CineAlta VS Varicam
- Thread starter araujofh
- Start date
Re: CineAlta VS Varicam
I am no expert on this but if I was going to buy one or the other I'd first consider who and what I am shooting for.
I've heard sports channels like ESPN like the Varicam. On the other end of the spectrum, I've heard travel channels like the Cinealta. It is really a matter of your clientel.
Now for indie filmmaking I'd go with the Varicam for price and the fact that the Varicam is more cinematic because it produces video that is more film-like than the Cinealta. Yeah the Varicam is a 720p camera, and doesn't have the 1080 rez of the Cinealta, still I think the Varicam is a better choice for indie filmmaking that will ultimately appear on the big screen and/or go to a film print.
I have worked with both cameras and they are both excellent. You just need to consider your application.
I am no expert on this but if I was going to buy one or the other I'd first consider who and what I am shooting for.
I've heard sports channels like ESPN like the Varicam. On the other end of the spectrum, I've heard travel channels like the Cinealta. It is really a matter of your clientel.
Now for indie filmmaking I'd go with the Varicam for price and the fact that the Varicam is more cinematic because it produces video that is more film-like than the Cinealta. Yeah the Varicam is a 720p camera, and doesn't have the 1080 rez of the Cinealta, still I think the Varicam is a better choice for indie filmmaking that will ultimately appear on the big screen and/or go to a film print.
I have worked with both cameras and they are both excellent. You just need to consider your application.
kai
After FX Guru
Re: CineAlta VS Varicam
Panny also has this bad boy that does format conversion to 1080. I personally am looking at the Varicam route. Mainly because of it's partnership with Apple and my current Apple workflow, and how well it will integrate into it with the DVCProHD codec.
http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webap...l=AJ-FRC27&surfCategory=Cinema Series Cameras
Panny also has this bad boy that does format conversion to 1080. I personally am looking at the Varicam route. Mainly because of it's partnership with Apple and my current Apple workflow, and how well it will integrate into it with the DVCProHD codec.
http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webap...l=AJ-FRC27&surfCategory=Cinema Series Cameras
Barry_Green
Moderator
Re: CineAlta VS Varicam
Just used the VariCam yesterday, and have worked with the CineAlta before as well.
You really can't go wrong with either, but I'd lean towards the VariCam. I just like progressive more than interlaced, and the VariCam lets you shoot progressive at any frame rate from 4 to 60 progressive frames per second. The CineAlta shoots 24P, 25P, and 30P, as well as 50i and 60i, but nothing inbetween. Considering the VariCam is like $40,000 less expensive, and its video is extraordinarily filmlike as well, to me the decision would be easy.
However, as has been stated, the VariCam is not as high-rez as the CineAlta. The CineAlta's recording 1440x1080x24P on the tape, and the VariCam is recording 960x720 (you can record higher-rez by using the component outputs to a different recording deck, just like you can on the CineAlta, but the VariCam's internal tape is 8-bit at 960x720).
I don't use Apple products currently, but combine the VariCam's advantages with the fact you can edit the footage from firewire, at full resolution, natively on FCP HD, and it makes for fairly compelling advantages.
Just used the VariCam yesterday, and have worked with the CineAlta before as well.
You really can't go wrong with either, but I'd lean towards the VariCam. I just like progressive more than interlaced, and the VariCam lets you shoot progressive at any frame rate from 4 to 60 progressive frames per second. The CineAlta shoots 24P, 25P, and 30P, as well as 50i and 60i, but nothing inbetween. Considering the VariCam is like $40,000 less expensive, and its video is extraordinarily filmlike as well, to me the decision would be easy.
However, as has been stated, the VariCam is not as high-rez as the CineAlta. The CineAlta's recording 1440x1080x24P on the tape, and the VariCam is recording 960x720 (you can record higher-rez by using the component outputs to a different recording deck, just like you can on the CineAlta, but the VariCam's internal tape is 8-bit at 960x720).
I don't use Apple products currently, but combine the VariCam's advantages with the fact you can edit the footage from firewire, at full resolution, natively on FCP HD, and it makes for fairly compelling advantages.
