Getting a second Camera

Randy Lintecum · October 14th, 2010, 11:38 AM

I am getting ready to produce a short film (20 min +-). I want to get a second camera so I can shoot scenes with two active cameras. Right now I have a Pan HMC40. I am looking at both the HMC80 and the HMC150. I think the 150 is a better camera but my question is this: will getting the 150 and using it with the 40 make it harder to match the look of scenes in editing? If so, then maybe a better choice is the 80 which should match the 40 image quality. What do you think?

Richard Lucas · October 14th, 2010, 02:47 PM

Unless you have unlimited funds, you might want to look beyond just this production in justifying your next camera. I also suspect that your current camera will end up being the B camera so you will be using that one less, probably.

That said, I'd get the best camera you can reasonably afford because that's the one you're going to use in your future projects and it seems you're considering "better" cameras than the one you now own.

As a thought, if color matching is your key concern, you might want to solicit some clips from the people here who have the cameras you're considering. Also, you could rent your desired camera and shoot the same scenes with both then see how well they match.

You have a few options that might work to make life easier for this and future productions.

Robert Turchick · October 14th, 2010, 03:33 PM

I've got a lot of hours on both the 40 and 150 as an A/B cam setup. The 150 does have slightly different look due to the CCDs but color-wise they match pretty well assuming the profiles are similar and white balance has been done. If you have to have the cameras match perfectly, get another 40. If you keep the "jobs" different between the 40 & 150, like dedicate one to closeups and the other to wide, they will cut very nicely and you will gain a lot of features plus better low light capabilities with the 150.
I know nothing of the 80 except what I read and it's supposed to be pretty nice with manual controls from the 150 but the sensor from the 40.
There's my 2 cents!

October 14th, 2010, 11:38 AM	#1
Randy Lintecum New Boot Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: La Quinta, CA Posts: 13	Getting a second Camera - What Do I need? I am getting ready to produce a short film (20 min +-). I want to get a second camera so I can shoot scenes with two active cameras. Right now I have a Pan HMC40. I am looking at both the HMC80 and the HMC150. I think the 150 is a better camera but my question is this: will getting the 150 and using it with the 40 make it harder to match the look of scenes in editing? If so, then maybe a better choice is the 80 which should match the 40 image quality. What do you think?

October 14th, 2010, 03:33 PM	#3
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	I've got a lot of hours on both the 40 and 150 as an A/B cam setup. The 150 does have slightly different look due to the CCDs but color-wise they match pretty well assuming the profiles are similar and white balance has been done. If you have to have the cameras match perfectly, get another 40. If you keep the "jobs" different between the 40 & 150, like dedicate one to closeups and the other to wide, they will cut very nicely and you will gain a lot of features plus better low light capabilities with the 150. I know nothing of the 80 except what I read and it's supposed to be pretty nice with manual controls from the 150 but the sensor from the 40. There's my 2 cents! __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

October 14th, 2010, 02:47 PM	#2
Richard Lucas Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 55	Unless you have unlimited funds, you might want to look beyond just this production in justifying your next camera. I also suspect that your current camera will end up being the B camera so you will be using that one less, probably. That said, I'd get the best camera you can reasonably afford because that's the one you're going to use in your future projects and it seems you're considering "better" cameras than the one you now own. As a thought, if color matching is your key concern, you might want to solicit some clips from the people here who have the cameras you're considering. Also, you could rent your desired camera and shoot the same scenes with both then see how well they match. You have a few options that might work to make life easier for this and future productions.