The Varicam 2 picture?

[hunter richards]

I did not photoshop this!
I found this on a message board from japan. Is it what I think it is? It looks like a cinema beast!

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/23459/1198310387.jpg
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/23459/1198310387.jpg%5B/IMG%5D

[Luis Caffesse]

woah

Do you have a link to where the pic came from?

[SPZ]

Looks like we found out were the Panasonic designers where focusing their attention...

First analysis:

No p2 reference on the shell, at least on this side... What does the 1 something insignia goes for? This low res photo is incredibly teasing... Maybe new technology?

Let speculation begin!! :)

EDIT- looking closely, though, it seems like the background was photoshopped, even the name plate seems fake...

EDIT AGAIN- But it does follow the new " 80'ies volvo esque design" trend on the new AVCHD camera mocups we've seen recently

[agentjonny]

i call shenanigans! that thing looks like a space shuttle from the 80's. i think the japanese guys are having a laugh...

[hunter richards]

It does look kind of fake. but at the same time somewhat plauseable. I found the picture through google, i think I searched for "varicam" or "varicam frame" or varicam something... then click on image search, it was a few pages back.

Its a nice looking box though! = )

[Rocketeer]

It's not a fake. I'm just very surprised to see it posted.

[Andrew McCarrick]

If it's not fake, I have to say I don't like the way it looks at all. No shoulder mount? To many sharp angles. It doesn't look very user friendly.

[Luis Caffesse]

It's not a fake. I'm just very surprised to see it posted.

Care to elaborate?
:)

[William_Robinette]

If this is indeed legitimate, the designs Panasonic have been coming out with of late are horrid.

[jcoxshooter]

the back part with the play button kind of looks like a p2 store

[5ive]

It's been a while since i posted on DVXuser.

And I am going to say that this is a fake. why you may ask? Well lets just say it's a feeling.


Respectfully

5ive

[Barry_Green]

Well, your feeling is wrong, because if Rocketeer says it's not a fake, it's not a fake. I know Panasonic has talked to Varicam owners to poll them for what they should do with a VariCam II, and Rocketeer would be one of those guys.

[Steve-O]

So is Panasonic only going after the independent crowd with this new varicam and not EFP or ENG? Because it looks like that might be an akward camera to shoulder.

[Andrew McCarrick]

So is Panasonic only going after the independent crowd with this new varicam and not EFP or ENG? Because it looks like that might be an akward camera to shoulder.

Well, I can tell you, even for me, I would not use that camera because of the lack of a shoulder mount. And I don't even do ENG work, only Cine work. Maybe if they went after a Dalsa Evolution look, but that design in the picture doesn't look very practical.

[Dan Vance]

I'm going to guess that it's not fake, but a pre-Varicam Varicam mockup. The design screams 'late 90's'. Just my guess.

(I'm usually wrong...)

[hunter richards]

Dan vance: It has a ziess Digizoom on it, its a fairly new lens. (compared to the 90's)

Hey by the way your jib is pretty awesome, is there any way to try it? (PM me)

[Luis Caffesse]

So is Panasonic only going after the independent crowd with this new varicam and not EFP or ENG? Because it looks like that might be an akward camera to shoulder.

The RED seems awfully awkward to shoulder as well - doesn't seem to be hurting their hype. Maybe Panasonic is looking to shake things up a bit - this definitely seems to be a departure.

At the end of the day - I don't care too much how the camera looks, as long as it can be comfortably used (which this might be on the edge of)...

More importantly - I'd love to know something about the specs on this thing.

[Dan Vance]

Dan vance: It has a ziess Digizoom on it, its a fairly new lens. (compared to the 90's)



Yes, it does look like one of the newer ones...but there's just something wrong with that hexagon design. Could it still be an old mockup body with a Digizoom mounted, just to prompt discussion?
Else there's a Panasonic Industrial Designer who slept through a few classes...
:)

[Ticheli]

Well, sort of...

I was treated to a view of this "camera" in a private room last year at NAB. At that time it was just a balsa mock-up and no decision had been made on the size of the sensor.

I urged them to consider no imager smaller than 35MM, but I understand some favored a 2/3" chip.

That was some time ago, of course; perhaps a working camera now exists.

I do have a Red on order, but our VariCams have been terrific for us as has been Panasonic's support, and I offered to buy a large sensor "VariCam" if the price was affordable.

