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Super-duper Cameras: Arri ArriFlex D21

October 19, 2009 in Filmmaking with 0 Comments

I had the opportunity to spend some time at a shoot where the ArriFlex D21 was the chosen weapon. I also spend a good while chatting to the Visual Effects guys providing PreViz for the Director, but best of all was spending time with the Cameraman; Justin – very cool. Justin was one of those guys that was more interesting in the image than the number of Mega Pixels – that was for the Data Guys . He also had some interesting things to say about the RED One that he had used – but more of that next week, for now – the ArriFlex …

These cameras, just like the RED One, just don’t have the same visual impact as when armed with a suitable rocket launcher of a lens. So here is my terrible mobile phone picture taken of me when I was on set. lol

Effective Pixel Resolution	1920 x 1080 2880 x 2160 RAW 12 bit Bayer data @ 23.976p, 24p, 25p 2880 x 1620 RAW 12 bit Bayer data @ 29.97p, 30p
Color Space	4:2:2 YCbCr 10 bit (4:4:4 in dual link HD-SDI mode)
Sensor	Full 35mm
FrameRates	Variable frames (up to 60fps in HD 422 mode)
Aperture	23.760 x 13.365 mm/0.9354″ x 0.5262″ in HD Mode 23.760 x 17.820 mm/0.9354″ x 0.7016″ max. in Data Mode & Mscope™

It’s not the best looking camera; hard edges and strange angles – but the same can be said of RED’s cameras although they seems to have cooler look about them. The D21′s see quite bulky especially when there is a huge lens attached.

Some great links:
Full Camera Specs

Super-duper Cameras: Panasonic

October 16, 2009 in Filmmaking with 2 Comments

Here’s the line up of cool, hot, awesome, sexy Panasonic cameras – woot woot! Just a refresher why I am doing this: some people show off women, cars or houses; but I want to show off fantastic cameras and later – editing tools….

AJ-HPX3700

Effective Pixel Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels
Color Space	10bit 4:2:2 (Dual link RGB 4:4:4 output)
Sensor	2.2MP 3-Chip 2/3 inch
FrameRates	Variable frames (1 to 30fps) and 23.98/24psf output (via HD-SDI)

AJ-HPX2700

Effective Pixel Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels (720p – 1080p switchable)
Color Space	10bit 4:2:2
Sensor	2.2MP 3-Chip 2/3 inch
Frame Rates	Variable frames (1 to 60fps) and 23.98/24psf output (via HD-SDI) when in 1080

AJ-HPX3000

Effective Pixel Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels
Color Space	10bit 4:2:2 (Dual link RGB 4:4:4 output)
Sensor	2.2MP 3-Chip 2/3 inch
FrameRates	Variable frames (1 to 30fps) and 23.98/24psf output (via HD-SDI)

AJ-HVX200A

Effective Pixel Resolution	540×960 with pixel-shifting for an effective native 1080
Color Space	4:2:2
Sensor	1.1MP 16:9 3-Chip 1/3 inch
FrameRates	Variable frames (12 to 60fps)
Zoom	13X

Next Week: ArriCam

Super-duper Cameras: Panasonic AJ-HVX200A

October 15, 2009 in Filmmaking with 2 Comments

Ending this week in Super-duper Panasonic Cameras it the one camera I could possibly afford, also the one camera I opt to hire whenever I need too, also the one camera that is always reserved by someone else – everywhere, dammit.
Anyway, I really like this camera – apart from the fact that it would the most logical path in upgrading my current DVX100BE. The HVX200A is truly a Camcorder – but a fantastic one at that. P2, 1080p, great glass, 4:2:2 – ok; maybe if there was a 2/3″ sensor and not the 1/3″ it would seriously rock.

Although I have to say that I am in two minds about the HVX200A and the HPX170 which does not have a DV mechanism yet seems identical to the HVX200A in every other way (in terms of specs). Interesting that Panasonic describes the HVX200A as a Handheld Camcorder and the HPX170 as an HD Camcorder.
I have always wanted to get my hands on the original HVX200 because of it’s relatively 4:2:2 color space but apparently there was a lot of noise in the image, I understand that the HVX200A has solved that.

HVX200A: $6,310.00
HPX170 : $5,695.00

Well, lets see this one take a stroll:

Effective Pixel Resolution	540×960 with pixel-shifting for an effective native 1080
Color Space	4:2:2
Sensor	1.1MP 16:9 3-Chip 1/3 inch
FrameRates	Variable frames (12 to 60fps)
Zoom	13X

I am not sure where they get 1.1 Million Effective pixels when the actual resolution is 540×960 pixels. That will probably lead me to film – at most times – 720p with this camera. The Sony EX3 has a 1/2″ sensor which could make that a better option – but the price is just a touch out of reach.

Some great links:
HVX200A The Product Site
HPX170 The Product Site
HVX-200A: A First Look

Super-duper Cameras: Panasonic AJ-HPX3000

October 14, 2009 in Filmmaking with 0 Comments

Continuing with Panasonic and their cool camera, we find ourselves with the HPX3000, she is another P2 solid state shoulder mount camera – not the prettiest of the bunch but very useful.

