The market for professional camera, including the lens and the tripod segments, saw a bleak 2 008. Although there were some sales of professional cameras in the first half of 2008, the second half slowed down because of the global recession that adversely impacted several broadcast markets.

Major brands for professional cameras include Canon, Hitachi, Ikegami, JVC, Panasonic, Sony, and Thomson GrassValley. Major players in camera lens segment include Canon and Fujinon. The tripod market in India has major players such as Cartoni, Libec, Manfrotto, Miller, O'Connor Engineering, Sachtler, and Vinten.

Sony recorded sales of 327 units at a value of Rs. 35.4 crore. These are apart from the sales done by its several distributors in India such as Sun Broadcast, HCL, Telerad, and DBI.

Canon, through its distributors AGIV India Private Limited, sold 27 units of professional cameras to its several customers at a total value of Rs. 2.99 crore.

Ikegami, through AGIV, supplied three units of its professional camera equipment valued at Rs. 0.3 crore. AGIV has recently launched Ikegami models in India

In the camera lens market, Canon, marketed by AGIV India Private Limited, sold 210 units of camera lens, valued at Rs. 9.17 crore. Fujinon is represented in India by Advanced Telemedia, Telerad, VTI, Sun Broadcast, Conquest, and DBI. Advanced Telemedia sold 80 units of Fujinon lens mostly to the public broadcaster, Doordarshan, valued at Rs. 1.6 crore. The model sold by Advanced Telemedia in India is the Fujinon 20X model.

In the tripods segment, major players include Libec, Manfrotto, Sachtler, Cartoni, O'Connor Engineering, Miller, and Vinten.

Growth of entertainment and news channels, transition from SD to HD cameras, and demand from videographers will, however, ensure a better 2009 for the players in the professional camera segment. Players are confident that 2009 would see a consistent growth for the professional camera?market.

MAJOR BRANDS

Cameras

CANON

Canon is marketed and represented in India by AGIV India Private Limited. In 2008, the company sold 27 units of professional cameras valued at Rs. 2.99 crore. The company provides both HD and SD studio cameras. The models offered by the company include XL H1S, XL H1A, XL H1, XH G1S, XH A1S, XH G1, and XH A1.

XL H1S. The XL H1S HDV camcorder has features such as 30F and 24F frame rates, a huge array of manual controls, great handling, and a removable lens.

XL H1A. The XL H1A has a wider range of image control settings and options, combined with the new genuine Canon 20x HD video zoom lens III with professional L series fluorite. There are also three 1/3" native 16:9 CCDs with 1.67M pixels (delivering a full 1440 x 1080) and Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV II HD image processor. The XL H1A is the compelling choice for anyone seeking to produce the best in high definition video.

XL H1. The XL H1 high definition camcorder features uncompressed HD-SDI (SMPTE 292M) and SD-SDI (SMPTE 259M) output, as well as genlock input and SMPTE time code input and output for multi-camera shoots. It has customizable open-architecture approach, selectable frame rates including 24F, and multiple output options.

XHG1S and XHA1S. The Canon XH A1S and XH G1S HD camcorders incorporate an expanded array of controls for customizing the image, display, and operation to match individual needs. Utilizing the industry's most affordable digital video recording media - HDV tapes - both models are ideal for long-format applications such as wedding and event videography, digital filmmaking, documentary production, government, and media education.

XH G1. The XHG1 high definition camcorder features HD-SDI, gunlock, time code in/out, all SMPTE compliant, as well as complete control over the image parameters. The XH G1 meets the demands of any professional use. The excellence of the XH G1 begins with Canon genuine 20x HD zoom lens with professional L series Fluorite that is matched with 3CCDs, each of which is at 1440 x 1080 pixels. Super-range optical image stabilization corrects for a wide range of camera movements and vibration, and instant AF (auto focus) ensures ultra-quick, accurate focus. The Digic DV II HD image processor then ensures improved color reproduction and noise reduction.

XH A1. XH A1 HD camcorders feature genuine Canon 20x HD zoom lens with professional L series Fluorite. Super-range optical image stabilization corrects for a wide range of camera movements and vibration, and instant AF (auto focus) ensures ultra-quick, accurate focus. The Digic DV II HD image processor then ensures improved color reproduction and noise reduction

IKEGAMI

Ikegami in India is represented by AGIV India Private Limited. The company in 2008 sold three units of professional cameras at a value of Rs. 30,57,000. The models offered by the company in India include:

HDL-45 3CCD multi-purpose HDTV camera: The HDL-45 multi-purpose compact HDTV camera provides superior picture images with the latest 14-bit A/D converters, and is suitable for various applications such as news flash camera, weather camera, and POV camera.

