Why I Bought the Varicam LT in 2022
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- Опубликовано: 3 авг 2024
- Why I bought the Varicam LT in 2022 and what I do/don't like about it.
0:00 - Intro
0:24 - Why I Bought The Varicam LT
What I Like About The Camera
6:42 - Image Quality
7:38 - Size Pt. 1
8:12 - Square Focus Assist
What I Don't Like About The Camera
8:57 - Size Pt. 2
10:25 - Media
11:02 - Brand
11:45 - Conclusion 
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Camera performance is not based on age, only uneducated or unskilled 'professionals' would buy a camera base on its age. We just upgraded to EVA1 about a Year ago and the quality I get from this is astounding. Like yourself, I am also a Panasonic guy since 2006. We also have Varicam 35 and Varicam LT in our possession but they are for sale. If we haven't gone for the EVA1 I would have gone for the Varicam.
Cool, I didn’t think I’d stumble across a Varicam LT video in 2023! I remember when I first started out in videography I really really wanted one but could only afford the GH4. I would love to see Panasonic make a comeback or even collab with a company like Sigma or Blackmagic
I didn't think I'd be making one but I just felt so strongly about this camera that I had to make one!
We definitely need a new VariCam. The VariCams have always had the best skintones out of everything else in it's league, since the AG-HDC27 in 2002.
Bro you bought one of the best and beasty cinema camera out THERE, I have one and bro this is one of the best cinematic camera out there PERIOD. The picture is superb, the highlight rowoff and dynamic range just took it to the next level, the image quality is like ARRI...I love this camera and I'm thinking of buying more to keep....
Congrats on the camera! Image looks amazing.
But when you say ‘clients don’t know Panasonic’ … if you mean the business that is hiring an entity to produce marketing material- then yeah they don’t know Panasonic. But they don’t know any camera. They aren’t familiar with video production at all.
If you mean the ‘client’ is a production company… then yes, low level prod companies will not know Panasonic. But high level ones will. Those are the ones that can afford to have a Varicam on site.
Looking forward to more of your content!! I hope you get a good rate for bringing the LT as part of your package 🤘🏻
I hope your channel grows man
Blackamgic is something that clients began to know over the last few years so I went for the URSA Mini, but having watched and loved the 'Ozark' series shot on Varicam made me ponder purchasing the varicam before I got the URSA Mini.
Smart move. I hoped you checked out some of my Varicam videos Bcz i did quick comparison between Sony and Red. You could always show that to clients. Amazing camera and amazing image, but no recognition.
Keep shooting!! Welcome to the Varicam cult
Your videos are actually some of the ones I looked at before buying the camera! Good stuff, buddy!!
Young sir! Brave choice! I too am a pana guy (Loved them for putting quality into a small form factors. dvx-100, gh2, etc etc).. Love their look! . I’ve used the LT professionally, It’s a tank of a unit and HEAVY. Have fun, do those core exercises! 🙏🏾🙂. Hopefully you’ve started a relationship with a Panasonic repair place just in case. That menu system is innovative to say the least.. All the best bud! 🤙🏾
I'm a huge Panasonic guy! I could care less what the client thinks of my camera. They didn't hire because I shoot on a GH5S, they hired me because they like the images I get from it. Panasonic beats everything when it comes to video features.
I use an Eva 1 and i love the image quality i get from it and many other things. I can use it all day in 100f hot day in Puerto Rico and it never heats. Ef glass is inespensive and it works great with dji ronin 2 and tokina 11-20. V- log is really ease to color grade and the 14 stops of dynamic rage is grate
There's one thing you didn't mention in this video. The Panasonic Varicam LT has a pretty decent sensor reading time, so the rolling shutter won't be a big problem.
That's true!
Fantastic video! I'm a GIANT fan of the Panasonic Varicams. They weren't always at the bottom. Just a couple years ago. The Vericam was up there with the REDs and Arris. They even have features that aren't IN any other cinema camera. Like being able to take the IR filter off and shooting in IR. You can do a MUCH better Day for Night going this route (similar to how NOPE was shot).The ONLY thing I don't like about the Varicam is the size. If you're still considering selling the Varicam because of the size. I'd heavily consider the EVA1. It's JUST as good as the Varicam (maybe 1 stop less DR which no one will ever notice). But the size is closer to something like the FX6. Using the FX6 before I'm not a fan of the weird colors the internal ND gives off but there is a lot to like about the FX6. I'm currently an FX3 owner and you're right, nowadays Sony is just a name so many more clients outside of cinema know and that's how I've been able to book more jobs. subbed my dude and thanks for taking the time to make this.
