Thanks to Nigel Cooper and John Preston I now have a 350!!! Prestons took my used 330 and gave me a barely used 350 for an extra 3k. Not bad!!!

Nice Murdoch, nice!

Humbly, the best of luck to you on your shooting. The 350 is truly an amazing camera that we simply loved on set.

anybody have a link for the 330/350 manual online. I sent my english language one back to prestons and only got a japanese one in the 350 box!

Hi Phil,

Take a look on the US site of Sony Professional. Here is the link.

Sony Pro US (http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/markets/10014/xdcam_index.shtml)

Look under "Tech Info", their you will find all XDCAM and XDCAM HD operation manuals.

Hope this helps!

I am not knocking XDCAM in any way. All I'm trying to say is that if your market wants DVCAM/Betacam/Digibeta then be very careful about choosing XDCAM if it is your only camera. The right tool for the job etc. In a year or two's time things may be reversed and XDCAM may be the dominant format, who can tell. But until then if you are a UK based freelancer you need to consider what will bring the best return for your investment. The camera you like the most or the camera in most demand.

As much as I love my xdcam I am going to need to get a second camera. All my work is SD and the dumping to tape at the end of each day is killing me.

I need a workhorse to use for the day to day stuff and keep the xd for my own productions and HD work.

I could get a new DSR 450, a second hand 570 or a second hand 500.

Not sure which one to go for to be honest!

Hi Phil, I have been going through similar considerations. I'd love to get the XDcam, but my client doesn't need it yet.

The DSR450 is certainly priced well, at 13K in Canada, though it is missing a few features. If it had firewire in and out, like the Panasonics it would be perfect for the sports news work that I do.

Used 500's and 570's seem to be going for about $7K around here, and they are scarce. It makes a new 450 for 13K a good deal.

I have also been considering a new head for my old BVV5 back, but that will cost just about the same as the 450. However, Beta SP is still the most common format for broadcasters in Canada.

Looks like SD is going to be around for sometime yet.

yeah I agree Peter.

I would love to just use my xdcam hd but nobody can take the discs let alone the HD!

I bought a new DSR 450. It is very nice. So similar to look at and use as the XDCAM f350. Looks like the same body...almost!

Congratulations on the camera Phil!

I have yet to get my hands on one, but it should be soon. What glass are you running on it?

From the pictures I've seen it indeed looks very similar to the F330/350.

I would be very interested to read about your thoughts on the camera, if you have the time.

Good luck!

Peter

i have the canon 20 x 8.4 with 2x extender. Pretty standard for this camera. it's very nice actually.

I am impressed with it. It has amazingly detailed paint tools and shoots progressive. Love the daylight white balance button and the clear nd. Just like the f350