Said goodbye to my 500

Noel Evans

Noel Evans

Mod V3 New and Improved
Staff member
Yes, its gone. I have a rental company that I will use when I need one. But sad to see the old girl go.
 
haha... probably one of the most trustworthy pieces of gear Ive ever had. Always knew what you'd get.

I was shooting more doco style stuff previously and this camera fitted in to a lot of work I was being asked to do. That kind of work has dropped off as I have moved into different areas. That simple. I really dont need to own any camera as Im not usually hired because I have X, Y or Z. And I can rent anything I need for the job Im being asked to do. I have a 5D with Ziess glass - and Im going to grab an AF100 as my general use camera - and hopefully sell the benefits of it, so I can work its hire into my quotes.
 
Noel Evans said:
haha... probably one of the most trustworthy pieces of gear Ive ever had. Always knew what you'd get.

I was shooting more doco style stuff previously and this camera fitted in to a lot of work I was being asked to do. That kind of work has dropped off as I have moved into different areas. That simple. I really dont need to own any camera as Im not usually hired because I have X, Y or Z. And I can rent anything I need for the job Im being asked to do. I have a 5D with Ziess glass - and Im going to grab an AF100 as my general use camera - and hopefully sell the benefits of it, so I can work its hire into my quotes.
Click to expand...

I hear you. I own one too. Love it and will hang on to it for a while yet.
 
Interesting switch

Interesting switch

Hi Noel. Sorry to hear we are loosing another 500 user. Interesting decision going from a 100 mbps camera to a 24 mbps camera. Or are you thinking of using something like the Nanoflash of it?
 
MikeD said:
Hi Noel. Sorry to hear we are loosing another 500 user. Interesting decision going from a 100 mbps camera to a 24 mbps camera. Or are you thinking of using something like the Nanoflash of it?
Click to expand...

Hey Mike, yeah will be shooting with a ki pro mini, around 170mbps 4:2:2.

Where on the Gold Coast are you Mike? Could have used you and your 500 on a few jobs these last few months.
 
Hi Noel,
Wish I could hire gear, but in my location it's a day to get it, a day use say, and a day to return it, that's at best if nothing goes wrong.... My clients won't pay for that luxury... everything comes down to budget in the end.
I'm still happily using my Now Jurrassic Park SPX800 only thing that has broken in all the years I've owned it, was the flip out screen electronic flat cable, a mere $120 and 30mins got a new one fitted (by myself).
Interesting that I've only had one potential client ask for High Def, most are more than happy with SD when they realise the majority of channels in OZ are still SD, go figure.

Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
 
Agree Tom, the HPX500 will still be in use for a long time yet. I just thought why have that cash wrapped up when it really wasnt necessary.

Then, Im renting a 500 for 3 days next week.
 
Noel Evans said:
Hey Mike, yeah will be shooting with a ki pro mini, around 170mbps 4:2:2.

Where on the Gold Coast are you Mike? Could have used you and your 500 on a few jobs these last few months.
Click to expand...

I'm in Ashmore Noel. Drop me a message if you ever need a hand or need to pinch my 500.
How do you find the Ki Pro Mini. Am seriously thinking of getting one myself.
 
Cees Mutsaers said:
Is there a successor of the HPX500 around the corner since a lot of people are selling their HPX500 ?????
Click to expand...

Now, that's a good question. There doesn't appear to be anything on the horizon. Perhaps the HPX370 was meant to be the successor. It has a superior codec, HD EVF and LCD, lighter weight, etc. All that's missing is the 2/3" CCDs. I understand the 370 is a big hit with network news organizations. I read somewhere that Panasonic considers the 370 to be their mid-tier camera.

It'd be interesting to see a comparison test between the 500 and 370. I would think the 500 would win in low light and dynamic range, and the 370 in picture clarity and sharpness, certainly in the codec, but who can be sure? The 370 does have newer technology. Are modern 1/3" 2.2 megapixel CMOS chips the equal to (uprezzed) SD 2/3" CCD chips?
I can tell you that at this year's NAB, Panasonic had all their cameras on display - except the 500. Hmmm...

I started a thread in another forum asking what a successor to the 500 would be like. I think if there is one, it will have the 370 body with 2/3" CMOS chips.

