PMW-300 owners

Glen Vandermolen · February 12th, 2014, 02:38 PM

Well, that's two freelance jobs I've lost in the last 2 weeks because I didn't have an XDCAM camera. It seems that Sonys are by far the most requested cameras, specifically XDCAMs. Canon C300s, too, but they're $$$!

Any way, I might have to switch from Panasonic P2 to an XDCAM just so I can grab the jobs that are going to others.
Price wise, the PMW-300 seems to be my best option. It has 1/2" chips, a true broadcast codec, HDMI, SDI, every broadcast connection I'll need. Plus, I can upgrade to XAVC soon.

So, all you 300 owners, what is your honest assessment of the camera? I've used an EX3 and a PMW-200 a lot, so I'm familiar with XDCAM. I can maybe get a used PMW350 body (I have a 2/3" lens and A/B batteries), but then I can't do any better than 35mbps, 4:2:0, and I want to future proof my gear. No external recorders, thanks.

I'd love to play with the GH4 or a Sony Z100, but when the networks come calling, they'll want XDCAM.

Are you happy with the camera? Does it get you work?

Jack Zhang · February 12th, 2014, 03:36 PM

Watch out about using AB batteries with the 300. You'll need voltage regulation on the DC cable going from the plate to the DC IN on the 300 of a constant 12V in order to use battery plates. Sony artificially limited the DC IN so that third party batteries with no voltage regulation that exceed 12V cannot be used with the pigtail method. You're going to have to stick to BP-U or no pigtail required third party BP-U batteries like the latest SWIT battery.

Brent Kaplan · February 15th, 2014, 04:26 PM

I was an ex-3 user for years and upgraded to pmw-300 I really like it and have a Vocas rig for it that is great. Battery solutions are coming soon. I also shoot with a GH2 and will be getting a GH4, one camera cant do it all.

Steve Siegel · February 20th, 2014, 07:46 PM

I just got my PMW 300. Some initial problems noted, but I need some time with it. Has anyone published favorite settings?

Brent Kaplan · February 20th, 2014, 08:12 PM

No I haven't found any specific picture profiles for the 300 yet but some say use the pmw-200 settings listed as they should be close.

Also Im testing a Beta Test version of a Switronix battery with a DTAp that is Awesome, no need to plug in and gives u a minutes meter in your viewfinder So Far So Great

Jack Zhang · February 21st, 2014, 06:53 AM

You don't say, Brent? That'll be amazing! I'm willing to sell my current EX-L96UD if I don't need to use a pigtail! In fact, I'm willing to sell both my pigtail batteries for this battery when it comes out! Really hope it's 96wh.

Brian Murphy · February 25th, 2014, 10:11 PM

Just picked up my PMW300 K1 today and I have to say I am blown away by it. Looking forward to reading and contributing here. Also looking forward to the XAVC codec firmware.

Shaun Roemich · February 26th, 2014, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Siegel

Has anyone published favorite settings?

I started with Alister Chapman's PMW200 settings and modified them to fit my needs.

AMAZING colour especially in 50mbps mode on my PMW200.

Andy Wilkinson · February 26th, 2014, 06:40 PM

I briefly talked to Alister on the Sony stand at BVE in London today about this. Yep, those PMW-200 settings should be a good place to start with the PMW-300 as the cams are so similar, albeit with lower noise from the more recent image processing technology employed in the newer 300.

Jack Zhang · September 12th, 2014, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent Kaplan

No I haven't found any specific picture profiles for the 300 yet but some say use the pmw-200 settings listed as they should be close.

Also Im testing a Beta Test version of a Switronix battery with a DTAp that is Awesome, no need to plug in and gives u a minutes meter in your viewfinder So Far So Great

It's September and we still don't see any word on this. You may just be the only one in the world with this type of battery indefinitely.

Andrew Smith · September 13th, 2014, 11:23 PM

I calculated the cost of purchasing the cheaper Swiftronics (if it comes out) version + freight, versus buying the legit Sony battery in Australia. It worked out to be no difference at all.

