Phantom HD

I have to admit, that when I started seeing all the Phantom models that were coming out, I wasn't really sure how interested I was in them....till now. Vision Research Inc, a company that I haven't real pai too much attention to, has developed it's first high-definition camera that gives 35mm depth of field in either HD or 2K resolutions! This is no easy feat. The Phantom combines the visual quality of high-definition imaging with the high frame rates of specialty cameras, making this the perfect tool for shooting rapidly moving sports events, and fast action. You can also select any frame rate from 1 to 1,000 fps, in increments of one frame per second at HD resolution. The Phantom HD's sensor is new, and very capable of 2K imaging for cinema, or HD for projects geared towards television production The vertical image size can also be changed in 8 pixel increments. Pixels measure 12.5 microns, and 14-bit A/D converters provide sensitivity and image quality that can't be beat. It's been said to actually have the same quality of film. These features insure excellent image quality even at speeds of 1,000 fps, regardless of the job at hand. Vision Research is definitely made a place for itself in the HD world.

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"Phantom HD Used to Make Hyundai Commercial"

Sony PDW-F350L XDCAM HD Camcorder

($20,000 - $25,000)

oK. If you're like me, you are going to want to find a camera that has all the beeps and whistles and all the ease of functionality. Here it is. Sony has gone and produced a true 24p HD camera, with variable frame rates. It features MPEG HD and DVCAM switchable recording with three 1/2-inch HD CCDs, and is capable of recording 1080 video lines of multiple frame rates at a high bit rate of up to 35 Mbps, AND in the well used DVCAM format. It also provides four channels of high-quality uncompressed audio. This provides an SD to HD migration path to a complete HD-based environment. It satill has the standard SD, but the instant random access and reply of clips, IT network capability, and Proxy data operation, are completely brand new options. It's clear to me that they're goal here is provide and all-in-one camera, and in my eyes, it's just what Sony has done.

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Sony HDW F900-H

Sony has done it again! Wow! They've taken the "well respected" F900 HDCAM Camcorder one step further. First off, they've added a few improvements, like a lighter chassis and a stereo microphone, and they finally gave the camera an HD-SDI Output. But under the hood of this beauty, it is all F900!
This camcorder records images in accordance with the CIF (Common Image Format) standard, which specifies a sampling structure of 1920 x 1080 active pixels (horizontal x vertical).
As well as recording at 24P, the HDW-F900H camcorder is switchable to record at 25P, 29.97P progressive scan, but also at 50 or 59.94 Hz scan. The camcorder also provides a comprehensive range of features for those 'creative' shooting ideas, such as enhanced gamma, and colorimetry controls. The design of this thing is quite compact and lightweight, and hance gives users a high level of mobility and comfort when shooting.

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example of it's use ..... " Untitled: 003 Embryo"

Panavision's Genesis

The 'Genesis' is one of Panavision's higher-end digital movie cameras, which uses a full frame 35mm-width, 1.78 (16:9) aspect ratio, 12.4-megapixel RGB CCD. This is a full bandwidth (4:4:4) HD SDI camera with improved colorimetry and sensitometry-related specs and a Super 35-sized recording area. Thus makes it compatible with regular Cine Primo lenses and 35 mm depth of field. Unlike that 2/3" 3-CCD RGB imaging systemthat was used in the CineAlta, the Genesis uses a single 12 megapixel CCD chip with the same width (but not the same height) as a standard 35mm film frame. The main imaging module of the Genesis is made by Sony, but the exact relationship between the two companies is unclear to me, since that wierd joint partnership was dissolved in 2004 with Panavision's re-purchase of the 8% shareholding Sony bought in 2000.

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Panasonic AK-HC 1500G

2/3" 3-CCD 16:9 1080i/720p HD

($20,000 - $25,000)

The AK-HC1500G is our multi-diverse industry's first compact multi-format HD camera and offers compatibility with all of the world's HD formats. This compact, 3.3-pound camera is also the first multi-purpose unit to offer variable frame rates, like 4fps to 60fps in single-frame increments, and a CineGamma curve to produce film-like images. It works well with Panasonic's AJ-HDC27 VariCam HD Cinema camera for high-end productions. Or, if you got the itch, team it up with the AW-PH650 (pan/tilt in sealed housing) for outdoor application. This camera is compact enough to go practically anywhere, and is tailor made for jobs like studio use and weather forecasting, live sports, scientific image analysis, and even studio animation. Probably why they call it "mult-format".