HDK-727 / HDK-727P real native 720P HDTV camera system: HDK-727/HDK-727P native progressive cameras are superior HDTV cameras with high reliability. They have full compatibility and identical colorimetry for a perfect match between studio and portable cameras.

HDK-79EC HD native multi-format CMOS camera system: The high speed model, exploiting new CMOS technology, HDK-79EC/HS offers 1080/60p and 720/120p high speed sensor readout for special applications, including super slow motion. Using newly developed digital process ICs, precision designed at 0.18µm rule, the video signals are digitized with A/D conversion and up to 38-bit internal digital processing circuit. As nonlinear processing such as gamma correction is performed digitally, consistent and repetitive high picture quality and stable reliability is assured.

HDN-X10 Editcam HD DNG camera system with digital disk recorder: By employing a new image device and superior video processing, the EditcamHD achieves 1000TV line of horizontal resolution, 56dB (target) of S/N ratio, and F10 (target) at 2000lx for sensitivity. Power consumption of the camera head is only 32W (target), comparable to SD type camcorders. The latest compression codec is used to retain the superb picture quality in the recorded clips.

SONY

Sony is represented and marketed in India by DBI, Telerad, Sun Broadcast, HCL, and NVL. The company expects a steady growth for 2009 as well. According to the company, there would be more demand for cameras by regional channels. The year 2008 proved to be fruitful for the company. The company sold 327 units of professional cameras valued at Rs. 35.4 crore. The customers include both public and private broadcasters.

The company provides cameras of HD quality and that too at the cost of SD cameras. Sony with its cutting edge technology provides HD solutions for ENG/EFP/Sports/Studio at various levels based on affordability and application.

HCL, one of the distributors of Sony cameras in India, sold 175 units in 2008 valued at Rs. 6 crore. Models include TV cameras, HDV series cameras, and studio cameras. As system integrators, Sony also provides tripods along with the cameras. Tripods include Cartoni, Vinten, and Manfrotto.

The models offered by the company in India for both SD and HD include HDC-1580 HD camera, DXC-D55P SD camera, HVR-V1P digital HD video camera recorder, HVR-Z5P digital HD video camera recorder, HVR-Z7P digital HD video camera recorder, HVR-S270P digital HD video camera recorder, PMW-EX1 XDCAM EX camcorder, PMW-EX3 XDCAM EX camcorder, PDW-539 professional disc based camcorder, PDW-700 XDCAM HD422 camcorder, and HDW-650P HDCAM camcorder

THOMSON GRASSVALLEY

The Grass Valley Infinity Series of the company is a revolutionary IT-immersed ENG/EFP product line that creates a truly open solution'one that avoids proprietary approaches and uses advanced technologies in new ways to give users the power of choice. The underlying philosophy of the Infinity Series line is based on a very simple principle: leverage technology from the IT industry to create new ways of doing things without sacrificing quality.

Infinity Series products use non-proprietary, nonlinear recording media, which is readily available today. Second, they completely embrace IT connectivity for greater workflow efficiencies. Third, they offer a choice of compression codecs including next-generation technology. Fourth, they provide true contribution-quality high-definition ENG, and EFP acquisition. And fifth, they do all this at substantially lower costs. Infinity digital media camcorders provide a choice of standard-definition, and high-definition video formats, and standards that are selectable within the camera. This makes it ideal for multi-format acquisition and for straightforward migration from SD to HD within your facility. The camcorder provides 14-bit digital imaging for crystal-clear quality with advanced video processing for image control, and in-camera digital effect filters. The Infinity digital media camcorder is the first camcorder to use both removable storage disks, and professional solid-state memory as recording, and playback media. Traditional video I/O (SDI, HD-SDI, and CVBS) as well as IT interfaces provide the ultimate in connectivity. The camcorder can connect to external storage devices or PCs via USB or FireWire. Or it can connect to a network via Gigabit Ethernet. LAN connectivity greatly improves the camera's functionality by providing remote video control, metadata embedding, and file transfer over IP connections. Operators control most aspects of the camera's operation, including compression, through a side panel TFT touch-screen display. A built-in PDA-type user interface allows for video monitoring, clip management, audio metering, detailed camera configuration, and metadata editing. Metadata such as names, dates, locations, and even camera settings can be created or edited before, during, or after recording.

LENS

CANON

Canon lens in India is marketed by AGIV India Private Limited. In 2008, the company sold 210 units of camera lens to its several customers, including the public and private broadcasters, valued at Rs. 9.17 crore.

The Canon remote control series offers a wide variety of lens and accessories that have been designed for various applications such as broadcasting, teleconference, distance learning, and other remote control purposes. The lens provides quiet and fast servo control of zoom, focus, and iris.

