Mitch Gross
Veteran
Learn something new every day!
VaricamLT: I'm back
- Thread starter Mitch Gross
- Start date
Learn something new every day!
That was the old Mitch. The new Mitch is slim and trim ... sort of line Mitch Mini Pro.
PS. Me thinks there'll be a sub-$10,000 "pro" camera coming out from Panasonic in the near future.
Barry_Green
Moderator
I think it would be a good move from Panasonic to make a smaller version of the LT that can be used on drones and larger 3-axis gimbals or as a B-cam to the LT in documentaries.
We had a discussion in another thread here about adding features to the LT (like the 444 4K codec), which would make it an even better B-cam for projects that can afford the V35. Now it's a perfect B-cam for the Pure if paired with an O7Q, so it would be good to give it the same codec as the V35 (it still won't have the framerates).
For lower budget projects where the LT is the A-cam, it would be great to have the same sensor on a B-cam and also use it in ways that the other versions can't be used (if smaller). Maybe just make a body that can only record 4K (the same codecs that the Varicam has now) in regular speeds and 50p/60p, and 2K + 1080, but only at max 60p. The Remote Panel could be optional (or built in and based on the same GUI but maybe touchscreen) and with the Wi-Fi dongle built in. It could have the same optional XLR-adaptor like the GH5, or a single or two mono XLR-inputs. It should also be able to output the same raw signal as the LT.
I don't know if it's possible to have all these features in a smaller camera, since I presume that the LT isn't as big as it is without a reason, but if it is possible I believe many LT owners would be interested in having a B-camera, but this also of course depends on the price.
We had a discussion in another thread here about adding features to the LT (like the 444 4K codec), which would make it an even better B-cam for projects that can afford the V35. Now it's a perfect B-cam for the Pure if paired with an O7Q, so it would be good to give it the same codec as the V35 (it still won't have the framerates).
For lower budget projects where the LT is the A-cam, it would be great to have the same sensor on a B-cam and also use it in ways that the other versions can't be used (if smaller). Maybe just make a body that can only record 4K (the same codecs that the Varicam has now) in regular speeds and 50p/60p, and 2K + 1080, but only at max 60p. The Remote Panel could be optional (or built in and based on the same GUI but maybe touchscreen) and with the Wi-Fi dongle built in. It could have the same optional XLR-adaptor like the GH5, or a single or two mono XLR-inputs. It should also be able to output the same raw signal as the LT.
I don't know if it's possible to have all these features in a smaller camera, since I presume that the LT isn't as big as it is without a reason, but if it is possible I believe many LT owners would be interested in having a B-camera, but this also of course depends on the price.
All right , I'll go out on a limb here. It'll be a black box with some buttons on the left and some on the right. Maybe a hole for the lens upfront. That's what I have heard from my usually reliable sources. Rate it DLD4.
Or - how about s35 PL that basically does what FS7 does but with better low light/high ISO performance, a real Raw out and is priced at ~ $8,000? Sold as a package with Angenieux EZ 15-40mm and/or 30-90mm zooms that were announced last year and will be released some time this summer.
Ashok.Vardhan
Active member
Congratulations on your move Mitch.
Just a few days back I was thinking of posting in one of your Convergent Design 7Q+ threads here to see if CD would make the RAW bundle free considering the looming market capture from Atomos.
Considering I also own the Panasonic Varicam LT, like Milan, and many others who have voiced their thoughts here as well, wondering if you could share our requests up the Panasonic engineering chain of command:
4K AVC Intra 444 (upto 60p)
120-240 fps using Full Frame at 2K (instead of cropped mode)
Just a few days back I was thinking of posting in one of your Convergent Design 7Q+ threads here to see if CD would make the RAW bundle free considering the looming market capture from Atomos.
Considering I also own the Panasonic Varicam LT, like Milan, and many others who have voiced their thoughts here as well, wondering if you could share our requests up the Panasonic engineering chain of command:
4K AVC Intra 444 (upto 60p)
120-240 fps using Full Frame at 2K (instead of cropped mode)
Dan Keaton
Well-known member
Dear Ashok,
Our Convergent Design Raw Bundle is not free, but it is currently on sale for $500 off. Thus, the current price, in US Dollars is $495.
Please note the very wide variety of cameras that we support with our Raw Bundle, and the wide variety of frame rates.
