My impressions of the Sony XDCAM PMW-500 and how to kit out your camera:
I purchased my Sony XDCAM PMW-500 2/3” HD CCD broadcast camera mid December from Abel Cine Tech in NYC. When buying expensive gear, I recommend having a sales person from a local shop on the other end of the line, not just a web site. Abel has been my choice the last few years when it comes to big camera purchases. Support your local dealer and don’t just buy from the box store you will be happier in the long run.
In September I was invited to Sony’s release of the PMW-500 in NYC. At the time I still owned the XDCAM PDW-F800, which is an excellent camera. For reasons outside my control I had to sell the F800 in September. While at the launching of the PMW-500, I was pleased to see the same picture quality as the F800. Both cameras having the same three 2/3” Full-HD Power HAD FX CCD chip set. If you look in detail at the features between the two cameras you can see why the F800 cost more. Now $19K more, well I don’t think so, but as with all camera companies it is supply and demand and what they can charge.
With our industries fast moving technology you need to select gear based on what YOU need for the job at hand. It is too easy to get caught up in the coolest new gear and miss the point of why you are buying the gear, and end up with the wrong tool for the job. I purchased the PMW-500 because some of my high-end clients demand CCD 2/3” for action shots, and the PMW-500 fits the bill perfectly.
The XDCAM PMW-500 is Sony’s the top of the line SxS solid-state XDCAM camera. And the only solid state XDCAM with 2/3” CCD block with 50Mb/s 4:2:2, which for me was a no brainier. When shooting any type of motion the CCD has out performed the CMOS in all of my filming by a large margin. My test range from simple motion to fast helicopter motion, and these are not specific test they are paying gigs, which are the best test going. And motion is what we are shooting with video so CCD is still king in my book. When your client smiles at the results and re-hires you then you know you have the right gear. Oh yea and that you know how to use the gear properly makes a big difference.
In the XDCAM line I have owned or own the EX1, PMW-350, PDW-F800, and now the PMW-500. I prefer the CCD 2/3” camera for a more natural picture that stands up better in HD broadcast, to motion, and offers 4:2:2 color spacing with 50Mb/s broadcast standard, without needing external recorders.
The PMW-500 camera body is lighter then the PDW-F800 and feels more link the PMW-350 in size and weight. This is due to no spinning drives or motors to run the optical disk. Recording is solid-state onto Sony’s SxS cards. Don’t skimp on the cards buy Sony SxS-1 G1A cards and go big with 64GB. This will give you 240 minutes of recording on two cards, nice.
As I mentioned the weight is not bad. Once I installed the Fujinon HD ZA 17×7.6 lens, C35W Viewfinder, Switronix 130wh battery, Sennheiser MKH-60 P48 shot gun mic, WestSide AV Nano mount on the back but no Nano, the total weight is 17.0 lbs (7.7kg). Light for a full size camera with full gear.
The WestSide AV Nano mount is not only for the Nano when I need to dual record for two different formats, it also allows for wireless receivers to be mounted. Now here is a slot on the top back of the PMW-500 to mount a dual digital receiver. I know an F800 owner who has this and loves it. Not cheap about $6K once you are all set up properly. This is very nice if you only use this camera for recording wireless, but for me I also still use the EX1 at times and maybe an external audio recorder. So I prefer to have options and not be locked into one camera recording wireless.
To complete your kit there are a few items you need to purchase:
The XLR 3 pin female to 5 pin male, 18” cable if you are going to install your 3 pin XLR shotgun on the camera. I purchased mine from Professional Sound Services.
http://www.pro-sound.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc
PSS will make you whatever cable you need along with having a great selection of sound gear, and a person at the other end. This was cheaper then the box store and arrived in two days.
You will have to buy a Lens unless you have one from a previous camera. Don’t go SD, based on my testing and viewing of a few HD camerapeople that I know that use SD, they are too soft on the edges and do not offer enough contrast/color reproduction. All of my testing (see earlier blog post on lens choice) I prefer Fujinon lens to the other brands. My first choice for a great all around piece of glass the Fujinon ZA line. http://www.fujinon.com/Broadcast/ProductCategory.aspx?cat=1029
The ZA lens are excellent quality for the money and stand up to the HA every time I’ve tested. I would have preferred to go with the 22x but instead I spent the extra on other gear and went 17x.
This is one more reason to work with a quality local shop like Abel Cine Tech. Abel took the lens and camera into the lab and set the lens up with the camera as part of the deal. This gives you piece of mind knowing the lens is up to snuff and shaded properly. Of course you can buy used, but if you do make sure you have a qualified shop inspect the lens. You need to test all used lens before purchase. Repairing a lens is not cheap and you do not want to find that out on a job that the lens is soft on the edge or has bad contrast.
