HVX200 versus SDX900

why not the spx800 over the sdx900? it's the same camera minus the tape transport, no? plus about 7K cheaper, and you dont have to worry about the deck because of the p2 cards.

I was just thinking if you can get a good deal on an spx800 (say just over 20K) it might be worth it over the hdx200.
 
Party_Pooper said:
why not the spx800 over the sdx900? it's the same camera minus the tape transport, no? plus about 7K cheaper, and you dont have to worry about the deck because of the p2 cards.

I was just thinking if you can get a good deal on an spx800 (say just over 20K) it might be worth it over the hdx200.
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Well, not really. The HVX is 6k. A SPX800 has a price list of around 19k, without a lens. That's over the double of a HVX and without a lens.
 
If it comes to buying a camera then it will be a HVX. A lot of this is for cost but also they are different beasts. I have researched more since my first post and it really does look like the sdx900 will give the kind of vision I'd hope for. Still wondering if there are any hidden surprises in post vs the 2 cameras. Noah I saw yuo had a 20 day shoot. Did you split off your sound to DAT or did you use the camera?
 
Mediacre said:
Well, not really. The HVX is 6k. A SPX800 has a price list of around 19k, without a lens. That's over the double of a HVX and without a lens.
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Thats true, I'm not saying they are in the same price range, I'm saying that instead of 26K you can get the spx800 at 19K, making the price difference much closer. additionally, you need not worry about the rental or buying of a 4K deck.

Instead buying an hvx200 and renting the sdx900 on occasion, why not just buy the spx800? a 20 day shoot at $600 a day runs 12K
 
Personally, I'm thinking of an HDX200, an andromeda reel-stream modification on the cam, a guerilla35 and a good set of lenses = about $15,000.
 
So is the consensus that the 900 would easily look as good as the 200, even with the possibility of film out?
Okay, to streach it further, The new JVC HDV vs the Pany 900. No contest?

As I mentioned in other posts, we have a film ready to go end of summer. The 200 will not be available. I don't want to hold off production. Considering the Varicam, which would be rock solid, but as I understand it has a huge learning curve. Lots of Varicam shoots I read about have both DOP and Tecchnician.

We have done some shooting with the Pany 900 with success. Again, what about film out from an 480p? Is this just about budget vs acceptability or do I dig in my heels for the Varicam. The 900 does look beautiful on NTSC.

Cheers,
Chris
 
If you are considering the Varicam and can afford it, that would be the way to go. Yes, it has a serious learning curve, but should not something a competent DP shouldn't be able to master. However, your question about having a DP and a technician concerns me. If you can only afford a one man camera crew I would not consider the Varicam. It is larger and set-up should be done by a ful-sized crew, i.e., DP/Operator (I assume), 1st AC and 2nd AC. There are additional expenses, more expensive tape, HD monitor rental, care and feeding, more expensive deck for digitizing, ect.

The 900 is a hella of a camera. Check out the articles on this site, has a good article about that.

If you have a good script, cast and tell a compelling story. The difference between the 900 and the HVX/ Varicam will not make or break it.

good luck
 
I just shot a doc on the 900. It is a beautiful camera. I think that you should be content with it, especially if your DP is. I have also shot on the varicam. In my mind the varicam is not that much more difficult to pick up than the 900 but again it all depends on your DP and budget. If you save a little money using the 900 instead of the varicam you can then put that extra cash into lights or actors or some other area that will help your overall production value. My 2 cents.
 
We used a DAT to record double-system. You could easily record into the camera but we wanted more flexibility because there was a lot of hand-held shots.

Noah
 
Thanks for that Noah. I'm hoping to go for a single system. I read quite a bit on your workflow from your website and the old sdx900 forum. Arethere any other places I should be checking out on the sdx900. Obviously it is a bit"old" school at the moment with all the excitement around the hvx200 / 400...

Dave
 
2/3 chips will beat the hell out of 1/3 chips everytime.

But if can rent an sdx900, you could probably rent super16mm and REALLY look good.

I'm not sure I'd use the sdx for any exterior wide-angles. Interior and close ups it does look very close to super16mm.
 
We will have mostly a full crew with tonnes of shooting and set-up experience, just not with the Varicam. Physically I don't see the Varicam as being much bigger than the 900. We always shoot with full gear - sticks, monitor, dollys & jibs, with DV or the 900. Again it's not so much the bodies as it is paying a high-end DOP and Tech that has experience with the Varicim.

I understand you get what you pay for, but the group I work with is an extremly talented and confident bunch. Having said that I hear a lot of concern about the various set-up options on the Varicam. I would probably rent from SIM in T.O. so maybe they can help me out for a day or so on instruction. Or maybe they know someone that can give us a primer. It will be a 3 to 4 week shoot so the difference between the Vari and the 900 starts to even out a little. 3 day weeks, 3 week months, etc

If we are talking thousands of $$ difference and I could easily live with 480p then maybe that's the way to go.

Sorry if my logic is going in circles. I'm sure everyone does this before seeing that single issue that bumps the decision one way.

Thanks for the feedback.

Cheers,
Chris
 
NoahK said:
We used a DAT to record double-system. You could easily record into the camera but we wanted more flexibility because there was a lot of hand-held shots.
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How did you get your SMPTE from your camera's TC-OUT to the ATR, or did you slave the camera from the ATR's SMPTE generator?. You used a wireless SMPTE transmitter/recever, right? Which brand, model? Did you use a SMPTE slate too? Those aren't necessary if your sending SMPTE to or from camera already, right?

Thanks.
 
Haw- no idea as I'm not the sound guy. AFAIK they used a TC slate synced to the DAT deck with time of day timecode. All takes were manually synced in post off the slate. There was no correlation between cam and DAT for TC. We were moving too quickly and with multiple cameras. Worked out fine though more work in post for the editor to sync.

Noah
 
Have you considered going with the 900 and a P+S technik adapter with a lens kit? Or would this just push you closer to running with a Varicam and HD ENG Zoom and Wide?

Or the 900 with the new Zeiss Digiprime Zoom 6-24mm on the front? Once again would probably push you up to the Varicam base rate.

To me the HVX200 is the first handycam that I would consider purchasing a P+S technik unit for. As the guys at NAB said "Ve vould be crazy not too!" (develop one that is)
 
( The Varicam rents for less than a 900 already. 1,100 for the 900 body vs. $800 for the VariCam body. Plus Panavision lenses are $$$. If the point is to save money it's not going to be a 900.)

Whoops my bad- I thought a Sony F900 had creeped in here! The SDX900 rents for much less than the Varicam.
 
Interesting to note (not that I have ever used a single Panavision lens) are the new 2:39 anamorphic lenses announced recently for Super35mm (40% more image size than regular 35, but no anamorphic lenses available, instead you crop/matte Super35 for any type of widescreen.. mostly this format is used for commercials and television) This is a pretty interesting idea and there has been discussion about using these new lenses on a Panavision 900F. Thought it was sort of news worthy as this discussion has slid slightly into Sony/Panavision topics. Also, I thought it would be neat for anyone who likes to follow this kind of stuff. I know I do.
 
NoahK said:
The Varicam rents for less than a 900 already. 1,100 for the 900 body vs. $800 for the VariCam body. Plus Panavision lenses are $$$. If the point is to save money it's not going to be a 900.
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Sorry, I meant the P+S or Zeiss with the Panasonic SDX900 not the Sony F900.
How does tha stack up as an option?
 
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