Street Prices for the PMW-F3

[Joe Carney]

This follows the practice of Sony initially announcing a higher price then lowering it closer to shipping. They did this with the other EX cameras.

I wonder if this will have an effect on Varicam sales and rentals.

[Giuseppe Pugliese]

Originally Posted by Joe Carney

I wonder if this will have an effect on Varicam sales and rentals.

Well Varicam is a different beast all together, this shouldn't touch that market at all. Varicam market is set in tape based workflows and P2 workflows and archiving is something production houses dont want to give up for their tape based Vcams. As well as the use of Varicam is usually in the more rugged environments, which the F3 definably would not handle well. My varicam and hpx500's have been through hell, and hold up perfectly well. I'd have to say that a lesser built camera would have been in bad shape.

Varicam is in its own world, should be fine, as i said, its a whole different beast.

[Nate Weaver]

Originally Posted by Joe Carney

This follows the practice of Sony initially announcing a higher price then lowering it closer to shipping. They did this with the other EX cameras.

I wonder if this will have an effect on Varicam sales and rentals.

In my neck of of the woods, the Varicam (original) has been effectively out of the running for quite some time (2-3 years). You can buy or rent for dirt cheap.

[Justin Benn]

Originally Posted by Liam Hall

It's £10,995.00 + 17.5% VAT in the UK.

Or, basically, US$20,000 by the time the new VAT rate kicks in. Or, more to the point - zero UK sale to me, chalk one up for a transatlantic flight to NY...

Way to go, UK dealers. Ugh.

[Andy Wilkinson]

Whilst I share and understand your frustration about "rip off Britain", personally I wouldn't "advertise" that action on a public forum if I were you (anyone in the Inland Revenue might see it...!)

[Brian Drysdale]

Originally Posted by Justin Benn

Or, basically, US$20,000 by the time the new VAT rate kicks in. Or, more to the point - zero UK sale to me, chalk one up for a transatlantic flight to NY...

Don't forget the sales tax in the US.

In the UK if you're working for corporate clients or production companies, it makes sense to register for VAT, so you can claim it back.

[Justin Benn]

I am registered for VAT, but it still ends up being 30% more and that's before other, incidental fees.

Okay! Grumble over.

[Brian Drysdale]

Yes, always more, I imported my Steadicam from the US and upset the then UK agent.

[Steve Kalle]

I feel bad for all you across the pond with the ridiculous VAT rates.

Luckily, here in Illinois, we have NO sales tax on equipment purchased for "Graphic Arts Production", which is partly why so many movies are being filmed in and around Chicago. For fellow Illinoisans, the tax exempt form is "ST-587". Combine this tax exemption with my local Abel Cine and I am able to get the lowest prices (they match most competitors), no tax and usually no shipping in addition to excellent customer service.

[Joe Carney]

In Virginia, in state based movie production companies are sales tax exempt for a lot of things, including food and hotels.

[Dean Harrington]

We'll be paying full price for this camera plus tax. I often salivate at the prices in the U.S. and buy there whenever I can. That being said ... we often get a better price later ... after release.