Jay Rodriguez
Coffee Member
The body is diecast magnesium and aluminum alloy! Lighter and obviously tougher the a plastic body, that's awesome.
hands on hpx170 - build quality and feel
- Thread starter wgzn
- Start date
Gary Senda
Well-known member
I don't need an high resolution monitor of 3,5" !!!!
A microscopic HD monitor it is an absolute nonsense and doesn't help me in shooting.
I need focus bar, histogram bar, waveform, vectorscope: these features are useful for shooting and not a small HD monitor
Regards
Gary
PS = the HPX 170 monitor, anyway, is better than HVX
cameralover
Member
Funny enough, the details of the 5 year warranty are actually not included with camera & I could not find the details on the website link that was provided.
but I did find it here:
ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/Panasonic/Drivers/PBTS/manuals/WT_PBTS_P2HD.pdf
Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Company (referred to as “the Warrantor”) will repair this product with new or refurbis hed parts,
free of charge in the USA in the event of a defect in materials or workmanship as follows:
Labor – Carry-in or mail-in service ONLY during the second through fifth years following the date of original purchase, or up to the number of operational hours as listed below **, whichever comes first.
Parts - Defective parts will be replaced with new or rebuilt parts within the same period of time as listed above. This extended warranty does not cover CCD block*, LCD panel, fan, handle, cases, viewfinder mount and consumable and cosmetic parts such as the ones made of rubber beyond regular warranty. This extended warranty does not cover accessories such as batteries, AC adapter, P2 cards, viewfinder or cables.
------
So, what does the extended warranty actually cover?
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cameralover
Member
Are you saying the material surrounding the lens on the outside is not plastic?
I think that this camera may feel cheap because of the low weight and lighter materials, but I bet it's just as tough as the HVX is. I get mine tomorrow so I'll just have to wait and see. Either way, I'm very excited to get mine and I'm not very worried about the feel of the camera. As long as it can take abuse and hold up, that's fine by me.
wgzn
Veteran
i hope nobody changed their buying choice or is questioning the quality of the camera based on my review. im sure it will work great and have no doubt that panasonic will support the warranty (as they always have) should anything happen.
my whole point was that it just didnt seem as well designed or thought out as the hvx did. if i were to guess, i'd imagine that several things ive noted here were cost saving measures to keep the price down. but personally id have hapilly paid an extra $500 for a more solid feeling product.
my whole point was that it just didnt seem as well designed or thought out as the hvx did. if i were to guess, i'd imagine that several things ive noted here were cost saving measures to keep the price down. but personally id have hapilly paid an extra $500 for a more solid feeling product.
DC
Cinematographiliac
My HPX170 just arrived!
I opened it and started to get a feel for the ergonomics. My first impression was that it is lighter but doesn't seem nearly as small as I expected it to be. Easier to handle, yet still rugged feeling like the HVX200/A.
Mine came with Barry Green's newest edition of his infamous book (updated to include coverage of the HVX200A and HPX170). It also came with a free (2nd) battery and lens cleaning kit. But best of all: a free 16GB P2 Card! No tax and free shipping at exactly $5195.00USD. Much thanks to Andrew and Jasmine at Spec Comm for a great buying experience. I would recommend them to anybody.
I'm looking forward to really playing with this cam as soon as I can set aside some time. Thank you, Panasonic, for once again giving us what we (mostly) have been asking for!
---
SHAMELESS PLUG: My HVX200 is officially for sale!
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=145509
I opened it and started to get a feel for the ergonomics. My first impression was that it is lighter but doesn't seem nearly as small as I expected it to be. Easier to handle, yet still rugged feeling like the HVX200/A.
Mine came with Barry Green's newest edition of his infamous book (updated to include coverage of the HVX200A and HPX170). It also came with a free (2nd) battery and lens cleaning kit. But best of all: a free 16GB P2 Card! No tax and free shipping at exactly $5195.00USD. Much thanks to Andrew and Jasmine at Spec Comm for a great buying experience. I would recommend them to anybody.
I'm looking forward to really playing with this cam as soon as I can set aside some time. Thank you, Panasonic, for once again giving us what we (mostly) have been asking for!
---
SHAMELESS PLUG: My HVX200 is officially for sale!
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=145509
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Steve Smull
Active member
Mine arrived yesterday. This thing is so light, you absolutely have to feel it before contemplating the purchase of any similar but heavier camera. Night and day between the handling of this and the HVX 200.