Andrew

Brian Murphy · October 14th, 2014, 07:19 AM

I bought two of these batteries a few months ago. They work fine and are less expensive than the Sony equal. I have however found that the camera's battery meter is not accurate when using them and that my camera seems to churn through a battery very quickly compared to other full camcorders I have used. I wish someone including Sony would bring out a V-Lock adapter. I have a V-lock plate on my rig for my Zylight and other accessories, just wish I could power the camera.
I bought my batteries from Dolgin Engineering a reputable supplier.
Brian

Paul Cronin · October 14th, 2014, 07:58 AM

Brian,

There is a V-Lock adapter, that is the only way I have been powering my PMW-300 since May, balances well with the Canon KH 10ex3.6 lens. The problem is Sony limits the voltage shut off/alarm on non-Sony batteries. So I only get 50% of my battery usage and then I have to switch. And using Switronix 130W/h batteries that is too bad.

I use the DM Accessories shoulder brace/heavily modified, see picture. And their V-Lock battery mount. My setup is a great eng setup. But I do have to switch to go on sticks. But most of my days are 100% on the shoulder.

Now there is one thing you can do and I have been trying to tweak it, you can adjust the voltage minimum input on the V-Lock plate. Just contact DM and he is happy to help walk you though it, it is very easy.

Couple of not so good pics showing the camera setup.

Andrew Smith · October 14th, 2014, 08:35 AM

That's a tough job you've got there!

BTW, do you use any polarising filters on the camera when shooting on the water? Or feel the need to?

Andrew

Paul Cronin · October 14th, 2014, 08:51 AM

Andrew,

The marine industry is my life I have been in it since my first job and filming it since then also. For me work and play is the same thing.

As for polarizing filter I can say, yes, and no. I will only use a polarizing filter when I am 90 degrees to the sun or close to 90 degree. And to look through the waters surface, for that it is a great addition.

Just too much fast movement and changing angles quickly in my shooting. I get 1 chance to get most of my shots so the polarizing filter in my experience can be a problem when on the run. The rest of the time I do not like to use it. I would say 95% of the time I am using a B+W UV in my Bright Tangerine mat box. Now a mat box with great flags is a must for my type of shooting.

Do you shoot on the water also?

February 12th, 2014, 02:38 PM	#1
Glen Vandermolen Space Hipster Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,596	PMW-300 owners - opinions needed Well, that's two freelance jobs I've lost in the last 2 weeks because I didn't have an XDCAM camera. It seems that Sonys are by far the most requested cameras, specifically XDCAMs. Canon C300s, too, but they're $$$! Any way, I might have to switch from Panasonic P2 to an XDCAM just so I can grab the jobs that are going to others. Price wise, the PMW-300 seems to be my best option. It has 1/2" chips, a true broadcast codec, HDMI, SDI, every broadcast connection I'll need. Plus, I can upgrade to XAVC soon. So, all you 300 owners, what is your honest assessment of the camera? I've used an EX3 and a PMW-200 a lot, so I'm familiar with XDCAM. I can maybe get a used PMW350 body (I have a 2/3" lens and A/B batteries), but then I can't do any better than 35mbps, 4:2:0, and I want to future proof my gear. No external recorders, thanks. I'd love to play with the GH4 or a Sony Z100, but when the networks come calling, they'll want XDCAM. Are you happy with the camera? Does it get you work?

February 12th, 2014, 03:36 PM	#2
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	Re: PMW-300 owners - opinions needed Watch out about using AB batteries with the 300. You'll need voltage regulation on the DC cable going from the plate to the DC IN on the 300 of a constant 12V in order to use battery plates. Sony artificially limited the DC IN so that third party batteries with no voltage regulation that exceed 12V cannot be used with the pigtail method. You're going to have to stick to BP-U or no pigtail required third party BP-U batteries like the latest SWIT battery.

February 15th, 2014, 04:26 PM	#3
Brent Kaplan Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles,CA Posts: 166	Re: PMW-300 owners - opinions needed I was an ex-3 user for years and upgraded to pmw-300 I really like it and have a Vocas rig for it that is great. Battery solutions are coming soon. I also shoot with a GH2 and will be getting a GH4, one camera cant do it all.

