For those of you considering the O7Q+ this might be interesting:
http://www.newsshooter.com/2017/03/...us-off-their-raw-bundle-for-the-odyssey-7q7q/
http://www.newsshooter.com/2017/03/...us-off-their-raw-bundle-for-the-odyssey-7q7q/
VaricamLT: Varicam LT, Scarlet-W or something else?
- Thread starter Milan O.
- Start date
I too cancelled my Scarlet-W order last summer to buy the Varicam. I also agree with you about the codecs. Orange Is The New Black and Sun Records were both shot using AVC Intra 422. This codec is incredible. It feels way more solid and flexible than raw on my Scarlet-Dragon. And as the colors are incredibly well balanced out of the camera it's just about working on the mood of the images in post. Working with raw on my Red meant fixing the images first to get rid of the various ugly tints and trying to balance the colors, and most of the power of raw was already gone in the process by adding some noise in some areas. I can push the Varicam codec a lot and it stays clean and gorgeous.
Alex Derrick
Active member
I spoke to Will Wages, the DP on Sun Records at the conclusion of a Panasonic Hollywood event last month. As you correctly stated, he used Intra-422 on Sun Records and also a couple of GH4s for insert shots. He hinted about a feature he shot in South Africa in Avc-Intra codec as well. But didn't give so many details. I walked away from that presentation feeling like Intra-422 was more than good enough for most things.
He made another important point at his presentation. He considers 5000ISO to be the next revolution in film making. He gave a lot of practical reasons which I don't have time to go into now. It was a very inspiring presentation. I walked away with a lot of ideas.
I've also heard from one shooter on the Facebook group that V35 444 was very close to VLT 422. We're shooting a pilot next month on V35 and my LT, so I'll get a better idea of the difference between the two. I'm looking forward to using the two cameras together. I talked the producer and directors into using Varicams over Red and Alexa because of some test clips I shot on my LT at 3200ISO and 5000ISO. Prior to our second or third production meeting, nobody had heard of Varicam. It wasn't even an option
He made another important point at his presentation. He considers 5000ISO to be the next revolution in film making. He gave a lot of practical reasons which I don't have time to go into now. It was a very inspiring presentation. I walked away with a lot of ideas.
I've also heard from one shooter on the Facebook group that V35 444 was very close to VLT 422. We're shooting a pilot next month on V35 and my LT, so I'll get a better idea of the difference between the two. I'm looking forward to using the two cameras together. I talked the producer and directors into using Varicams over Red and Alexa because of some test clips I shot on my LT at 3200ISO and 5000ISO. Prior to our second or third production meeting, nobody had heard of Varicam. It wasn't even an option
I've also heard from one shooter on the Facebook group that V35 444 was very close to VLT 422. We're shooting a pilot next month on V35 and my LT, so I'll get a better idea of the difference between the two. I'm looking forward to using the two cameras together. I talked the producer and directors into using Varicams over Red and Alexa because of some test clips I shot on my LT at 3200ISO and 5000ISO. Prior to our second or third production meeting, nobody had heard of Varicam. It wasn't even an option
Interesting about the V35 444 codec and VLT 422, but it would still be a nice option to be able to upgrade the camera, even if it's a paid upgrade.
Almost no one is using the Varicam LT (or the 35 and Pure) here in Sweden AFAIK, but I recently met a DOP that seems to be intreseted in using it on more projects. He used it last weekend on a short film.
Run&Gun
Veteran
I spoke to Will Wages, the DP on Sun Records at the conclusion of a Panasonic Hollywood event last month. As you correctly stated, he used Intra-422 on Sun Records and also a couple of GH4s for insert shots. He hinted about a feature he shot in South Africa in Avc-Intra codec as well. But didn't give so many details. I walked away from that presentation feeling like Intra-422 was more than good enough for most things.
He made another important point at his presentation. He considers 5000ISO to be the next revolution in film making. He gave a lot of practical reasons which I don't have time to go into now. It was a very inspiring presentation. I walked away with a lot of ideas.
I've also heard from one shooter on the Facebook group that V35 444 was very close to VLT 422. We're shooting a pilot next month on V35 and my LT, so I'll get a better idea of the difference between the two. I'm looking forward to using the two cameras together. I talked the producer and directors into using Varicams over Red and Alexa because of some test clips I shot on my LT at 3200ISO and 5000ISO. Prior to our second or third production meeting, nobody had heard of Varicam. It wasn't even an option
One of my reps contacted me earlier this week and wanted to talk about the VariCam LT. They basically wanted to know what would have to be done to get me interested in one/buy one(VariCam has been my primary camera since I bought my first in 2006 and I own a tape and two P2 versions). I replied, "Have clients asking for it".
