Panasonic TM700

[Tonistein]

Ordered a Panasonic TM700 from Adorama thru Amazon on 29 Dec. Arrived this morning in good condition & tested OK. Cost US$834 incl shipping = S$1106 + GST $87
I bought my first TM700 from Alanphoto in August at $2100 with freebies like extra battery, 16Gb SD card & a small bag. The online model only comes with standard accessories & the charger cable is different from the local one & no warranty. Apart from that both cams are identical & it's a good buy considering that the greenback is losing it's value.

 

[munwei]

The version from Adorama is the NTSC version right? I hear that the US camcorders could produce flickering images under fluorescent light because of the different voltage frequency in the US and UK/Singapore. Do you know if this is the case?

Much tks & rgds.

MW Chan

 

[Cursor]

I got it at about $1800 from MS color just 2 months ago. Come with a extra panasonic battery.
So at least you got a $600 saving there.
I think there is AC cable in my box. The normal 3 pins and 2 pins type.
I also have the idea of buying from Adorama at first, but due to the following reasons between NTSC and PAL, I gave up on the order and order from MS color.
1) Play back issue.
2) Flicking issue,
3) Pricing betweenm NTSC set and PAL set.
4) Delivery Time.

After some read up. Problem 1 is not really an issue at all. Cos most TV set now is mulit system, so will play from any NTSC player. Also I will likely to do post editing, I can render the final output to PAL if necessary.
2nd problem seem to be a theoretical issue.... it always been rised but it never seem to reported with such issue on usage (but maybe I didn't google enough).
3rd reason is just my own thinking.... cos PAL set is always much more expensive for TM700 as compare to NTSC. Not sure why, it could be PAL encoder is more expensive or PAL unit need better components, or may just simpily they build less PAL unit, so demand drive up the price....
Lastly, When I wanted to place my order, their delivery time is at least 2 weeks. As once they sent it out is beyond their control. They can only track it. So 2 weeks is the average, further more, with X'mas around the corner, the delivery time also expected to increase. So since that time I need it 2 weeks after I decide to order, and for a peace of mind I order from MS color, which only need 2 working day to get the set into their shop. So I got more time to play with it before I put it to action.

 

[Cursor]

Btw, if you need those high capacity battery, can get it from ebay.

 

[garagez]

got it early nov from B&H , battery life no good, got 3rd party batt from worcell.com

 

[Alphonse]

got it early nov from B&H , battery life no good, got 3rd party batt from worcell.com

I bought my TM700 also from B&H. However I tested some 3rd party batt at sim lim, they all don't work... ... show error message that you can't do about it. Have the battery from worcell.com tested?

 

[Cursor]

I got one 3rd party one and one is packaged as panasonic. both works well with the charger and the camera.
The link is the 2 ebay seller I bought from. Note that the one that I bought is of higher capacity then the one which come with the video camera.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Panasonic-VW-VB...rofessional_Video_Cameras&hash=item230c61ae9c

http://cgi.ebay.com/VW-VBG260-Batte...063?pt=Batteries_Chargers&hash=item43a429e9b7

 

[garagez]

I bought my TM700 also from B&H. However I tested some 3rd party batt at sim lim, they all don't work... ... show error message that you can't do about it. Have the battery from worcell.com tested?

so far i used it with no issue

 

[tommytang]

The bigger battery makes it hard to use the EVF and unbalance the camera.

 

[Cursor]

it really depend on what u need. Uninterrupted filming for hrs will need bigger capacity battery.