First impression is that the smaller form factor and lighter weight are overwhelmingly excellent. Some of the doors and covers are of a lighter construction than an HVX 200 as everyone has noted. Although it may not be quite as robust on a few of the tidbits such as the P2 door, I think it'll be fine for a seasoned user to work with. No issues that are of concern for a careful operator who knows the camera. Also a lot of the controls seem to be slightly scaled down in size. That's fine by me- I like devices that need to be held awkwardly with one hand for extended periods to be as light as possible!
Ergonomics are well thought out with the exception of the "classic internet overreaction" headphone jack cover issue, and that's so minor as to not be an issue for me since I use a Varizoom in two of the adjacent ports anyway. I like it on the back of the camera, close to the other ports in a nice tight cluster. I agree with the consensus that it would be better if it had its own separate spot outside of the large cover housing all the ports. A simple fix would be a redesigned cover with a small sub-cover built into it which allows access to just the headphone jack. Certainly far from a deal breaker, more of a quibble.
The FireWire port is now much safer and more secure.
Joystick will take a little getting used to but again, not an issue for the operator who knows the camera. I much prefer the new location on the side; easier to see and more intuitive.
The overall sensation is of a carefully scaled down camera with superior performance to its predecessor at a slightly lower price point, which is as close to ideal as anything on the market today in terms of bang for the buck.
The focus assist is dramatically improved, just like Barry said it would be. Worth the price of admission right there.
Panasonic very obviously listens to their customers and I for one am a very happy camper so far.
First impression is that the smaller form factor and lighter weight are overwhelmingly excellent. Some of the doors and covers are of a lighter construction than an HVX 200 as everyone has noted. Although it may not be quite as robust on a few of the tidbits such as the P2 door, I think it'll be fine for a seasoned user to work with. No issues that are of concern for a careful operator who knows the camera. Also a lot of the controls seem to be slightly scaled down in size. That's fine by me- I like devices that need to be held awkwardly with one hand for extended periods to be as light as possible!
Ergonomics are well thought out with the exception of the "classic internet overreaction" headphone jack cover issue, and that's so minor as to not be an issue for me since I use a Varizoom in two of the adjacent ports anyway. I like it on the back of the camera, close to the other ports in a nice tight cluster. I agree with the consensus that it would be better if it had its own separate spot outside of the large cover housing all the ports. A simple fix would be a redesigned cover with a small sub-cover built into it which allows access to just the headphone jack. Certainly far from a deal breaker, more of a quibble.
The FireWire port is now much safer and more secure.
Joystick will take a little getting used to but again, not an issue for the operator who knows the camera. I much prefer the new location on the side; easier to see and more intuitive.
The overall sensation is of a carefully scaled down camera with superior performance to its predecessor at a slightly lower price point, which is as close to ideal as anything on the market today in terms of bang for the buck.
The focus assist is dramatically improved, just like Barry said it would be. Worth the price of admission right there.
Panasonic very obviously listens to their customers and I for one am a very happy camper so far.
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Postmaster
Dark Side of the Camera
Gary Senda
Well-known member
4.430 euros + 3% discount (4300) here in Italy and my camera is just arrived with a Lufthansa cargo from Germany.
It's a good price for europe. I cannot understand german price, expecially if I think that the european distributors is located in your country
Regards
Gary
It's a good price for europe. I cannot understand german price, expecially if I think that the european distributors is located in your country
Regards
Gary
California Use Tax:
http://www.ftb.ca.gov/current/usetax.shtml
Some states have modified use taxes for video.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Just received my HPX-170 today and I have been going through it as well.
1. The P2 slot door - agreed, it does seem a bit flimsier than the HVX's door. I usually shoot with the door open anyway so as long as it doesn't snap off, I am okay with it.
2. Battery tabs. - Good grief, you would think with all of the money, time expended fixing these and the bad press that Panasonic received from the early HVX-200 battery tab debacle that it would have been a good move to switch these out for metal ones. These tabs do look thicker than the HVX ones so hopefully they will hold up. They key is never leaving the battery on the camera when transporting it. If you do that, you will be fine. My HVX still has its original tabs and they are pristine. But if you leave the battery on it in the case and it gets jarred the wrong way on the battery, you could snap the tabs.
3. Metallic headphone jack - Yeah! They finally went back to a real metallic headphone jack like the DVXs had. Bravo Panasonic, this always bugged me about the HVX, although I did hear very few users who actually had issues with the plastic headphone jack. It sure did seem flimsier though.
4. The rubber cover - Yes, the rear jack pack has a single cover, big deal. It is attached to the body so you won't lose it, unlike the XLR covers. It would have been nicer to have had a separate cover for the headphone jack but it not a dealbreaker.