Can you expand on this Day for night technique w/the LT?
I'm a fan of underdog cameras. I really want this camera to win. Maybe release a new body design and just retain the sensor. Revamp their branding or something. I really like their GH, S1 and S5 series. Sucks that the Varicam is an acquired taste in 2023
I cut out a whole rant about wanting Panasonic to re-enter the cinema camera market, but it could just be that they've found their niche in making high quality DSLR cameras. THOUGH they are currently developing something spicy at the moment.
The Varicam LT is an amazing camera. For a long time whenever Panasonic introduced a new camera they would say "it has the Varicam look..." because the Varicam/Varicam LT look is so good. It is one of two cameras I regret ever selling. However, yes, if you want to do any type of handheld shooting, it is way too heavy. Even with an Easyrig, it gets heavy right away. If I had to do it all again, I would not fall for the trap of getting an external recorder to record raw, the internal 4K 4:22 10-bit codec looks amazing and you can eliminate the weight of an external monitor. The other problem today is lack of autofocus if you need to shoot handheld. Other than that, it is a really good choice. Not too many cameras can match its dynamic range.
I'd agree with the external recorder except that the image is noticeably sharper in RAW. But the extra weight is always an issue. I just bought a new monitor and will be making a video on it soon!
As a Komodo, S5iiX, Pocket6K owner I completely agree. I'm on the verge of picking up the LT.
Aayyyyeeeee!~
Beautiful classical British accent. Versatile guy, you are.
A great purchase my friend!!!!!
You can get good skin tones with any camera just by doing some HSL adjustments, the biggest advantage of the Varicam over the Komodo and FX6 would probably be its superior hue discrimination, allowing the sensor to distinguish different hues and shades more accurately.
That's true but I'm a fan of having to do less work to correct skin tones, even if it's a little work.
Time is money unfortunately
Highly recommend a Ready Rig over the EasyRig. I sold my EasyRig and bought a used Ready Rig.
I almost went down a similar route, but with a Sony F55. However, I opted for an FX3 package in the meantime to serve as a second unit. I'm not sure if any of my clients know what it is, but the quantity and quality of footage it produces have that "wow" factor nowadays.
There is a certain look and feel to handheld footage shot with the larger, heavier digital cinema cameras from the Varicam/C300 MKII/Sony F5/F55/Arri Amira era that I find to be pleasant, especially for the documentary-style projects I work on.
I think it's great that you and others are finding value in older cinema cameras. Hopefully, in the age of the internet, we can rely less on being people who own certain cameras and attract clients that way, and more on merit and style.
This video may inspire me yet to replace my 6K with an F55...
We can only hope that shooter style and experience can eventually overcome what camera you're shooting with. Unfortunately hype and popularity are what gets attention these days and if you have a popular camera, you're 50% of the way there already (in some cases).
I'd say if you already have an FX3, getting the F55 as substitute for the P6K would be a good upgrade. The F55 is still a fantastic camera and-- I think-- it produces an image that's much more pleasing and has a much better dynamic range. P6K does have good DR but the noise is worse in the shadows underexposed.
Very interesting take!
Thanks for making this video! I was on the fence with the EVA-1 and Varicam LT and ultimately went with the EVA-1. However, the EVA-1 is very light and requires some rigging if your are doing handheld work. The dual native ISO is also only at 2500 which can be quite limiting in run and gun situations. I also believe the Varicam has that extra 20% of image quality that I’ll never get with the EVA-1
Considered the EVA-1 at one point as well. What's your overall impression of that camera?
I'm looking to get eva-1 aftermarket, I believe it's a good value compared.
@@jacksonpetit1212 My impression is overall very positive. The image I get out of it is definitely a little bit (20%) better than what I can get from recent mirrorless cameras like A7siii or my trusty Lumix S1. Internal ND, XLR are both game changers as well. However, get ready to rig the camera up if you are using it for a lot of handheld as there’s no IBIS which kinda defeats the purpose of it being light. The high ISO performance is also worst than the modern mirrorless and the LCD is the worst LCD you’ll ever use in a camera. All these things aside, I think the Panasonic EVA-1 is probably the best budget cine cam you can buy today.
Good for you man. The varicam is a beast. I actually went the opposite route and sold my Ursa mini g2 for a FX3. But having that bigger camera for so long forced me to buy more industry-standard equipment to support the camera, and now that gear makes me money. Of course, now my dana dolly looks like extreme overkill with the FX3. Your quality of work should be the biggest factor on why you are or aren't landing jobs. Not always the case, but it's hard to argue with a solid body of great work.