February 20th, 2014, 07:46 PM	#4
Steve Siegel Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Posts: 839	Re: PMW-300 owners - opinions needed I just got my PMW 300. Some initial problems noted, but I need some time with it. Has anyone published favorite settings? Last edited by Steve Siegel; February 20th, 2014 at 07:59 PM. Reason: premature opinion

February 20th, 2014, 08:12 PM	#5
Brent Kaplan Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles,CA Posts: 166	Re: PMW-300 owners - opinions needed No I haven't found any specific picture profiles for the 300 yet but some say use the pmw-200 settings listed as they should be close. Also Im testing a Beta Test version of a Switronix battery with a DTAp that is Awesome, no need to plug in and gives u a minutes meter in your viewfinder So Far So Great Attached Thumbnails

February 21st, 2014, 06:53 AM	#6
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	Re: PMW-300 owners - opinions needed You don't say, Brent? That'll be amazing! I'm willing to sell my current EX-L96UD if I don't need to use a pigtail! In fact, I'm willing to sell both my pigtail batteries for this battery when it comes out! Really hope it's 96wh.

February 25th, 2014, 10:11 PM	#7
Brian Murphy Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Monreal, Quebec,Canada Posts: 249	Re: PMW-300 owners - opinions needed Just picked up my PMW300 K1 today and I have to say I am blown away by it. Looking forward to reading and contributing here. Also looking forward to the XAVC codec firmware. __________________ Brian Murphy Director-Editor-DoP Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto

February 26th, 2014, 06:40 PM	#9
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Re: PMW-300 owners - opinions needed I briefly talked to Alister on the Sony stand at BVE in London today about this. Yep, those PMW-200 settings should be a good place to start with the PMW-300 as the cams are so similar, albeit with lower noise from the more recent image processing technology employed in the newer 300. __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

September 13th, 2014, 11:23 PM	#11
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,016	Re: PMW-300 owners - opinions needed I calculated the cost of purchasing the cheaper Swiftronics (if it comes out) version + freight, versus buying the legit Sony battery in Australia. It worked out to be no difference at all. Andrew

October 14th, 2014, 07:19 AM	#12
Brian Murphy Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Monreal, Quebec,Canada Posts: 249	Re: PMW-300 owners - opinions needed I bought two of these batteries a few months ago. They work fine and are less expensive than the Sony equal. I have however found that the camera's battery meter is not accurate when using them and that my camera seems to churn through a battery very quickly compared to other full camcorders I have used. I wish someone including Sony would bring out a V-Lock adapter. I have a V-lock plate on my rig for my Zylight and other accessories, just wish I could power the camera. I bought my batteries from Dolgin Engineering a reputable supplier. Brian __________________ Brian Murphy Director-Editor-DoP Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto

October 14th, 2014, 07:58 AM	#13
Paul Cronin Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 4,048	Re: PMW-300 owners - opinions needed Brian, There is a V-Lock adapter, that is the only way I have been powering my PMW-300 since May, balances well with the Canon KH 10ex3.6 lens. The problem is Sony limits the voltage shut off/alarm on non-Sony batteries. So I only get 50% of my battery usage and then I have to switch. And using Switronix 130W/h batteries that is too bad. I use the DM Accessories shoulder brace/heavily modified, see picture. And their V-Lock battery mount. My setup is a great eng setup. But I do have to switch to go on sticks. But most of my days are 100% on the shoulder. Now there is one thing you can do and I have been trying to tweak it, you can adjust the voltage minimum input on the V-Lock plate. Just contact DM and he is happy to help walk you though it, it is very easy. Couple of not so good pics showing the camera setup. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Paul Cronin www.paulcroninstudios.com

October 14th, 2014, 08:35 AM	#14
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,016	Re: PMW-300 owners - opinions needed That's a tough job you've got there! BTW, do you use any polarising filters on the camera when shooting on the water? Or feel the need to? Andrew

October 14th, 2014, 08:51 AM	#15
Paul Cronin Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 4,048	Re: PMW-300 owners - opinions needed Andrew, The marine industry is my life I have been in it since my first job and filming it since then also. For me work and play is the same thing. As for polarizing filter I can say, yes, and no. I will only use a polarizing filter when I am 90 degrees to the sun or close to 90 degree. And to look through the waters surface, for that it is a great addition. Just too much fast movement and changing angles quickly in my shooting. I get 1 chance to get most of my shots so the polarizing filter in my experience can be a problem when on the run. The rest of the time I do not like to use it. I would say 95% of the time I am using a B+W UV in my Bright Tangerine mat box. Now a mat box with great flags is a must for my type of shooting. Do you shoot on the water also? __________________ Paul Cronin www.paulcroninstudios.com