Are we all still loving the HPX170? thinking of buying...!

S

schteevie

Well-known member
Hey guys,

I have been out of the "camera news" loop for a little over 6 months (swamped with editing work)
but I had decided back when it came out that based on my research, the HPX170 was the camera from me (coming from DXV100a (skipped over owning an HVX, but rented many times).

The HPX170 seems to be the perfect mid level pro cam - obviously it is not RED, but I am not looking to spend over 10K for a full camera package (including basic sound), I am generally on small or one man crews - too small for RED.
I had thought about the XDcam EX, but now that P2 cards are so big, it seems there is no reason to worry about the P2 workflow anymore...

Has anything changed? new bugs discovered (such as the dreaded audio beep in the HVX) or any announcements of a new version of the HPX I should consider waiting for?

Any thoughts would be appreciated, not in a huge rush, but I will probably be purchasing with in the next few months.

thnx
Steve
 
im pretty happy with mine overall. i hear the lens wobble was remedied in-factory on all new units (and if not, panasonic is super quick to take it in and fix it.) some have mentioned that their tripod mount screw is off center causing issues with their 35mm/rod setups. ive used my brevis with my 170 several times with zero issues.

it has its plus and minus points - but in my experience, the 170 is the best sub 10k camera out there
 
wgzn said:
some have mentioned that their tripod mount screw is off center causing issues with their 35mm/rod setups.
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Wow, I never noticed that before but you're right. Is there any way to tell if the rails you are using will work with the HPX170 before you buy them?
 
Is there any way to tell if the rails you are using will work with the HPX170 before you buy them?
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i'd think the best thing to do is post the question as a thread topic and see what folks say...

i either dont have the problem OR it doesnt factor in with my 170+zacuto+brevis(pre-flip) setup...
 
Purchasing in the next few months? Hold off on the purchase until you can and wait to see what they do with the P2 Cards. Honestly, I love the camera, and am happy with it, but there is something to be said about the constant complaining about the expensive p2 cards. Once you cross the bridge, you realize that you're stuck with the p2, for better or worse.

It's nice, but currently, I'm limited to 42 minutes of 720pn and an hour of dvcpro. I had a long shoot and I had to bring the dvx100. If the price doesn't buckle by this summer, consider the JVC that shoots to cheap cards or one of the many sonys that allow you to shoot to cheaper cards.
 
sam alcoff said:
I love the camera, and am happy with it, but there is something to be said about the constant complaining about the expensive p2 cards. Once you cross the bridge, you realize that you're stuck with the p2, for better or worse.
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Hands down this is the biggest issue.
 
please, please, PLEASE lets not turn this thread into yet another P2 card price discussion. thats not really an "HPX170 specific" thing and its been covered to DEATH in about 20 other discussions... and that fight always ends up in a draw
 
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Steve,

To be fair, the P2 card price issue really only affects people who need to shoot many hours of footage. If the 170 comes with a 16gb card and you buy another, for around $800.00, you can now shoot an hour and twenty four minutes of 720. Not everyone shoots six hour long weddings or events. For a large perecentage of P2 users, owning one or two cards is totally acceptable. I know it is for me most of the time and I know plenty of narrative shooters who happily shoot with one card.

If one follows all of the P2 cost whining threads, one gets the impression that all P2 shooters need 8-10 hours of 1080 card space. I think the group of P2 users who really use that much card space are in the minority statistically. And as we have all agreed, if you need long run times on cheap media, that's why Panasonic invented the AG-HMC150, go for it.

If you are used to shooting film, one or two cards is plenty to replace your film needs.

Oh and to answer your question, yes, very happy with the 170, it is a great camera.

Dan
 
thnx
I am more of a "film" style shooter and well aware of the P2 limitations - it was not the nature of my question.
besides - with 32 and 64 gig cards the issues are more or less moot.

I didn't know the HPX170 came with a 16 gig card - that is good.
 
schteevie said:
thnx
I am more of a "film" style shooter and well aware of the P2 limitations - it was not the nature of my question.
besides - with 32 and 64 gig cards the issues are more or less moot.

I didn't know the HPX170 came with a 16 gig card - that is good.
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You might be looking at a grey market camera. US camera's come with a 16 gig card and barry's book.
 
I haven't looked at any yet - I would be buying in Toronto Canada - does the canadian camera come packaged with the P2 card? I just looked at a couple local dealer websites, and they don't mention the P2 card coming with the camera.

thnx
 
Not sure about Canada, it might be a US only thing. You can always order one from any USA dealer although the 170 could be priced cheaper in your market because it doesn't have a P2 card. Do the math and go from there.
 
Steve:

I am fairly sure that the Canadian market cameras do not come bundled with the P2 card. Bummer. I am sure you can buy one here that does but what kinds of import/duties will you have to pay?

Dan
 
HPX170 is great. If you are moving from the 100A to The HPX it will feel very similar. Same Joystick Menu nav. I went from a 100B to an HPX170 and its a great camera. all your accessories should transfer as well. same battery and same lens size, so thread on filters and DOF adapter achormats wont need a step up/down ring.

I thought I would keep my 100B but I love shooting DV to the p2 card. You get over an hour on a 16G card and no resolution loss when you shoot 16:9 DV. All your clips come in named and you have all that great meta data. BAng for the buck this one is hard to beat.

5 Year warrenty is a big deal too.

Got mine from Spec-comm and Andrew and the boys know their stuff and take great care of people.

Good Luck
 
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