I agree that the quality of your work should be the biggest factor however which specific camera you own can greatly influence if you get work or not. Some companies only want RED or Sony. I've been turned down for both despite how good my work is.
That being said, the FX3 is a great camera and it's VERY hard to NOT want to pick one up. Good luck with your shoots and with the camera!!
So happy for you :) S1H with some cine lenses could save you some back pain :) CAMERA won't give you customers but your skills will I'm working for 10 years in filming industry and have never brought my camera we Always rent for certain projects :) but what actually brings you money is CINE LENSES equal to GOLD :) SUBSCRIBED
I believe the Ergorig would save your back. You should check it out.
You made the right choice.
I'll be buying mine very soon
Welcome to the club! It's a fantastic camera, and I think you'll be pleased with it!
I love these older cinema cameras. I would love an f55 one day
You forgot one thing…the exposure tools it offers are the best like EL ZONE
EL Zone is amazing, and I’m so upset I didn’t mention it!
I feel the same way when I see images from this camera. Almost seriously considered buying one but the weight was definitely a concern.
If you have the tools to support the weight, I'd say why not. But if you don't, I'd make a spreadsheet of everything you'd need and how much extra it'll cost you on top of the camera.
Thank you for making this review! I can't find any recent reviews till your video! The last ones are all a few years old and really don't offer any info. I am seriously considering either this or the Ursa 4.6k g2, and I have a few questions I'm curious about. Does the varicam allow external recording via ssd or anything else? Since those p2 cards are quite expensive and really only for the varicam. And where did you get yours? Since these cameras have been out and about I'm hesitant about second hand quality. Thanks!
Hey! I’m glad you found the video helpful!
There unfortunately isn’t any external recording support (that seems to be a fairly recent trend with camera manufacturers). And I bought mine from EBay!
I have the FX6 and didn't look back - I've had GH3-5, A7m4 and now I realised it was the FX6 which was my holy grail the whole journey. I realised I was trying to rig all my previous cameras to feel like the FX6. I should of just saved up for the right camera. In this case for me it's the FX6. I would say for the cine start point FX6 isn't maybe the best way to go as it's marketed as a Docu-cam. That territory is Red, Arri, Panavision, Venice and of course the Varicam :-) but these cameras are also crew based cameras and no way near as good as a C70, C200, C300, FX6, FX3 for one man band r'n'g shooters! Obviously IMO!
I agree too. The more experience I have with cameras, the more I realize that small camera should stay small. Big cameras are meant to be big. It’s a lot easier if you don’t have to fight your gear by trying to make it do something it wasn’t intended for.
And also, I wouldn’t call the fx6 a cinema cam either. It’s a highly capable run n gun camera that excels in docu and corporate work but happens to have an amazing image too.
The FX6 is a fantastic little camera and every now and then I kick my own butt for not choosing the camera. It gets ya work, the image quality is fantastic, it's got autofocus, extremely light, you don't need to rig it out, and it's popular. Though I agree that it's seen more as a docu-cam than anything.
But yeah... I guess even with getting work, you can still get type-casted by the camera you have.
I really hope Varicam makes another Varicam or EVA. But I've heard Panasonic has already sold off this Varicam division a while ago.
Non of my clients have ever hired me because of what camera I have.
I’m happy for ya ~
Hey boss. Love the review. Btw what is the battery readout display you are using. What manufacturer and is it Accurate?
It’s built in to the tilta cage (it came with the camera when I bought it).
@@shinzouproductions8770 thanks 🙏🏾
@@wertup123 Of course! Check out my newest video to find out exactly which cage I have.
Bro, who are theses peers of yours? Thank you for trusting your gut.
Panasonic guy here.😊
FAM
never choose camera via youtube videos, better way is just go at rental house and test it. every modern cameras which costs 3k or more are good enough for everything, question is which is best for you and answer of this question impossible to find in youtube videos.
I think this is a really great take that I should have done.
1st camera that shocked me... Was using it for a 4k project slapped with Fuji 19-90 cabrio... Was shooting a night scene and 1st time in my life I have to kick in ND filter at night just to get the DOF the DP asked for... Yes I agree beautiful image on this camera hate it cause it was power hungry... Perhaps u should get the eyepiece if u can find it on the cheap... I use tons of eyepiece and panasonic that came with this model is fantastic... Wish I can put the eyepiece on other cameras...
