HPX 170 plus purchase list

dantewaters

dantewaters

Well-known member
So I am in the process of ordering an HPX 170 for a client, and the company put together some quotes tell me what all your thoughts are, and if I should cut a few things out.

Purpose of buying the camera -

  • Seminars (basically hotel conference room bunch of people)
  • Commercials
  • documentaries
  • And who knows what else
I have attached the quotes so that you guys can look it over...

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This quote would include a letus extreme with nikon mounts

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I'm interested in where you are finding a Nebtek HD-SDI with Panasonic adapter for under 2k...The list is correct at 2,445 but then you have a discount price.
 
for what your doing i would save and get the ikan monitor, 1.6 century lens. a zylight, and a good mic. maybe a remote mic. small crane before 35mm adapter. conference rooms are tough.
 
I'm building an HPX170 package right now for my company. Some thoughts:

What about lighting? What about an audio package including wireless mics, mixer?

You may want to consider a FireStore FS-100 to get some long record time for back of the room shoots.

You need more camera batteries, you can do much better than Panasonic pricing--take a look at the banner at the bottom of this forum, consider a multi-charger from IDX.

If you're going to spend $2K on a monitor, consider TV Logic's LVM-071, it now has focus in red, in addition to waveform, vectorscope, pixel to pixel, imbedded audio. Down side is that
you'll need V-Mount batteries for it(recommend Empire Scientific for batteries/chargers).

Biggest question, who's using the package--hopefully you or somebody qualified?
 
Well I will be using the package...

We have audio equipment and arris we just sold his XL2 if we need another set of mics and such we'll spring for them.

I will go with the NEBTEK because I've heard it's tried and true. I was looking
at the firestore, but to trust my media to a 'single harddrive' I'm not sure I'm too happy with the idea, will mull it over though.

Yea I have the anton bauer batteries from the XL2 I believe they are called the Dionic: http://tinyurl.com/4kedff I still have to get this for the anton bauers:
http://tinyurl.com/3vdscq

May still get a dvx battery from spec-com, but all in all I wanted to find out if any of this is outrageous (besides the NEBTEK) or if you all love the package and feel I should go ahead with it.

Dino said:
I'm building an HPX170 package right now for my company. Some thoughts:

What about lighting? What about an audio package including wireless mics, mixer?

You may want to consider a FireStore FS-100 to get some long record time for back of the room shoots.

You need more camera batteries, you can do much better than Panasonic pricing--take a look at the banner at the bottom of this forum, consider a multi-charger from IDX.

If you're going to spend $2K on a monitor, consider TV Logic's LVM-071, it now has focus in red, in addition to waveform, vectorscope, pixel to pixel, imbedded audio. Down side is that
you'll need V-Mount batteries for it(recommend Empire Scientific for batteries/chargers).

Biggest question, who's using the package--hopefully you or somebody qualified?
Click to expand...
 
If a FireStore is a concern, then you will need to invest in 32Gb or 64Gb P2 cards, reliable but pricey. Seminars and documentaries are going to need lots of record capacity.

Dionic batteries are good for whatever monitor. Nebtek is not a monitor that is found in high end rental environments, but I'm sure is good. I have compared Panasonic 900, LH80, Boland, and Marshall monitors side by side with TV Logic. TV Logic blows them away. My competition has started buying them after I bought mine and a well known AC in town says it's the best monitor he's ever used.

I would not use the hot shoe to mount a Zacuto arm with 7-8" monitor/battery--don't trust
the metal quality to leverage from. Probably a Manfrotto swivel mount would be my choice
or use the 1/4-20 at the rear of the 170 handle. Also, a monitor like that w/battery could
require a larger fluid head/tripod depending on what you're using now.
 
Yes - bigger and more cards. Documentary or Seminars on (2) 16 GB cards is very very very very very limiting.

In addition to the 'what about lighting', what about audio?


J
 
Well I figure I'd skip the letus for now, and look into the TV Logic monitor seems it's light years ahead what's out there (probably lights ahead with price too).

As far as audio we have wireless mics for the seminar, and some audio equipment I will also look into the NTG 3 in the near future along with better mics like the country man.


For tripod we are using the Bogen 503, I am considering getting him a beefed up set of lets (maybe my same solo dv with the Sachtler head).
 
