Any Panasonic HMC-150/151e user?

[Roy_1982]

I think with a bit of haggling and genuine intention to a purchase you may get some free gifts and a few dollars cheaper.

Think its better not to fall for free gifts such as SD cards cos these cards will get cheaper by the months to come.
But a protective bag should come in handy.

BTW which Hai Chew did you go to? There is one in Sim Lim Tower and there's another in Sim Lim Square.
The latter is most likely tagging a higher price due to the targeted tourist and higher rent space.

In any case, as long as the price is lower than what's offered in the U.S or Europe than I think it's a good toy to buy.

Crap, I didn't notice they have a branch at Sim Lim Tower, could've crossed over from Sim Lim Square to inquire about it...
Gotta waste time for another trip down again and it doesn't help at all when I'm living up north...

Yeah, I understand that free gifts are sometimes quite redundant, but considering the cost of a 16GB SDHC card is close to 50 bucks, I think the additional $100 Sensys is charging for the camera is quite justifiable...

Just a personal comment, I feel pretty intimidated walking into Hai Chew @ Sim Lim Square...
The kind of glares that I get from the numerous salespeople loitering freely around...
It's almost like I'm a prey walking into a trap and having all the predators ready to pound on me... :embrass:

 

[Desertfox]

I live up north too.

Do you happen to know if Sensys is offering a Class 2, 4 or Class 6 SDHC?

Yes the salesperson in SiM Lim are like wolves...but its nothing personal...just business as usual I guess.. The last time I asked they offered me 4.9k.. That's $100 more than what they offered you...so consider yourself lucky!
The targets I guess are tourist who actually gain by the GST refund at the airport. As we chatter online, all these merchandise companies could be preying on us......so its better to research, make comparisons and weigh on what you really need I guess. As for me personally I don't need much power or data space for this toy at this point of time unless I'm planning to shoot a 90 or 120 min soap opera. I'd rather buy the camera stripped clean and invest on a good tripod, upgrade the PC/MAC or purchase an external microphone.

 

[samvision]

Honestly i still find sensys prices and services quite competative,
you might want to check with Eddy from Sensys.
Usually they got packages for bags and other accessiories as well.
Just cant make up my mind btw the HPX172 and HMC152.
Cost versus quality ...sian

http://www.sensys.com.sg/ContactUs.asp

 

[Roy_1982]

I live up north too.

Do you happen to know if Sensys is offering a Class 2, 4 or Class 6 SDHC?

Yes the salesperson in SiM Lim are like wolves...but its nothing personal...just business as usual I guess.. The last time I asked they offered me 4.9k.. That's $100 more than what they offered you...so consider yourself lucky!
The targets I guess are tourist who actually gain by the GST refund at the airport. As we chatter online, all these merchandise companies could be preying on us......so its better to research, make comparisons and weigh on what you really need I guess. As for me personally I don't need much power or data space for this toy at this point of time unless I'm planning to shoot a 90 or 120 min soap opera. I'd rather buy the camera stripped clean and invest on a good tripod, upgrade the PC/MAC or purchase an external microphone.

Since they're 16GB SDHC cards, my guess is they're Class 6, I'm just guessing though...

Are you planning on getting this camera?
Maybe by any chance we can knock a few bucks off if we purchase two cameras at the same time...
If I do get the camera, I'm also planning on getting a tripod and a shotgun microphone...
But seems like a camera bag and an extra battery top the priority chart first...

 

[Roy_1982]

Honestly i still find sensys prices and services quite competative,
you might want to check with Eddy from Sensys.
Usually they got packages for bags and other accessiories as well.
Just cant make up my mind btw the HPX172 and HMC152.
Cost versus quality ...sian

http://www.sensys.com.sg/ContactUs.asp

Everything about P2 totally blows my budget...
What definitely got me swaying towards HMC152 is the use of the (much cheaper) SDHC cards...
Of course, quality wise maybe they're of compromise, but I guess at the end of the day, it depends on what we use the captured footages for...