I just bought The Eva 1! And I love it man! Its a beast for its age and the image is 🤌🏾🤌🏾👌🏾
I have really been considering this camera bro. There is something about cameras that were actually designed for theater release films that sets them apart. Even on older model RED's there is something about the image.
I was just about to switch over to a Canon C70 after owning an Alexa Classic. Ironically, I started coloring a project I shot with the Alexa, C70, Panasonic S1, as well as a few other cameras. The Alexa footage stood out so much. As soon as you start pushing shadows or highlights there is just no contest. Skintones are another huge factor too. The Varicam LT seems like a great option. Lighter than the Classic, with internal ND's, dual ISO, and 4k recording.
Tell me how the Alexa compared to S1 and C70
Dual ISO on the S1 is definitely nice. I prefer single gain sensors. The Alexa does get noisy underexposed but the color holds up and the noise feels like film grain compared to other sensors.
If you are simply looking to get as clean images as possible the dual ISO on the S1 is super nice.
I'd say the panasonic colors are weak to me. Obviously, you can tweak them in post. I just don't like the starting point. Shooting in BRAW or Prores RAW gives you more flexibility. The downside of that is the external monitor latency sucks.
Highlights are fantastic on the S1, a little over 5 stops. Maybe 2 usable stops in the shadows before getting pretty noisy. I found shooting RAW opens up the shadows a lot more though.
The C70 image looks really nice with no tweaking. I feel the highlight roll off and colors with Canon's lut look really close to ARRI. The RAW recording is really really nice looking. Noise texture is good. You only have 3 stops in the highlights but in the shadows you have close to 5. It does get noisy. The noise is pretty organic in RAW, less so really underexposed but you have a lot of room to play with.
I wish the body on the C70 was a little more robust. All in all its a fantastic camera, though you definitely pay for it with it's price tag.
A used S1/S1H/S5 can be had between 1-2k depending on the model. It is certainly a fantastic value.
Shooting narrative film as my main source of income the Alexa makes a lot of sense to me. But I would say something like the C70 or S1 is going to make a lot more sense for most people.
It is just hard to give up using an Alexa once you have one. The image just looks so damn good.
@@renaissancedigital5730 Interesting. The colours of the S1 is the one thing many people love about V-log. Did you use the standard lut from Panasonic?
@@Aviciiz The colors are a lot better than the GH5 definitely. I usually use the emotive color Alexa luts. I have used Panasonic's luts before. The color to me is just off at least compared to an Alexa.
The emotive color luts work great but they push the colors really hard, which seems to bring out more noise sometimes.
I am also just being very picky, I think all the flagship cameras from any given company are quite good right now. I do think Panasonic has always offered the best value for the money.
@@renaissancedigital5730 Nice. I've got the Emotive luts too. How do find them? Do they actually match that well with Alexa? It's said that it's the closest thing to it. However I agree that some colours are very pushed and that the contrast, especially in the shadows is quite extreme...
Love your videos and they helped me in deciding that I wanted the Varicam Lt so thank you! Could you help me with something, I can't find anything online to help but I got the Panasonic Au-Xpd3 Card reader but it won't connect to my Mac? not sure why or how to go about getting the footage on my computer?
I've never used the XPD-3. I personally have the XPD-1 and I've never had issues with it. You can try purchasing that version, maybe! Hopefully things work out for ya!
Thanks for replying brotha 🙏🏿 i ended up figuring it out, would love to see a tutorial on the audio end of this camera lol can’t find anything online.
The Varicam brand is the Audi of Digital but the marketing of Infiniti.
That's hilarious!
The Sony Venice and S1H should have been on the list also.
i have a P6K and bought a $100 CAD DeWalt Tool Case (the biggest one) so I don't have to tear it down.
you must be young. Varicam is a well-known and desired camera by producers. CineAlta and Varicam were the main production cameras in the early 2000s.. If I was not planning to retire, I would invest in Panasonic Varicam LT
I don't feel young, haha!
They WERE well known in the early/mid 2000's, and into the very early 2010s shortly after the 2nd gen P2 Varis came out, but now, younger producers who are put in charge of writing up these camera requests when looking for DPs or cam ops are coming up in the business who only know the popular cameras from like the last decade or so "Sony FS7/FX6/9/A7s, Arri Alexa, RED, Canon C300/500)"
There are some I've met who don't even know what P2 or DVCPro even is, which makes me feel really old considering I came up in the days when D2 and Sony's Digital Betacam was just taking off, and I thought that was pretty new and high tech at the time😂
the whole "client don't know Panasonic" is very real, I bought the EVA-1 and the image is superb, V-log is much easier to grade than S-log, the color science is better than Sony and the camera provides all the necessary ports but I'm considering switching to fx6 just because clients know the brand better.
