Varicam LT big price drop

Alex Derrick said:
I know this is serious off topic. But Milan, can you post pics of your Think Tank Rig. I was looking at one from Jason Case and it's so much more expensive and maybe not as well suited for ENG style rig.

Do you have an insta? we can share the photos there.

Thanks!

-A
Click to expand...

Sorry, no Insta. I'm not a sefie guy. ;)

I've made two compartments:
1. Three V-lock batteries
2. Zeiss LWZ3 21-100
With some spare room on top for stuff.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mn8cljo29ryr5t6/Inked20190604_073900_LI.jpg?dl=0

All I have to do is to adjust the EVF, put on a battery and connect the control panel, and I'm ready to shoot.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7kksuu9fmvl059h/Inked20190604_074358_LI.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6cilq681epzg0qq/20190604_082327.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/l8e609d1873c64m/Inked20190604_074507_LI.jpg?dl=0
 
Alex Derrick said:
Hey! So do you feel the camera is safe bumping around on wheels? Is there enough padding? The Jason case is super robust and seems like a good storage solution when my camera is not in use. Right now I'm in a Portabrace soft bag. And its great for travelling and when I need to run. But dust and debris get in there and I don't feel it is very safe at all from even a minor collision or storage mishap. Earth Quakes are a real thing in So Cal!!
Click to expand...

There are tie-down straps inside the Video Rig 24 to secure the camera with, plus there is padding. I haven't had any issues with it, but we don't have earthquakes here. :)

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct...aw3Oa_BxRS9FNq2hsXW6xsIH&ust=1559718091842694
 
Regarding the LT and LT Owners, I have a few questions. My apologies if these have been discussed; I know everyone's production style and market is different (I'm based in the western US) but hopefully it's worth the ask:

I currently use a GH5 and have been wanting to upgrade to a EVA1 or C200, but with the recent price drop, the LT may be in my budget now. I run a small production company shooting documentaries, action sports, commercials and more. Like any young and new company, I have very tight margins and every dollar counts, so I am doing a lot of research before making a purchase.


Do you ever rent your Varicam as supplemental income? Do you have any thoughts on the Varicam LT as a long term investment?

Do you ever find you are hired BECAUSE you own this camera? I know this happens a lot with the Sony FS7 and some of the Canon C Series.

Thoughts on Varicam VS C200 for documentary work? Mainly in regards to color and codecs. Now that the price difference is much less.

Do you use an external monitor or an EVF for the Varicam? Or both for different situations?

Is the 100fps actually 1080p or 720p out of camera?

Would you consider the EVA1 on a budget (with its monitor, hardware and other issues) or is the LT a better value for money?

Lastly, do you use the Varicam with the stock top handle? I was looking at something like this as a better alternative for mounting the control interface, monitors and such. I don’t think I would use the camera much on the shoulder: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...t-ykCQjyMjGgVEaAjs3EALw_wcB&lsft=BI:514&smp=Y

Thanks very much in advance, DVX community.

Nick
 
1. I've done it a couple of times. The camera is a couple of years old now. If Panasonic made it possible to do a hardware upgrade so that raw or 444 12-bit and HFR can be recorded in 4K, it would be a good long term investment. As it is now, I'm not sure. The camera is really good, there are many things I like about it, but since some other cameras are capable of recording raw or HFR in +4K internally these days, the camera is a bit dated in that regard.
2. No.
3. The C200 is a smaller camera. If you need something lightweight, smaller and with AF, go with the C200. If you want more DR and better low light performance (I assume it's better), go with the LT.
4. I often use both. EVF when on the shoulder, otherwise a monitor.
5. 2K and 1080p.
6. If you need something small and lightweight, the EVA1 is a better choice, but the LT is really good in low light.
7. No, I have a Woden Camera top plate and use a top handle from Small Rig.
 
1) I rent any and all of my cameras out. Equipment IS NOT AN INVESTMENT. You are buying tools to do a job to make money.
2) I don't own an LT(none of my clients want it/use it, but own 3 previous gens), BUT I have gotten plenty of jobs because of specific cameras I do own.
3) I'd rather shoot on an LT than a C200. I hate the C form factor.
4) I always have a real EVF on all my cameras. Usually just an external monitor on sit-down interviews.
5) The LT does not do 720P.
6) I hate small form factor cameras unless I have an ultra specific need for it.
 
For your last question, I’m using the Berkey top plate with a Zacuto recoil handle. Beware of the Zacuto top plate as it will not allow for mounting of the Panasonic evf.
 
Or mention the price of the media and card reader that you need to buy to make it work... or that you couldn't rent extra in many parts of the world because no one has the media... There is a reason why Arri in the industry standard. It just works so you can focus on doing a good job telling the story.
 
I get what you guys are saying, but are you complaining or is it a legitimate question? Are you really asking why the Panasonic representative speaking directly to the media/consumer about their product isn’t drawing negative attention to said product? It’s literally his job to make the product look enticing.
 
Alex Derrick said:
I know this is serious off topic. But Milan, can you post pics of your Think Tank Rig. I was looking at one from Jason Case and it's so much more expensive and maybe not as well suited for ENG style rig.

