Update: I just got an email from another UK supplier where I had previously asked for availability:

"Unfortunately our supplier are unable to confirm a due date for the AG-AC90 at present. There's a delay from the manufacturer. As soon as we have a revised date this shall show on the website..."

I hope CVP has a confirmed date and is not just blindly postponing week by week...

I emailed 'Holden' on the 5th february and this is the worrying response they sent me:-

"We have quite a lot of these on back order, which we need to process before we can ship new orders. It’s likely that new orders for AC-90s will not be fulfilled until mid/late March."

I will try ringing panasonic direct again tomorrow to see if they can shed any light here

Hi Luc

The backlit chips on the AC90 makes a big difference and also it has NR circuitry so the gain is cleaner..it's a bit softer but a lot cleaner! Remember the lens is bigger and faster plus you have XLR audio and a whole heap of features that the 900 does not have. Hence the price difference.

You cannot get effectice shallow DOF with tiny sensors but you can get 'pseudo DOF' using the zoom...With the 1/4.7" clips the 90 has almost everything in focus.

Chris

I will try ringing panasonic direct again tomorrow to see if they can shed any light here

Hi Phil, any luck?

I looked around for alternative sources but the cheapest I could find was in Holland for 1594 EUR plus VAT, almost 300€ more than at CVP or other dealers in the UK...

Initially I found this

Panasonic AG-AC90 AVCCAM Handheld Camcorder (http://slrhut.co.uk/product/ID461C6/ag_ac90-_Panasonic-AG_AC90-AVCCAM-Handheld-Camcorder-/)

I phoned them, they said it was the UK version and can deliver it.. but members on here say you should be careful with this supplier

PS just phoned panasonic to see if their shipments are delayed, hang fire as they are calling me back soon

I phoned them, they said it was the UK version and can deliver it.. but members on here say you should be careful with this supplier

Yeah they say "Brand New AND In Stock" but further down "(7-10 working days)" so I bet they dont really have stock of their own but just quote their distributor's standard lead time.

Panasonic have told me Broadcast and Video Technology from Holdan. Tapeless workflows, editing software, professional camcorders and media delivery tools (http://www.holdan.co.uk) have them in stock BUT they are much more expensive (£1451 + vat which is another £300 on top)

Panasonic says they are their preferred supplier

I have emailed them back confirming that a shipment is due to arrive to CVP next week

Initially I found this

Panasonic AG-AC90 AVCCAM Handheld Camcorder (http://slrhut.co.uk/product/ID461C6/ag_ac90-_Panasonic-AG_AC90-AVCCAM-Handheld-Camcorder-/)

I phoned them, they said it was the UK version and can deliver it.. but members on here say you should be careful with this supplier

I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole!

Panasonic have told me Holdan have them in stock [...] Panasonic says they are their preferred supplier

I wouldn't be surprised if Panasonic conveniently delivers first to (preferred) resellers that don't do pricedumping, and hold off supplying discount resellers for as long as they can find excuses.

I have emailed them back confirming that a shipment is due to arrive to CVP next week
I suppose you mean "asking for confirmation that..."?

Hi Ethan, yes but they have not responded yet.

We can only go off the emails CVP sent us stating that their suppliers have confirmed delivery for next wednesday 6th

Lets keep our fingers crossed hey :-)

Funny, I thought Holdan were the UK distributor, not a distributor. Hmmm.

I note that my Panasonic AC130A went from Panasonic Japan, to Panasonic UK (showing their address), then to Prestons, then finally to me. Holdan didn't seem to be in the loop at all.

But previously, my HMC41 was despatched direct from Holdan when I ordered through Prestons.

Not sure Mike, but I know one thing, when you want the newest cutting edge technology you certainly are made to wait round for it.

Is there any reason there are no good reviews on this camera yet in your opinion?

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Not sure Mike, but I know one thing, when you want the newest cutting edge technology you certainly are made to wait round for it.

Is there any reason there are no good reviews on this camera yet in your opinion?

I'm not sure, Phil. Come to think of it, I've bought an AC130A, it's been around at least a year longer than the AC-90, and there's not that many reviews of the AC130/160s either! I'd guess that it's down to the specialist nature, there's very few of these things sold. We get one or two reviews, such as HD Warrior, Adam Wilt etc., but not many.

