Which SP to keep

[2000lux]

We're getting a new SX camera, so we need to send back one of our SPs.

One is a Sony 300A. I have always found it very reliable. However, it has been dropped so the warning light flashes constantly when you record.

The other is a Sony 400. It drains batteries much more slowly than the 300A. However, when I first got here a couple of years ago I had trouble with it giving me wacky colors, or once no color. Our engineers claim it's been fixed, but that usually just means the heads have been cleaned. I wouldn't be suprised if it has been dropped too.

The 300 has a good lens, but we can of course put that on the 400 (the lens on that one stutters when you zoom).

Which would you keep?

[dhart]

Need to send both cameras either to Sony or Roger Macie for evaluation. To be blunt in house engineers usually don't know what they are doing. Make your decision after the cameras are checked out. If the 400 is in better shape I'd keep it, but the 300A is a fine camera ( I used to own one)

[Wideangle]

Ditto....make sure the camera that you plan to keep is set-up with the lens that you want to keep as well...Macie is a good choice and not far from your
location.

[2000lux]

I would love to send them to Sony or Roger Mackie for evaluation. That would be great. However, ours is a phonomenally cheap station and that is just a pipe dream.

I'm thinking the 400 might be the best choice becuase of the power consumption and the clear scan (the 300 doesn't have that). I still don't trust it as much as the 300 though. Perhaps they can fix it up.
I don't think they'll be buying AB bricks for the SPs. All the ones we have now are at least five years old. The new SX cameras use lithiums. That makes power consumption a real issue.

[imported_blank]

Who is Mackie??? Sounds like some recording device.

Hey Lux-Dude, I hope you don't hate me for my previous post remark - you know I luv ya man and I was only jiving. :D

Hey why don't you tell the bean counters to send out both SP cams and purchase a handy-cam? That way YOU can be the VJ :mad:

But seriously, I sincerely hope that your back is better. :)

[2000lux]

No offense taken man. I knew it was a joke. If you look at that thread you'll see I had a good laugh over that comment. :D

I took a couple days off and then went back to work. My back's not all better yet, but at least I can stand. Exercise usually makes it feel better so working is actually good.

Roger Mackie is a camera tech' guru in the Boston area (I think) who many high end freelancers rely on to set up their cameras and keep them running in tip top shape.

[Tippster]

Clear scan? So it's a 400a. Definitely keep that one, it's still the workhorse of the industry, with plenty of parts available.

...and it's Macie - no "k." ;)

[ November 11, 2004, 09:14 AM: Message edited by: Tippster ]

[Sportsguy]

I used to shoot on a 300A... How do the pictures from that compare to the 400A?

[2000lux]

Actually I just checked it. It doesn't have clear scan after all. Just shutter speeds 100 - 2000. I think it's just a regular 400.

I don't think the image is as good as the 300A.

One of the things I've been considering is the availablility of parts. Is there a shortage of 300A parts? We're going to be stuck with it for at least another year.

[dinosaur]

There are several factors to consider when choosing between the two well worn cameras. You're certainly not making a choice about new, "out of the box" cameras.

There is still a distinct difference between both models. The 400 will consume a couple of more watts of power than a 300a. The CCD block of the 400 is decidedly better. The 300a has what is known as a "IT" CCD block and the 400 has a "FIT" CCD block. That makes the 400 about one stop more light sensitive than the 300a. The 400's horizontal resolution is higher, thus a better picture based on specs alone. However, the history and wear and tear of each camera should be closely scrutinized. Does either camera have dead or "open" pixels. Another critical area is how many hours are on the VTR's upper and lower head drum. If you can hear the heads spinning loudly when you start or stop the camera out of st-by, that means that you are on the verge of needing a new lower head drum. The lower drum is the motor, spindle and bearings that turn the upper head drum with the embeded recording heads at the necessary high RPM rate. The entire upper and lower drum assembly can cost $4000.00 to replace. Original Sony lower drums are only rated for 2000 to 3000 hrs of use.

The condition of each camera's tape path, head drum, pinch roller, guides, audio heads and takeup brakes along with the condition of the ribbon cables, circuit board capacitors, audio switch condition are all factors to consider. The VTR's condition and age is just as important in choosing which camera to keep as the quality of the picture each camera makes. You can easily check the operating hours of each camera, but only a maintainence log will tell the real tale of each camera.

The condition of each lens can also be a factor in the look of each camera. Check the camera resolution and alignment of the lenses on a chart.Use your best lens on both cameras to evaluate them.

[ November 11, 2004, 07:15 PM: Message edited by: dinosaur ]