jcoxshooter
Well-known member
Has anyone had their hand on the new Panasonic AJ-HPX3100GJ P2 HD Camcorder. We have a 500 and 300 and are looking at upgrading/leaving the 300. Barry or anyone else had their hand on one yet?
Panasonic AJ-HPX3100GJ
- Thread starter jcoxshooter
- Start date
Jody: I haven't touched one, or even seen one, so I can't offer much. But, as you undoubtedly know, the 3100 shoots only 1080, has no slo-mo functions and has only two card slots. I also have a 500, and was looking to upgrade to the 3100 when it was expected to appear in October... But because I have six 16gb P2 cards, and am not about to invest in larger ones, I am going to stay with the 500 for a while.
To be honest, I just stumbled across Phillip Blooms April test of the 3700 and his footage blows everything I've seen from the AF100 out of the water - they are making huge rebate deals on that camera (probably because the 300 turned everyone off, so the 370 isn't selling well). I may get one - for the price I'd only need one job to pay for it...
To be honest, I just stumbled across Phillip Blooms April test of the 3700 and his footage blows everything I've seen from the AF100 out of the water - they are making huge rebate deals on that camera (probably because the 300 turned everyone off, so the 370 isn't selling well). I may get one - for the price I'd only need one job to pay for it...
I need to jump in here. We had the opportunity to try an early 3700, so when the first trade in deal for tape cameras was offered, I couldn't resist it. The 3700 is in my opinion the best camera I've ever used. The results are stunning, especially at night. It is worth every penny. If you can justify the cost, IMHO there is no finer camera available.
I'm sorry, I did mean the 370, not the 3700... The 3700 is a terrific unit, but I'd have to sell my soul to corporate America to justify the cost... The 370, at around seven grand after the rebate, makes a lot of sense in these days of constantly changing technology and tightened belts for an independent filmmaker. AVC-I, 10 bit, P2 cards - all the stuff that's sadly missing on the AF100... 1/3" chip, so not quite as good in low light - but so what? It has a flip feature so you can replace the lens and use a lens adapter for selective focus too.
As I said, I will keep my 500 for a while because it does the job, and will probably get an AF100 to play with because it's new and cheap, but if I was going to own one camera, I think it would be the 370.
As I said, I will keep my 500 for a while because it does the job, and will probably get an AF100 to play with because it's new and cheap, but if I was going to own one camera, I think it would be the 370.
I'm in the same boat as you. I also have a 500, but I think it's time to upgrade. I'm looking at the Canon XF305. I'll hold on to my lens, batteries and P2 cards because someday I'd love to have a 3100. BUt the 370 is also a very good option. I really want 1920 x 1080 full raster chips.
Funny, a 1/3" cam is an upgrade from a 2/3" cam.
This is what I find so frustrating right now... It seems, and I'm not criticizing Panasonic, they are in business to make money after all - but it SEEMS that they introduced this full raster AVC-Intra P2 camera and then suddenly realized "Hey, we can't be undercutting our own high end cameras! This was a mistake, so let's kind of keep it under wraps, not push it, and introduce an AVCHD camera with a big chip so we can wow them with shallow DOF - everyone likes that, right? We' market the hell out of this Af100 and they won't notice that we almost gave away the farm with the 370... Whew, we nearly blew that one!"
I'm getting an AF100 for one reason only, I have a sh**load of Leica R lenses and I want something to use them on... If it wasn't for that, I'd spend the cash on the 370 in a New York minute...
Well, I've heard the 370 is now Panasonic's mid-tier camera. So, it should take on its competition. AVC-i 100 and full raster chips are a great way to do that. I think it needed that.
I have no idea why the AF100 has only AVCHD. It would seem to be a perfect candidate for P2 and AVC-i.
You can always sell your 500 and get the 370. You already have the batteries and P2 cards.
I have no idea why the AF100 has only AVCHD. It would seem to be a perfect candidate for P2 and AVC-i.
You can always sell your 500 and get the 370. You already have the batteries and P2 cards.
We have HPX 500s and a HPX 300 as well as our 3700. The 500s are everyday workhorses that paid for themselves a long time ago. One of them is used almost daily as a telecine camera. It's great for that. It replaced a Panasonic WV-F 700 that we had since the mid 90s. That camera made me a LOT of $$$$$$$$$. The 3700 speaks for itself. The 300 replaced an original HVX 200 that we sold for a great price. It has had the least use, by us. However, it fulfills that niche nicely. As you have guessed we do a fair number of jobs requiring more than one camera.
Bassman2003
Veteran
In my view, the HPX-500 still has a place. I often see it next to an EX-1 and in 720p I favor the HPX-500 (with a nice lens). "Upgrading" to an HPX-370 in my view would not be a good decision for me. Waiting will be the best course of action as I think chipset technology is moving faster than the manufacturers want it to. I believe the next round of cameras will be worth the wait. Looking at some of the specs from the Red point of view the bar is being pushed up severely.
