http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/848144-REG/Sony_PMW_F3L_RGB_PMW_F3L_Super_35mm_Full_HD.html

I can tell it dropped from US$4,995 sometime in the last 48hrs based on Google's cache:

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:f3DRVKbhbYQJ:www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/848144-REG/Sony_PMW_F3L_RGB_PMW_F3L_Super_35mm_Full_HD.html+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=nz

I was hoping Archive.org could give me insight into the price history over the past year. But sadly the most recent copy it shares at the moment is from October 2014 when it was $14,995:

https://web.archive.org/web/20141006031730/http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/848144-REG/Sony_PMW_F3L_RGB_PMW_F3L_Super_35mm_Full_HD.html

Adorama sadly doesn't sell it currently, just a kit for $13,800:

http://www.adorama.com/SOPMWF3G444.html

But it does have three in used condition (V condition $2,100, E- condition $2,400, E condition $2,575):

http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=recommend&sku=US_VDCSOPMWF3

And on eBay I can see sold listings for US$2K. I believe if people look around at their local private sales they'll find it even cheaper, I picked up one myself three weeks ago for US$1.2K via that.

Incredible price drop from 2011 when the Sony PMW-F3 first came out and it was nearly $20,000! ($16K for the body plus initially US$3,800 for the firmware upgrade)

It has had a far faster price drop than similar cameras of that era (give or take a year) which were priced similar (or even cheaper than the F3 was), such as: Canon C300, RED Scarlet, RED One, Sony FS700, BMCC. They've all seen big price drops, falling half in price, or even more. But none have seen the price fall to a tenth of the original cost! (or even less!)

I wonder why. I've got a few theories, it is was a rather popular enough camera in its niche (TV / documentaries / etc). Thus lots of F3 cameras were sold, which is causing mismatch in supply vs demand. As there is low demand because it never caught on amongst amateur/indie filmmakers (because they too quickly got distracted by the next shiny item, such as RED or BMD), who'd be the people who could soak up the supply of F3 cameras on the second hand market. As professional TV crews wouldn't be buying up F3 cameras in large numbers, they'd instead be moving on to an F5/F55.

So why are there not more indies picking up these cheap F3 bodies? I'd say there are a few reasons: its bulk, it is "only 1080", no raw, PL mount (too pricey for many indies), and SxS cards are pricey. (last two reasons are non issues, as under that PL mount you've got the FZ mount, and there are dirt cheap adapters for SxS to use standard SD cards. But many people won't realise this initially, and just be put off from getting an F3)

Makes you wonder what camera now which are priced way outside our reach will then be very affordable by 2019?

Alexa Mini? Doubt it, it will still hold onto its popularity and prestige for a long time.

Sony F5? Well... is the one directly after the F3, kinda makes it the obvious candidate to keep an eye on. The F5 after all is already feeling pricing pressure from Sony's own cheaper FS7, URSA Mini and other cameras will keep up the pressure.

KineFinity KineMAX 6K? Doubt it will sell enough to create a future large supply vs demand in balance.

Sony FS7? Perhaps this is the one to watch for 2019 deals, but it is already starting from a very affordable point. So it surely will fall to a similar price point by 2019 I guess, but it certainly won't fall to being a tenth of its original price.

AJA Cion? Eh, I suppose it might... but I doubt I'd pick it over my own F3!

Other candidates? Thoughts?

I accidentally started a conversation on the Driftwood patches thread on audio straight into the GH2 with the 448kbps audio patch.

I am a documentary photographer and recently joined the PV forum after deciding that a GH2 is the tool to have for my work.

I had two queries regarding spanning and in-camera playback and they both have been answered in the Driftwood patch thread: 64GB SD Sandisk Extreme Pro 95mb/s is the only card that spans with Moon T7 reliably and the 448kbps audio patch will make any clip non playable in camera.

Now, to the reason of this thread.

My needs are to simplify the gear I carry with me. I used to work with Rode Videomics plugged to my 5DII and that was that. The audio from them wasn't great.

Now, with the 448kpbs hack, the GH2 can be a great audio recorder without the need for an external recorder like an Edirol or a Zoom.

The conversation as left in the Driftwood patch forum relates to these two tests I found for shotgun mics (most of which can be plugged straight to the GH2) which are outdoors and at two distances.

The distance from where I work and from where the mics would be to my subjects is in between those two tests, both indoors and outdoors.

So far, through my DT770 32ohm which is fed by a Dragonfly, the MKE600 is a bit bassy but very good and the AT897 and the MKH 416 perform similarly at a distance. Close up, the differences are far more obvious.

Also, there has been a suggestion of using an ISK CM 60 which is battery powered:

http://www.swamp.net.au/isk-cm-60-battery-powered-condensor-microphone.html

However, I am unable to find a sample from it. @oto02 said he is getting one and getting ready to test it.

Also, @Jim_Simon mentions that the GH2 can record really good audio so I have hopes that I can work out this rather simple rig for documentary work (TV, festivals)

Many thanks for all contributions in advance.

EDIT: I just heard the tests again with my Sony V6 and still, the AT and the 416 sound roughly similar on both. I am not sure if the MKE 600 equalized would be similar to the 416 raw or if one can up the bass a bit on the AT and make it sound less flat. Both, At and 416, sound crisp.

I am considering to sell my great SLR Magic cine 50mm T0.95 (non RF coupled) in leica M mount. It is super sharp even wide open! Perfect if you own other SLR Magic lenses to complete a matched set. I used it only occacionally on private projects. It is basically in a new condition. It DOES have some tiny dust particles inside that were there even when it was brand new, but they don't affect the picture quality at all.

I am not giving it away for cheap, because it is a great lens. I still feel bad about selling it, but I need mone for other investments.Sadly.

I am asking 2000 Euro ecl. shipping for it. Official Sales price in Europe is 2399 pounds! Compared to the prices at SLR MAgic UK and other places, this is a bargain.

It will also include a 62mm Hoya UV FIlter. It doesn't come with original Box.

Here are some pics:

http://www.millennius.com/shop/cameras/gopro-hd-hero3-black-edition
318,00 EUR

http://www.millennius.com/shop/cameras/gopro-hd-hero3-black-edition $399 - 298,00 EUR