I really would like your opinion on it.

Personally, I think its a great value and side by side against my F model Varicam it holds up very well. I can see differences in the filtering and detail functions I think. The Varicam just seems ‘smoother’ to me. With detail off the Varicam is soft but, the HDX900 looks too soft when detail is off. Not sure I’d ever use the HDX without some detail on. I need to take it where I can access better monitors though. The 17″ Panasonic lcd is not really what you want to judge cameras on.

[Johann Perry]

I’ve been speaking to several large post houses in London over the last month about using panasonics over sony and all come back with the same answer, Dvcpro100 no problem. I’ve been shooting for the last three months on the sony 750 and have never been happy with it. No matter how hard I fiddle I still think it has a very abrasive look. Detailed yes, pleasing to the (my) eye no. In my opinion, which has to be taken subjectively, it handles harsh highlights really badly and shooting 25p can cause havok when panning across a white picket fence or similar. After spending a day putting the HDX900 up against the 750, again, in my opinion, there was no contest. The Hdx900 handled contrast, harsh highlights and paning across tightly spaced vertical lines with far superior results. Skin tones seemed more flattering and overall I prefered the panasonic’s tonal colour range. I have in the past always owned sony cameras and was slightly sceptical about other manufacturers products but after a day of thorough, like for like testing I was more than happy to go with the HDX900. I’ve got several Hi Def shoots coming up over the few months and all the producers are more than happy to go with DVCpro100 and the HDX900. So at the moment I’m happy to make the leap to the hdx900 and hey, if I’m wrong and it doesn’t take off, it will be paid off anyway. I’m betting that it’s impressive spec, lovely pictures and market beating price will win many followers.

[Tony]

I would not turn detail off on either camera.

Where you the one selling a Varicam?

Why did you choose to go with the HDX-900 instead of holding onto the Varicam?

Focusing on what a person can afford to buy was not the point of my previous posting regarding checking out the 900R or anyother camera head for that matter. Don’t forget the massive rental market which exist to allow tailoring a specific need with a specific piece of equipment.

Understanding what different feature sets are available on various camera models in fundamental when you work with numerous cameras/formats regularly.

Tony Salgado