I know I will not purchase a video camera until skew is more under control. Because after they make cameras with fast enough CMOS readouts the current cameras are not going to be as wanted in the marketplace.
Buying a used HPX-2000 might be a great move going forward as well.
Still, the HPX500 is probably the last of its kind. I doubt any manufacturer will ever build an SD chip broadcast camera again - pixel shifted or not. I think there will never be professional cameras built with less than full raster 1920 x 1080 imagers again - unless the cameras say "JVC" on them.
I don't think there will be a replacement for the 500. I think the 370 fulfills that roll. Maybe the 3100 does?
Do you see a replacement for the HPX170? Maybe a small fixed lens cam with the 370's sensors?
I don't think there will be a replacement for the 500. I think the 370 fulfills that roll. Maybe the 3100 does?
Do you see a replacement for the HPX170? Maybe a small fixed lens cam with the 370's sensors?
Bassman2003
Veteran
I agree, no pixel shifted HD cameras will be made in the pro segment. I could see them in consumer lines though. I think it is important not to lose sight of broadcast standards in this ever growing cinema-centric camera world. HD in the broadcast world is 720p/1080i. Full raster chips are as not as important to some extent. We might see 1080p/24 show up as a broadcast standard some time, but I don't think 1080p/60/50 will be here anytime soon. It was a monumental shift from SD broadcasting to HD broadcasting.
I say this because 720p/60/50 will have a place for a long time going forward if you shoot anything for the television. This rush to resolution reminds me of the megapixel race in stills. Why do I need 2k or 4k unless I am shooting for major release screens? Camera choice really depends upon what you shoot. Shooting in 2k or 4k and putting your product on a television screen involves a lot of conversion. This can be a lot of work and can degrage your image if the converter is not up to the task.
To me, the HPX-2000 is the successor to the HPX-500. With a cluster of cameras at $19,999 I think Panasonic should continue to produce the HPX-2000 but put its price in a lower bracket. The lens you put in front of any camera makes more difference imho. As somebody who does not shoot for the big screen, I could see owning the HPX-2000 and being happy with the image for many years going forward. But time will tell. To be honest, if Scarlet can take an HD ENG zoom and still create a great image I will be a RED customer and leave all of the rest behind. The RAW processing and 720p120/150 just sounds like a great tool for any medium.
I do not have that much of an interest in 1/3" chip cameras. So I would not trade my HPX-500 for an HPX-370. If the HPX-3100 had the 720p modes it would be great, but it does not.
I say this because 720p/60/50 will have a place for a long time going forward if you shoot anything for the television. This rush to resolution reminds me of the megapixel race in stills. Why do I need 2k or 4k unless I am shooting for major release screens? Camera choice really depends upon what you shoot. Shooting in 2k or 4k and putting your product on a television screen involves a lot of conversion. This can be a lot of work and can degrage your image if the converter is not up to the task.
To me, the HPX-2000 is the successor to the HPX-500. With a cluster of cameras at $19,999 I think Panasonic should continue to produce the HPX-2000 but put its price in a lower bracket. The lens you put in front of any camera makes more difference imho. As somebody who does not shoot for the big screen, I could see owning the HPX-2000 and being happy with the image for many years going forward. But time will tell. To be honest, if Scarlet can take an HD ENG zoom and still create a great image I will be a RED customer and leave all of the rest behind. The RAW processing and 720p120/150 just sounds like a great tool for any medium.
I do not have that much of an interest in 1/3" chip cameras. So I would not trade my HPX-500 for an HPX-370. If the HPX-3100 had the 720p modes it would be great, but it does not.
Not enough has been said elsewhere about the fact that the picture from the 500, especially 720/24pn, is still excellent, maybe not crystal sharp, but "attractive" - it (and DVCPRO HD) may be "old", but so am I - I once compared the assessment of images to the difference between fine crystal and fine stoneware, they both are exquisite and have their place - that applies to this camera as well, even with the stock lens.
Originally I had intended to get a higher-end lens, figuring I could take it with me to the next camera. Then when the 5D craze hit I thought I'd better bide my time and see what happens. So, I still have the Fujinon that came with the 500 three years ago. It ain't that bad, and if 2/3" becomes old hat too, I won't have another expensive multi-element thermos - like I do with my wonderful-but-obsolete super16 Cookes.
Originally I had intended to get a higher-end lens, figuring I could take it with me to the next camera. Then when the 5D craze hit I thought I'd better bide my time and see what happens. So, I still have the Fujinon that came with the 500 three years ago. It ain't that bad, and if 2/3" becomes old hat too, I won't have another expensive multi-element thermos - like I do with my wonderful-but-obsolete super16 Cookes.