Next item needed is a viewfinder. This is one area where used is the way to go. When I purchased my F800 I found a used Sony HDVF-C35W. After years of using color viewfinders I could not go back to B&W and the C35W is silly expensive new ($12.5K). But if you hunt you can find them used for $5K. Be careful buying the C30W since they have screen problems if the sun shines on them. The C30WR is OK.
This time I found a C35W from K.P. Pro Video in NYC. http://www.kpprovideo.com/
They were great to deal with and sent the VF to Abel so it could be checked out with the lens during K.P. Pro Video’s two-day return policy. Also K.P. Pro had a CAC-12 mic holder so I could properly mount the shotgun mic on the camera. Do not mount the shotgun on the side of the viewfinder this options breaks. The CAC-12 was also used and 60% off the new cost. So there are ways to save if you take the time and do your research.
I have been using my Marshall V-LCD70P-3GSDI for two years. Normally the monitor will only be used when on the tripod for framing, peaking, and false color and the helicopter for the same reason. I mount the monitor with a Cine Arm off the ¼”-20 threaded hole on the front top of the handle. On the back I use my larger Sony BP-U60 battery to power the monitor, which will run the monitor for about 6 hrs.
You need a rugged high quality tripod to support the camera. I don’t undestand how many camera operators use a undersized tripod? I prefer to go as light in weight as possible so carbon legs are a must for me. There are times when I have the tripod and head on one shoulder with strap and camera in bag on the other shoulder and go for miles. So expect to spend a lot if you use long glass and shoot outdoors. I own a Vinten Vision 100 head, Vinten Fiber Tech sticks, and Vinten mid-level spreaders, all stored in a Portabrace Shellpack Case. This setup has been through three cameras and works fantastic even with a Canon 40x lens on a sled. Thanks to Chris Soucy on DVinfo for his advice in purchasing this great setup.
A nice carry bag for the camera is a must so it is easy to haul and does not get banged up. I have a PortaBrace CO-AB-MB Carry-On bag. This is very easy in and easy out, along with holding a nice amount of extra gear. www.portabrace.com
Worth buying:
-Vortex Media F800 book: This book is loaded with great XDCAM professional information about the F800, 700, and relates well to the PMW-500.
-Extra batteries
Also I suggest you read the manual cover to cover. It will be worth your time.
The XDCAM PMW-500 camera is loaded with features and will impress anyone who needs high quality HD broadcast footage.
Pros:
1. CCD 2/3” HD 1920×1080
2. 50Mb/s 4:2:2
3. Two SxS 64 GB cards for 240min recording.
4. F11 sensitivity at 60i
5. Record XDCAM or MXF
6. Signal to noise ratio of 59 dB
7. Slow Shutter
8. Sony’s great HyperGamma
9. Digital extender March 2011
10. Focus Mag while shooting
11. ALAC (Automatic Lens Aberration Compensation)
12. Picture Cache (15 Sec)
13. Nice to have a full size camera on my shoulder with controls at my fingertips.
14. D-Tap on the front right side of the top handle can pull 50W continuous power. So even my Zylight 90, which pulls 30W, can be hooked up to the D-Tap. And there is an auto/manual switch on the left side of the handle that allows the light to come on when you switch it on or when you hit record.
15. I purchased three Switronix Pro-X XP-L130S batteries, which have a D-Tap on the battery. This way I can power my monitor with a Sony battery on the back of it, my Zylight on D-Tap handle on the camera, and Nano on D-Tap off the battery.
16. Quick and easy to switch WB while moving with camera on the shoulder between inside and outside using presets or a new WB. You can slow down or speed up the change in WB in the menus so you have a natural looking change.
17. Clean picture up to 9db gain. And hyper gain when you need it.
18. Four Optical ND filter wheel, nice. You have control in the menus to set the White Balance/cc of each filter.
19. Shoulder pad adjustment is easy with a big range.
20. Power up is quick 3 sec (This is FAST)
21. Menu system is easy to follow after using any XDCAM camera.
22. Black balance is a quick adjustment
23. Nice strong shoulder strap hooks. I went for a Portabrace strap but a stock one comes with the camera.
24. Lots of sensitive audio controls for the 24bit – 4 channels of audio. Audio out the back for an Audio person on the set or in the field.
25. Audio db control by the lens for the shotgun.
26. Quick easy assign switches.
27. B4 lens options
28. And on and on……
Cons:
1. Cost at $22K body only out the door is higher then I would like to see.
2. No 1080p over cranking only 720p 60fps. Come on!
3. Second ¼ -20 support on back of handle. Come on!
4. No SD card slot to save scene files onto computer. Yes I can use my SxS but I don’t like that feature.
5. Only one SDI, why?
6. No HDMI, why?
7. No 3pin to 5pin XLR shotgun cable, silly.
The EX line of cameras just keeps getting better and the PMW-500 is nice move by Sony!
Sony has a winner in their new XDCAM PMW-500.
