Cameracranes have purchased a Panasonic Varicam.

The AJ-HDC27 VariCam HD Cinema Camera brings variable frame rate acquisition to the DVCPRO HD product line up. This is the first high definition production camera that is capable of variable frame rate at the touch of a button. Individual frame rates may be selected from: 4-fps to 60-fps in single frame increments. Frame rates may be changed during recording. Designed as a high quality production camera, this native HD camcorder can be used for 60-fps or the film-like 24-fps acquisition. When acquiring for 24-fps projects, higher than 24-fps operation can be processed for slow motion effects while slower than 24-fps operation can be processed to speed up motion. Additionally, the variable frame rates and related variable shutter speeds create some very interesting ghost like motion blur effects, warp speed zoom effects, and long exposure still shots typical of what one might see in music videos, sci-fi dramas and dream sequences.

The camera has the capability to emulate film's gradual transfer function performance (i.e. CineGammaTM). This function greatly increases the camera's usable dynamic range, especially in traditionally limiting areas such as highlight handling, which until now was a serious limitation for most HD cameras. CineGamma provides the user with a much closer approximation of film's renowned ability to maintain smooth image tonality even when gently compressing extreme highlights. Cinematographers are able through the CineGamma feature to control the camera's gamma transfer function to best optimize control over tonality, from extreme highlights to the lowest of shadow areas.

The AJ-HDC27 VariCam serves multiple roles: 1.) as a 24-fps camera, 25fps, 30fps, Native Progressive scan 2.) as a standard 60-fps video camera, and 3.) as a variable frame rate special effects camera.

The AJ-HDC27 enables cinematographers to capture images over an extremely wide range of selectable frame rates: step-frame from 4 to 60 fps (frames per second).

AJ-HDC27 camera head features
2/3" high definition IT-3CCD, 1,000,000 pixels
Advanced digital signal processing
33 shooting frame rates: 4 ~ 60-fps (4 to 33-fps, 36-fps, 40-fps, 60-fps), & 24p shooting sensitivity: f12/2,000 lux, 50 % shutter, 1,000 ASA
60p shooting sensitivity: f10/2,000 lux – 800 ASA
Cine-Gamma function
Built-in scan reverse function
Prime lens for 35 mm film is usable with lens adaptor
Optimum colour fidelity – programmable 12 pole linear matrix
Variable shutter (synchro scan) & Selectable optical filters ND, CC.
8 scene files (4 files using internal memory, 4 files using SD Memory Card)
Adoption of film accessories possible (ARRI, Chrosziel....)

AJ-HDC27 VTR section features
DVCPROHD (100 Mbps) digital component recording
Recording format: DVCPROHD
Max. recording time: 46 min.
Time lapse function
HD-SDI output

AJ-HDC27 specifications
Power requirements 12 V (11 - 17 V)
Power consumption 39 W incl. 1.5" viewfinder
Weight 6.8 kg / 15 lb (fully operational)

Click here to download Varicam brochure.