My New Camera !

S

scottmd80

Active member
Hello everyone, I just ordered a Panasonic HPX370. A little background, I have
used Sony HDV format exclusively to shoot nature and corporate work. Some of my corporate clients now want to do some croma keying presentations. I was ready to buy a EX3 and Nanoflash or Ki Pro when a friend of mine suggested I look at the Panasonic. Why not buy a camera that records what you need, ( 4:2:2, I-frame... ) instead of having to buy an additional recorder? Well I was impressed with the camera, except the 1/3 sensor but heck, I have been shooting 1/3 sensors for years and have made it work. This is my first Panasonic. I have been trying to collect different picture profiles for this camera when I run across them. If anyone has any tips, suggestions or any helpful information a new Panasonic owner could use I sure would appreciate the help.
Oh yea I edit using FCP-7.
Thanks Scott
 
Congrats, Scott! I had an HPX500 for years. You'll love the P2 workflow. Don't forget to apply for the $2,000 rebate.
 
Yea thanks, that rebate helped me make the decision. It looks like I am going to need a
new fluid head, I was just looking at the specs. for my Manfrotto 501 it’s rated at
13.2 lbs. I think the 370 with battery, lens.... will be more than the 501 can handle,
plus I don’t like to be right at the limit.
 
Although it's not specifically about the 370, you might consider ordering a copy of Barry Green's HVX/HPX book. He told me about 80% of the content would be relevant, and having looked at it, I agree.
 
Thanks a lot, I have been looking for some guidance. I saw this book but did not know how much would be relevant. There seems to be a lot written for the Sony EX line.
 
I think that between Barry's book and the user manual, you'll have most of the info you need. (The rest can come from this website!)
 
powerdog said:
I think that between Barry's book and the user manual, you'll have most of the info you need. (The rest can come from this website!)
Click to expand...
Which is quite sad, actually. Compared to the wealth of information available for still photography, high-end video doesn't seem to have much resources to follow. DVXuser is one of the few websites I found where I can always get useful info.

Anyways, congratulations on the order! I also use a 370 and edit in FCP7, so we might be able to help each other out. I think the 370 is going to be pretty nice to use for shooting wildlife as it has a very smooth and organic feel to the image.
 
Kolor, I don't know how many 370's are sold compared to, say, Canon 5D Mark II, but I'll bet the still camera is at least 100x more.

What's sad to me, actually, is that there's no website or part of one that offers articles and tips on the 370. Scene files would be one of many good topics.
 
I have to agree about the amount of information on still photography vs high end video. I am thinking about trying a lens adapter from a company named "MTF". They have an adapter for the 1/3rd bayonet
to Nikon ( among others ) lens, including the "G" lens that doesn't have an aperture ring. This could be a great way to expand your lens inventory. Plus with the magnification factor of 7X it will work great
for wildlife shoots, sorry about you guys that need wide angle support. Question: Has anyone used any type of lens adapter and how did it work? Again thanks everybody for the help and encouragement,
I hope someday to be in a position to help you guys out.
Scott
 
I was just about to order Barry's book from Amazon but stopped, I would hate to order this book then next month he comes out with a HPX300/370.
So I guess the question is :Barry do you have another book on the horizon?
Thanks Scott
 
powerdog said:
Kolor, I don't know how many 370's are sold compared to, say, Canon 5D Mark II, but I'll bet the still camera is at least 100x more.
Click to expand...
But then again the 5D2 is a lot more mainstream in the field of photography than the 370 is in video. Most people seem to think that "professional" ends on cameras like the EX1, and that there isn't much beyond $9,000 except the funny money land of digital film cameras.

What's sad to me, actually, is that there's no website or part of one that offers articles and tips on the 370. Scene files would be one of many good topics.
Click to expand...
Maybe no single website, but the information could be there, just spread over many sites and archived topics. I had to poke around a while and then ask on this forum before I learned what settings like master pedestal and coring even do. Whereas you can go to a website like Cambridge in colour and get deep technical information that's applicable to any digital still camera, and maybe even video cameras to a lesser degree, but there are no video-specific details.
 
Congrats Scott! Welcome in 301/371 Pannyland! But....i have to say this: before you start using the 371 you must read all threads in this forum about this camera. I think that you can find more infos and problems that people may have during shots! Well for scene files you have to try all the settings, read the manual ( yes! it's not so specific but has all the informations you need! ),download all the Panny scene files for the 301 and take a look at the settings. For me it helps a lot! Remember that AVCIntra100 is a codec that you can manipulate a lot in post, and the levels effect in your edit program will resolve the 70% of problems! You can crush blacks introducing contrast in the picture that eliminates not important details but at the same time creates more depth and a much detailed picture. Trust in me when i say this! AND DON'T FORGET YOUR BACKFOCUS SETUP!!!!
Powerdog, i have a 5D with all the toys (mattebox,followfocus,lenses etc..) and in Italy as i said many times before 5D is the standard. They have find that the picture quality is really impressive (i will posts some night shots....absolutely no noise, RED's chip is smaller and produce much noise but it's another world!), the small size is helpful in many situations and you have a lot of depth of fild to play with (tilt shift and spot focus a go go!!!!). So there are more books about DSLR workflow, because basically everyone can buy a 5D or 7D or 60D and make a video with a noticeable quality ( ok,somebody may not see rolling shutter...)! To use a broadcast camera on the contrary you have to be a camera operator, and basically your skill will increase in the years with experience. This is the best book that you can find! And Barry's one obviously! So dvxuser is the place where you can find tips & tricks and learn all kind of stuff! I've learned so many thing here.....
One last consideration...when i've tried the followfocus on the 301 i was so happy! I feel like a kid in a toy store! I feel like a real pro!!! I'm not so happy when i use it on the 5D:thumbsup:

