Ag-hpx500

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deebee69

Member
My whole reason for investing into our now 2 hvx200s was we always thought that pana would one day bring out a 2/3 of a chip big brother version.
My regular dealer from whom we normally purchase went to a product launch in Germany recently and said he would have a AG-HPX500 by the early summer.

So whats the point of this post....well the camera comes as a body with viewfinder and without a lens .......so I thought I would ask for any help or tips with regards to which lenses to shortlist for this forthcoming camera.
Thanks in advance
 
Depends on what you mostly shoot, how much you have to spend, and if you want a selection of lenses.
 
The HPX has a Chroma Aberration Circuit that will talk to lenses enabled with the same tech, and it will work very hard to resolve those CAs that come with less expensive HD lenses. So my advise is if you can't affort Primes or real expensive lenses, then one of the CAC leses would be trick. These will debut at NAB.

Best,

Jan
 
Jan_Crittenden said:
The HPX has a Chroma Aberration Circuit that will talk to lenses enabled with the same tech, and it will work very hard to resolve those CAs that come with less expensive HD lenses.
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Jan, that sounds like science fiction to me - though good one. Can you give some more details about that technology?
 
Well I am not an engineer but basically there is a correction circuit that in concert with the lens resolves the CA, for the most part. I have a lens that is cheap ie, under $12,000 that does not have it and an under $12,000 lens that does. The one that does not have the CAC, has CA, the one that does, doesn't. How they do it, I will strive to turn it into words. I have only seen the outcome and it is pretty cool.

Best,

Jan
 
Can you turn that circuit / feature off? I'd love to be able to compare the same lens with CAC on and off -- that's more interesting than comparing two different lenses that cost about the same.
 
From my initial Trial and Error into figuring it out, no. That is why it was a little fun to have two lenses, one with and one without.

Best,

Jan
 
This is the camera that has me in a bind right now. I've got 20 plus high def screens to feed, plus a brand new 1080p 24' projection screen, and other PR related projects and a mere Z1U at the moment.

HVX was the obvious upgrade choice for me as it fit my budget. None of the 2/3 inch cameras were even close. Now this camera is coming out just as I need to buy.

I work for an Aquarium so the imagined extra sensitivity of this camera would really pay off.

I think I could really make a good pitch to up the budget to get this in our hands and futureproof us, and get us some very nice pictures for our stock library and our public galleries. That said, how long before this thing is actually getting into peoples' hands?

I'm sorely tempted to put the whole purchase thing on hold until after NAB and firm release dates, pricing, and the new P2 cards come out to know what we're really dealing with.

At the same time we've got some big research projects that are being documented coming up and it would be nice to not to have to shoot those on the Z1.

We're a non-profit so it's not like we can rent anything to get us by. No client to pick up the tab.

It's a tough time to need a new camera.

When is the 500 expected to start shipping? And the 16 gig cards for that matter?
 
walnutcrunch said:
I think I could really make a good pitch to up the budget to get this in our hands and futureproof us,
I'm sorely tempted to put the whole purchase thing on hold until after NAB and firm release dates, pricing, and the new P2 cards come out to know what we're really dealing with.
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Crunch, You are one of the very few I would suggest waiting to. Most just want to wait for a newer item or better price. That wait will usually cost you in lost revenue.
If you can finagle the extra doe, always do it. While the HVX can give stunning pictures, there is no doubt that the 500 would give better results.
Just don't forget, you'll need to spend more then TWO HVX's just to get a decent lens. :beer:
 
TedRR said:
Crunch, You are one of the very few I would suggest waiting to. Most just want to wait for a newer item or better price. That wait will usually cost you in lost revenue.
If you can finagle the extra doe, always do it. While the HVX can give stunning pictures, there is no doubt that the 500 would give better results.
Just don't forget, you'll need to spend more then TWO HVX's just to get a decent lens. :beer:
Click to expand...

And with the lens comment we get back to the original posting and I can stop my hijack of the thread.

I'm thinking that in the medium end with these lenses you're looking at 7-10k?

Also in this cost I can't forget the big batteries, and new head for the tripod. All extra expenses.

We're gearing up for the Olympics in 2010 so I have a good argument to bring our acquisition up to a new level. It's all a matter of how important they feel it would be to have that increased image quality over the HVX.