Red holds great promise and I'm very excited about it; doubtless it will dramatically change the business, but there is certainly room for other players. What happens if Nikon, Canon, Panasonic and others who have the hardware expertise and software experience decide to throw their hats into the ring?

Both Nikon and Canon make extraordinary cameras with fantastic chips, high quality lenses, and, most importantly, highly evolved software. If they have the will, they have the means.

I think we're all in for a sweet ride in the camera department!

Good shooting and best regards to all,

Leo

[walnutcrunch]

The varicam 2 might exist, and it might look like that, but that is not a picture of it.

Look at all the seams in the picture. Look at how different sections of the picture have different levels of compression. It's got that frankenstein thing going on.I don't see how that isn't a photoshop job.

[5ive]

Well, your feeling is wrong, because if Rocketeer says it's not a fake, it's not a fake. I know Panasonic has talked to Varicam owners to poll them for what they should do with a VariCam II, and Rocketeer would be one of those guys.

Hi Barry,

Well if it's not a fake and my feeling is wrong then I guess I am. A VariCam II would be good but for some stupid reason I thought the AJ-HPX3000 was the replacement for the VariCam. I am obviously wrong. So, I would love to hear what additions the VariCam II will have. Any ideas?

Respectfully


5ive

[Barry_Green]

Panasonic has repeatedly stated that the HPX3000 is *not* the "VariCam II". The HPX3000 is Panasonic's answer to the F900R and F950. It can't be the VariCam II because, at its core, there's no "vari" in it -- the HPX3000 doesn't have variable frame rates.

I don't know what Panasonic US has said, but Panasonic Aus has said that yes, there is a VariCam replacement coming, and no, they won't discuss any of its features, and it's at least 12 to 18 months away.

[akabaka]

FYI... I can't read the kanji on the card, but the katakana says "design concept ... model"

[Rocketeer]

Apparently the photo is one from an Interbee display from 2 years ago. AFAIK the camera is still in development in that form having seen a non working prototype at Nab 06 & 07.

No spec details were given as the engineering team was seeking feedback from existing Varicam owners.

I would think the camera is now being developed to take on the F23, Viper and Red market rather than the ENG/EFP Varicam segment.

[hawaj]

No photoshoping, it's from Inter BEE 2006 and it's coming sooooooon :)

http://panasonic.co.jp/exhibition/interbee2006/
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fpanasonic.co.jp%2Fexhibit ion%2Finterbee2006%2F&langpair=ja%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

translation from japan blog
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geocities.jp%2Fsumi65 3%2FoldBBS.2006.11.html&langpair=ja%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8


http://panasonic.co.jp/exhibition/interbee2006/img/p2hd02.jpg

http://panasonic.co.jp/exhibition/interbee2006/img/p2hd02.jpg

[Andrew McCarrick]

No photoshoping, it's from Inter BEE 2006 and it's coming sooooooon :)

http://panasonic.co.jp/exhibition/interbee2006/
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fpanasonic.co.jp%2Fexhibit ion%2Finterbee2006%2F&langpair=ja%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

translation from japan blog
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geocities.jp%2Fsumi65 3%2FoldBBS.2006.11.html&langpair=ja%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8



http://panasonic.co.jp/exhibition/interbee2006/img/p2hd02.jpg

Lovely.... so is that the final design of the camera, or just a design mock-up? Because that's one of the least user friendly cameras I've ever seen.

[cardmaverick]

Thats some good sleuthing... How did you find that? I'm disappointed though... Thats certainly a 2/3 camera. You can clearly see it has a Digi Prime on it.

When will they learn!!! I just hope they have some kind of JVC like all optical 35mm adapter in the works.

Here's the bigger question though.... What format? I doubt its anything RAW. If they are still bent on 2/3 cameras, they are probably still bent on DVCPROHD.

[cardmaverick]

I found this...

http://panasonic.net/exhibition/interbee2007/

If you scroll down, you'll see a "multi format" camera listed with "prototype" next to them in big green letters. Just one more clue.

[Luis Caffesse]

From the message board that was linked to above -
(keep in mind this is translated Japanese)

"When the リムーバル unit which is the rear is exchanged, in order for there to be also the new conception where it was not in the former camera, the format and at a stroke becoming 4K2K of super high picture quality HD are expected, e.g., it can modify the record media, with the individual is not something which can be purchased very, but the completion is the pleasure."

