John Cummings

Has anyone out there using the 730S noticed an abnormally high rate of bright/stuck pixels? I bought this camera to use on reality-type shoots...and have found that it often gets hot as a pistol after it's been running for any length of time. Then the bad pixel thing starts happening...far worse problems than with any other camera I've ever used. I sent it in to Sony under warranty and they hid them. Now the camera is out of warranty and the bad pixels are starting to pile up. Multiple black balances don't hide them...I assume the buffer is totally filled. It's going in for repair again this week. My theory is that this camera has inadequate cooling and/or design issues with the block. I know, it's only a 730S, but it's still a chunk of change...I think Sony can do better. Have a 730S? What's been your experience with this camera? John Cummings Chicago

I should have guessed! HGTV is becoming the new MTV for the middle aged with money. I haven't weighed my camera fully loaded, but I'm not suprised by the figure you mentioned. We always run wide zooms, dual wirelesses and LCD monitors. I gave up using a matte box full time unless I need the eyebrow or a grad, just too much weight and the show doesn't like filtration anyway. I use a 730S and my second operator runs a 900...similarly equipped...but without handles. I can only imagine what a strain that much weight puts on his lens (and lens mount)...let alone his shoulder and back. I know he's already salivating over the new 900R....me too. BTW, I have a picture of that handle system on my home page if you want to take a look. It cost me about a day and a half of my rate...money very well spent for a middle aged cameraman...creak.... John

I'm in the same boat on an HGTV show that's almost all hand held. I bought the dual heavy-duty handles from Chrosziel that attach to the front mounting plate. They allow me to distribute some of the weight onto my arms, and that makes a big difference. Going dutch on shots is much easier and overall it makes gliding the camera around these houses look much, much better. I can't say enough about these handles. The only downside is you only get VTR stop-start on the right handle....no servo zoom. I'm currently looking into mounting a zoom control on it. Another hassle is you can't easily set the camera down on the floor. I usually look for a chair to park it on between takes or keep my tripod somewhere nearby. Hang in there buddy, we all feel your pain.

Funny thing, Mike. I've been shopping around for the same thing this week for my Sony. I wanted to take the monitor to a shoot in Mexico so my clients could feel good about all that dough they're spending on HD. Looks like I'll do a downconverted monitor. I was hoping to find a pelican-type case as opposed to an anvil sort of thing, but alas, no joy. I thought about putting it in an old hard-sided suitcase, but I don't want to look like a second hand store operation (even though that may be closer to the truth :-) I would think there's a good market for that sort of setup. I would also think there could be a market for someone that can "ruggedize" these panels for field use. With beefy, detachable stands or mounting hardware so they can just tilt up out of a case. If you find one, let us know. John

All good points, David. I wouldn't suggest that buying is right for everyone, but my point was that there is more than one business model and no absolutes in this industry. I would imagine that many of the people that read these posts, like me, spend 80 percent of their time making money doing the more mundane work that allows them to support their more artistic endeavors. My business model skews toward broadcast entertainment and corporate, but it does allow me to have the house, the kids, the gear and the freedom to play in your backyard if I so desire. So, for some people that might be on the fence, buying may make sense for them. Not only can they rent their cameras to trusted associates for an addtional revenue stream, they also get the opportunity to try to master their equipment, experiment, grow and perhaps take a flyer on something that might help take them to the next level of their craft. Finally, at age 40, I did hock everything and bought equipment hoping work would show up. It did. John Cummings

This may be OT and a topic for a new thread, but I guess I disagree with Phil about renting. I own three cameras (1 HD) and can easily cover the payments with just 2-3 shooting days a month. The remaining several days of monthly revenue goes into my pocket. Cameras generate a tremendous amount of cash flow that would otherwise go to the rental company. Add in the tax advantages--and they're significant--along with the residual value of the equipment when you sell, and the hassle of picking up and dropping off rental gear, I think that one can make a strong case for buying. As far as maintainance and repairs, they're really minimal because you're really dealing with low hour usage when you only use the gear yourself. And because you take better care of your own equipment, it lasts much longer. When it comes time for head replacement (it took me six years to get there with my betacam) what's a few thousand bucks compared to the 3-4 hundred thousand dollars or more that the camera will generate over it's lifetime? Just another point of view. cheers- John Cummings