Buying P2 cards is also tough right now. Buying 3 or 4 eight gig cards just to have the 16's released at the same price in a month or two would kind of be a pain.
 
walnutcrunch said:
Buying P2 cards is also tough right now. Buying 3 or 4 eight gig cards just to have the 16's released at the same price in a month or two would kind of be a pain.
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Unfortunately, that's the world we live in now days. :(
I'm still using the BetaCam, gear and decks from when I bought the company 10 years ago. What a great return on the invesment.
Not as easy these days. That's why ya gotta do your homework.
Good luck.
 
The HPX 500 to me seems a very futureproof investment. This is a camera that still will deliver actual image quality within five years - at that time there will be better and cheaper cameras but the over all look of the HPX will still be excellent (just like the SDX). Let´s say the HPX with lens and battery will cost 25.000$ - on a five year leasing base that would be about 500$ a month with the possibility to sell the camera for about 10.000$ after that time. (loss of investment over 5 years: 15.000$ + interest, roughly 300$ a month) Now take a HVX: Given half the lifetime (2,5 years) you might have to pay off 250$ a month and selling it you might get back just 2000$. (loss of investment over 2,5 years: 5000$ + interest , roughly 200$ - so in the long run the HPX seems not to be much more expensive than the HVX. Any suggestion of somebody who has more experience about financing and reselling cameras?
 
I was so thrilled to see this post! My situation is a tad different, but very similar and the 500 threw a wrench into my HVX plans. But after reading this I can see that I too should hold off.

I know there is nothing concrete, but they are looking at a May 2007 release of the 500 and the new 16gig cards? Is there a current list of lenses with CAC? Is this a must? What will the price ranges be on the lenses for the 500?

Thanks again for all the info!

*EDIT* I forgot to ask why the Panny USA site doesn't have any info on the 500 if it going to be released in a couple months? The 2000 was up for a while with info without any pricing. But it appears the pricing and some specs are available for the 500, just not on the US site. I guess it shouldn't matter, but I was hoping to get additional info and specs on the 500 to keep me drooling for a few more weeks!
 
digitalinnovations said:
I was so thrilled to see this post! My situation is a tad different, but very similar and the 500 threw a wrench into my HVX plans. But after reading this I can see that I too should hold off.
Click to expand...


Only hold off if you have about $22,000 or so to spend as it will cost you right around there to get a camera with lens and cards.


I know there is nothing concrete, but they are looking at a May 2007 release of the 500 and the new 16gig cards? Is there a current list of lenses with CAC? Is this a must? What will the price ranges be on the lenses for the 500?
Click to expand...

It isn't necessary but with cheap lenses come greater aberrations. These are not that much more and totally worth it. May 2007 is the time frame.

*EDIT* I forgot to ask why the Panny USA site doesn't have any info on the 500 if it going to be released in a couple months? The 2000 was up for a while with info without any pricing. But it appears the pricing and some specs are available for the 500, just not on the US site. I guess it shouldn't matter, but I was hoping to get additional info and specs on the 500 to keep me drooling for a few more weeks!
Click to expand...

Should go up sometime this week.

Best,

Jan
 
Jan,

Thank you VERY much for the info. I look forward to reading more. I have been planning and budgeting accordingly for the 500 w/ lens and at least a couple of P2 cards.

Is it safe to assume that everything is on track for shipping in May of both the new 16gig P2 and 500 at this point?

P.S.
I got to say it is pretty great that someone from Panasonic comes on here to answer questions and give info. It means a lot. I have been a staunch supporter of Panasonic and DVCPro for years. Now there is even more reason as far as I am concerned. Thanks again!
 
Jan_Crittenden said:
Only hold off if you have about $22,000 or so to spend as it will cost you right around there to get a camera with lens and cards.
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Even better than I dared to wish. Streetprice $19,999 maybe? :)
 
Very high on my list as of now. I wont be making another personal purcahse til I return to Australia at the end of the year, early the following. But this is looking like a serious contender for the dough. Though I actually doubt I will purcahse it outright in the first place (semantics). But I look forward to see how this develops.

Looking forward to the info on those lenses Jan, Im sure I will get my hands on one within a few months to really give it a roll.
 
MSRP is at $14,000 I believe is what was quoted to me. Jan mentioned that you can get the camera, lens and P2 cards for $22k. Obviously you can get much higher if you spend more on glass. But I am alloting a little over what Jan quoted and going from there. I am in the process of getting the financing lined out a head of time right now. My only question is can I pre-order one and how can I get situated to get one of these as soon as ther are released.



Hope this helps!
 
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