Do you have an insta? we can share the photos there.

Thanks!


-A
Click to expand...

7-B44-C9-DB-B3-DA-4489-9-C62-1-B7-A56-B85946.jpg


This is an LT with 17-120, Panasonic evf, cam mic, Shinobi monitor in a cage. It fits perfectly lengthwise and the pads on the sides keep it snug width wise and also serve to hold cables, batteries, mics etc. For a rig this heavy it’s invaluable.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I think the more viable option for me at this point is still the EVA1 or C200...the smaller form factor is pretty important for what I do. Cheers
 
Thats a kind of sad truth - I think the LT is doubtless a brilliant camera.. but like the F35 which is highly affordable its just too big for solo or solo+1 shooting. Its not too big per-se it just that it wont ( Idoubt) run on a Movi, requires grown up sticks etc

Just today I spoke with a producer who bounced a DP from shooting a low budget feature on an Alexa mini - using the FS7 instead opened more interesting options like an owner op day playing C cam on the bigger scenes. Availability of spare camera in case of failure. Already owned media etc.

S
 
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A nimble camera can cover more. It's like when I'm moving the camera handheld I get tons of footage and can cover much more than with a larger rig.

These days I see three levels for camera gear. The first one with beginners using DSLR/Blackmagic, the second one, the main one, is where the FS7 sits and this reaches far and then there's the high end Arri. Looking at it from a producers stand point I would either want it as cheap as possible (DSLR beginners), or a working pro with complete package (FS7) or the best there is and then why would I choose anything else but a full blown crew and probably an Arri camera set up?

There's just not room for anything else.
 
Using a DSLR doesn't mean you're a beginner...just personal preference.

Like some DSLR/mirrorless and all BM cameras make the FS7's image quality look like a toy...so, yea; just personal preference or what someone else wants you to use.
 
You're missing the point. FS7 is at the moment somewhat of the standard asked for camera and what producers know what they'll get. It was a long time ago I heard someone asking for a DSLR (back in the 5DII days).
 
Oh, that I'll agree with even though it has declined in recent years...but by far the most popular camera for a while.
 
morgan_moore said:
Thats a kind of sad truth - I think the LT is doubtless a brilliant camera.. but like the F35 which is highly affordable its just too big for solo or solo+1 shooting. Its not too big per-se it just that it wont ( Idoubt) run on a Movi, requires grown up sticks etc
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People fly VariCam LTs on MoVi rigs and Ronins all the time. Stripped down the camera body is under 6 pounds. ot sure how you define "grown up sticks" but the camera isn't that heavy and there are plenty of 100mm ball heads that can handle a built up kit just fine.
 
J.Brown said:
These days I see three levels for camera gear. The first one with beginners using DSLR/Blackmagic, the second one, the main one, is where the FS7 sits and this reaches far and then there's the high end Arri. Looking at it from a producers stand point I would either want it as cheap as possible (DSLR beginners), or a working pro with complete package (FS7) or the best there is and then why would I choose anything else but a full blown crew and probably an Arri camera set up?

There's just not room for anything else.
Click to expand...

There are still levels within those three levels. I primarily work in that rarified air of the third level you are describing but I am almost always struggling with the camera budget and while rental rates on the Mini are coming down due to the full-frame trend, LT's are still cheaper to rent. That often buys me room in the budget to add more lenses--or sometimes to just make the numbers fit to begin with.

In addition I can leverage the high ISO capabilities and stretch the lighting budget further (not by using less lights, but smaller ones to do the same job). On my current show I'm shooting controlled lighting on stage at ISO 2000; if we need extra stop we crank it to 4000 (on the 5000 base of course). The Arris are beautiful but they don't do that.

To date, I've shot four TV series and a pilot on Varicams. I filled in a day last week covering a fellow DP on "Good Trouble" for Freeform. Big crew, decent budget show. They also shoot on LT's.
 
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Mitch Gross said:
People fly VariCam LTs on MoVi rigs and Ronins all the time.
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Note carefully my words 'I doubt' which is different from 'I am positive that' - Also note that I have the impression that it is twice the mass of the FS7 (which also runs on tiddly BPUs if required) - which may also be incorrect, but that would be a communication fail by your marketing department.

Mitch Gross said:
People fly VariCam LTs on MoVi rigs and Ronins all the time. Stripped down the camera body is under 6 pounds. ot sure how you define "grown up sticks" but the camera isn't that heavy and there are plenty of 100mm ball heads that can handle a built up kit just fine.
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Grown up sticks.. I guess people (Jo Average) want (correctly or not) to spend no more than 20% on sticks/head than the price of thier camera? So is there a $2000 stick head combo that works? Again I dont know. But marketing is not about expecting customers to dig into huge specsheets (I litterally dont know what the panny codecs/framerates are - having read the specs!) or to imbue an impression

My impression of the LT is that it is a crew camera - nothing wrong with that - but it also puts me off from buying it as a solo operator.

A quick google suggest the LT is 50% heavier than the 7 before you add a vlock.
 
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