Panavision cameras

The following is a list of Panavision's various cameras and camera systems.

Panavision Silent Reflex

• Panavision Silent Reflex (1967)

Panaflex and Panaflex Gold

Panavision movie camera R-200°

Panaflex (1972)

Panaflex-X (1974)

Panaflex Lightweight (1975)

The Panaflex Lightweight is a sync-sound 35 mm motion picture camera, stripped of all components not essential for work with "floating camera" systems such as the Steadicam. Contemporary cameras such as the Panavision Gold II can weigh as much as 60 lb (27 kg) depending on configuration. The Panaflex Lightweight II (1993) is crystal-controlled in one-frame increments between four and 36 frames per second, and has a fixed focal-plane shutter. 200°, 180°, 172.8° or 144° shutters can be installed by Panavision prior to rental per the customer's order. This camera is still available through Panavision.

Panaflex Gold (1976)

Panaflex Gold II (1987)

The Panaflex Gold II is a sync-sound 35 mm motion picture camera. It is capable of crystal sync at 24 and 25 or 29.97 frame/s, and the non-sync speed is variable from 4–34 fps (frames per second) according to Panavision; the Gold II can safely run up to 40 fps, crystal controlled with a special board which can be fitted on request. It has a focal-plane shutter which can be adjusted from 50–200° while the camera is running, either by an external control unit or by manually turning a knob. Improvements over the Panavision Gold include a brighter viewfinder. While the movement remains essentially the same as the original Panaflex movement introduced in 1972, the Gold II's dual registration pins are "full-fitting" according to Panavision,^[1] implying a more precise grip on the film during exposure and thus greater sharpness. This camera is still available through Panavision.

Panastar

Panastar (1977)

 

Panastar II (1987)

The Panastar II is an MOS 35 mm motion picture camera. It is capable of 4–120 fps both forward and reverse, though reverse running requires a reversing magazine, with camera timing crystal-controlled at one-frame increments. It has a focal-plane shutter which can be adjusted between 45° and 180° while the camera is running, either by using an external remote control or manually turning a knob. Improvements over the original Panastar include a weight reduction of 5 lb (2.3 kg), a more accurate digital shutter angle readout, the inclusion of the Panaglow ground glass illuminator, and the ability to adjust the speed of the camera in single-frame increments without need for an external speed control, rather that being tied to the preset running speeds of the first Panastar. At high speeds, the Panastar II is incredibly loud, often leading those unfamiliar with its operation to question whether it is functioning properly.

Panaflex Platinum

• Platinum (1986): The Panaflex Platinum is a sync-sound 35 mm motion picture camera, intended as the replacement for the Gold and Gold II series of cameras. It is capable of 4–36 fps forward and reverse in ¹⁄₁₀ frame increments, and is crystal-controlled at all speeds. It has a focal-plane shutter which can be adjusted from 50–200° while the camera is running, either by an external control unit or by manually turning a knob. While the movement remains essentially the same as the original Panaflex movement introduced in 1972, the Platinum's dual registration pins are "full-fitting" according to Panavision,^[1] implying a more precise grip on the film during exposure and thus greater sharpness.

Panaflex Millennium

Millennium (1997)

The Panaflex Millennium is a sync-sound 35 mm motion picture camera. Where the Panavision Platinum was mostly an evolution and refinement of the original 1972 Panaflex, the Millennium is a totally new design, having a new twin-sprocket drum incorporated with the movement, major electronics revisions, and a general weight reduction from 24 to 17 lb (7.7 kg). The Millennium is capable of 3–50 fps forward and reverse, though reverse running requires a reversing magazine, and it has a focal-plane shutter, the aperture angle of which can be adjusted electronically while the camera is running, between 11.2° and 180°, allowing for four stops of exposure ramping within a shot with no iris adjustment. All of the focus, iris, and zoom motor controls have been moved to the camera's internal circuitry, removing the need for cumbersome external circuit boxes, and it has an integrated camera built into the lens light, allowing the first assistant camera to see witness marks without having to physically look at the lens. It also has a brighter viewfinder than the Platinum, multiple run switches, and footage counters on either side of the camera for easier readings.

Millennium XL (1999)

The Millennium XL was the first Panavision camera to win a Primetime Emmy and Academy Award within the first year of release. The Perfect Storm was filmed with this camera.

Millennium XL2 (2004)

The major motion picture Just Like Heaven was filmed with this camera.

Digital video

• Sony HDW-900 CineAlta (2002)
• Panavision Genesis (2005)

65mm

• Super Panavision 70 (1965)
• Panavision Super 70
• Panavision System 65 (1991)

System 65 is Panavision's most modern range of cameras for the 5/65 format. It comprises two separate camera offerings:

• Panaflex 65SPFX (intended for studio use)
• Panaflex 65HSSM (suitable for location use but limited to MOS only).

Notes