New Camera Question

thefilmaddict

thefilmaddict

Veteran
My boss is interested in getting a new camera. He is used to using the PMW-400 (XDCAM EX HD Camcorder). What he loves about it:

1. It has a servo zoom lens. You zoom in and focus and zoom out (focus stays). Zooms are smooth with the servo.
2. It had a viewfinder that work well for bright sunlight.
3. It has multiple XLR inputs.
4. It has built in ND filters.

What he doesn't like about it: It's heavy (even without an Anton Bauer brick on it).

Is there an affordable camera (or gear combo), that can do all of these things, that weighs a lot less?

Thanks!
 
That link has a huge list of cameras connected to it. Do you like this one the best (it's at the top):

Panasonic AG-CX350 4K Camcorder
 
Or he can get a C100 II DPAF with the 18-80. Depends on the budget.

(or, if Jimmy the Gent is your boss, there are different means of gear acquisition)
 
thefilmaddict said:
That link has a huge list of cameras connected to it. Do you like this one the best (it's at the top):

Panasonic AG-CX350 4K Camcorder
Click to expand...

Your 4 features are doable by pretty much all of the cameras on that list...so it's best to narrow it down a bit more for any useful recommendations.

Would he/you like to stick with Sony? - Resolution? - 4K/60p? - Autofocus? - IBIS? - 10-bit? - ETC.

The CX350 is VERY popular right now, but I do not have hands-on experience with any of those fixed-lens prosumer cameras besides a few (and they are old). Around this forum, you'll find dedicated discussions about a few models and even some comparison threads as well if you search for them.
 
Thanks! This camera is pretty impressive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AraWj55Apzs

He mainly shoots 1080 29.97 progressive now, but would migrate to 4K eventually.

Only thing I noticed on B&H reviews were people saying they got dust on the sensor when using it outdoors. He shoots a lot on a boat. Fishing instructional videos. Long recording times. Deals with contrasty sun at times.
 
thefilmaddict said:
Which 18-80. Is it a servo zoom? He would like that...
Click to expand...
It's a Canon servo zoom. T4.4 but, since your boss films fishing videos, lack of light shouldn't be a problem. C100 MKII is 1080P only but the camera is on sale at the moment, I believe.

PS. I wouldn't go fishing with Jimmy the Gent.
 
My boss just saw the specs for the Sony Alpha a7R IV. I told him it looks awesome, but would require a lot of gear ad ons to make it do all of the things he is used to getting.
 
thefilmaddict said:
My boss just saw the specs for the Sony Alpha a7R IV. I told him it looks awesome, but would require a lot of gear ad ons to make it do all of the things he is used to getting.
Click to expand...

That's an intelligent way to put it; the operative words being used to.

We instead always see something along the lines of, "to make it work".

That new mirrorless is definitely the opposite of the 400.
 
thefilmaddict said:
Thanks! This camera is pretty impressive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AraWj55Apzs

He mainly shoots 1080 29.97 progressive now, but would migrate to 4K eventually.

Only thing I noticed on B&H reviews were people saying they got dust on the sensor when using it outdoors. He shoots a lot on a boat. Fishing instructional videos. Long recording times. Deals with contrasty sun at times.
Click to expand...

One thing I can tell you about this dust on the sensor question. Panasonic has been trying o track this down. It appears to be just one person who has posted multiple times. While anything is possible, we have yet to see this camera or any other CX350 with this issue. In fact one of our first test shoots sent someone into a Latin American jungle and the CX350 came back absolutely filthy -- on the outside. Inside was fine.
 
There are numerous cameras that fit the needs in the $1295 to $8000, many of those use little batteries like the Sony style. I recently looked for a few so that we can consider how much to budget for replacements in the coming year or two but didn't really settle on anything specific. One was a Sony that had three electronic rings on the lens to allow manual control of focus, zoom, and iris. Something that can have all manual functions leads the way for us to be able to teach how to use the camera in creative modes that auto everything can't do.

I think this was it https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1222976-REG/sony_pxw_z150_4k_xdcam_camcorder.html

But I also like the new(ish) JVC ENG/EFP camera with the cheap lens https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1042868-REG/jvc_gyhm850c14_1_3_prohd_shoulder.html

This for the cheapest side https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1263853-REG/panasonic_ag_ac30_full_hd_camcorder.html

There is a canon model that I liked, but don't remember which model it was, under $3000 is about all I remember.
 
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