Varicam vx HVX200
- Thread starter dglasgal
- Start date
Justyn
Veteran
I'd say it's hard to qualify the two for so many reasons... some advantages certainly to the varicam.. and other advantages to the HVX. The Varicam will deliver wows and all that from it's footage, from the camera.. and also from it's weight and size as well... Not to mention the price tag. The HVX delivers "wows" from it's footage, also wows from it's look, wows from it's weight.. and both good and bad "wows" from it's price. It's all relative.. and depends upon what you are looking for.
Personally, I bought the HVX.. and will use it for 99 percent of my HD shooting. That 1 percent that is client driven.. or Varicam requested.. will be rented. That's kind of what I think is more of the distinction here... One is managable in price.. and one costs more than my house. Still there are some who don't even want to buy the HVX and prefer to rent that.. as they think that cameras change and all that too fast. But at the HVX pricepoint.. hard to argue that it's too expensive too own, or that it will become obsolete anytime soon.
I've shot both... and they are more similar than not. Delivering almost identical results under most situations.. where the Varicam shines is in it's DOF.. and ability to handle contrast and latitude.. I don't know if it's worth the multiple times pricetag... I have seen what happens to companies that have such overhead. 9-11 killed the largest post house here in Orlando after the tragedy.. They lost their biggest clients, Disney and Universal.. and after 15 years had to close down shop. They couldn't go 6 months or a year without work because of their overhead... For the smaller PCs, not nearly as much overhead.. and the big clients weren't there to begin with.. but everyone was hurt locally... so just comes down to what ya can handle
Personally, I bought the HVX.. and will use it for 99 percent of my HD shooting. That 1 percent that is client driven.. or Varicam requested.. will be rented. That's kind of what I think is more of the distinction here... One is managable in price.. and one costs more than my house. Still there are some who don't even want to buy the HVX and prefer to rent that.. as they think that cameras change and all that too fast. But at the HVX pricepoint.. hard to argue that it's too expensive too own, or that it will become obsolete anytime soon.
I've shot both... and they are more similar than not. Delivering almost identical results under most situations.. where the Varicam shines is in it's DOF.. and ability to handle contrast and latitude.. I don't know if it's worth the multiple times pricetag... I have seen what happens to companies that have such overhead. 9-11 killed the largest post house here in Orlando after the tragedy.. They lost their biggest clients, Disney and Universal.. and after 15 years had to close down shop. They couldn't go 6 months or a year without work because of their overhead... For the smaller PCs, not nearly as much overhead.. and the big clients weren't there to begin with.. but everyone was hurt locally... so just comes down to what ya can handle
I've viewed HVX footage followed by Varicam footage on the same monitor at Moviola. The Varicam is clearly superior, as one would expect from a $65,000 camera.
But the look is close enough that the HVX could work as a B-camera on a Varicam shoot.
(hell, it worked for a pickup shot for Munich!!!)
The HVX picture looks so good, it looks like it should cost a lot more than it does. It's awesome.
But the look is close enough that the HVX could work as a B-camera on a Varicam shoot.
(hell, it worked for a pickup shot for Munich!!!)
The HVX picture looks so good, it looks like it should cost a lot more than it does. It's awesome.
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I shoot constantly with a varicam, and now I'm shooting with the hvx200, so I had the chance to compare both cameras.
The HVX is a VERY good camera, could be used as a second unit, and to cover some shots, but... the varicam in film REC is... impressive. To me, better than the hdcam F900.
The HVX is a VERY good camera, could be used as a second unit, and to cover some shots, but... the varicam in film REC is... impressive. To me, better than the hdcam F900.
myfriendimage
Carbonite Member
I think apart both cameras are great, but footage I have seen cut with HVX its clear the winner is the varicam, but what would you expect with 50k camera.
coolguy007
Active member
i've heard that one director was using the vari cam and some hvx's as B cams and he said that the editors could not even tell the difference most of the time....the dps of 24 said that they really liked the hvx but that he said the hvx had the most noise out of all the cams he tried....idk i mean obviously the hvx isnt a 20k and above camera....but panasonic is def. bridging the gap
What the HVX also gives is the option for the independent Film Director to actually OWN the camera and take full control of its operation, and not only be dependant of rentals and the obvious need of an experienced high End cameraman. This can be a plus or a downside. Depends on your communication skills, your own camera operation skills, the skills of the cameraman you can hire and your "Chemistry" with each other. Being able to take control of the camera myself is a great plus in my style of shooting. ( I know I could control a Varicam, but the price, weight and formfactor really don't invite for much exploration- I'd ratter have someone who spent years with this type of gear work with it)
The HVX is a heck of a lot cheaper and lighter too, so it gives a lot more room for experimentation (would you take a risk, as an independent filmmaker, with a 65K camera?)
I won't be surprised if a Fiction Short shot with the HVX gets nomitaded for Oscars (short Film). For feature lenght I'm not that confident, but for short film work Its definetly able to compete with the Big Boys.
The HVX is a heck of a lot cheaper and lighter too, so it gives a lot more room for experimentation (would you take a risk, as an independent filmmaker, with a 65K camera?)
I won't be surprised if a Fiction Short shot with the HVX gets nomitaded for Oscars (short Film). For feature lenght I'm not that confident, but for short film work Its definetly able to compete with the Big Boys.
halfelement
New member
SPZ said:
yes!
pmark23
Veteran
We'll be doing a HDC20a (okay, not a Varicam) / HVX200 shoot this summer. I'm getting opinions as to whether you can intercut the HDC and HVX footage when the HVX acts as a B camera.
It appears that on TV (HDTV) the difference would be barely noticeable?
Could we get away with shooting interviews on the HDC and cut-aways on the HVX?
It appears that on TV (HDTV) the difference would be barely noticeable?
Could we get away with shooting interviews on the HDC and cut-aways on the HVX?
If "Open Water," shot on miniDV, can get worldwide theatrical distribution, I have no doubt it's just a matter of time before we see an HVX-shot movie on the big screen.SPZ said:
I agree completely about the freedom the HVX gives indy filmmakers. I'm one of them.
You should shoot some tests to be sure.pmark23 said:
wabbit
Evil has Ears
I have been on two shoots that used both the Varicam and the HVX as a B cam. One was a commercial and with proper lighting and no large DOF, the two were identical to all but the most discerning eye (DP saw the slightest, but insignificant differences).
The other time was on a film where they used the HVX as a B camera on a couple of green screen F/X shots. On a 40" screen, I could not tell which was which.
In general, the DOF is the dead give away of the Varicam over the HVX but that can be cheated creatively. Of course, the HVX needs a lot more light but if you are working under controled conditions, this also can be a non-factor.
On another note, the P2 advantage was huge for both these shoots and much discussion arose on set about the perfect: Varicam with P2. Maybe some news on that at NAB.
The other time was on a film where they used the HVX as a B camera on a couple of green screen F/X shots. On a 40" screen, I could not tell which was which.
In general, the DOF is the dead give away of the Varicam over the HVX but that can be cheated creatively. Of course, the HVX needs a lot more light but if you are working under controled conditions, this also can be a non-factor.
On another note, the P2 advantage was huge for both these shoots and much discussion arose on set about the perfect: Varicam with P2. Maybe some news on that at NAB.