I'm glad the thread name has been changed because I want to hear people's opinions of the 3100 as well... My first question would be - is it noticeably lighter and/or better balanced for handheld shooting than previous cameras? With my 500 I built a bracket to move the finder forward 1 1/2 inches, and that helps a lot... a few pound lighter would be nice though (the days get long folks).
jcoxshooter
Well-known member
Me to Mac I hope the new thread name will get some feed back. I hope to hear from our area Panasonic rep this week and see about getting a demo or going to were one is.
pro---studio
Member
Regarding the 300 and 370:
Please have in mind that it has only 1/3 inch chips. That introduces a lot of problems. You can't use that camera if you close the iris more than f4. Everything is becoming soft and defocused then. On F11 everything is out of focus.
We had one for testing purposes and returned it. You have no control over the focus of your footage unless you shoot with open iris. For me the 300 and the 370 is absolutely NO ENG camera. Maybe you can use them in an enviroment where you have total control about the light and exposure.
Pro.
Please have in mind that it has only 1/3 inch chips. That introduces a lot of problems. You can't use that camera if you close the iris more than f4. Everything is becoming soft and defocused then. On F11 everything is out of focus.
We had one for testing purposes and returned it. You have no control over the focus of your footage unless you shoot with open iris. For me the 300 and the 370 is absolutely NO ENG camera. Maybe you can use them in an enviroment where you have total control about the light and exposure.
Pro.
videoatlanta
Well-known member
I just bought a 370 and I can tell ya, panning with it gets you mushy images even in 30p or 60p.
Test drive it first.
Test drive it first.
Hi,
I'm looking for HPX-3100 in SD mode in EFP environment for the first use. I consider also the HXC-100 from SONY with triax. My primary question is how much is the quality of the SD outputs from the cameras...
The other crucial point in the HXC-100 is how triax can transmit HD to CCU, obiusly going in compressed digital format, but SONY no tell about this point.
Of course, one is a camcorder, and other is EFP designed, but i try to use them in studio configurations.
Any comments is apreciated.
Thanks
I'm looking for HPX-3100 in SD mode in EFP environment for the first use. I consider also the HXC-100 from SONY with triax. My primary question is how much is the quality of the SD outputs from the cameras...
The other crucial point in the HXC-100 is how triax can transmit HD to CCU, obiusly going in compressed digital format, but SONY no tell about this point.
Of course, one is a camcorder, and other is EFP designed, but i try to use them in studio configurations.
Any comments is apreciated.
Thanks
GaryNattrass
Veteran
I had a good look at the 3100 at BVE in London last week and the form factor is the same as the 300/370 ser.
Some of the switches for audio selection have moved location but it very pro like and the one I tried had a very sharp b&w viewfinder on it, the P2 card slots and the playback and menu system for card management is the same as the 300/370.
There is also an extra switch near the power one for viewfinder display selection and an XLR audio out on the back panel.
It is a shame that it is not like the 300/370 and have varicam ability with 720 shooting as panasonic could have all levels covered in just two cameras but it may be that a larger sensor HPX600 may still be on the cards to fill the sony 320/350 range.
I also had a look at the sony 500 and some of the switches are getting very small/pro sumer and the 3100 seemed a more pro like camera to me.
Some of the switches for audio selection have moved location but it very pro like and the one I tried had a very sharp b&w viewfinder on it, the P2 card slots and the playback and menu system for card management is the same as the 300/370.
There is also an extra switch near the power one for viewfinder display selection and an XLR audio out on the back panel.
It is a shame that it is not like the 300/370 and have varicam ability with 720 shooting as panasonic could have all levels covered in just two cameras but it may be that a larger sensor HPX600 may still be on the cards to fill the sony 320/350 range.
I also had a look at the sony 500 and some of the switches are getting very small/pro sumer and the 3100 seemed a more pro like camera to me.
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k2director
Well-known member
The HPX3100 also is getting wireless metadata features so you can add metadata on set with an iPhone/iPad/laptop/etc. A producer can place markers in clips as they record, without going near the camera itself. Very nice feature if it works well in practice. Will be shown and shipping at NAB this year.
Also, the HPX3100 can make very high quality proxy clips in QuickTime, all with metadata and timecode intact.
Two very nice features more or less unique to the 3100.
I wish it had offspeed frame rates too, though. If it did, I would probably buy one.
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Also, the HPX3100 can make very high quality proxy clips in QuickTime, all with metadata and timecode intact.
Two very nice features more or less unique to the 3100.
I wish it had offspeed frame rates too, though. If it did, I would probably buy one.
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www.thep2blog.com