Sorry for the long message!
Bests from Italy!
Roberto
 
Scott, I asked Barry about a new book before I ordered. He said he has no plans to write a new one. The current one is the best you can do.
 
Once again thanks to everyone. The camera should be delivered today
(thanks to B&H). I think I preformed my due diligence, I downloaded and
read thru the manual, (I agree with Robert thats it’s not very specific, but neither are the Sony manuals)
tried to establish a P2 workflow. I googled (?) everything I could, I know this camera is not perfect but no camera
is. I don’t know why Sony insists on staying with the long GOP, 4:2:0, 35mb/s
xdcam codec unless it’s to protect the higher end cameras.
I have gained more knowledge from this forum than anywhere else
I have found, and for that thanks. Thanks Powerdog for asking Barry, I
will order his book now.
Scott
 
Roberto Tafuro said:
Congrats Scott! Welcome in 301/371 Pannyland! But....i have to say this: before you start using the 371 you must read all threads in this forum about this camera. I think that you can find more infos and problems that people may have during shots!
Click to expand...
"Problems" sure is right. Don't forget the golden rule of online forums is that people who come around are usually there to troubleshoot some sort of problem, because if everything's nice and dandy, why waste time on forums, right? The consequence of this is that you'll probably run into more negative talk about something than it deserves; I bet if there was section on this forum for the 2xxx, 3xxx series Varicams, there would still be people saying crap about them like "why is the 3700 limited to 30fps in 1080p?"

I know this camera is not perfect but no camera
is. I don’t know why Sony insists on staying with the long GOP, 4:2:0, 35mb/s
xdcam codec unless it’s to protect the higher end cameras.
Click to expand...
The Sony 320 or 350 would have been one heck of a camera if it had intra, or a much higher bitrate, or both, but alas I just can't go without color grading; integrity was important to me.
I can imagine that an AF100 or F3 user might want to get an external recorder regardless of the on-board options, but when running & gunning with an ENG cam, a recorder option might be cumbersome, especially if it's anything other than the Nanoflash.
 
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Get the card reader ~ AJ-PCD2
Plugs in the comp by way of 2 USB cables. One for power and one for data.
Cheapest option for macs.
Cheap Win laptop can serve as an off-loader as well.
Back up the entire card structure always.
Use P2CMS free software from Panny.
 
Kolor-Pikker said:
I bet if there was section on this forum for the 2xxx, 3xxx series Varicams, there would still be people saying crap about them like "why is the 3700 limited to 30fps in 1080p?"
Click to expand...


Yes!!!! I totally agree with you! 3700 limited to 30fps or 25fps for me is a very strange thing! And i ask to myself...why? I don't know what they have in mind but with that price you MUST have everything with all the optional of a business class! The 2700 is a REAL varicam but it's 10bit 4:2:2 , like the 300 series. And again...why? I don't know... i think that more people choose DSLR because they act in the same way, codec are similar and the picture is good even on a 60D. Strange market's laws....

Yes, the AJ-PCD2 is a very good solutions. I got it and when i want i can transfer files during sessions. At this time i've used not so much (i've 2x64 and 3x32 P2 cards) but it's better to have it!
Bests,
Roberto
 
Hi all, well the camera was delivered today right on time. Powerdog I ordered
one 32gb P2 card, I will have to pick up some more when I figure out what kind
of work flow works for me. I also ordered a AJ-PCD2G single slot memory card reader.
I have been busy today but I did take everything out of the boxes ( like Christmas ).
One thing that I was afraid of my Manfrotto 501 head was going too be a little small,
well I was wrong it’s a lot too small. Anyone have any suggestions?
I will say one thing about the camera, I was impressed with the overall quality.
A side note, buying this Panasonic was a very large step for me. I have been a
loyal Sony user since I started many years ago. I looked at everything I could find
to justify buying another Sony, it just did not make any since. So now here I am with
a brand new camera, starting over, learning new menus, new terms, work flows
the list goes on. It will be fun and if this is half the camera I think it is it will be great.
Not if you will excuse me, I have to fill out my rebate form!
Thanks all
Scott
 
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