Re: PDW-700 Owners - Please Read

Tim,

As a LONG time adopter to the Sony XD Cam HD format, I do understand, to a point, where you are coming from, and why you feel the way you do! I bought my F350 camcorder several years ago, and have truly loved the format. I often say, if I never shoot tape again, I'll be a happy camper! Not long after I purchased my F350, the F355 came out... four months later to be exact!

HOWEVER, I got a "SMOKIN' DEAL" on the F350. That camcorder has TRULY paid for itself SEVERAL times over! Sony came out with an upgrade to the F350s that made them identical to F355's save two things (true 24p output on the HD SDI output (it has a 3-2 pulldown in 60i) and that it can not shoot 50 GB discs!) In the end.. I have REALLY made out well, and saved a LOT of money in the process!

I would FIRST ask you where you purchased the camera? I think some of the "blame" if there is any, starts there! MANY dealers knew WELL ahead of time what was on the horizon as far as the release of the F800 goes! I have an AWESOME relationship with my Nir Reeches at Band Pro in LA... he couldn't "confirm nor deny" the existence of such a camera, but in January he suggested I hold off and see what happens at NAB...

Further, Nir indicated that I take a look at Sony's "history" of releasing products, often they release a model to test the waters so to speak; a scaled down model if you will, and then the following year release the higher end version of that camera.

I did LOTS of research on the PDW-700, and as far back as NOVEMBER of 2008, there were rumors being "leaked" on the internet out of Latin America, Europe and Australia that there was something BIG going to be shown at NAB 2009!

My local Sony rep told me there was no new camera on the horizon. I truly believe that he didn't know it was coming, as Sony tries to keep a lid on their product developments as much as their competitors. Sometimes that means they don't share info in house!

Depending on where you purchased the camera... it has been available since last fall! If you "pre-ordered" it, you may have had it sooner! This camera was in HIGH DEMAND, so there weren't many "sitting on shelves" around the country. Therefore, I have to respectfully disagree with your three month availability comment.

I'm currently on the "Sony Ice Team..." we aid Sony in developing products, marketing them and instructing folks on how to use them. I'm NOT an employee of Sony. I'm more of a consultant. At first, I had the same opinion as the one you have now. However, upon hearing the explanation of how they see the two models co-existing, I do understand their reasoning.

You should know that Sony has NO PLANS to quit manufacturing the 700. In Sony's eyes, the cameras are "aimed" at two different markets. The 700 is less expensive, the price has just dropped, and is intended to be used by the "news market." Entities like CBS News/Sports have jumped onto this camera in a HUGE way! So has ABC! These "types" of clients "have no need" for 24p. They don't want their material shot with that frame rate. Many of the shows shot on CBS are shot at 60i. A few, like 60 Minutes are shot in 30p. They like the progressive look, but don't want what they perceive as a "hassle" of the mismatch time-codes to be an issue in broadcasting.

For clients like these, the PDW700 is a GREAT camera out of the box! One may never even "need" any of the options... Sony saw the success of other companies utilizing the "modular" approach to releasing cameras. With that in mind, the end user, or entity can CHOOSE what options they need and will use, and pay appropriately.

Therefore, if you will NEVER be a "pool" camera, you don't have to "pay" for that option. If you never need to "record" from an external source in SD... you don't have to pay for that either. If you've NEVER shot anything in 24p, and don't think you'll need it, at least you have the OPTION of changing your mind later.

The release of the PDW700 in this fashion was in direct response to REQUESTS of their customers! Although many folks out there may agree with you, many do not! They didn't want to pay for all the "bells and whistles" they just didn't need.

The second market is "production" oriented. In turn, guys like me (and you) who "freelance" for a host of different outlets may need BOTH feature sets! Therefore, I'm willing to pay for the majority of the "options" on the PDW700 as "standard" equipment on the new F800! In fact, there aren't many "options" for the F800, as it's really loaded for anything you want to throw at it, out of the box! It's the best of both worlds! It has all the features of the proven F350, and the higher quality/dual HD frequency selections of the PDW700.

I worked VERY hard to convert MANY of my clients from SD to HD. I accomplished that task with XD Cam HD. I'm on the "other" side of the spectrum! NEARLY ALL of my clients shoot in 24p, with the exception of a few of my news type clients.

I had to take a long hard look at the decision on whether or not to purchase the 700. Sony would like for ALL of their ICE Team to be out there shooting with the 700! The image is gorgeous! However, I had to explain that my clients fell in love with the "film look" of 24p, the over cranking to provide SMOOTH slow motion in post, and a few other features the 700 just doesn't have. However, the gamma structure on the 700 is MUCH closer to an F900 than my F350!

I was certain, with no indication from Sony, that the next "logical step" for them would have to be what I called an "F1055!" It seemed reasonable to expect those "accustomed" to shooting with the early adaptations of the format, would like the same feature set they currently employ with the higher quality sampling and increased gamma/paint controls. So a marriage between the two cameras the F350 and the PDW700 (Thus my F1055!) was inevitable!

With that being said... I have shot HUNDREDS of productions for clients that wanted an F355! They didn't know the difference! I think this is MORE than possible for you too! Ask questions upfront. KNOW what will be expected of you! If I REALLY HAVE TO HAVE 24p output to a monitor, than I rent an F355 for the day. Far cheaper than buying that model! In many cases the move to the XD Cam HD format may even fall on your shoulders.

There are a few differences between the models, for sure. HOWEVER, with ALL of the upgrades, your PDW700 is VERY similar to the F800. One feature you "can't upgrade," as Sony feels it's a "production" element to shooting rather than a news element, is the dual filter wheel. I have to admit, I really missed going from the dual filter wheel on my D790/600/F900 to the single wheel on my F350. However, it didn't take long to "get used to it!" In many respects, I found I could make changes FASTER due to this fact! Now, I love it! I can make changes going from outside to inside (if in preset white balance) with a push of a single button! That means no filter wheel is spinning in the middle of the shot, and the editor can use the entire shot for the full length of its duration!

You will NOT be able to under/over crank. If you've been using the 700, you probably haven't missed that feature. Clients either love it or hate it! Some ALWAYS want to slow it down in post! Some love the freedom from the hassle of rendering that effect. You should know the frame size of the final shot is reduced while in that mode! That's why some clients prefer to do that "effect" in post. Further, there is NO AUDIO when over/under cranking... I have to try to shoot things with my audio being recorded elsewhere when I shoot this way; or I have to shoot two versions, one with audio. You could use your marketing skills to "explain" why you'd prefer to shoot that shot in a traditional manner: full frame size, and there's audio! I've done that many times, and it always works!

Please take the time to evaluate how you will use the camera. Who is your clientele? Chances are those clients who fell in love with the PDW700 many not want or need the F800. Further, they may not be willing to pay more for you to USE that camera in the field. (that was another issue for me with the F350/700... my clients became accustomed to a price point and didn't want to alter that!)

I think when you've had time to review your situation, after the initial shock and anger have dissipated, you'll find you're in a pretty good position. You're able to upgrade to the majority of the features of the higher priced camera for $5K less than the purchase price of the new model. That's what happened with me, and I couldn't be happier!

Curt Pair
Picture This Productions
Sony ICE Team
F900/F800/F350/PDW700/EX1/EX3/D790/D600
Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 HD/Matrox
Phoenix, AZ