3ccd video cameras for workprinter?

[Kurt]

Roger and friends,

I read some of your posts about picking up a 3ccd analog video camera for use with your workprinter. Can you post a list of makes a models here which I should be on the lookout for. It would be extremely helpful, because I know nothing about these cameras. Anyone else please feel free to add. Also, what would your top three choices be?

Thanks!

Kurt

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[MovieStuff]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Courier, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Kurt:
I read some of your posts about picking up a 3ccd analog video camera for use with your workprinter. Can you post a list of makes a models here which I should be on the lookout for.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi, Kurt!

Actually, it's not so much a particular brand as much as it is a "type" that works best for the money.

Obviously you want a three chipper. However, used three chip cameras come in a variety of conditions and pricing. Field (ENG) cameras will be the most beat and, ironically, the most expensive because they can be docked with a variety of different record backs. They are also bigger and heavier. Dead pixels on used field cameras is very common.

Now, for every field dockable camera that a given manufacturer made, the generally also made a non-dockable version for use on copy stands or studio work. The sweet thing about a used non-dockable camera is that they are going to be lower priced AND have less wear since they never went into the field! The best of both worlds!

6 year old used dockable cameras will generally sell for $5000+, while the very same non-dockable camera will generally go for $800-$1200. Sometimes you can find them for even less since studio stuff ends up in "lots" bought up by ebay resellers all the time. These people haven't a clue what a camera is really worth and are happy to get $300 for them, usually with no 12vdc power supply (small matter).

The cheaper brands to look for are Hitachi and Panasonic. Ikegami will sell for a little more, but not much since they stopped making cameras. Sony will always bring top dollar and aren't really worth it used unless it's just a special deal.

IMPORTANT: The two things to ask are 1) Is the color correct? and 2) Are there any dead pixels?

Incorrect color means one chip is on the fritz and a dead pixel means a $1500-$2000 repair job. All of these cameras will be analog out and generally have about 650-750 lines of horizontal resolution.

Hope this helps!

Roger

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Roger Evans
MovieStuff
http://www.afterimagephoto.tv/moviestuff.html

[crimsonson]

Ikegami has not stop making cameras. But they are basically focus on highend/broadcast side if the industry. For under the $5000 cam, I would suggest either the Canon XL1S or JVC DV500. Yes they are DV, but the have an analgue output, if I am not mistaken. And if you go digital in the future you are prepared. In the under $4000 range, either a used Canon XL1 or Sony PD150. Under the $3000 range its the Canon GL1. Under the $2000 range, the Sony TRV900 is a good choice. It will be hard an analogue cam (BetaSP) under $5000. Even the low end ENG SOny BetaSP cam goes for about $9000 used. I would go digital with an analogue output.

My $.02

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[MovieStuff]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Courier, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by crimsonson:
Ikegami has not stop making cameras. But they are basically focus on highend/broadcast side if the industry.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's odd. I haven't seen a new Ikegami in years and the Ikegami rep I talked to said that they were getting out of broadcast cams. Maybe I'm misinformed.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Courier, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by crimsonson:

It will be hard an analogue cam (BetaSP) under $5000. Even the low end ENG SOny BetaSP cam goes for about $9000 used. I would go digital with an analogue output.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, that's why I pointed out the non-dockable versions for the used preference. I see Hitachi 3 chip and Panasonic 3 chip analog cameras on ebay all the time for under $1500. Not DV but with 700+ lines of resolution, who cares? I'll take a 5 year old used 700 line Hitachi analog camera over a new Canon XL-1 any day.

I see your .02 and raise you.

Roger


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Roger Evans
MovieStuff
http://www.afterimagephoto.tv/moviestuff.html

[crimsonson]

For $1500 you could get the TRV900 with 500+ worth of res.

$1500 for a 700+ lines of res on a dockables?
A. You would need component in to get pass the 400 line limit of composite. (Cheapest Card I know with comoponent I think is at least $3000
B. With TRV900 you could actually use it for other things, not just for your Workprinter (not that Workprinter is not worth it)
C. With DV you getthe full 480+ lines with a cheap firewire card.

I think she meant that Ikegami is gonna focus more on HDTV instead of SDTV. Which they have slowly been doing in the past couple of years.


Do I hear double or nothing?
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[This message has been edited by crimsonson (edited January 09, 2002).]

[MovieStuff]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Courier, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by crimsonson:

$1500 for a 700+ lines of res on a dockables?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No. I said $1500 for 700+ lines of resolution on a NON-dockable. These are NOT dockable units for field ENG work, which is why they are cheaper but still have the higher resolution. Also, many also have component and SVHS out as well.

Roger

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Roger Evans
MovieStuff
http://www.afterimagephoto.tv/moviestuff.html