Panavision cameras

This article is intended for specific information for Panavision's various camera systems. For information on Panavision itself, please see Panavision.

Panavision Silent Reflex

*Panavision Silent Reflex (1967)

Panaflex and Panaflex Gold

*Panaflex (1972)

*Panaflex-X (1974)

*Panaflex Lightweight (Unknown, mid-1970s) - The Panaflex Lightweight is a sync-sound 35 mm motion picture camera. Its light weight made it ideal for handheld and Steadicam work, as contemporaneous cameras such as the Panavision Gold II can weigh as much as convert|60|lb|abbr=on depending on configuration. The Panaflex Lightweight is crystal controlled at one-frame increments between 4 and 36 frames per second, and has a fixed 180° mirror shutter. This camera is still available through Panavision, and seems to be the oldest camera in their catalog.

*Panaflex Gold (Unknown, pre-1976)

*Panaflex Gold II (1976) - The Panaflex Gold II is a sync-sound 35 mm motion picture camera. It is capable of crystal sync at 24, 25, and 29.97 frame/s, and the non-sync speed is variable from 4-34 frame/s (34 frame/s is the figure provided by Panavision; the Gold II can safely run up to about 35.5 frame/s, and will generally trip off between 36 and 37 frame/s; unlike most more modern cameras, it is NOT electronically limited to a top speed but will continue to accelerate until its onboard voltmeters detect unsafe power levels, which occurs around 37 frame/s). It has an adjustable mirror-shutter capable of 50-200°, which is adjustable while filming through the use of an external camera control unit. Improvements over the Panavision Gold include a brighter viewfinder. This camera is still available through Panavision, and seems to be the 35 mm camera of choice for the Panavision New Filmmaker Program.

Panastar

*Panastar (Unknown, mid-1970s)

*Panastar II (1987) - The Panastar II is an MOS 35 mm motion picture camera. It is capable of 4-120 frame/s both forward and reverse, though reverse running requires a reversing magazine, with camera timing crystal-controlled at one-frame increments. It has an adjustable mirror-shutter capable of 45-180°. Improvements over the original Panastar include a weight reduction of convert|5|lb|abbr=on, a more accurate digital shutter angle readout, the inclusion of the Panaglow ground glass illuminator, and a dual registration pin movement. 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 camera, intended as the replacement for the Gold and Gold II series of cameras. It is capable of 4-36frame/s forward and reverse in 1/10th-frame increments, and is crystal-controlled at all speeds. It has an adjustable mirror-shutter capable of 50-200°. 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, implying a more precise grip on the film during exposure and thus greater sharpness.Panavision.com [http://www.panavision.com/product_detail.php?maincat=1&cat=186&id=63&node=c0,c1,c2,c9] ]

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, incorporating a new twin sprocket drum movement, major electronics revisions, and a general weight reduction from 24 to convert|17|lb|abbr=on. The Millennium is capable of 3-50frame/s forward and reverse, and it has a mirror-shutter capable of 11.2-180°, 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 1st AC 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 dial readings.

*Millennium XL (1999)

*Millennium XL2 (2004)

Digital

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

65mm

*Super Panavision-70 (1965)
*Panavision System 65 (1991)

Notes