Panavision

[Afwasborstel]

What's the deal with Panavision. I know they make camera's buth u can never buy one(If I would win a lottery that is)..Do they only rent out those camera's? And what so special about them?

[Janne]

Do they only rent out those camera's?

They rent only.

And what so special about them?

The price.

[Mitch Perkins]

What's the deal with Panavision. I know they make camera's buth u can never buy one(If I would win a lottery that is)..Do they only rent out those camera's? And what so special about them?

In the States, Arri and Panavision de-throned The Mitchell Camera Corp. by introducing quieter, smaller, hand-holdable cameras for 35mm production. I don't know when - some time ago. Both continue to make state of the art gear.
Arri sells cameras to rental houses and individuals. Panavision rents 'em out themselves. Interesting question about why they do this, and only this.
Both offer full product support and an endless list of accessories.

Now if you'll excuse me, CSI Las Vegas is on.

Mitch

[MovieStuff]

In the States, Arri and Panavision de-throned The Mitchell Camera Corp. by introducing quieter, smaller, hand-holdable cameras for 35mm production. I don't know when - some time ago. Both continue to make state of the art gear.

Actually, Panavision cameras are Mitchell cameras, just as CP16 cameras are Auricons. Panavision bought out and based their early line on the dependable Mitchell movement and, indeed, many of the early Panavision cameras were merely Mitchell's with new housings. What really set Panavison apart was the introduction of their quality lenses. But the big Panavision cameras are numbingly heavy, compared to some competing 35mm cameras with the same specs. For this reason, you can sometimes get really good rental package deals on Panavision cameras, particularly the heavier ones, because unless someone really needs the Panavision glass, they can get by with a much lighter camera by a competing maker, such as Arriflex.

Arri sells cameras to rental houses and individuals. Panavision rents 'em out themselves. Interesting question about why they do this, and only this.

I was told by a former Panavision employee that they only rent for three reasons: One is to ensure quality control, which is easy to understand. The second is so they can retrofit new features to old chassis (a logical extension of the original Mitchell re-fit). That keeps costs down. The third is insurers for productions often charge less if you are using Panavision equipment since Panavision equipment basically has zero re-sell value. It is so widely known in the industry that you can't buy a current production model that if you had a break-in at a camera rental place, everything would be gone except for the Panavision gear. Only an idiot would buy a hot Panavision camera and, if he doesn't know it's hot, then he'll find out as soon as he tries to get customer service for a very complicated camera. ;)

Roger

[John_Pytlak]

Panavision history:

http://www.panavision.com/history.php

http://www.panavision.com/in_frame_deta ... 1&typeid=1

http://in70mm.com/newsletter/2002/67/pa ... /index.htm

http://www.theasc.com/magazine/sept03/sub/index.html

http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Panavision

I've worked closely with Panavision's Tak Miyagishima on several SMPTE and ISO/TC36 standards committees.

[Nigel]

Like Hughes Tool and Die you can only lease/rent their cameras...

As Roger stated what makes a Panavision a Panavision is their lenses. If you get a Pana these days it can often be an Arri/Movicam that has been "Panavised". I have shot with their Elaine and it wasn't anything by comparision to an other S16 camera out there but the lens package I had was second to none.

I have even been there as one took a dive into the drink...Within hours we were at the airport picking a new one up.

Panavision is:

A) Lenses
B) Service
C) Cameras

Good Luck

[Janne]

The second is so they can retrofit new features to old chassis (a logical extension of the original Mitchell re-fit). That keeps costs down.

If I remember right, they modified almost all Platinums for three perf. Not permanently, but after changing some parts they can be used for filming in three perf format. If a next customer wants to shoot with the regular format, they simply put the old parts back.

[tlatosmd]

AFAIK, Panavision took off by buying those outdating Cinemascope licenses during the early to mid-60s. So it's just wrong saying Cinemascope is not around anymore, it only goes under a different name now. Anyway, wasn't buying those licenses the only reason for Panavision's existence? They're but a part of Panasonic, after all.

[David M. Leugers]

AFAIK, Panavision took off by buying those outdating Cinemascope licenses during the early to mid-60s. So it's just wrong saying Cinemascope is not around anymore, it only goes under a different name now. Anyway, wasn't buying those licenses the only reason for Panavision's existence? They're but a part of Panasonic, after all.

Don't know about the Panasonic bit, but Panavision and their proprietary anamorphic lense system competed with and overtook Cinemascope, the original anamorphic wide screen process. Cinemascope was championed by Fox and used Bausch and Lomb lenses. By 1965 the industry had completely changed over to the sharper lenses of Panavision when Fox finally threw in the towel and abandoned the Cinemascope system in favour of Panavision. It was always about the glass... They do make nice and reliable cameras, though Arri has reached new heights in camera design. Panavision has slumped in recent years, not so much due to their cameras, but the fact that many if not most features are no longer shot in anamorphic wide screen. Most films are shot using spherical lenses and often in the "Super-35" format. If it were not for the great improvements in film stocks, the difference in quality would be glaring... You still see the "Filmed with Panavison cameras" credit on a lot of films, even if not shot in "Panavision".


David M. Leugers

[Afwasborstel]

So..to sum up a few post's...and correct me if I'm wrong..

Panavision is more than a cameraname...It's also a format(Cinemascope)....wich Panavision had the rights to...
So if they want to shoot in Cinemascope they had to use Panavision camera's due to the whole rights issue..

So it's something like the whole Technicolor thingy...Build or get yourself a format and be the only one who can or may do that..

[Mitch Perkins]

In the States, Arri and Panavision de-throned The Mitchell Camera Corp. by introducing quieter, smaller, hand-holdable cameras for 35mm production. I don't know when - some time ago. Both continue to make state of the art gear.

Actually, Panavision cameras are Mitchell cameras, just as CP16 cameras are Auricons. Panavision bought out and based their early line on the dependable Mitchell movement and, indeed, many of the early Panavision cameras were merely Mitchell's with new housings.

Strangely comforting to know...thanks. I wonder if the Mickey Mouse ears'll ever make a comeback?
Maybe the current light colour of the mags is protection from the California sun, and to let everyone know it's there...

What really set Panavison apart was the introduction of their quality lenses.

I've heard that can be important. ~:?)

Arri sells cameras to rental houses and individuals. Panavision rents 'em out themselves. Interesting question about why they do this, and only this.

insurers for productions often charge less if you are using Panavision equipment since Panavision equipment basically has zero re-sell value.

Another great reason to shoot film!

Only an idiot would buy a hot Panavision camera and, if he doesn't know it's hot, then he'll find out as soon as he tries to get customer service for a very complicated camera. ;)

Roger

You could just set it up in the corner and admire it - shout "action!" now and then, when the mood strikes. Only an idiot would do that though. ~:?)

Back when I was trying to figure out how to create those shutterless streaks, the fellow I talked with at Panavision was very helpful with some good advice, and never once hinted at how I was wasting his time at all...

Mitch

[Afwasborstel]

You could just set it up in the corner and admire it - shout "action!" now and then, when the mood strikes. Only an idiot would do that though. ~:?)

Only if u use a clapperboard when u do that..otherwise it would be weird