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Red 'One'

($17,500 - body only)

When I first read about this thing, I wasn't sure what to make of it. Was I in for a shock! This camera is definitely state of the art. And it looks will deceive. First off...let me just say this - 4096 lines of resoution!!!! Yes - this thing shoots in 4k!!

The RED ONE is designed for any job, and it's diverse functionality keeps that promise. Weighing in at around 10 lbs, it's a streamlined package designed specifically to maximize your shooting options. Along with a 35mm PL lens mount, it allows you to take advantage of the worlds best optics. You also get the option of shooting true HD in 4:4:4 or 4:2:2. Or, you can revert to the Mysterium Super 35mm cine-sized (24.4 x13.7mm) sensor. With this feature, you'll get the same breathtaking Depth of Field and selective focus as found in film cameras! Modular and completely upgradable, the RED ONE camera is a "future-proof" aquisition system you can build upon. RED ONE's modular design means you can upgrade as new features and accessories, to improve system specifications are added. And, hey, it just looks cool too!

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SiliconImaging SI-2K

($30,000 +)

This camera is an all-in-one masterpiece. The Silicon Imaging SI-2K takes a digital cinema class 2048x1152 resolution camera head, IRIDAS color-management technology, and the power of CineForm RAW, to create an incredible direct-to-disk raw recording platform with breathtaking image quality and shooting flexibility. The low-noise, high-dynamic range images, with over 10 f-stops of dynamic range via an on-chip 12-bit A/D converter, are freely adjustable with user-generated IRIDAS .look files, creating a "blank-slate" for the cinematographer to freely express thier vision. Now you'd think that it would end there, but it doesn't. This thing's got IT-friendly connectivity through integrated 802.11g wireless access, touchscreen interface, an Anton-Bauer battery-powered operation, and up to 4-hours of continuous shooting on a 160GB notebook hard drive to round out an incredible array of HDl cinematic firsts in the industry.

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Thompson Viper Filmstream

I have to say that when I read about this camera, I was 'bitten' by it's incredible specs!
This video camera offers several features that allow it to mimic film’s contrast range, color reproduction and motion characteristics. Also, it can bypass most of the irreversible signal-processing steps that occur in conventional video cameras, such as gain, white and black balance, and gamma, allowing image adjustments to be made in post production instead. Signals from the camera’s three 9.2-million-pixel CCDs are captured with three 12-bit A/D converters and converted to RGB data using logarithmic calculations. The resulting data is then converted to 10-bit data for dual HD-SDI output. The camera uses the frame-transfer principle, with a mechanical shutter to mimic the motion characteristics of a film camera. The camera supports 1080p at 24/25/30 fps and 720p at 24/25/30/50/60 fps 16:9 aspect ratio formats. When the camera is set to 720p at 60 fps, slow-motion effects can be achieved at many different playback speeds in post production. The camera can also produce Cinemascope 2.37:1 aspect ratio images without anamorphic lenses! With all of this, the Viper is sure to make a 'mark' on any production.

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Sony HDR-FX1

3-CCD High Definition MiniDV Camcorder

A revolution in form and function, this camera allows you to play and record interlaced high definition video at resolutions up to 1440 x 1080 for professional quality video with vivid colors and striking detail. It even offers the ability to switch to standard DV recording and playback as the situation warrants. The HDR-FX1 features Real-time HD Codec Engine, 14-bit HD DXP (Digital Extended Processor), three chip Advanced HAD CCD system, Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens with 12x optical zoom and Super SteadyShot image stabilization.

It also offers an unprecedented amount of control to the user, including manual zoom, focus, and iris control. The Picture Profile function allows the user to create a number of preset video modes for a variety of shooting settings, and composing shots is even easier now with the 3.5" precision hybrid SwivelScreen LCD display and the extra-large electronic viewfinder.