Compare this to the more consumer-oriented cameras, there's shed-loads of unboxings and reviews of them on Youtube.

yeah when i bought my tm900 & sd900 there where lots of reviews, but maybe the pro series camcorders get less..

GOOD NEWS by the way, my AC90 has been despatched and should be here monday :-)

GOOD NEWS by the way, my AC90 has been despatched and should be here monday :-)

At last. Let's hope it lives up to expectations!

Fingers crossed hey, I will attempt to put something up next week if I can

I am really interested to see the difference between the AC130 and the AC90, would it be that larger sensors produce better footage all round?

my AC90 has been despatched and should be here monday :-)

I wasnt notified :-( I guess mine isn't coming yet...
What time did you get your email?

I wasnt notified :-( I guess mine isn't coming yet...
What time did you get your email?

I was notified this morning and despatched today.. Ethan am sure yours will be despatched too over the next 5 days.. maybe I was high up the list ordering on 1st feb.

Either way at least we know supplies are coming in :-)

Finally arrived Mike... Ethan you will not be disappointed :-)

Unfortunately no good news for me...

"We have been accepting orders for this camera since its announcement at the end of last year.

We have recently receive a small delivery cameras from Panasonic - fortunately for your friend their order would have been placed early enough to secure a camera from this delivery. I hope you can appreciate and understand our list of pre orders are being fulfilled strictly in chronological order.

Since the camera was announced last year, unfortunately we've only received a few small deliveries. I'll speak to Panasonic tomorrow morning to see if they can shed any light on when our next delivery is likely to be and if this will contain the camera for your order."

Hi Ethan, I am sure they are catching up with orders as quick as they can but I waited over a month for mine (who said Internet banking was fast ha).

If you can hold out then sit tight, it's worth the wait. But you know Holdans have stock at a much higher price if you wanted it now..

I have just gone through the same thing ordering an imac 27" top spec, but at east apple allowed me visibility to getting built, shipped, delivery status etc..

CVP were great with me, although stating 2 weeks delivery is unrealistic, they offered alternatives but some members on here told me to wait if I can (they were right)..

I don't do unboxing videos, but if I can get the time to put up a video or two this week I will

PS I phoned Panasonic a few times to get updates on shipments

PPS Mike was right, the unit came via Holdan ltd, good call Mike

Holdans have stock at a much higher price
[...]
the unit came via Holdan ltd

So Holdan has their own stock and sells direct, but as a distributor doesn't deliver to their resellers?
Hmmm :-(

I'm not sure... I mean, my AC130 came from Panasonic and not from Holdan. It could be different for different models of camera.

Phil - I can assume you're like a kid in a sweetie shop now. Let us know what your impressions of the camera are, I hope it doesn't disappoint. By all accounts, it packs a lot of punch for its price, and certainly looks the part.

I'm not sure... I mean, my AC130 came from Panasonic and not from Holdan. It could be different for different models of camera.

Phil - I can assume you're like a kid in a sweetie shop now. Let us know what your impressions of the camera are, I hope it doesn't disappoint. By all accounts, it packs a lot of punch for its price, and certainly looks the part.

Hi Mike, you are so right, I am actually even attempting to turn off the auto mode and playing with the manual modes.... vertical learning curve comes to mind. I was trying to do simple things like focusing on a near object whilst blurring the background then vice versa.. lets just say i was fumbling badly lol

The stabilising function is damn good for sure

The AC90 is exactly what i need, not over complicated for my first pro model.

Now I just need to film something!!

Finally got feedback: "Delayed until the end of March".
I guess they only get one small shipment per month, eh?

Yes, I can imagine that's a Panasonic thing though, apple do the same to create a bigger demand.

It took 5 weeks all in all for mine to arrive so sit tight.

I have a little job to do tomorrow so i will see if I can upload something from the AC90

Took the AC90 along today to help a friend promote his new business (care home for children).. Its a rough cut but I was able to take all the footage (including the slider) with the ac90, upload and edit (plus upload to vimeo 720p) from concept to completion in 4 hrs.. Not had time to upload 1080 yet.. includes logo animation at beginning and end too

All settings were on auto (i need to study manual more)..

Lythamcare Promo - HD 720p on Vimeo

thanks for posting your video.
i'm interested in this camera but i haven't seen that much interesting footage. did you use extra lighting? were you using gain? are you happy with the performance?

