Originally Posted by Jon Springer (Post 1743462)

Well, the lens / accessory argument is a bit of a straw man, since everyone has to buy a set of usable lenses, batteries, etc. no matter what camera they buy. I was referring to a body and viewfinder for under 20K. And at the risk of just pitting one speculation against the other, I would offer the example of what Panasonic was able to do with the HPX500…i.e. engineer an inexpensive ENG body around an existing sensor and memory technology for under 12K (for the body) and another 2K (for a decent SD viewfinder).

I don’t think it’s such a stretch to suggest that a manufacturer like Sony could build a decent ENG body around their existing Exmor sensor to retail for around 15K, with another 5K for a good HD EVF. Plus, with an ENG form factor as a starting point, you are automatically saving thousands on the economic juggernaut of overpriced 3rd party accessories that are needed just to get these palmcorders, still cameras and plastic bricks to the point of being usable in a real-world ENG scenario.




Why they have embraced such a difficult form factor is a question worth analyzing, I think. And it's inevitable that some will come to realize the advantages of a better ergonomic. The very fact that Fujinon is making a lens like the Cabrio is evidence that a large sensor ENG configuration is part of that future...with much cheaper versions becoming available on the horizon I bet.

Nearly all the shooters I know lament the ergonomic limitations of their 5D’s, FS100’s and the like. But we have no choice, because producers are demanding the look of these cameras more and more, and then the job of the DP becomes twice as difficult because of the non-professional form factor. It doesn’t have to be that way…or does it?




How so? I don’t think the HPX500 eroded Panasonic’s higher end offerings at all. In fact, I think that camera actually became a stepping stone to the higher end P2 gear for many shooters.

.

Originally Posted by Chris Medico (Post 1744270)

You must evaluate the total cost of ownership. To disregard that info is naive. Total cost must include everything needed to make a functioning system and not just the camera body.

Originally Posted by Chris Medico (Post 1744353)

What form factor/design would work better (I'm asking seriously and not to be adversarial). How would you design it if you were given a clean slate to work from?

Originally Posted by Chris Medico (Post 1744270)

I had a good talk with someone inside Sony today and based on that conversation the probability of a large imager ENG style camera below $25k (body only) from Sony is near zero. They acknowledged the request has been heard but responded that a S35 imager ENG camera wasn't practical. Especially under $20-25k.

Originally Posted by Alister Chapman (Post 1744318)

I know the shoulder mount is available on it's own, but it's ridiculously over engineered and I didn't find the camera particularly stable on it due to the sliding camera mounting plate and small mounting surface area. Not sure who designs half this stuff but it doesn't appear to be camera operators. LW15 to optical axis is only 85mm. The FS700 is 55mm from the lens axis to the base, so the shoulder mount only needs to be 45mm tall.

Originally Posted by Mike Marriage (Post 1744379)

The JVC GY-HM700 is, in my opinion, the best camera available in regards ergonomics. It is small and light. It is effortless on the shoulder, on the hip, on a tripod or other grip equipment.