Should you consider to get the HMC152, maybe you can join myself and (maybe) Desertfox in getting the camera...
Hopefully will get a bigger discount... :embrass:

 

[Desertfox]

Playing with the toy with a slight hole in the wallet already. Should have got to know me earlier so that we can feel the pain together. Haha.

There's also a Class 4, 16 GB SDHC cards. Class 6 is currently the most expensive. I will spare myself from the technical differences cos in my case, Class 4 is cheaper than Class 6 but for an amateur user like myself, only the price tag will make the big difference!
Bear in mind that 32GB or 16GB SDHC cards may cost much lesser in 6 months time. I rather wait for price to drop and use a cheap 4GB Class 2 card and invest in a hard disk for back up.

In any case if you enjoy shooting digital photo cameras and just love the hassle freedom of shooting with an inexpensive SD cards, HMC 152 is the way to go!

To me tape shot in any format is now analogue.

 

[Roy_1982]

Playing with the toy with a slight hole in the wallet already. Should have got to know me earlier so that we can feel the pain together. Haha.

There's also a Class 4, 16 GB SDHC cards. Class 6 is currently the most expensive. I will spare myself from the technical differences cos in my case, Class 4 is cheaper than Class 6 but for an amateur user like myself, only the price tag will make the big difference!

Oh man!
Since you're already a user of the HMC152, it'll be good if you can share your experiences with it...
Have you posted it anywhere?
Maybe what's the good and the bad about it and what do you generally use it for?

Budgets always matter, if not we'll see ourselves getting the P2 versions instead of SDHC...

 

[Desertfox]

Frankly speaking I'm using it as an expensive family movie/toy. But I would love to do some freelance work with it whenever available.

Just got it recently and still trying to get accustomed to it since I'm more of a Sony guy.
However, I would recommend it to all who used to shoot manually with DVX100. and those would like to upgrade and shoot in HD. DVX100 has been a cult camera for 4 or 5 years due to its cine like gamma so I think the popularity of HCM 152 will also last that long in the now HD world. It's worth the 2 months research at the library, internet forums and shops! I think wedding video makers should also start to charge higher cos it can be a pain to edit HD format compared to SD!

Bad: No interval shoot mode

Overall: Cheap and Good!

 

[Roy_1982]

Frankly speaking I'm using it as an expensive family movie/toy. But I would love to do some freelance work with it whenever available.

Just got it recently and still trying to get accustomed to it since I'm more of a Sony guy.
However, I would recommend it to all who used to shoot manually with DVX100. and those would like to upgrade and shoot in HD. DVX100 has been a cult camera for 4 or 5 years due to its cine like gamma so I think the popularity of HCM 152 will also last that long in the now HD world. It's worth the 2 months research at the library, internet forums and shops! I think wedding video makers should also start to charge higher cos it can be a pain to edit HD format compared to SD!

Bad: No interval shoot mode

Overall: Cheap and Good!

To be honest, I'm also most likely gonna use the camera as an expensive toy, but for personal use... :embrass:
Although I have 'bigger' plans to use the camera for, but until the ideas come into fruition, it'll remain as an expensive toy...
Also, I'm not a believer of the saying something about 'it's not about the camera but the person behind the camera' theory...
Certain achievements/look on film are limited by the type of equipment(s) being used...

Regarding the wedding videos, sadly the typical mentalities of the customers are 'cheap and good'...
Don't think a handful of wedding video makers film in HD do they?
Even if they do, final output is still going to be on the DVD format, so it kinda defeats the purpose in getting HD equipments in the first place anyway...

Thanks for sharing your experiences with the camera...
Hands getting kinda itchy here... I want one! :bsmilie:

 

[azman]

Hi Guys,

There's also a Class 4, 16 GB SDHC cards. Class 6 is currently the most expensive. I will spare myself from the technical differences cos in my case, Class 4 is cheaper than Class 6 but for an amateur user like myself, only the price tag will make the big difference!
Bear in mind that 32GB or 16GB SDHC cards may cost much lesser in 6 months time. I rather wait for price to drop and use a cheap 4GB Class 2 card and invest in a hard disk for back up.

