Panavision cameras have been a staple of Hollywood filmmaking for over 50 years, but is rapidly losing ground to the rising digital cameras like the Red One. And it’s not entirely for technical reasons:
Some of Panavision’s problems parallel those facing other companies in the production industry. The company has been hit hard by the steep downturn that began last year during the Hollywood writers strike and the subsequent standoff between the major studios and the Screen Actors Guild. The economic recession also led studios to make fewer movies and advertisers to cut back on making commercials, further weakening demand for filmmaking equipment.
The article also makes a great reference toward the end:
In addition to renting the camera, Red Digital Cinema sells its camera and accessories for about $30,000, making digital cameras affordable for filmmakers. By contrast, Panavision cameras aren’t for sale and typically rent from $10,000 to $60,000 a week.
If you can rent for $60k/week, or buy for $30k permanently, what are you gonna choose?
via Panavision’s future is in need of focus – Los Angeles Times via Final Cut User.