Alex Derrick
Active member
@Milan. I think a 444 upgrade would be killer if possible.
I was thinking having 444 would step on the toes of the V35. But after reviewing the V35 more carefully, I see it is a totally different studio level device. Of course it has the same sensor, but it also has the multiple recording options, higher frame rates, raw option, detachable front unit, different viewfinder options, etc etc.
I see the LT as being a kind of a gateway drug. Once you get hooked on the size and quality of the varicam image, I think you'd be more interested in renting a V35 or a Pure for more demanding productions that need the heavier build and/or the beautiful codex recorder. Having a few extra bells and whistles as an optional upgrade path I think would help the entire line of cameras, and lure new users into the fold.
Maybe someone else can chime in, if they know whether the LT would be capable of 444 at 30fps.
It would also be interesting if the higher frame rates could do line skipping, or a burst cache mode to get a true 4k images.
I was thinking having 444 would step on the toes of the V35. But after reviewing the V35 more carefully, I see it is a totally different studio level device. Of course it has the same sensor, but it also has the multiple recording options, higher frame rates, raw option, detachable front unit, different viewfinder options, etc etc.
I see the LT as being a kind of a gateway drug. Once you get hooked on the size and quality of the varicam image, I think you'd be more interested in renting a V35 or a Pure for more demanding productions that need the heavier build and/or the beautiful codex recorder. Having a few extra bells and whistles as an optional upgrade path I think would help the entire line of cameras, and lure new users into the fold.
Maybe someone else can chime in, if they know whether the LT would be capable of 444 at 30fps.
It would also be interesting if the higher frame rates could do line skipping, or a burst cache mode to get a true 4k images.
Exactly my thoughts!
The way I see it the Varicam LT is a great owner/operator camera which can achieve great results if needed, especially with an external recorder. The thing is though that if anyone would do a more high budget project, the same person of course would be more inclined to renting the V35 or Pure. Giving the LT the same codec as the V35 would make it possible to shoot in exactly the same settings as a B-camera to the V35 (unless it's HFR) and this you can already do with the Pure and an LT+O7Q(+). The good thing about the 444 is that the file sizes probably are considerably smaller than the DNG-files.
There's also one more aspect: Even though the Ursa Mini Pro is not a comparable camera (to my opinion) it has internal 4.6K raw recording, and so does the Scarlet-W and the Raven AFAIK (raw that is). Giving the Varicam LT an even better internal codec in at least 30p would certanly not damage the sales of the V35. The V35 is still much "better" but it would make the LT even more attractive as an alternative to the competition.
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Alex Derrick
Active member
I see great minds think alike
FilmConvert have just released a Varicam LT profile:
http://www.newsshooter.com/2017/03/...-camera-profile-for-the-panasonic-varicam-lt/
http://www.newsshooter.com/2017/03/...-camera-profile-for-the-panasonic-varicam-lt/
Ashok.Vardhan
Active member
Does the Varicam LT have a replacement battery plate for V-lock batteries? What battery systems is everyone using? I had invested in the V-lock system, since almost all the RED's I have used/seen were in V-lock (including their own bricks) Now it is much beyond their return date and am stuck in that system as it was a $1200 purchase.
I am not too bothered about the re-boots for changes in settings & boot time ( I don't expect to be changing settings that often when shooting anyway ) Doesn't the RED take just about the same (or even more: 25-30sec) to boot up? The boot time was something Miguel Toran & Matthew Allard emphasized on in their reviews of the Varicam LT. I am guessing they were comparing notes when AB'd with cameras like C300 and FS7 (which are nowhere in the same league really). I agree with what another user here on DvX mentioned: Panasonic was not really targeting the C300 or FS7 as its competitors, not even RED for that matter, it went directly head-to-head with ARRI
I am not too bothered about the re-boots for changes in settings & boot time ( I don't expect to be changing settings that often when shooting anyway ) Doesn't the RED take just about the same (or even more: 25-30sec) to boot up? The boot time was something Miguel Toran & Matthew Allard emphasized on in their reviews of the Varicam LT. I am guessing they were comparing notes when AB'd with cameras like C300 and FS7 (which are nowhere in the same league really). I agree with what another user here on DvX mentioned: Panasonic was not really targeting the C300 or FS7 as its competitors, not even RED for that matter, it went directly head-to-head with ARRI
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Ashok, I guess you can change to just about any regular V-lock plate. IDX has several. I have a Hawk Woods V-lock plate which is a bit thick (http://www.hawkwoods.co.uk/Prods/Product/VL-CF10) but has three D-tap outputs. It doesn't look like the one on the picture. I've already posted pics of my kit in this thread so you can see the size of it better there.
