[Leo Ticheli]

How did you determine that the camera was recording out of sync?

I’m particularly skeptical that the camera could randomly vary in and out of sync.

I suggest that you shoot a clap-board for reference, then adjust the offset in your NLE.

Best regards,

Leo
Director/Cinematographer
Southeast USA

[Leo Ticheli]

I’m not sure if this is your problem, but I believe you need the 4:4:4 card to do hardware down-conversion.

Read this: https://www.blackmagic-design.com/support/detail.asp?techID=103#tiger_dc

Best regards,

Leo
Director/Cinematographer
Southeast USA

[Leo Ticheli]

Hi Bruce,

I’m sorry you haven’t been able to make the VariCam work for you in your market, but your situation is certainly not Panasonic’s fault.

A couple of technical points: I rarely, I mean very rarely, use Black Stretch. Yes, I regularly shoot at Dynamic Level set to 500%, but I don’t encounter the problems you seem to have with it. In point of fact, we do some post color correction simply because we like to tweak a bit, not because the camera original “needs” it. Perhaps your settings don’t look right at 500%; mine do. I hate the look of 200%; it’s far too much like “video” to me; of course opinions vary. If you develop some different settings; you might find much more than you are now getting.

I certainly don’t want to start or continue a CineAlta vs. VariCam debate, but many do not share your opinion that the 900 makes better pictures. My experience is the opposite of yours. Can we please just agree that properly used, both are quite capable?

I had the first Avid sold in the Southeast US and was an “avid” fan for many years; like you, I grew very disappointed with them as their policies seemed to drift away from customer concern and service. That’s why we converted to FCP and have never looked back. I must say, however, that the experience with Panasonic has been totally unlike that with Avid. Panasonic customer support and dialog has been outstanding.

I’m told by a few major equipment houses that throughout the country the VariCam is outselling the CineAlta by a very large margin; a ton of us are doing quite well with it and I can assure you that we will continue to do so. If you are primarily in rental, I can see how not having the latest model could be a liability, so you have to amortize accordingly. Owner-operators, on the other hand, don’t need the latest model because they are hired for the end result not the equipment model number.

It’s my opinion that Panasonic does not owe current users anything towards the purchase of an “H” model. I’m told a hardware upgrade is not possible because of totally new cards. Unfortunately, you can’t get rid of lead solder with software! Furthermore, if you’re not making a good return on your current VariCam, I would be amazed if you could do better with the “H” model.

While I’m grateful for all the VariCam has helped me accomplish, I can understand that it may not work for everyone. I wish I could help you and am available to help off-list if you like; however I can’t agree that you have a valid complaint in reference to the model “H.” I do wish you could find a way to turn things around and stick with the VariCam community.

Best regards,

Leo

Director/Cinematographer
Southeast USA

[Leo Ticheli]

If you like the look of 60 fps slow motion shot on film, you’ll like the result using a 180

[Leo Ticheli]

I hope Professor Sharaf will permit me to jump in…

If the subject is moving in the frame, shutter off produces more blur, therefore less sharpness. Using a shutter reduces the exposure duration and makes each image sharper, but more likely to strobe.

Shooting at 60 fps with the shutter off yields an exposure duration of 1/60 of a second, which should be plenty fast enough for sharpness of a girl running on the beach.

If you want to emulate the look of a film camera, which cannot operate with no shutter, try a shutter angle of 180

[Leo Ticheli]

From whom did you buy your VariCam? I would think they would be eager to help you directly or to hook you up with the right people.

Maybe your karma is so bad no one wants to talk to you! :-). Just kidding, of course! Write to me off list, and I’ll give the phone numbers I use for all things VariCam.

Best regards,

Leo
Director/Cinematographer
Southeast USA

[Leo Ticheli]

Service, technical support, and useful information from Panasonic on their professional products has been, in my own experience, as good as it gets.

All of my technical questions, and some philosophical ones, have been answered promptly.

Best regards,

Leo

Director/Cinematographer
Southeast USA

[Leo Ticheli]

I’m sure you’re aware of the historic lifespan of video cameras, if you bought within the last six months, you bought fairly late in the product cycle.

Perhaps Panasonic will be willing to do something for you, perhaps not, but you still have the most versatile HD camcorder that exists. It’s the only HD camcorder that is a direct replacement for a film camera with variable frame-rates. Period.

You should be able to make beautiful pictures, virtually indistinguishable from the “H” model, and make money with your camera for a few more years. I can’t imagine a client demanding the “H” model.

While it’s not easy to predict the future, I’m betting that I won’t be switching to another HD camera until an affordable camcorder with a 35 MM sized imager comes along. Going out on a limb, I’m guessing two to three more years; perhaps longer. Since I bought one of the very first VariCams, that’s a long run by any measure.

The next VariCam will probably offer some kind of direct to disc or chip recording providing a higher quality image; we’ll evaluate when that happens. I would think that such a system would have to provide for affordable, permanently reliable storage; we’re not there yet. What’s the point of switching recording systems if you still have to go to tape, especially if you need expensive D5 machines?

I don’t feel Panasonic owes you anything, but it can’t hurt to talk to them.

Enjoy your VariCam; you’ll make money with it.

Good shooting!

Leo

Director/Cinematographer
Southeast USA

[Leo Ticheli]

Hi Bruce,

You’ve had the VariCam for two years; have you not made a ton of money on it?

With the relatively low purchase price and very respectable rental day rates, you should have. If not, either your business did not justify the purchase in the first place or your market conditions are very wrong.

At any rate, the important point is that the “H” model is an incremental change and certainly does not “obsolete” the “F” model.

You should continue to be successful with your VariCam.

Best regards,

Leo
Director/Cinematographer
Southeast USA

[Leo Ticheli]

The “F” model of the VariCam has enjoyed a very long run, has offered very low cost, if not free, software upgrades, and is not at all eclipsed by the new “H” model. You should be able to enjoy more profitable years with your “F” model VariCam. I see no reason whatsoever for you to feel that you must rush out and buy an “H” model.

All manufacturers who stay in business must upgrade and replace their products as technology advances. It’s foolhardy not to plan for this kind of natural evolution.

While I’ve been very happy with my Sony products, they have certainly had their share of rather short-term “successes.” Remember D2? A nice system, but quickly surpassed by Digital BetaCam. I think it’s very unfair to bash Panasonic for the VariCam program, which has been enormously successful with a product unmatched by any other on the market. I’ve enjoyed an excellent return on our purchase of the VariCam system, camera and decks, and we’ve received terrific service and support from Panasonic.

Best regards,
Leo

Director/Cinematographer
Southeast USA