5. To me, the new LCD monitor does look clearer and cleaner. Definitely easier to focus with along with the two new focusing tools. Good job!
6. Overall, not as small and light as my DVX but it doesn't have that extra poundage and heft that the HVX has either, it feels in-between the two, which is fine.
I am impressed and look forward to shooting some tests and some projects with this cam.
Dan
1. The P2 slot door - agreed, it does seem a bit flimsier than the HVX's door. I usually shoot with the door open anyway so as long as it doesn't snap off, I am okay with it.
2. Battery tabs. - Good grief, you would think with all of the money, time expended fixing these and the bad press that Panasonic received from the early HVX-200 battery tab debacle that it would have been a good move to switch these out for metal ones. These tabs do look thicker than the HVX ones so hopefully they will hold up. They key is never leaving the battery on the camera when transporting it. If you do that, you will be fine. My HVX still has its original tabs and they are pristine. But if you leave the battery on it in the case and it gets jarred the wrong way on the battery, you could snap the tabs.
3. Metallic headphone jack - Yeah! They finally went back to a real metallic headphone jack like the DVXs had. Bravo Panasonic, this always bugged me about the HVX, although I did hear very few users who actually had issues with the plastic headphone jack. It sure did seem flimsier though.
4. The rubber cover - Yes, the rear jack pack has a single cover, big deal. It is attached to the body so you won't lose it, unlike the XLR covers. It would have been nicer to have had a separate cover for the headphone jack but it not a dealbreaker.
5. To me, the new LCD monitor does look clearer and cleaner. Definitely easier to focus with along with the two new focusing tools. Good job!
6. Overall, not as small and light as my DVX but it doesn't have that extra poundage and heft that the HVX has either, it feels in-between the two, which is fine.
I am impressed and look forward to shooting some tests and some projects with this cam.
Dan
Luis Caffesse
Admin
Just got my 170 about an hour ago (from Spec Comm) - I can see what people are talking about with the perceived build quality, but I honestly think a lot of that reaction is due to the difference in weight from the HVX. This thing is shockingly light.... I nearly hurled it out of the box when I picked it up for the first time, I couldn't believe it. I guess I was just used to the weight of my HVX.
I don't see any huge differences in build quality honestly, I just think the HVX felt more substantial due to its weight. We'll see how it holds up over time, but as of right now I'm very happy with it.
I don't see any huge differences in build quality honestly, I just think the HVX felt more substantial due to its weight. We'll see how it holds up over time, but as of right now I'm very happy with it.
dantewaters
Well-known member
Yea a client got his today, and comparing the 200A (which I have) to his 170 the screen is great, and I love the focus bar. The body does seem light and flimsy but it has greatly to do with the weight of the camera. My other concerns was the eject buttons on the back of by the p2 slots (very shaky and light weight.
Also the front hood caught me off guard where it is actually a snap off design where you have to turn the hood all the way to the left until it comes off. I also have to get use to the servo/manual zoom button (different place than 200).
Overall I love the cam it does seem to perform well under low light I haven't tweaked anything yet, but when I do I suspect it will shine even more when I do.
Also the front hood caught me off guard where it is actually a snap off design where you have to turn the hood all the way to the left until it comes off. I also have to get use to the servo/manual zoom button (different place than 200).
Overall I love the cam it does seem to perform well under low light I haven't tweaked anything yet, but when I do I suspect it will shine even more when I do.
Luis Caffesse
Admin
Yeah, that placement threw me a little too - I'm so used to having it right under the lens. But I'm sure after a few shoots it'll become second nature.
So far I have to say that ergonomically the camera feels great.
Now if only I had a shoot planned this week....
dantewaters
Well-known member
Yea Luis it is a cool cam... I am actually shooting with it this Sunday (all day).
Will be using the Panasonic BT-LH80WU (great monitor).
Feel it will come in real handy when we get the lens adapter.
The volume noobs are kinda hard to get to, but I know they put them tucked away for a reason. It's good to have newer equipment when you actually have a need for it.
Will be using the Panasonic BT-LH80WU (great monitor).
Feel it will come in real handy when we get the lens adapter.
The volume noobs are kinda hard to get to, but I know they put them tucked away for a reason. It's good to have newer equipment when you actually have a need for it.
Willis Chung
DVXuser Sponsor
anybody know where the "LCD image Flip button" is on the 170?
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David Shawl
Active member
You have to choose the LCD REV option within the menus for the LCD button (that is inside the LCD panel)
Willis Chung
DVXuser Sponsor
just figured that out, thanks... sucks that nothing gets displayed on image-flip mode