Continuing with Canon this week and what is possibly their best HDV Camcorder offering – the XL H1S. As far as Digitial Video Cameras go; it is quite beautiful. Well maybe the eye-piece is a bit of an eye-sore, lol.

$8,999.00

The Product Site

Agggg, I want to write about the RED, but next week there will be announcements from RED – hopefully about EPIC and Scarlet.

So, instead, this week I will flash some awesome Canon Cameras. The XH G1, XL H1S and of course the 5DMarkII. If you want to know why I am doing this even though I have not had the privilege of using most of these cameras then check out the Intro.

And now – the Canon XH G1 ….

Canon XH G1 High Definition Camcorder

$6,999.00

Hmm, More expensive that the Panasonic HVX200A, I wonder why? I thought the HVX was better.

Well, at least they don’t hide the fact that the resolution is not quite 1920 x 1080.

I like the 20x zoom, but not the fact that they seem to push the Auto Focus feature – I mean why?

The Product Site

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

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

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

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:

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

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:

Some great links:
The Product Site

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:

Some great links:
The Product Site

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 ….

(more…)

Lets kick off this series with a serious camera. “Why.so.serious?” because it is hectic in quality, specs and price. Ummm, and about that price …

$150,000

That’s more than my house!! Much more. Hope that lens is included and out of this world. Anyway, money aside; what makes this camera so good: (more…)

Here a great account on Apple’s new Blu-Ray capabilities in Final Cut Pro 7. I just wish they would put together a Blu-Ray Authoring Application – personally I just don’t see HD distribution being dominated by the online mechanism – I sure aint streaming 50GB and anything less is doing the content injustice.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66oLjzF2TfA]