The Convergent Design Odyssey7Q+ is one of the most versatile and powerful 4K raw recorders available on the market today. With it, users can get the maximum out of cameras like the Sony FS700, FS7 and FS5. However, higher end cameras like the ARRI Alexa and Panasonic Varicam LT can also take advantage of the Raw support that the Odyssey7Q+ offers. Recently, Panasonic released a firmware update, which enabled the 4K Raw output of the Varicam LT, the smaller brother to the Varicam 35, which can only output a Raw signal to a dedicated Codex recorder, making it thus a rental only options that is out of reach for smaller productions and 99% of single operators.
The more compact Varicam LT however, is the first of the Varicam family to be able to output a 4K raw signal to third party recorders such as the Odyssey7Q+ from Convergent Design. Thanks to Firmware 4.0 the Panasonic Varicam LT can now output 12bit 4K Raw up to 30p via a single SDI, or 10bit 4K/60p Raw via Dual-link SDI to a compatible external recorder such as the Odyssey7Q+ and the new Atomos Shogun Inferno. Firmware 4.0 update is free of charge for Varicam LT owners.
Panasonic Varicam LT Features and Highlights
- 4K Super35 CMOS Sensor
- Native Canon EF mount (PL mount extra option – easily user swappable)
- 2K/Full HD 240fps Slow-Motion (uses sensor crop)
- 4K/60p and Full HD ProRes 4444 & 422HQ
- 4K/60p Raw to Convergent Design Odyssey7Q+
- Built-in ND filters: 0.6/1.2/1.8
- User Removable IR Cut filter
- Single ExpressP2 card Slot for Main 4K/2K/HD recording
- SDXC Card slot for Proxy Long GOP recording
- Dual Native ISO – 800/5000
- Optional OLED viewfinder ($5,400 at B&H)
- 3 x SDI Out (dedicated one for Viewfinder)
- Support for 3rd Party Viewfinders like Zacuto Gratical and BMD URSA Viewfinder
- 2 x XLR inputs – 4 x Channel Audio 24bit/48kHz LPCM
- Pre-Rec / Interval rec / One-Shot Rec
- V-Gamut – exceeds BT.2020 HDR colour space
- 14+ Stops Dynamic Range with V-Log
- V-Look and BC-Look Presets – similar to WideDR on Canon C300 (mix between V-Log and Rec.709 for faster turnaround)
- Weight: 2.7 kg / under 6 lbs.
If you are a Panasonic Varicam LT owner-operator, a rental house who has the LT in their fleet, or a cinematographer considering the Varicam LT for their next project, you can check out the one and only Mitch Gross from Convergent Design give you a comprehensive 30+ minute tutorial on how to record 4K Raw from the Varicam LT with the Odyssey7Q+:
It is also recommended to check out these Quick Notes that Convergent Design have prepared to help you get going with capturing Raw with your Varicam LT on the Odyssey7Q+.
It’s worth pointing out also that the V-Raw support for the Varicam LT requires the Odyssey Raw Bundle, which can be purchased as a one time deal for $995 directly from Convergent Design or rented on a daily basis for $99. The Raw Bundle includes Sony FS RAW (FS5, FS7 and FS700), Canon Raw (C300 II and C500), VariCam LT Raw, ARRIRAW, POV Raw and future Raw recording options.
For those of you who attended IBC 2016 in Amsterdam back in September, you may have seen some of the amazing Varicam 35 and LT footage that Panasonic were demoing in their Cinema booth at their stand. Recently, Panasonic released a Sizzle Reel cut from these TV and cinema productions, which you can check out below:
I am a huge fan of the Panasonic VariCam LT, it’s a proper cinema/production camera with huge potential in Broadcast and Film, and it has been used successfully on a few productions all over the world so far with plenty more to come.
The Varicam LT shares the 14+ stops DR sensor (with the dual native ISO) with the Varicam 35, but unlike it’s bigger brother us much more easier to be used by a single operator thanks to the more compact design. It’s not a light camera at all, it’s heavy, chunky and built like a tank, but in order to survive the gruelling conditions on set on a major TV drama or narrative film – it simply has to be.
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