Jeff Regan
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Canon codec runs at around 44Mbps, is 8-bit, Long GOP, 4:2:0, I believe. AVC-Intra 100 isI’d choo around 40-100Mbps, depending on resolution and frame rate, 10-bit, I-Frame, 4:2:2. ProRes is 10-bit, 4:2:2, this matches AVC-Intra 100 specs, whereas if you shoot 8-bit, 4:2:0, you can’t recover the data that was not recorded originally.
Additionally, the 3700 has more latitude, doesn’t suffer from rolling shutter artifacts or aliasing or moire to the level of a 5D. If you use a 35mm DOF adapter such as P+S Pro35 or Letus B4 Relay Lens and Ultimate, you will have an Academy frame. The 5D is full frame 35, so it’s DOF is more shallow, meaning you really want to shoot at f4.0-5.6.
The 3700 will give you far more control over the image via menu line items, such as Film-Rec Gamma and matrix and color correction, detail level, knee, black stretch, etc. It also has three HD SDI outputs for monitoring, orientable viewfinder, good audio control with four channels, designed for hand held use, etc.
Jeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
https://www.ssv.comJeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
http://www.ssv.com -
If you want 35mm Academy field of view and depth of field, you will need to use a 35mm depth of field adapter with whatever prime lenses, be they 35mm SLR or 35mm PL-mount motion picture lenses.
We use a Letus Ultimate Depth of field adapter with a Letus B4 Pro 2/3″ relay lens with Nikon, Canon and PL-mount Zeiss lenses. The other option is the P+S Pro35 35mm adapter. The latter rents for around $600-700 with a set of Zeiss Super Speeds, we rent the former for $350 with a set of eight Nikon 35mm SLR primes. Our Letus setup has been used on a couple of student features with the HPX500 with good results.
Jeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
https://www.ssv.comJeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
http://www.ssv.com -
Jeff,
The XA and ZA series Fujinon lenses use the same glass as the HA series. As far as justification of price difference, I’ve heard things like extra lens coatings, more polishing, more calibration time.
Obviously, Fujinon has made sure there is a difference in zoom ratio, such as 18X vs. 17X or 13X vs. 12X, but I believe the XA17X7.6 models are a great value without compromising image quality.Jeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
http://www.ssv.com -
Great news Jeff! Macie used to maintain my BVW-D600’s. How was low light sensitivity improved without gain boost? How do you like the XA17? Glad you’re even happier with your 2700. It’s such a great camera!
Jeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
https://www.ssv.com -
The 27H is quieter than the 27F due to improved CCD’s and processor. The 27F could be quieter by not using Film-Rec or reducing Dynamic Range to 200%, turning off Matrix, and even consider turning off detail.
Jeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
http://www.ssv.com -
Noise can be due to detail circuit settings. Try coring at +2 in addition to lowering detail level. Various gammas have different noise levels.
Jeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
https://www.ssv.comJeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
http://www.ssv.com -
Chris,
Contact me via email, jeff at ssv.com for used and demo equipment dealer resources.
Jeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
https://www.ssv.com -
The HPX500 is good in low light, the PMW-350K even better, but is CMOS and XDCAM EX 35Mbps, Long GOP, 4:2:0, 8-bit. The 350 could be an excellent event camera, but flash photography will cause issues. Panasonic has flash band compensation with the 300 and of course AVC-Intra, but won’t be as good in low light as the 500 and 350.
You might keep a lookout for an HPX2000 with AVC-Intra board, which will give you a better chip set than the 500, better codec, better viewfinder, ability to hold 5 cards. Problem is finding one for under $14K, especially with Intra board.
As far as lenses go, I’m very happy with the Fujinon XA17X7.6BERM series, which is Panasonic specific. It’s the same lens as the ZA17X7.6 for less money.
Of course, if you have the time, waiting for NAB would be a good strategy.
Jeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
https://www.ssv.comJeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
http://www.ssv.com -
I send our HPX2700 out on rental with 5)32Gb E series P2 cards. Transferring on location is very common, we offer a MacBook Pro with ShotPut Pro, but the camera comes with a PCD20 reader and the cards at no extra charge. When I shoot, I like to pull a card to start data transfer as soon as it has been filled, if possible.
Given that, I prefer 32Gb cards vs. 64Gb because of transfer time. I was told that news stations asked Panasonic to put 8Gb cards back into production because that recording and transfer time was ideal.
Jeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
http://www.ssv.com -
Phil,
I haven’t spent enough time with the HPX300 to answer that question. I like the 1/2″ sensor size of the EX cameras, prefer the 300 ergonomics and codec. When I shoot with 1/3″ cameras, the first thing I want to add is a 35mm DOF adapter. Of course I often use a 35mm adapter on my EX1 as well, but there is a shallower DOF and better light sensitivity with the 1/2″ sensor.
I generally prefer the tonality and colorimetry of Panasonic cameras, but with a manually tweaked scene file, the EX1 can look very nice. The EX1 is very impressive for light sensitivity and low noise. I’ve never seen the codec break up in challenging motion situations, I do have CMOS artifact concerns about both cameras. The EX1 is unusable hand held without shouldermount/rods/handles. XDCAM EX codec looks pretty bad in 1080/60i due to 4:2:0, but good in progressive modes.
I like the fact that Panasonic allows its best codec, AVC-Intra 100, to be used with the 300, whereas the Sony and JVC price point competitors are constrained by low bit rate, Long GOP, 8-bit, 4:2:0 to protect the more expensive cameras(in the case of Sony). Even Sony’s new 350 XDCAM EX 2/3″ camera for $20K is XDCAM EX only vs. the HPX300 at $8K with 10-bit, higher bit rate, I-Frame, 10-bit codec, same as the HPX2700 and 3700 high end P2 Varicams.
The 300 can use other Panasonic high end accessories, such as the RC10 and EC4 paint boxes(just got the new EC4 today), studio config. CCU’s, same P2 cards, readers, etc. The EX3 does allow the use of a Sony RMB-150 paint box, unlike the EX1. Not sure about the JVC, I know they had a CCU for the HD250, but it was SD out only.
Jeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
http://www.ssv.com