Re: CineAlta VS Varicam
Thanks for the suggestions guys.
I was wondering why George Lucas and Robert Rodriguez used the CineAlta instead of the Varicam.
I am sort of leaned towards the Varicam too, but was just wondering if the CineAlta really had better quality.
I guess Panasonic are real pros when it comes to camcorders.
Thanks once again.
All the best
Fidel.
Thanks for the suggestions guys.
I was wondering why George Lucas and Robert Rodriguez used the CineAlta instead of the Varicam.
I am sort of leaned towards the Varicam too, but was just wondering if the CineAlta really had better quality.
I guess Panasonic are real pros when it comes to camcorders.
Thanks once again.
All the best
Fidel.
Terry_Lasater
All about the Caption
Re: CineAlta VS Varicam
[quote author=Kai link=board=Offtopic;num=1098782941;start=0#2 date=10/26/04 at 10:35:36]I personally am looking at the Varicam route. Mainly because of it's partnership with Apple and my current Apple workflow, and how well it will integrate into it with the DVCProHD codec.
[/quote]
This week's winner of "Cost Factor" is Kyle Stauffer.
Kyle, you have shown us that for you, "cost is no factor". ;D ;D ;D
[quote author=Kai link=board=Offtopic;num=1098782941;start=0#2 date=10/26/04 at 10:35:36]I personally am looking at the Varicam route. Mainly because of it's partnership with Apple and my current Apple workflow, and how well it will integrate into it with the DVCProHD codec.
[/quote]
This week's winner of "Cost Factor" is Kyle Stauffer.
Kyle, you have shown us that for you, "cost is no factor". ;D ;D ;D
Re: CineAlta VS Varicam
Sony has a partnership with Panavision and that can give the Cinealta an edge on optics.
As mentioned earlier, Panasonic has a partnership with Apple on the Final Cut platform.
My guess is that for most people using this board and who are considering HD, being able to edit HD on an Apple is way more relevant and important than using Panavision lenses on an HD camera.
Sony has a partnership with Panavision and that can give the Cinealta an edge on optics.
As mentioned earlier, Panasonic has a partnership with Apple on the Final Cut platform.
My guess is that for most people using this board and who are considering HD, being able to edit HD on an Apple is way more relevant and important than using Panavision lenses on an HD camera.
G
Guest
Guest
Re: CineAlta VS Varicam
So would you folks dump your darling DVXs for a varican if given the chance?
So would you folks dump your darling DVXs for a varican if given the chance?
Re: CineAlta VS Varicam
[quote author=vic link=board=Offtopic;num=1098782941;start=0#9 date=10/27/04 at 09:36:20]So would you folks dump your darling DVXs for a varican if given the chance?[/quote]
I would keep my DVX, or would give it to my brother as he is dying to put his hands on my DVX.
[quote author=vic link=board=Offtopic;num=1098782941;start=0#9 date=10/27/04 at 09:36:20]So would you folks dump your darling DVXs for a varican if given the chance?[/quote]
I would keep my DVX, or would give it to my brother as he is dying to put his hands on my DVX.
Barry_Green
Moderator
Re: CineAlta VS Varicam
I would trade a DVX for the VariCam in a heartbeat, yes. Then I'd rent it out for three days and use the rental income to buy another DVX!
I would trade a DVX for the VariCam in a heartbeat, yes. Then I'd rent it out for three days and use the rental income to buy another DVX!
Re: CineAlta VS Varicam
[quote author=Barry_Green link=board=Offtopic;num=1098782941;start=0#13 date=10/27/04 at 11:53:54]I would trade a DVX for the VariCam in a heartbeat, yes. Then I'd rent it out for three days and use the rental income to buy another DVX![/quote]
That is wise. Good one Barry.
[quote author=Barry_Green link=board=Offtopic;num=1098782941;start=0#13 date=10/27/04 at 11:53:54]I would trade a DVX for the VariCam in a heartbeat, yes. Then I'd rent it out for three days and use the rental income to buy another DVX![/quote]
That is wise. Good one Barry.