VaricamLT: Panasonic VariCam LT + Sigma Cine Zooms 18-35mm and 50-100mm real world short test

Filippo Chiesa

Well-known member
I was lucky enough to test, for one day only in my hometown and its surroundings, the very new Sigma Cine Zoom lenses with my fantastic new VariCam LT.
The purpose of the test is to check the color science of the VariCam LT (IMHO it's amazing)and how it works with these two very nice, very well built Sigma Cine Zooms.

All filmed in AVC-Intra 4K DCI with natural and artificial available light (day scenes 800 ISO, night scenes 5000 ISO).

https://vimeo.com/205567328

Download the DNxHR HQX file here: dropbox.com/s/4ktb7927x35v125/VariCam%20LT%20%2B%20Sigma%20Cine.mxf?dl=0
 
Thanks for sharing us these images! Love the Sigma lenses. What was your processing for the LOG images?

I saw you are using the Alphatron EVF, how do you like it? I have been looking for a low cost alternative to the Panasonic one.
 
Thanks for sharing us these images! Love the Sigma lenses. What was your processing for the LOG images?

I saw you are using the Alphatron EVF, how do you like it? I have been looking for a low cost alternative to the Panasonic one.

Thanks for watching!
The V-Log is beautiful. I used Da Vinci Resolve Studio without LUT's.
The Alphatron is a very nice EVF, but the Panasonic one is better.
 
I've used the Varicams but this reminds my how punchy their colors are, almost Leica like.
With their longstanding relationship with Leica (putting their glass on their camcorders) I wonder if Leica contributed to Panasonic's color science.
 
A Panasonic representative told me that they will make some sort of Leica-mount as an addition to the EF- and PL-mounts, for the Varicam LT. I'm not familiar with Leica lenses so I don't remember which mount they're making, but for those that have Leica lenses this is good news I guess.
 
Alexa, VariCam and Leica M/SL sensors are somehow sons of the same mother (Tower Jazz).

"The coveted winged Emmy award statue was presented to ARRI during the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in Las Vegas, Nevada, in early January. When accepting the award, Mr. Kraus specifically thanked two of its product development partners, ON Semiconductor and Tower Jazz, for their contributions. Bob Klosterboer, senior vice president of ON Semiconductor’s Applications Products Group, accompanied ARRI’s executives on stage during the award ceremony to accept the Emmy".
http://m.onsemi.com/news/article?id=2878

"TPSCo is a newly established company, 51% owned by Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ: TSEM, TASE: TSEM) and 49% owned by Panasonic Corporation (NASDAQ ADS: PCRFY, TYO: 6752)".
http://www.towerjazz.com/jv.html

Also Leica SL sensor is made by Tower Jazz as well as the Red Mysterium- X one.
 
A Panasonic representative told me that they will make some sort of Leica-mount as an addition to the EF- and PL-mounts, for the Varicam LT. I'm not familiar with Leica lenses so I don't remember which mount they're making, but for those that have Leica lenses this is good news I guess.

Maybe they are talking about the Leica SL line? The Leica M glass would probably work too.

https://us.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-SL/Lenses
 
I always have problems with pure red objects and this camera. They come out way over saturated. I always need to use the Hue vs Saturation curve in Resolve to correct. It works, but I wish Panasonic deals with this problem.
 
Back
Top