HPX2700 Varicam....Or HPX3000...which would you choose?

K

k2director

Well-known member
I may have the opportunity to make a fairly high-level camera purchase in the next several months (for non-fiction and documentary production aimed at broadcast, but maybe some film distribution), and have been mulling over the options.

Basically, my options are between an HPX2700 (around $40K), and an HPX3000 (which, after retail discounting, comes to about $43K). So which would you guys choose?

They both have AVC-Intra support. They both have Film Rec modes. They both have CAC. However, the 2700 uses "only" a 1280x720 imager, but it can do variable frame rates up to 60 frames. And the HPX3000 uses a whopping 2.2MP imager, but can't do variable frame rates.

In other words, which is more important to you: variable frame rates, or a full-raster 2.2MP imager?

I'm leaning towards the HPX3000, because I think a 2.2MP imager is a little more "future proof" and would provide a sharper picture for wide angle shots and certainly film blow-ups. And, you can always create slo-mo effects in post (up to around 60fps, such effects look fine to my eye if done with the right software).

But I'm curious if other people see things the same way....
 
How about the Varicam that uses the HPX3000 imager, what is that going for?

Edit- Anyway, with the AVC-Intra Codec, you are going to get absolutely beautiful images from both cameras. In my humble opinion, if you can go for that price, you can go for the top Varicam, which I believe should be around 50k...Than you would have the best of both worlds.

Variable frame rates is definetly a big plus for your productions. If you are doing wildlife, those slow motion shots are worth $. Ditto for sports.
 
I was thinking the same thing, except it should be noted that the top Varicam has a smaller range of variable frame-rates from what I understand. The Varicam 2700 (smaller imagers) has variable speeds from 1 to 60 fps, the 3700 only goes from 1 to 30fps.
 
Well, the problem with the higher-end P2 Varicam (the HPX3700) is that Panasonic says it's going to be around $60K, which is out of my price range, AND it can't actually do slo-motion (or barely), since its frame rates range from 1-30 fps.

So that's why I'm looking at either the HPX2700 (up to 60fps), or the HPX3000 (no variable frames).
 
I was under the impression the top Varicam (3700) did 720p60 too. Anyone can confirm this?
 
So, not to highjack the thread here, but does anyone know why the big-dog Varicam stops its variable frame rates at 30fps?

That just blew me away when I realized that a camera that costs that much, and is titled "Varicam" for it's variable frame rates, had the upper half of it's previous scale lopped off.

-Brad
 
The 3700 only shoot 1080 - so it doesnt have the bandwidth for more then 30 frames/sec in the codec. there is no 720 mode like the tape based varicam
 
I have the same dilema as you. Yet, after lot's of thinking, I am going to buy the HPX2700, for I believe variable frame rate makes it more comercial (rent/sell after the project is done), plus image quality "should" be good enough for blow ups. Although I would love to hear from someone that has actually done one and seen it on a movie screen.

Some great directors never use slow motion, and prefer to keep the "drama" as real as posible. If you agree with that, I would get de HPX3000, for the 2 mega pixel might be worth the extra 3k. Personally, I think slow motion can come in handy, although many over use it.
 
I'd go the 3000, the images are amazing.. and then when you have a shoot that requires over cranking.. rent a 2700. How often are you going to need 60fps?
 
Joe Lawry said:
I'd go the 3000, the images are amazing.. and then when you have a shoot that requires over cranking.. rent a 2700. How often are you going to need 60fps?
Click to expand...


I'd hate to rent another varicam for just overcranking.

Personally the no 60fps is a deal breaker and I'd get the 2700.

To each their own.
 
My vote is for the 2700. Sure, the 3000 is going to look a little better but after years of VFR available on my HVX200 and HPX170, I can't imagine spending eight times as much money and losing VFR, does not compute. FWIW, Barry Braverman and several of the other reviewers who have shot with the 2700 have remarked at how beautiful the images the are.

Personally, my experience has always been that most cameras put out better quality footage than the productiuon can support with the equivalent production design, wardrobe and sometimes lighting. If you are good at what you do, I have little doubt that the 2700 would look amazing even on the big screen. Heck, I have seen widescreen DBeta I shot go out to 35mm film and it looked amazing on the big screen.

2700 without a doubt. If I can sell any of my shows next year, that is what I will be buying.

Dan
 
I played with a buddies hpx2700 a few weeks ago and the images, even at 1080 are stunning- looks on par with the hpx3000 stuff I have seen. Noticeably better than the old varicam. 2700 it is!
 
The HPX2700 uses the same 720p native imagers as the Varicam 27H, HPX2000, HDX900 from what I've been told, so the differences in image would be AVC Intra 10 bit depth and recording of more pixel samples, less compression than DVCPRO HD and probably better processing, more sophisticated setup handles than the 2000 or 900.

I don't think the 2700 is worth the price premium over the HPX2000 with AVC Intra, IMO.
 
it uses the same chips.... ? That would be surprising. I'd imagene they would use a newer, cleaner, faster chips....
 
TimurCivan said:
it uses the same chips.... ? That would be surprising. I'd imagene they would use a newer, cleaner, faster chips....
Click to expand...

That's what I would have thought, but Jan told me they use the same chips. It's easy to buy an HPX2000 in the low $20K range or less, add the AVC Intra board and be at $25K or less. The 2700, supposedly with the same sensors is $40K. That's a lot to pay for frame rate ramping. I've seen HPX3000 demo units for $35K, so a 2000 or 3000 vs. a 2700 would be a tough call. I saw a 2000 for $16.5K the other day, used at a broker--that's under $20K with AVC Intra.
 
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