Try not to use Class 2 SD Cards for HMC152. Forumers in DVXUSER Forum complained of problems when using Class 2. The pros in US & Europe recommend at least a Class 4.

Do you happen to know if Sensys is offering a Class 2, 4 or Class 6 SDHC?

SENSYS is offering Panasonic 16GB Class 6 SDHC Card.

Yeah, I understand that free gifts are sometimes quite redundant, but considering the cost of a 16GB SDHC card is close to 50 bucks, I think the additional $100 Sensys is charging for the camera is quite justifiable...

According to the sales engineer at SENSYS, the cost of a Panasonic 16GB SD Card is S$199. I can't compare that price anywhere in Singapore because I can't find a shop that sell it.

 

[Desertfox]

Thanks Azman.

I'm already shopping online for more 4GB Class 4 SD cards.

 

[Roy_1982]

According to the sales engineer at SENSYS, the cost of a Panasonic 16GB SD Card is S$199. I can't compare that price anywhere in Singapore because I can't find a shop that sell it.

S$199? No way...
I mean, although it's not sold anywhere in Singapore, that price is kinda ridiculous...
If Class 4 is sufficient, with that price, one can get 4 x 16GB SDHC Class 4 cards...

Anyway, I should be heading down to Sensys in the afternoon to check out what prices/package they have to offer...
If everything's good, I may come home with a new toy...
So exciting...

 

[azman]

Yup. I also think the pricing is ridiculous. I did a search and could not even find a local on-line dealer that sells it.

I bought a 16GB Class 6 Transcend card at MemoryWorld @ Sim Lim Square last December for S$72/-. I think it's at least S$10/- cheaper by now.

You're getting an HMC152 this afternoon ? That's great !!
Have fun with your new toy And don't forget to let us know your discoveries of its Good and Not So Good behaviour

 

[Roy_1982]

I'm home with the camera along with a HUGE hole in my wallet!

The package was originally with 2 x Panasonic 16GB Class 6 SDHC memory cards and an original large capacity battery...
But I managed to get the core package without the extra items mentioned above...

Gosh, honestly my heart is aching now for spending so much when I'm not earning just as enough... :cry:
But for hobby sake and for my future plans ahead with this camera, I really hope something does take off...

 

[azman]

How much did you pay for the package without the freebies then ?

 

[Roy_1982]

How much did you pay for the package without the freebies then ?

S$4500 before GST...
I believe it's more worth the value if I were to take the freebies and pay the extra...
But I was sorta mentality ready to only part the cash for the camera for now... :embrass:
Extra stuff like camera bag, 2nd battery, memory cards and tripod can be purchased later...

 

[azman]

S$4500 is a great price

Yup, you're right. The 2nd battery, bag & cards can be purchased later.

However, the battery that comes with the camera can only last up to 90 minutes. But it is long enough for you to make some indoor and outdoor test shots using the various bitrates and settings.

I recommend you learn to use the Waveform Monitor :thumbsup: It can help a lot in determining whether your shot is under or overexposed.

Enjoy you new toy !! :gbounce:

 

[Desertfox]

Welcome to the club Roy!

Its worth the hole in the wallet!

 

[Roy_1982]

S$4500 is a great price

Yup, you're right. The 2nd battery, bag & cards can be purchased later.

However, the battery that comes with the camera can only last up to 90 minutes. But it is long enough for you to make some indoor and outdoor test shots using the various bitrates and settings.

I recommend you learn to use the Waveform Monitor :thumbsup: It can help a lot in determining whether your shot is under or overexposed.

Enjoy you new toy !! :gbounce:

Yup, the waveform is a very professional tool to determine exposure levels and it's a cool feature to have...
Alongside, I've got zebra enabled, that also helps quite a bit...

Welcome to the club Roy!

Its worth the hole in the wallet!

Thanks and I'll try to ensure that every single cent is well worth it...

 

[Roy_1982]

Uh, one question guys...
Where can I locate the serial number of the camera?
Can't seem to find it anywhere...