This one has 5 P2 slots, offering a lot of minutes of HD footage, although those cards can be expensive. The product site for this baby uses the example of 5 16GB P2 cards: “for up to 100 minutes in AVC-Intra 100 at 1080/24p, 200 minutes in AVC-Intra 50 at 1080/24p, 160 minutes in other AVC-Intra 50 formats, and 80 minutes in other AVC-Intra 100 or DVCPRO HD formats” I wonder if it can support 64GB cards, are there 64GB cards? Sooo how much does this one go for? The price of a small flat …

$48,000.00 (although they appear to have a kind of trade in deal)

Well, lets see this one strut:

Effective Pixel Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels
Color Space	10bit 4:2:2
Sensor	2.2MP 3-Chip 2/3 inch
Frame Rates	24p, 25p, 30p, 50i and 60i

Some great links:
The Product Site

Super-duper Cameras: Panasonic AJ-HPX2700

October 13, 2009 in Filmmaking with 2 Comments

The Panasonic VariCam Camcorders are really awesome cameras. Still, I do not understand the use of the term camcorder; tell me that the $200 hobby camera is a Camcorder but not this professional HD camera – how about a Cinecam? Or maybe HD Digital Camera System? I mean this baby commands respect – as well as the HPX3700 – imagine telling the high profile actor, “We will be using the HPX2700 Camcorder” – “ummmm, can I bail?”

$39,950.00 (although they appear to have a kind of trade in deal)

Well, lets see this one strut:

Effective Pixel Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels (720p – 1080p switchable)
Color Space	10bit 4:2:2
Sensor	2.2MP 3-Chip 2/3 inch
Frame Rates	Variable frames (1 to 60fps) and 23.98/24psf output (via HD-SDI) when in 1080

Some great links:
The Product Site

Super-duper Cameras: Panasonic AJ-HPX3700

October 12, 2009 in Filmmaking with 2 Comments

Continuing this week on the Camera catwalk I take some glances at Panasonic cameras. I love the Panasonic AG-DVX100BE that I have owed for a few years – it have been my trusted work horse, and a good one at that – kudos to Panasonic for such a reliable product.
But they have much better cameras – much more expensive cameras. Cameras that I will not be able to afford (yet a touch *cheaper* that Sony), here we go ….

Continue Reading…

Super-duper Cameras: Sony

October 10, 2009 in Filmmaking with 0 Comments

Just because I chose a number of Sony Cameras, here is the Sony Video Camera fashion parade. Four Awesome Sony Cameras that not only look good, they are also hectically priced and spec’ed:

CineAlta F23

Effective Pixel Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels
Color Space	4:4:4 RGB color, or 4:2:2 Y/Cb/Cr
Sensor	3 x 2/3″ Progressive CCD (28mm)
FrameRates	1fps to 30fps @ 4:4:4 mode
Shutter Angle	3.9 to 360 degrees
Exposure latitude	>12 stops

CineAlta F35

Full Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels
Color Space	4:4:4 RGB color, or 4:2:2 Y/Cb/Cr
Sensor	Single 35mm Progressive CCD
FrameRates	1fps to 50fps @ 4:4:4 or 4:2:2 mode
Shutter Angle	3.9 to 360 degrees
Exposure latitude	>12 stops

CINEALTA HDWF900R

Effective Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels
Color Space	4:2:2?
Sensor	3-chip 2/3-type FIT CCD
FrameRates	1080/59.94i / 29.97P / 50i / 25P / 24P / 23.98P
Shutter Angle	1/48-second shutter speed (equivalent to a 180º film camera shutter setting)

XDCAM PMWEX3

Effective Pixel Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels
Color Space	4:2:2
Sensor	3-Chip 1/2 inch type Exmor CMOS
FrameRates	23.98p/30p 1080P Mode: 1-30fps 720P Mode: 1 – 60fps 25p 1080P Mode: 1-25fps 720P Mode: 1 – 50fps
Zoom	14x (optical), servo/manual

Super-duper Cameras: Sony XDCAM PMWEX3

October 9, 2009 in Filmmaking with 0 Comments

Gotta put this one in because this is a camera aimed at the market I find myself in; the Indie Filmmaking Market. It is a bit expensive but it is a great camera with great glass:

$9,900

Well then lets see it parade: Continue Reading…

Super-duper Cameras: Sony HDCAM HDWF900R

October 8, 2009 in Filmmaking with 0 Comments

Ok, staying with Sony – the HDCAM. This time not too bad in terms of price …

$69,000

About as much as you would pay for a very well decked out RED One with a few good lenses.

I don’t really like the look of this camera, but I guess that it does the work – as I have seen on the Interwebs – otherwise I would not have added it here. It just does not have the sex appeal of the CineAlta or RED One. But like I said “it does the work”:

Super-duper Cameras: Sony CineAlta F35

October 7, 2009 in Filmmaking with 1 Comment

Taking it up a notch here with serious cameras – the Sony CineAlta F35 – it’s value:

$250,000

or in my terms – Two houses – :O
But what makes it so great? Continue Reading…

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