Just received my GS400 today from Supervideo.com. I now know what a caveman felt like during the ice age. I have no clue how to read the Japanese. I just look at the writing and grunt. I have a 953 manual to read up on to get a little idea of what I am doing though. I got the GS 400, the 10M underwater housing, 9 hour panasonic waist battery, uv lens, wide angle lens, and an english remote control. Don't even think about asking me what it can do because I am still trying to decipher what you all are talking about on here. I will be using he camera to shoot a fishing show called "Chew On This Saltwater Fishing Show." I can't wait to figure this thing out and then put it to good use. Just wanted to let everyone know I am exited about getting started.

Regards,
Capt Ben Chancey

Ben,
Check out the GS400 PAL manual at DV Freak (http://www.dvfreak.com/gs4001.pdf). The menus should be the same.

I'm new to video, don't know supervideo and a little hesitant to shop at site as hmmm colorful as it.
But www.supervideo.com/Mamba2 in black, in PAL and in english (alias NV-GS400EB ?) at $1499 sounds like an option.
And may be hard to find elsewhere in the US. How was your shopping experience?
But I'm not sure about the PAL. Isn't PAL the way to go if viewing using a computer monitor and not a US TV set?

You may want to check with Allan (listed at the top of this forum) on pricing if you're going with the Japan version - I believe it's NTSC only, so I don't think Capt. Chancey received - or wanted - a PAL version. If supervideo's friends indeed package the 9-hour battery, lenses and underwater housing for $1499, though, that might be a good buy.

I was told by Charles Littman that he doesn't sell cams. Ben, what did all that set you back?

It's not clear to me if there is gs-400 PAL version in black color with english menus, and where to buy it ....

Either from the UK, AU or NZ; but it won't be black.

Congrats on the GS400 Capt Ben! We look forward to hearing your thoughts once you overcome the language barrier. Definitely take a look at the GS400 manual provided by Frank's website that Guy referenced earlier in this thread.


Frank's correct about the lack of a black GS400 ina PAL. I noticed the other day that Pricejapan.com even had a footnote under the black NTSC GS400 that it was not available in PAL. I'm pretty accustomed to this type of snubbing from Japan cam makers but I guess others are getting their first taste.

Japan likes champagne colored audio gear and black cams but it seems they don't like sharing...

$2499 is kind of pricey, but if you need the underwater housing, you probably did the right thing. Who knows what compatibility issues there may be with the housing and any other version of the cam. What's the model number of the WA lens? (I'm just curious as to whether they got you the model that seems to have been specially made - at this point - for the gs400.) Most of all, enjoy.

Patricia the model number is VW-LW4307M
Let me know if it is what you are thinking it is.

Did they ever released a black Pal version, or we are just looking for something bogus?

Thanks

Just another reminder that ONLY Japan NTSC has the Black GS400!

Ben, the WA is the same for both the gs400 and gs100. It turns out that there's a teleconversion lens that is shown as being compatible with the gs400 only. Sorry I goofed. On the other hand, the underwater housing (dubbed an aquarium by yours truly) is shown as made for the gs400 only. Could end up that it is in fact only compatible with the Japan model - that's what happened with the housing for the mx5000: it was not compatible with the U.S. version of the mx5000.

Check your footage for barreling. Someone in the UK with the PAL version said that seems to be a problem with the lens that comes with the gs400 (not the WA or teleconversion) - at least on several models that he checked. Earlier Frank Granovski said he had heard that one possible hold-up in getting the gs400 to market was a lens issue. I would be surprised if the problem shows up in a Japan model, but you may want to do a thorough check anyway.

Don't forget you have a bunch of folks over here drooling for feedback!

Alright everyone,

The color on this cam is the most true to real life I have ever personally seen. I never new how good the color could be on a camera until I used the GS 400. The Zoom is great to use and all of the lenses work flawlessly for what I need them for. The only problem I had was wind noise on the mic. I am trying to solve that problem right now by going through videogear.com and getting the XLR adapter, the shotgun mic with L bracket, a sunheiser wireless mic, and a samon (sp?) mic, and an aluminum camera case. After speaking with Jeff at length he thought that would be my best set up. The wind noise really makes it touch in production. My fishing shows should go alot smoother now.

>>
and all of the lenses work flawlessly for what I need them for. The only problem I had was wind noise on the mic. I am trying to solve that problem right now by going through videogear.com <<

The domain name for videogear.com is expired.
Could you post the correct one?

I went to your web site. I want one of those snook!

Are you stictly online/download or are you being broadcast on cable somewhere?

Have you considered just buying one of the mikes made for the gs100/400? I have the stereo zoom mike and like it a lot. One extra benefit is that it attaches directly to my gs100 (would do the same w/the 400) and when you invoke "low cut" on the menu, the wind noise just about disappears. Probably not the greatest solution for professional productions, but a lot lighter (and cheaper) than the set-up you're talking about.

Joe Carney - it's supervideo.com. But you may want to contact Allan Rejoso, who lives in Japan and posts to this forum, about the gs400 first. The price of the gs400 Japan version seems to be dropping a few dollars every day, though that of the accessories will probably remain fairly stable. Anyway, depending on what configuration you're interested in, Allan can probably help you out and you would get the benefit of the current price drops.

Thanks Patricia. I was more interested in the audio gear he is getting. I already have an MX500. Not sure if I want to get the GS400 based on reviews so far.

Oops, sorry. I think I may need to go back to Evelyn Woods.

The only problem I had was wind noise on the mic. I am trying to solve that problem right now by going through videogear.com and getting the XLR adapter, the shotgun mic with L bracket, a sunheiser wireless mic, and a samon (sp?) mic, and an aluminum camera case.

My quick and surprisingly effective fix to wind noise (when pionting and shooting) is to use my left hand to sheild the inbuilt mike by cupping it over the camera.

It doesn't make much perceptable difference to the sound you're trying to pick up but it sure eliminates the wind noise.