[Robin Probyn]

Ok thanks!

[Robin Probyn]

Sorry that was me!

I also love this camera,and was thinking to buy one.More than one person at rental houses in Japan told me that the HDX900 was the last tape based camera Panasonic would make,and they had officially announced it,so there was some doubt about how long it would be in production,as all efforts were going into P2.

I,d love for it to be wrong,but this seemed to be the drift I was getting.

But yes a really fantastic camera,use it all the time.Should have bought one when it first came out!!!

[Robin Probyn]

Alot of airports will make you take it out of the smuggler case to go through the xray machines,often have to put it sideways in also.But yes I know the desperate grab before the rollers dance.

The smuggler is great for travelling with the camera,lens off and eye piece off,it comes with 2 padded bags for these,some hard partitions,but not really good or designed as a working out of case.And so by trial and error I came up with my way of using both cases.
If you have a driver,and a nice big van,you can just hold onto the camera,or make a safe nest area for it,and just use the smuggler as an accessory case.

Also found in the US where alot of the domestic flights are in small planes,the smuggler wont fit into the over head lockers,which is a problem,as the attendants then want to sling it into a cupboard miles from your seat,which can only end in tears.Not so bad in Europe/Asia where even quite short flights they use large planes.

[Robin Probyn]

Ok thanks for the info,so framing just for the top of frame by not be the best idea.

Actually the shoot is now being done on my digibeta so I dont have the problem anymore.

Ridiculous to shoot with a 4-3 camera for 16-9 in this day and age.. the edit place didnt have a digibeta deck!!!

But thanks for the info!

[Robin Probyn]

Ive used the smuggler case for years,its very good,expect some airlines,happened to me with BA.. wouldnt allow it as hand baggage,not because of size,but weight.
They made me buy a ticket for it!!! when I got on the plane I was told it couldnt be in a seat but had to be in the overhead lockers.. where I wanted to put it in the first place.
No money back,and I would only get on a BA flight if someone was shooting a gun at me in the airport and all other flights were full… really..

But back to your question,the smuggler is not so great for working out of,as the camera doesnt fit in the case with a lens on,well a zoom lens anyway.I usually put clothes in my normal portabrace bag,and thats fine in the hold,its a big soft padded one,then use this one on location,and use the smuggler,with the viewfinder area folded away, as a sort of camera assist bag ie tapes and batteries.

works well.

[Robin Probyn]

Logic has prevailed and we will shoot with my digibeta 16-9… much rejoicing in the kingdom!

It would have been totally mad to shoot betasp(for the same rate) !!! and then change to 16-9,because there isnt a player at the posthouse.Like throwing away a Bentley for a Toyota Corolla because it fits the parking space better!!

Anyway thanks for your help!

[Robin Probyn]

Trouble is PAL to PAL very expensive in non PAL land.

They either have to rent a digibeta deck,most straight forward idea,or maybe I have to shoot with a Z1.Ive tried really hard to get out of this job,but seems impossible!!!

Maybe DVCAM NTSC is another out,at least using a real camera? DSR450.

[Robin Probyn]

Hi Ben and Walter

Thanks again for both of your time and advice.Its a mad situation thats for sure.So it seems it would be better to shoot with a Z1 !!!! than the Betasp.

Its crazy as they would be getting the digibeta at a very good rate,its just the useless posthouse that doesnt even have a digibeta deck… rant rant!!

Probably shouldnt have taken the job.. could spend the time drinking a large gin and tonic….

Your servant

[Robin Probyn]

Unfortunately its not letterbox final output.Its an odd situation,it seems I cant use my digibeta 790,as the editing place doesnt have a player,but they have a betasp player,I have my old betasp camera,so they said use that.Edit is in another country.
Is it that expensive to hire a digibeta player? I wouldnt think more than a day or two to digitise tapes,only 15min program.Then the whole problem would be solved!!!

[Robin Probyn]

Thankyou all for the info.

As you all say I should go for the middle.. thats what I,ll do.

Many thanks again