Rebate of $2k from Panasonic

BrianMurphy

BrianMurphy

Veteran
I am considering a 370 due to the nature of my next gig. Though very happy with my HMC 150, the next gig is very run and gun and neither the AF 100 or my current camera are suited.
My question is since there is a significant rebate on the camera would that indicate a change in near future? I ask because I have not been following the HPX 370 and initial research has not shown any indication that it is going to change. But $2k is a major discount.
Thanks
 
I think the 370 is here to stay at least for the next year. It's a fantastic camera and the $2k off is a really sweet deal. Starting from scratch a kit with tripod, batteries, p2 looks more like $11-12k, but if you have all that stuff, why look at anything else?
 
Rebates don't necessarily indicate any upcoming change. The HPX3700 has had a rebate (on and off) for about, well, I don't know how long, maybe a year and a half? And the HPX3700 hasn't been replaced or changed or updated in any way.

I have no idea whether the HPX370 is being updated, replaced, or they're just running a marketing promotion to stimulate sales in this recession-era economy. It would seem unlikely that it would be being changed any time soon; it's only been on the market 8 months so far. But, its predecessor, the HPX300, was on the market for only 14 months before the HPX370 was introduced, so -- there's no real way to know.

I guess all I can say is if you need it, and can afford it, and it does what you need done, get it and don't look back. But there will always be newer models introduced, sometimes a month after you buy, sometimes a year after you buy, sometimes three years after you buy (the HMC150 is entering its third year of production with zero changes). So there's no way to know when something new is coming. If you have no pressing need to buy, then wait, and buy when you need it. If you need it, then you can't really afford the luxury of waiting, so just get the best that suits your needs and put it to work.
 
Thanks for the replies. I have an extensive 'kit" and it would be a camera and batteries and p2 cards and tripod plate at this stage. I will take your advice Barry and wait a bit and see since the deadline for the rebate is March 31st and my project will not start before mdi May. The 3rd generation of the HMC150 wow seems like yesterday! It is still a great tool and I will not part with mine nor my GH1 for a while, both have paid for themselves in the first 3 months after I bought them.
Cheers
Brian
 
Actually, starting from scratch the 370 can be more than $11-12k, though you can save on that if you already have gear to use alongside.
As for the market... it certainly doesn't seem to be advancing nearly as fast as other electronics markets, and if you find the camera to produce good results... it's probably going to continue producing good results even if something better comes along, I mean it won't suddenly break in your hands from inferiority complex. Or just try rent one, that's always a safe option.
 
powerdog said:
Barry, how much of your HVX/HPX book would be useful for the 370?
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Well, a lot, but ... that's a two-edged question. Most of what is in the HVX/HPX Book would be directly applicable, but there's a lot more in the HPX370 than what's in the book (all the stuff about lens shading and batteries and the wireless slot and interchangeable lenses and AVC-Intra). So I would think it'd be a great start, but won't obviously cover everything.
 
I used to have a photo of one of my Pre-Panasonic light weight cameras on my DVXUSER profile. It was my last Betacam an Ikegami. It cost in excess of $40K. I was semi-retired,bored and wanted to keep shooting. I read about the DVX 100, bought a book by some guy named Green and joined a group started by some guy named Land and then bought the camera. I call it my Chapter 2. So forgive an old guy but $12k seems like a very reasonable price for this old man to pay for technology that is outstanding and images that just "don't stop" getting better. That is why I wondered what is next for the HPX 370. The AF 100 is not for everyone, despite possibly being a the most significant camera for indy film makers since the DVX100. Some of us still do the "other stuff" to pay the rent.

Kolor-Pikker said:
Actually, starting from scratch the 370 can be more than $11-12k, though you can save on that if you already have gear to use alongside.
As for the market... it certainly doesn't seem to be advancing nearly as fast as other electronics markets, and if you find the camera to produce good results... it's probably going to continue producing good results even if something better comes along, I mean it won't suddenly break in your hands from inferiority complex. Or just try rent one, that's always a safe option.
Click to expand...
 
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Wow, that's a really good deal!
Panasonic ran a similar discount for the HPX500 a few years ago. Since I have a 500 now, this might be an interesting trade-in/purchase. I already have the batteries/P2 cards.
What do you think? Is the 370 a better camera?
 
In some ways it is better -- it has a high-def color viewfinder, it has AVC-Intra, it's a 10-bit imaging chain throughout, it's sharper, and it has the wireless slot for an XLR receiver built-in.

In other ways, it isn't better -- the 500 is 2/3", it's more sensitive, it has four XLRs, it has interchangeable viewfinder capability, it's CCD so there's never any skew or flash-banding or anything like that... I don't know that I've ever met a 500 owner who thought the 370 was a universally better camcorder or who wouldn't miss some of the features of their 500 if they went to a 370. But the price difference is so huge now, it would probably be hard to argue getting a 500 today instead of a 370... you'd really need what the 500 does in order to justify it, IMO.
 
Barry_Green said:
In some ways it is better -- it has a high-def color viewfinder, it has AVC-Intra, it's a 10-bit imaging chain throughout, it's sharper, and it has the wireless slot for an XLR receiver built-in.

In other ways, it isn't better -- the 500 is 2/3", it's more sensitive, it has four XLRs, it has interchangeable viewfinder capability, it's CCD so there's never any skew or flash-banding or anything like that... I don't know that I've ever met a 500 owner who thought the 370 was a universally better camcorder or who wouldn't miss some of the features of their 500 if they went to a 370. But the price difference is so huge now, it would probably be hard to argue getting a 500 today instead of a 370... you'd really need what the 500 does in order to justify it, IMO.
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You had me at HD viewfinder! Sure, the 500's VF is interchangeable - from bad to so-so. It will never be a good VF.
The only reason I haven't exchanged my 500 for the Xf300 or HPX370 is because of the 2/3" chips, pixel-shifted as they are - but I don't know if that makes them better than 1/3" full raster chips.

Have you ever met a 370 owner who thought the 500 was a better camera?
 
I don't know if I've encountered any that went that way. Mostly it's been 500 owners who've said "yeah, the 300/370's nice, but I don't think I'd sell my 500 for one."
 
GaryNattrass said:
A $2k discount in the USA probably means that the HPX600/601 is due out soon?
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A 500 replacement? Would be great if it was due, but if the 3100's release is anything to go by, it probably won't be available 3 months after being announced anyway... and it will be on backorder once it is.
 
The 370 is a great deal for what you get. I've been on the fence for months and the rebate was the push I needed. B&H delivery comes tomorrow...
 
Interested in knowing what you think of the 370, do you like it? Are you having any soft bluring image problems? I am considering this camera and your input would be appreciated. Ken
 
Puttering around the house, I don't like to make an official judgment.
Have shoots booked in Feb. This will be the true test. It's good to be back in "on-the-shoulder" mode again, I can tell ya that.
 
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