Hi Andrew

No extra lighting used, I amended some colour and 'colour match' in post edit but otherwise its exactly how it was shot.

Its my first try of a pro type camera so its difficult to judge as yet, but so far I really like the stabilisation feature (very good indeed). I am really happy with this model though

Only had the camera a few days so I will post a few more videos as I do them

Great. I'm looking forward to seeing them.

It looks to have gone well Phil, it's good quality footage. The small size of the AC90 looks like it is a winner on the slider (do I remember a vertical slider shot in there?) Try doing that with my massive AC130!

Yes mike, to do a vertical and 45o shot I had to buy a manfrotto bracket like this

Manfrotto 494 Ball Head with Friction Control: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo

It allowed me to angle the camera etc.. Forget to check the max holding weight but it worked great

PS do you use a slider with the 130?

Phil,

I bought an original Glidecam a few years back, used it on a test video... then never used it again! It's just too much hassle for me. It would be different if I did weddings/corporate I suppose.

The AC90 is showing as back in stock at long last at Creative Video (UK). Lets hope thats accurate as I've just ordered one :- ) Kinda hope nothing gets announced at NAB which may spoil my fun!

Pete

I was contacted a few days ago, that my AC90 was now available. Meanwhile though I had taken a refund and bought a secondhand AC160 instead. After playing with it for a couple weeks, I'm very happy with it, but (after testing a Steadicam Pilot over the weekend) I've also come to the conclusion that I probably won't get into professional filming after all, so I'm considering selling it again and getting the AC90 after all.

Some interesting features the AC160 has, which I hadn't read about in any of the datasheets or manuals:
- Screw mount on top of the handle for easy low-mode mounting
- The zoom ring is not a servo driver but actually mechanical, so snap-zooms are possible (the zoom servo/manual switch mechanically disengages the servo motor from the lens)
- Unfortunately not all of the status data is displayed on the external monitor of the steadicam, it seems only the "partial" selection is displayed but not "full" (for the builtin LCD you can choose between the two) so things like iris setting, Focal length and audio level meter are not visible on the external monitor, which makes operating with a steadicam or crane less desirable

I wonder if it's the same with the AC90?

Phil,

I bought an original Glidecam a few years back, used it on a test video... then never used it again! It's just too much hassle for me. It would be different if I did weddings/corporate I suppose.

Just to correct this.... I meant Glidetrack, not Glidecam!

Thanks Mike, I knew what you meant really.

Ethan, I love the ac90 for its portability and ease of use. After just finishing a colour grand and correction tutorial I realise any post editor would hate me for not setting up scenes better i.e. WB etc

To be fair, I am a beginner to the professional side but would like to have the knowledge to operate the 160 one day (probably by then it will be a different model)

phil, how did your shoot in the bar go? do you have any images to show us how the camera handle low light run and gun? it'd be great to see some!

Hi Andrew

It went well but I ended up with a mix of shots with the led light I bought and others that I should have graded/corrected in post edit.

The client wanted a video close to the 'American pie' type of thing and it got much worse hence the hesitancy to show it on here.

However if you inbox me i will send you the link :-)

The zoom ring is not a servo driver but actually mechanical, so snap-zooms are possible (the zoom servo/manual switch mechanically disengages the servo motor from the lens)

Can anyone please tell me if the AC90 works like this too?
Or is the manual zoom ring an electronic one like focus+iris?
Looking at this detail picture: http://business.panasonic.de/professional-kamera/sites/default/nfsfiles/professional-camera/product-thumbnails/AG-AC90_01_Lside_original.jpg it looks to me like it's an electronic one, not mechanically coupled, since I don't see any labeling in the ring like the AC160 has.

From what I've seen and read, all three rings are electronic/servo.

I love the manual zoom in my AC130, but I think it's the cheapest camcorder with that feature!

Thanks Phil. A crazy night! Were you using manual? How do feel the camera handled? Were you happy with the images?

Hi Andrew

a very crazy night indeed ha. I tried some shots on manual but I panicked and went back to auto. I felt it handled well although my post editing skills have improved since (using davinci resolve lite etc)

For the money and for my knowledge base it worked well. Im using it at a wedding in spain in 8 weeks so would be interested how it captures the beautiful spanish evening :-)