WORKSHOP: New Cameras!

3rd Years working with Panasonic Cameras

Yesterday we had a workshop with Ferg and Sam as an introduction to the new cameras in the store. The Uni was given a budget to buy some new equipment for the course. This was great news as the equipment can be limited during production weeks with there being more students in the other year groups. However, with the new cameras the ratio of camera to students is now 3 students to every camera which will be great for independent and small group projects. These cameras are also newer models with features that the others don't have to allow for more of an industry standard look. The new cameras are Panasonic as opposed to the Sony DSLR cameras that we have available in the store. The biggest and most exciting difference is that they are 4K. Compared with the Sony cameras, these have almost twice the amount of pixels, making the image quality far clearer and more dimensional. This will be particularly evident on a large scale during the screenings we have.
Ferg showed us a few demonstration videos telling us about the 4K aspect and some of the other features they have. After that we were able to set them cameras up and have a look at them in small groups. The set up was relatively similar, however they have improved some of the features to make them more state of the art. For example they have a plate already built in on the bottom of the camera so you don't have to fit this on when attaching it to a tripod. Other features include a much larger battery and a wireless feature so that they can connect to the gallery without a cord. These features will come in particularly useful during the studio production units for the 2nd years as it will make the cameras on tripods much more mobile across the studio floor. There is also a small earphone on the actual camera which allows the camera operator to monitor the sound through the fitted microphone.
Although, I am not intending on taking on the DoP role for any of the units throughout this year, I will be working with a DoP for the opening titles as part of my pre production package. Therefore, I will need to consider booking out one of the Panasonic cameras, depending on the look I will be aiming for with the titles. I think that the new features however may be very beneficial and create some real good results!