Sounds like what was being presented was some sort of swapable back system that would allow for different recording media and formats. At least that's what I got out of it. Sounds quite a bit like the RED (or the old Sonys.. )
:)

[Luis Caffesse]

Some better (or at least 'other') pictures:

http://mono-log-ue.cocolog-nifty.com/photos/uncategorized/img_5172.jpg

http://mono-log-ue.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/images/img_5188.jpg

http://mono-log-ue.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/images/img_5187.jpg

[cardmaverick]

Since when is teal the new color for record buttons???? LOL

[Luis Caffesse]

Since when is teal the new color for record buttons???? LOL

That's what makes it a prototype.
:thumbsup:

[cardmaverick]

Where is this forum link? Sounds like bookmark material for future camera release speculation. LOL

[Luis Caffesse]

The original message board that was linked to was:
http://www.geocities.jp/sumi653/oldBBS.2006.11.html


Then in that thread I saw the link to this blog:
http://mono-log-ue.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/cat3559350/index.html

Which is where I found those other photos

[cardmaverick]

Thanks for the links!

You know, smaller sensors are not alway what DPs want, but, if they can make an all optical adapter like JVC did, it might not be a bad thing. I've been in situations where 35mm DOF is just too slim. Being able to increase your DOF by taking the optical adapter off could come in handy, and the fact that they do not add grain via ground glass screens, the shots would mesh when cut together. Maybe just *maybe* they are onto something. But this is assuming they are making an all optical 35mm adapter. It also wont hurt to have full resolution in each color channel either...

[cardmaverick]

Perhaps what is really swappable is the big hexagonal thing. Maybe there is a 35mm 4K hexagon in the works.

[SPZ]

The good news is... Its P2! Now where's the "new" HVX Mockup :) !

[Noel Evans]

Oh man just 4 dc out ports?

[mcgeedigital]

NAB 2008 is gonna be kind of interesting!

[hunter richards]

I like 2/3"!

[Mac]

For those of us that have had to use the old Varicam handheld, I hope this is either a hoax or a mockup of a production, Arriflex type camera and not a replacement for the Varicam - because it is an eronomic nightmare before Christmas....

And I like 2/3" too...

[smelni]

I am not sure you can judge the user friendliness or ergonmics from this one image - although it does look like a strange design.

[hunter richards]

Maybe the V2 is for digital cinema and not efp/eng? Maybe its 2K? Hense the D-5 2K upgrade board.

[cardmaverick]

If panasonic is going to be serious about a digital cine camera, they need to get serious about 35mm sensors.

[hawaj]

Thats some good sleuthing... How did you find that? I'm disappointed though...

I googled varicam + interbee because other combinations didn't works
sometimes you are lucky sometimes not

[Jason Adams]

The design is certainly interesting.

Red has a very distinct look, people love it. I think the negative response to the design has to do with it being panasonic.

If this was red 2 or the Apple I cinema, everyone would be freaking out about how awesome the design was.

Anyway, can't wait to here more.

[Cees Mutsaers]

Any news on a HVX200 succsor on these blogs ?????
I only see question marks as tekst.




The original message board that was linked to was:
http://www.geocities.jp/sumi653/oldBBS.2006.11.html


Then in that thread I saw the link to this blog:
http://mono-log-ue.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/cat3559350/index.html

Which is where I found those other photos

[Brad Neal]

I'm sure it will have all the latest features and technology, but man that is the ugliest thing I have ever seen.

[Barry_Green]

Clearly you haven't seen the prototype of the HMC70... :)

[Andrew McCarrick]

Clearly you haven't seen the prototype of the HMC70... :)

The HMC70 looks just like the DVC7, DVC15, or the DVC60....

[TimurCivan]

it is no less "convenient" looking than a Dalsa, TGV Viper, Full on F23..... etc... i hope it performs like thoes cameras.

[Kholi]

=\ Doesn't matter how ugly it is, I can't afford it.

I wonder if it's MAG style. Someone mentioned that you can take the back off and change formats, wouldn't that mean you could load that P2 card reader up with cards, then remove it like a mag and replace it with another one that's 3 Cards deep?

On what Timur said, that would mean it'd operate similar to an F23. Sort-of?

[Erik Olson]

Doesn't it bother anyone that Panasonic has placed the teal run button and viewfinder on the dumb side of the camera?

That, and everything else about it is completely off. I don't think this is the result of the Varicam user poll.

e

[Brad Neal]

Am I missing something, or is there only 2-P2 card slots?