fully loaded Sony Z1U

Spot|DSE wrote on 12/11/2004, 9:23 AM
http://www.vasst.com/HDV/hdv_z1_images.htm

BTW, at DVExpo, a couple of guys commented that they'd found a place in NYC selling HVR-Z1J cameras. For point of reference, the ending letter indicates where the camera is supposed to be destined, so a "U" designates the US, the "J" designates Japan, "E" for Europe, etc. If you buy anything in the US but a "U" you will not have a warranty, you'll have no support, and you'll be using a grey market cam. Not recommended.

Comments

mjroddy wrote on 12/11/2004, 2:27 PM
Looks like a very sweet camera.
Looking at the lass-in-the-bath image, I noticed a few things; In the original m2t image, there is "tearing" that's particularly noticable around the flesh tones. Note the "fielding" where the forhead meets the bkg and on the arm as well. The HDV looks amazing! The colour depth is richer and seems "more complete." I coudn't get the third image (Huffyuv) to come up at all ;-(
The "Zoomed in 50%" image is pretty amazing too. But here again, there's tearing aroud the high contrast areas like where the flower meets her skin. Guess that's ok for 50% enlargement, though.
The 720p is gorgous. Gads!
Question to anyone who may know; what this "lit?" or is it available lighting.
At DVExpo, I watched the demo reel upstares and was blown away at the range of this camera. One of the toughest things is a object in direct sunlight and something in deep shadow. This camera had detail across the board.
The ONLY thing I noticed that could be potentially negatively commented on was some small amount of motion artifacting and there was a small amount of moraying (sp) on the bird feathers and in some of the patterns on the blowing carpets. Otherwise, I was knocked out.
farss wrote on 12/11/2004, 2:37 PM
Good to see them using Miller sticks.
Whose matte boxes etc?
In my opinion this is the kit you need if you're serious about shooting HDV, well you should have been using it for DV as well.
As the mattes box takes 4x4 filters then you can use all the filters made for 35mm, the right filter can make ALL the difference.
Bob.
Spot|DSE wrote on 12/11/2004, 3:23 PM
Farss, I think that's a prototype version of the Cavision box, but I'm not sure. I only had a few moments with the cam, and was looking at other things like the cabling harness and wireless setup. The focus pull is smooth as silk, but one issue with this prototype is that mattes/glass have to be bottom loaded due to where the microphone sits on this cam. Didn't seem to be too big a deal, but I can see someone leaving a latch undone and a 100$ bit of glass falling out. If there were an extension ring to bring the box out a bit, I'm sure it could be a top loader.
farss wrote on 12/11/2004, 5:57 PM
I can fix the problem for them, saw off the mics, I know what I'd rather have, top loading filters or a dinky set of on-camera mics, no brainer here.
I did a quick check and it looks like the Formatt matte box will fit onto the FX1 with the right adaptor. I'd need to actually fit it to make certain there's no issues with vignetting, we found this was the only matte box that'd cope with the 150 and the Sony W/A adaptor so it might be OK.
For anyone who'se into filters, Schneider have a new dual grad filter for street scenes to highlight cars, think you need deep pockets though.
Bob.
p@mast3rs wrote on 12/11/2004, 6:43 PM
any guess on what the fully loaded Z1U goes for? Ballpark figure please.
farss wrote on 12/11/2004, 7:14 PM
Judging by the pricing for the DVX 100 with the Chrosziel rods, matte box and follow focus gear, roughly doubles the price of the camera.
Although the quote I got included the 16:9 adaptor and the lens mod to fit the matte box to the adaptor so with the Z1 you might get out of it a bit cheaper.

Thing is though that kind of kit lasts forever, I saw a Arrie matte box nearly as old as me fetch around AUD 3K at auction. If you were going to buy that kind of gear allow a fair bit more for a set of good filters, give the resin ones a miss BTW, too easy to damage.
Bob.
Spot|DSE wrote on 12/11/2004, 7:53 PM
In the neighborhood of 9K, once you add the matte box, focus pull, and wireless. The Crosziel follow focus is around 1300.00, the mattebox around 1K, the wireless 700, matte mount rails 300, Miller mount a couple hundred, remote 150.00...
It ain't cheep, and that's before you get any additional glass.