30-35k budget...what cameras to get?

[thginknodnarb]

I've recently taken a new position as the media director at The Bridge AG in Mustang, OK. 2 months before I came on staff they purchased a Tricaster XD300. Works well, not looking to change it. They stream directly from it and record for Online and DVD distribution.

The church currently does not do IMAG, it is a possibility in the future.

So all I'm looking for is what cameras to buy to pair with the Tricaster. Current camera platforms are approx. 50-55ft from the podium. Lighting is good(cans, ellips.) not great, but I think just needs some adjusting.

My budget is 30-35K. I'm looking to do 2 stationary and 1 roamer all HD-SDI. Some lens control in the booth would be great. Focus & Zoom control from the grips on the stationary cams is a must.

So I've been looking around at Sony EX-3, JVC GY-HM700L17S, Canon XF305 etc. I don't have any experience with any of these cameras so I would like your experiences, preferences, and input before I dive into this.

I also thought it would be awesome to use an Pani AG-AF100 as a roamer to get that shallow depth of field on the platform. Anyone tried this?

From my research it seems I can get the JVC GY-HM700 with iris and gain remote control in the booth, and Focus & Zoom on tripod grips for the least amount of money. Is this correct?

Any input is welcome. I'm open to all and any ideas. Thanks.

[tdangelo]

The Sony PMWEX3 is a good starter multi-camera platform as it will allow you to enter at a low price-point but also allow you to improve your capability with optional 1/2" or 2/3" lenses, rear viewfinder, paint box, multi-core, tac or SMPTE hybrid fiber CCU.

[thginknodnarb]

Tom,

I've seen you work lens and zoom equations out on other posts. Is the 14x zoom going to be enough at a 50-60 ft. distance.

Brandon.

[tdangelo]

The Fujinon lens which comes with the Sony PMWEX3 is 5.8mm – 81.2mm. At 60’ the tightest shot is 2’11” vertical x 5’ 2” horizontal, a “waist shot” or “medium” shot. At 50’ the tightest shot is 2’5” vertical x 4’ 4” horizontal, still a (tighter) “waist shot” or “medium” shot.

At 60’ the tightest shot is 40’7” vertical x 72’ 1” horizontal. At 50’ the widest shot is 33’ 10” vertical x 60’ 1” horizontal.

[tdangelo]

Typo, meant to say:

At 60’ the widest shot is 40’7” vertical x 72’ 1” horizontal. At 50’ the widest shot is 33’ 10” vertical x 60’ 1” horizontal.

[Gracetech]

What all do you need to accomplish with your budget? Cameras obviously, probably glass, do you need support, painter control?

I always find it better for your painter to control the focus in the HD realm. A painter sitting behind a large full resolution monitor will be able to more accurately pull focus than someone at the camera with a 1/4 definition monitor trying to keep up with it.

Recently we did an overhaul to our system and pretty much replaced everything. We picked up a 3 Sony NX5 and a RM-1000BP to control them. The Lanc Remote allows our painter to adjust settings of the NX5 from the control room. All the camera operators need to do is keep the subjects in frame. I have to say i was shocked at the quality of these cameras. They are every thing i wanted and more. The weakest part of them is the glass. You can focus on your subject but along the same plane only 70 percent is in correct focus on the same plane. This is to be expected with all in one camcorders though. Yeah it would have been nice to pick my glass and put it on the camera of my choice but considering the last lens i picked up was more than 3 times as expensive as these cameras i will enjoy what i have.

The EX3 is a great camera and would consider that the top of the cameras you have looked at. Throw some better glass on it and you will have a great setup. I don't think you will be able to afford all that you need with this setup though. The Panasonic camera would be interesting but i don't know of a remote unit for it. If you can find a remote unit that would be the way i would go. Lot's of great options out there now adays. Just set your expectations accordingly.

crt

[thginknodnarb]

Any idea what kind of cable this is running on and where to buy a cable to extend it?

It is a remote for JVC GY-HM700. I believe it is some sort of 6-pin cable?

[tdangelo]

Google came up with zippo. I think you are going to have to contact JVC because even if you build an extension, pin-for-pin you really don't know how far you can go before you lose camera control.

PS: Some JVC PDFs called the cable part #960521 but that helps little as further searches with Google come up with no information.

[thginknodnarb]

Just for informations sake. I contacted JVC by email, to my surprise they responded very quickly. They gave me a phone number for a company called www.BTX.com, the number is 1-800-666-0996. You won't find the cables on their site, but they will make the cables to any length you need. Just use part number YV-LP55U. I ordered two 100' cables, and they ran $160 a piece. Not bad considering the price for the Sony EX3 remote cable.

[tdangelo]

BTX is a very good cable supplier. We do a lot of business with them.