Now that sounds strange, my clients care only about what I can create for them, not how I create it or what I create it with.
@@cineffectSo.. your clients don’t post-process the image etc.? There can be many touch points regarding acquisition format depending on the project of course.
@@cineffectif you do start to finish all in house, then yeah the camera doesn't matter. If you're being hired as a Cam Op or DoP, then your camera matters a LOT!
The Vericam LT is a special cam, FX6 can only dream.. but keep it to yourself LOL! I have never heard of clients influencing camera choice. Is that a US thing?
How about the startup time ?
Have you compared the Varicam LT to S1H? Some people says the image quality is identical
camera doesn't matter. your work will get you work. it's probably best not to be an owner operator of any camera after a certain price point. probably best just to rent.
I disagree. Camera definitely DOES matter. It doesn't make the DP but it can heavily influence what work the DP gets. I've lost work from a client who liked my reel but wanted a Sony/RED.
@@ShinzouVideos true.. that's why I was 50/50 and said it's probably best to rent
This is how I gain my experience, I rent and take classes. It just doesn’t make sense for me to own every cinema camera. Now I have on set experience with red, arri, panavision, Sony, canon and Panasonic cameras.
As is seems there is some Or pollution the LT suffers from it unfortunately a simple ir cut should fix it. cheers nice video!!
Thanks!!
Can you explain what OR pollution is?
@@ShinzouVideosYeah my bad I meant IR pollution.
Wait no Ursa!? How did you overlook blackmagic
I didn't overlook it at all, haha! I have the P4K and I was originally going to get an URSA to take over as my A Cam, but I personally think the Varicam LT looks much better than the Ursa, plus it absolutely DESTROYS the Ursa in lowlight and the second native is still super clean comparatively.
You are comparing a camera for 20.000 $ (Varicam LT) with a camera for 6.000 $ (Sony FX6).
I am!
if panasonic apply the real varicam Look in lumix series, they will destroy the market. i purchase the lumix S1 from canon and sony user, and im very impressive about build quality, it's gun machine, even the camera drop in the ground it remain intact. codec are solid, open gate, good strong screen, the only issu i have sometime with that camera is consistancy of black skintones. The skintome sometimes are more yellow, when the light is not controled, the skintones becomes totally poor. and for that reason using this camera for run and gun is complicated. that is where canon win all of them. If panasoni made a new square boddy like pyxis with the real color of varicam,Fire. or Lumix body wiht that color profile.
So did you get more clients because of it?
Absolutely not but I knew there was a high chance of that being the case after buying the camera. So far every client has marveled at the quality of the image and color so that's gotta say something about the camera.
Because you had some extra money.
Believe it or not, the VariCam LT was cheaper than the Komodo and FX6 overall! I bought it off of eBay and it came with the cage, DC cable, 2 P2 cards, VCT plate, and PL mount.
With the Komodo, I'd be spending more on media, battery adapter, and cage. With the FX6, I'd need to buy a lens adapter, a native lens and v-mount adapter.
I don't understand your choice. You like the Panasonic color science. You also admit your circle of peers have a Sony/Red bias. You listened to them to be against the EVA1, a newer EF camera with the same color science and better recording options. Then you ultimately ignore your peers to get an older camera that costs more??? I bet you're selling this by the end of the year.
I don't know anything, but another commenter said varicam has 20% better image. But others say they match well.
The Varicam LT:
-records at the same 4K format
-records ProRes 4444 XQ (albeit at 2K) down to ProRes 422 LT
-does not crop at higher frame rates (ie 240fps @ 2K), but gives you the option to crop instead
-has much better DNISO
-is a tank and is built to withstand harsh environments
-can record RAW 12-bit with an external recorder
There are some ways that the EVA-1 is better than the LT but ultimately the LT suits my needs better.
Also I did not ignore my peers. I asked for advice and they gave me their advice, and I took them into strong consideration when deciding which camera to get. If one of my peers advised me to buy the Komodo and another the FX6 and I went with the FX6, does that mean I ignored my peer who advised that I buy the Komodo?
Anyway... I guess we'll see if I still have this camera by the end of the year. ;)
Varicam looks much better due to better color filters on sensor etc...that´s partly why it was so expensive originally
Mate you didn't even show the camera.
It’s in the intro! 😂