Pros:
1. Three D-tap outputs.
2. Places the battery further back which can be good for balancing if you have a heavy lens.
Cons:
1. Makes the LT a bit more difficult to fit in a bag.
Pros:
1. Three D-tap outputs.
2. Places the battery further back which can be good for balancing if you have a heavy lens.
Cons:
1. Makes the LT a bit more difficult to fit in a bag.
Run&Gun
Veteran
There are also adapter plates that work with the already installed A/B plate.
http://www.coreswx.com/product/agps/
http://www.coreswx.com/product/agps/
Ashok.Vardhan
Active member
I noticed the size difference. It is a bit misleading in the pictures at the Hawk-Woods page. I will look into other manufacturers since I am not sure Hawk-Woods is sold here in the US (where I am currently based). Do these plates come with a standard screw layout & molex connector, or is it something specific only to Varicam? I had emailed a Varicam rep directly to get some pre-sales queries answered and was suggested I use an adapter instead (which would end up the loss of remaining power indicator not functioning) Do you have any issue with this once you converted the to the V-lock plate?
That was a very good deal. It's gone now.
I have found a Panasonic Varicam LT Pro Kit (demo camera with 9 hours use - 3 month Panasonic warranty) for USD 17,500
It comes with:
PL Mount
Shoulder Mount
EVF
Grip module
which I am planning to buy, wondering if it is a good deal (considering the regular price with the USD 4500 rebate that Panasonic has currently is just USD 3500 more. Any insight from any of you long time camera owners (this is going be my first big camera purchase decision)
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This is the plate I use for mine. It is a direct bolt on with a bit of soldering. Works great but the d-tap is not switched.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...5_0200_universal_v_mount_battery_bracket.html
Mike
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...5_0200_universal_v_mount_battery_bracket.html
Mike
Run&Gun
Veteran
Is that demo unit from an authorized dealer? If it's never been sold before, I would not buy it without a full warranty being included. I've bought one piece of demo gear before and I swore never again. I didn't get stuck, but it was still a hassle I shouldn't have had to go through.
Ashok.Vardhan
Active member
I noticed there are several options from IDX that offer direct screw on plates for other Panasonic camera models (wondering if they will be a better fit with more functionality like the extra D-tap outs)
Like this one: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/538207-REG/IDX_P_VS2_P_VS2_V_Mount_Camera_Plate.html
Yes it is from an authorized dealer (I verified it with Panasonic's dealer database).
I am not sure if it has never been sold before (have emailed them to provide me with specific details of ownership). When I had spoken to the people at the dealership I was told that it was a demo unit and that it will come with 3 months of direct Panasonic warranty (I specifically asked them if the warranty was from the dealership, or Panasonic directly)
I do not want to be caught up with the hassle of returns/warranty claims as well.
@Milan O
Seeing your screengrabs, the progress of this thread and this youtube video by Brian Nguyen: https://youtu.be/vCH8PZBpalE influenced me greately to change from the Scarlet-W's waiting line to the Varicam LT.
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Alex Derrick
Active member
@ Ashok. I have the V-Mount from IDX. It is kind of tricky to install, but works great and has a d-tap. But be awaire, I have heard from a Panasonic rep, and also my distributor that running accessories off of the internal power could blow a fuse. They recommended powering from a dtap on the battery if possible.
Do you have twitter? I post a lot of varicam related tweets, and I can share some iphone video of the plate and also the live boot time.
You can tweet me @stealing_shots
Do you have twitter? I post a lot of varicam related tweets, and I can share some iphone video of the plate and also the live boot time.
You can tweet me @stealing_shots
There was so little info about the LT when I started this thread and since there weren't any in Sweden to rent, I decided to ask. I'm glad I did and I'm also glad that it can help others too.
The fuse is the main reason to have several D-tap outputs on the battery mount. I think more than one is a better choice.