The TV Logic LVM-071 7" LCD monitor lists for $2500, can be bought for $2000-$2250 pretty
easily. It includes an AC adapter, unlike the Panasonic BT-LH80W, which lists for $2995 plus $650 for HD SDI option board. I think Panasonic is now including that board, but the TV Logic is much sharper, has more features and costs less. The TV Logic 17" is also a great monitor for the same or less than the Panasonic 1700, much less than the 1760.

The downsides on the TV Logic are the shiny screen and off-axis viewability, but it is better
than the Panasonic LH80 in that respect. It is also firmware upgradeable, mine is having
focus in red and some other features being added by my dealer for no cost.

If you were to mount a Letus and a 7" or 8" monitor, you'd be in Sachtler Video 18 or 20
territory weight wise. You could always rent the Letus and 35mm lenses for now.

Make sure you consider adding some more P2 capacity. Looks like Focus Enhancements just filed for
Chapter 11 protection, so the FireStore option has more issues than ever--although I use FS-100's
successfully with my HDX900 all the time. I get 6.5 hrs. of record time in 720/24PN with a
160Gb FS-100 and now they have a 250Gb that records 11 hours!
 
Thanks a lot it's good to know I guess I should have him get the miller I want to get?
Or just change the head and keep the 503 legs with the spreaders?

So with the TV Logic it's image is sharper hmmmm vs. the NEBTEK and Panasonic.
What I planned on doing with the Storage is rent 3 cards per camera, was also considering renting this: http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=1000786&cat=815&page=1

But all in all at least 3 p2 cards per camera (3 cameras in total my HVX his HPX and another HVX).

But I am thinking the Letus may be something I'd wait on simply because one needs 1st discover the basic before you jump into the exotic.

Figure these items are a must -


  • HPX 170
  • 1 extra 16 p2 card
  • Zacuto base plate / Zmerican arm / Z-mount /extended rods /
  • 7" HD/SDI Monitor
  • Beefed up tripod (Miller solo dv / sachtler tripod)
  • Storm 2975 case so when I do get the Letus I can hold everything in one

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I hear you on the (3) P2 cards per cam. I have (3) 16Gb cards, but would be hard pressed in a seminar or documentary setting without more (and/or a 1st AC who can offload for me).

One more point, DVXUSER batteries are nearly half the price. You might want to consider getting two. I have 5 batteries and sometimes could use more...


J
 
The one that spec-com sells works great and I kinda trust their name, might have to rent a few extras from Abelcine...
 
Based upon what Barry has been saying about how improved the HPX-170 LCD screen is, I would re-consider the monitor. While the monitor is really nice and makes shooting a bit easier, I would rather have a 32GB card or two if I was shooting long form.

I normally use a monitor with the HVX but I have been flying to NYC and other locations lately and not bringing a monitor because it's been me flying alone with camera, grip, lighting and audio and every ounce I can save is much appreciated by my back as I wrangle this gear in and out of taxis and elavators. I find the more I am shooting without one, the less I miss it. Once you get good with focus assist, you don't really need the monitor, although when you have the time, room and bucks for one, they are nice, they make shooting easier. I am pretty sure that once my HPX-170 ships, I am done using a monitor except with the jib.

Dan
 
I see this is a good point. I mean even if the HPX 170 doesn't need it as much one of the 200's will. Plus with live events there is very little to re-do so sharp focus is a must.

I guess my biggest goal is to make sure this event goes as good as possible (this is our benchmark or pilot if you will) we will use this to bring in funds for future projects and to also show case to prospective clients.

From what you all are saying though I will then have to spring for an extra p2 card, plus rent 3 from abel for each camera (so the HPX will have 3 of it's own, plus we'll have another 2 as a backup).
 
Not to thread jack but how are you transporting stands? I have to go to Vegas next weekend and trying to figure out the stand issue.

puredrifting said:
Based upon what Barry has been saying about how improved the HPX-170 LCD screen is, I would re-consider the monitor. While the monitor is really nice and makes shooting a bit easier, I would rather have a 32GB card or two if I was shooting long form.

I normally use a monitor with the HVX but I have been flying to NYC and other locations lately and not bringing a monitor because it's been me flying alone with camera, grip, lighting and audio and every ounce I can save is much appreciated by my back as I wrangle this gear in and out of taxis and elavators. I find the more I am shooting without one, the less I miss it. Once you get good with focus assist, you don't really need the monitor, although when you have the time, room and bucks for one, they are nice, they make shooting easier. I am pretty sure that once my HPX-170 ships, I am done using a monitor except with the jib.

Dan
Click to expand...
 
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