As a 500 owner, I have considered moving on to another camera, if only to have full raster 1920x1080 imagers, color HD viewfinders, etc. The 370 looks really nice, as does the Canon XF300 and Sony's EX line. The 500 is still a money maker for me, but I'd hate to be stuck with a camera that is becoming obsolete. Not saying it is, but technology is definitely marching on. I'd love to have the new HPX3100, though.
 
I still prefer the HPX-500 over the EX-1. Although to be fair, I am comparing with an expensive lens on the HPX-500 and usually in 720p. In 1080p I think time is marching on...

I don't care how well it fits into a marketing strategy, a 1/3" camera is not a 2/3" chip camera. If they pound that drum too hard then why should anybody buy a $30,000 body?
 
Bassman2003 said:
I don't care how well it fits into a marketing strategy, a 1/3" camera is not a 2/3" chip camera.
Click to expand...

I'd agree with that. If I wanted greater sharpness at the time I bought the 500 the EX1 was out. But for me its more about the range and at the time I bought the 500 I was shooting on one very often so it made total sense to buy.

I highly doubt Id ever spend those kind of $$ on a camera again however. Im not a rental company and theres more and more choice and people want you to shoot something different regularly anyway.

Just stick to the AF100 when it comes out for my personal stuff, probably should be able to sneak it into a lot of direct jobs as well.
 
Bassman2003 said:
I still prefer the HPX-500 over the EX-1. Although to be fair, I am comparing with an expensive lens on the HPX-500 and usually in 720p. In 1080p I think time is marching on...

I don't care how well it fits into a marketing strategy, a 1/3" camera is not a 2/3" chip camera. If they pound that drum too hard then why should anybody buy a $30,000 body?
Click to expand...

I've been working a lot with an EX3, and it's a very nice camera. The images are incredible, it's lightweight, the viewfinder is worlds beyond the HPX500's EFV. But the place the 500 really shines is in the lens. It's hard to beat a broadcast quality 2/3" lens. But given a choice between the two, I'd have a hard time picking one. I guess it would depend upon the shoot. I'd be happy with either.

I understand the XF300's lens is terrific. Super sharp, fast, smooth zoom motor. That would sway me toward that camera over a comparably priced cam, but I have yet to even see one, much less shoot with one.

As far as a 1/3" CMOS camera replacing a 2/3" CCD camera, is the 370 better than the 500? Or are they roughly comparable, each having its own strengths and weaknesses. I don't expect the 370 to replace the HPX2700, but is it a viable alternative to the 500? I wonder if Panasonic thinks so?
 
I think the 370 offers some compelling advantages over the 500, including a magnifient high-res color VF, instead of the 500's SD b&w viewfinder. And the 370's AVC-I codec, vs. the 500's DVCPRO-HD. And it's much less expensive.

But the 500 has 2/3" chips, better sensitivity, and the wider field of view offered by 2/3". It's not a no-brainer either way.
 
The VF on the 370 is freaking fantastic - I think if I were shooting pure ENG id never even consider the 500 as an option. But I never shot a lot of ENG and even then it was more dramatic style. The 500 was a dream camera in a lot of ways for me. I just think here and today, the codec is getting a little tired.
 
Interesting to be talking about this on a thread about selling the HPX-500. Where I am coming from is when I shoot the EX-1 and the HPX-500 in a multicamera situation I always think the 500 has the best colors and that leads me to like its image the most.

Granted I shoot in 720p60 a lot. The EX-1 allows me to bend its colors to pretty much match the Panasonic color scheme, so the EX-1 at $6,000 along with its resolution is a great camera. After these shoots I realize an upgrade for the HPX-500 would be going to a $20,000+ setup and quite frankly that is not a good business move in this environment. So when I really look at it, the HPX-500 is still quite a viable choice. Which is why I don't think we will see an upgrade model for quite some time if ever.
 
The 500 is getting older and are pretty low res compared to some other options....but so far there are no hd 2/3" in the same price range, cmos ain`t always an option. The 500 still give you a pretty good image, but it`s softer than a native 720p camera. And yes it`s not the best VF to work with, I have the upgraded one an it works fine, take it for what it is.

2/3" offers more flexability than 1/2", 1/3" or large sensor cameras, so I`m pretty reluctant to let mine go yet. But as more and more broadcast move into HD and increase their demands in my market I do see on the horizon letting the 500 go and renting. Or maybe moving into more specialist camera equipment....


EX3 is probably the most annoying camera to use, an ergonomic disaster.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top