With our Raw Bundle, you are not limited to a maximum of 30 fps when recording in Raw.
The Odyssey7Q and Odyssey7Q+ can support higher frame rates, since we can record to two SSD's when necessary.
But, for recording 30 fps and below, we record to just one SSD.
Please feel free to call me if you would like to discuss this in detail.
Seven One Nine --- Nine Three Zero --- One Three Seven Six
Respectfully,
Dan Keaton
Convergent Design
Our Convergent Design Raw Bundle is not free, but it is currently on sale for $500 off. Thus, the current price, in US Dollars is $495.
Please note the very wide variety of cameras that we support with our Raw Bundle, and the wide variety of frame rates.
With our Raw Bundle, you are not limited to a maximum of 30 fps when recording in Raw.
The Odyssey7Q and Odyssey7Q+ can support higher frame rates, since we can record to two SSD's when necessary.
But, for recording 30 fps and below, we record to just one SSD.
Please feel free to call me if you would like to discuss this in detail.
Seven One Nine --- Nine Three Zero --- One Three Seven Six
Respectfully,
Dan Keaton
Convergent Design
Mike Krumlauf
Award Winning Filmmaker
Congrats Mitch!!!!
Mike Krumlauf
Award Winning Filmmaker
I was just about to say.. whatever happened to Jan at Panasonic?
Barry_Green
Moderator
She retired several years ago.
Ashok.Vardhan
Active member
Appreciate your reply Dan, I went ahead and invested in the RAW bundle yesterday and am looking forward to checking out the expanded capabilities it will offer my Varicam LT.
Hello Mitch,
I just received my Varicam LT on THU of this week. I noticed an issue with the viewfinder (AU-VCVF10G). The rings get stuck at a certain position and do not move. When the viewfinder is tilted downwards, the internal element seem to be moving with gravity and the display that was in focus goes out of focus. I noticed this yesterday in the middle of a shoot when trying to get a overhead shot. Is this normal functional behaviour?
I am based in Los Angeles and when I checked out the Panasonic Support information I noticed that they were closed on weekends.
How should I go about getting this looked into?
Best,
Ashok
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Mitch Gross
Veteran
Hi Ashok,
Where did you purchase your camera? You can contact our technical support on Monday and I would also suggest you contact the dealer from where you purchased the camera. As it new, any defects would of course be covered under warranty.
You can feel free to contact me directly as well.
Are you pushing the little lock button down to adjust it?
Since I've been asking for these things since day one (actually before), I'd guess the 444 probably won't happen. I have never been told a definitive no on the 2K full frame over crank. I plan to keep asking for it.
From what I've heard it'll come with the next FW update.
Ashok.Vardhan
Active member
Hello Noel, Yes I am pushing down on the button. The issue is a bit more deeper than just that. There seems to be a issue with the EVF I received. The diopter ring is unable to move beyond marking 5 when rotated anti-clockwise from marking 9 to 5. When the diopter is set at marking 9 the zoom ring can only move in the range between markings 3 & 8. Over the weekend, when using the Varicam on an overhead shot, I noticed that the internal elements in the EVF move freely downwards due to gravity. There is something loose inside. I have contacted the local support and am waiting on hearing back on the next course of action from them.
That would be great if it were to happen. That seems to be a common request from quite a lot of users here, will really help in lesser lens changes and better framing once implemented during HFR needs.
Oh yes and almost forgot, congrats Mitch, although did put that on FB to you Im pretty sure 
Mitch Gross
Veteran
Tanks, Noel.
Ashok, I've put our LA tech support in touch with you. Please let me know if you need additional assistance.
Ashok, I've put our LA tech support in touch with you. Please let me know if you need additional assistance.
Ashok.Vardhan
Active member
Thanks again Mitch. The team at Panasonic, North Hollywood fixed it and it is ready to be picked up (a one-day turnaround) I very must appreciate that. I am very happy to have invested my savings into the Panasonic Varicam line instead of RED, not just for the image, but also for the exceptional after sales service support I am getting to experience. I am glad that I attended the Varicam workshops that were held a few weeks ago, which were very influential in my decision to go in this direction. Best, Ashok
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Mitch Gross
Veteran
Glad it worked out well for you. We pride ourselves on service and support.