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Panasonic AJ-HDX400

2/3" 3-CCD 16:9 1080i DVCPRO HD

This camera was developed as a mainstream camera-recorder for HD acquisition and recording. Equipped with a host of new functions, including digital super gain and digital zoom, the camera section features high sensitivity and superb image quality. The compact, lightweight VTR section records in the DVCPRO HD-LP format. This incredible new HD camera-recorder combines excellent balance, easy operation, and solid reliability. All of this adds up to a highly mobile system that brings new form to the time-proven concept that great results start with good camera work. And with this camera, it won't be hard!

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Panasonic AJ-HPX2000

This is the first shoulder-mounted memory card camera-recorder (P2 cam) to support HD recording. The AJ-HPX2000 combines a high-image-quality, high-sensitivity HD camera with a memory card to provide all of the advanced P2 solid-state functions. Its multiformat capability lets you record in 1080i/720p HD or SD. This camera would be good for the production of news and information programs with the recording functions made possible by P2 multi-card slots, such as card selection, hot-swap and loop rec. It also provides immediate transmission with a clip thumbnail display and the convenience of proxy and metadata. It expands HD's flexibility by putting ING (IT-based news gathering) into your hands with its outstanding mobility, operational readiness and cost-efficiency. It also offers a host of functionality designed specifically for news acquisition and other broadcasting applications, including high-sensitivity digital super gain, DRS (Dynamic Range Stretcher), and digital zoom. This is real deal!

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AK-HC910

2/3" 3-CCD 16:9 1080i HD Convertible Camera

(around $40,000 )

The AK-HC910 camera system is ideal for sports, boom or jib mount, point of view, medical imaging, government, high-resolution surveillance, or any application where compactness and high definition resolution are important. The 2.2 million pixel high definition 3-CCD camera system provides exceptional image quality, sensitivity, and mimimal smear. A single-channel transfer system and spatial-offset processing technologies provide improved depth of modulation in high frequency areas and it provides low power consumption and a compact design.
The HC910's also has a 12-vector variable masking circuit which allows precise and independent hue and saturation adjustment of individual colors .
The enhanced DTL signal processing in horizontal and vertical directions, as well as diagonally both in dark and brightly lit areas of the image, ensures high picture quality with minimal noise.

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AK-HC930

Multi-Format HD/SD Studio Camera System with Available 1080i Operation

($60,000 - $70,000)

I really don't know alot about this camera. I had a chance to play around with one for a day. I knowthat it's probably the most comfortable over-the-shoulder cameras I've ever used. It has a 2.2 million pixel high definition 3-CCD system that provides exceptional image quality, sensitivity, and mimimal smear. It needs low power, which is great, and the lightweight camera head enhances operational efficiency.
And lastly, it's got the latest generation DSP and 12-bit A/D conversion for high performance and outstanding image quality. Over all, it was a pretty good camera. Good enough to write about.

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Panasonic AJ-HDC27F VariCam

($30,000 - $35,000)

(I am Currently using this camera in a production, and will post on it once I have had finished my experience with it...till then, here are the specs, and some links.)

Specifications:
Pick-Up Device (size & type) - 2/3-inch HD progressive 3-CCD
Picture Elements (pixels)
Quantization - 10-bit
Signal Processing - 74.1758 MHz (59.4Hz), 74.25 MHz (60Hz)
Sensitivity - F 12.L180 at 2000 lux, 89.9% reflect, 23.98P, 50% shutter
Minimum Illumination - 0.7 lux (F 1.4, +36dB gain 59.94P)
Horizontal Resolution - 700 lines (center)
Aspect Ratio
Lens - Interchangeable, 2/3" bayonet mount (optional)
Focus - Manual
Media Format - DVCPRO (large)
Recording Format - DVCPRO HD (720/60P, 720P/59.94P)
Frame Rates - 4-60P (in single frame increments)
Shutter Speeds (sec.) - 1/100, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000
Synchro-Scan Shutter (sec.) - 20 to 99.5%
CineSwitch Technology - Yes
CineGamma Software - Yes
Assignable Scene Files - Yes

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Panasonic AJ-HDX900

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