Major models offered by the company include:

HJ18ex28B. HJ18ex28B is a portable super telephoto HDTV lens. The new HJ18ex28B surpasses conventional telephoto TV lens by offering the longest focal length of 500mm (1000mm with 2x extender) and HDTV performance based on Canon's innovative optical technology. Another remarkable feature of HJ18ex28B is the superior compact design and weighs only 2.5kg (IRSE type), offering a high versatility to the lens without calling for a lens supporter

HJ22ex7.6B. The HJ22ex7.6B model is a light weight telephoto HDTV lens with features such as digital drive unit, X-element and power optical system, and equipped with original rotary encoder device.

HJ17ex7.6B. The HJ17ex7.6B is a compact HDTV standard lens with features such as digital drive unit, x-element and power optical systems, and equipped with the original rotary encoder device.

FUJINON

Fujinon is represented and marketed in India by Advanced Telemedia, Sun Broadcast, Conquest, Telerad, DBI, and Visual Technologies. Advanced Telemedia sold 80 units of Fujinon lens mostly to the public broadcaster, Doordarshan, valued at Rs. 1.6 crore. The model sold by Advanced Telemedia in India is the Fujinon 20X model.

Conquest represents Fujinon in India. The company sold 120 units of Fujinon lens at a total value of Rs. 4 crore. Customers mainly included private broadcasters.

TRIPODS

CARTONI

Cartoni is represented in India by Hytech Communications and Broadcast Private Limited. The company has a comprehensive range of camera support systems ranging from the largest fluid heads for shooting with large box lens to cover sporting events to the smallest fluid heads to hold the smallest DV cameras. Fluid heads for the cinema industry for providing special effects, motion control, and two and three axis movements are available and are very popular. The company also supplies professional lights, video and cinema monitors, carbon fiber cranes, audio equipment like digital mixing consoles, handheld recorders, and workstations. The year 2008 was a reasonable year for the company with several new channels coming up in the private sector. The market continued to be price sensitive. The company sold a total of 90 camera tripods valued at Rs. 1.70 crore. These include 28 units of tripods to the public broadcaster, Doordarshan, valued at Rs. 0.27 crore and 62 units to private broadcasters valued at Rs. 1.43 crore. The camera technology is making rapid strides and the company is coming up with tripods to meet the upcoming needs for HD technology for the television and the RED cameras for the film industry. The company also believes that the market is gravitating toward smaller cameras and therefore smaller tripod systems will be used. Research and development is a continuous process at Cartoni and the company has launched a new DV system last year. Providing customers with excellent service and after sales support is the corner stone of the company's business philosophy.

MANFROTTO

Manfrotto is represented in India by Royal Broadcasting. In the year 2008, the company sold around 659 units of Manfrotto video camera tripods. The most selling models in India include 701 RC2, 501 HDV, 503 HDV, 516 HDV, and 526 MVB.

701RC2 composite video head pro. Small and lightweight, the 701 RC2 fluid video and spotting scope head is capable of accommodating a payload of up to 4 kilograms and is ideal for set-ups such as a fully equipped 3 CCD mini DV camcorder or a spotting scope combined with a digital still or video camera for digiscoping purposes. It is equipped with a fixed 1.5 kg counterbalance spring which combined with a camera plate attachment made of a 200PL touch and go/sliding plate which can shift from +15mm to -15mm from the 0 point to optimize the position of the counterbalance spring and deliver a wide range of balancing positions.

501HDV fluid video head. The large knobs with all controls on the left side of the head allow for enhanced ease of use. In addition, the quick release plate (with standard 3/8'' thread) has been re-designed so that the camera sits flat on top of the video head. The 501HDV inherits its separate pan and tilt locks, gradual tilt friction adjustment system and repositionable pan bar from its successful predecessor, the 501. Features also include pan friction control, spirit level, spring loaded counter balance (on/off), and tilt friction knob.

503HDV. The 503HDV features include large ergonomic locks and knobs allowing for a more solid grip and better control. For enhanced ease of use, the tilt lock and friction controls are located on the left side of the head. It has an improved and adjustable counterbalance capacity, where a switch controls the different counterbalance settings, allowing the user to adjust the system to accommodate various payloads for different filming needs. The counterbalance system can be adjusted to four positions ensuring both smoother tilt movements and greater equipment safety. In addition, it has an illuminated leveling bubble, making it easy for shooters to level the camera in low-light conditions. In addition to the old 503, the 503 HDV also has a replaceable pan bar rosette.

516 pro video head. The 516 model is specifically designed for the latest DV camcorders used by documentary and industrial videographers. The 516 head is very compact and light but can support cameras up to 10 kg. The 516 is a cost effective high performance head equipped with fluid cartridges that provide continuous adjustable drag control. This system gives quite a wide range of friction control down to virtual zero drag and operates on both pan and tilt axis. Other important features of the head are separate tilt and pan locking mechanism, a fixed counter balance spring of 7.5 kg load capacity at a center of gravity of 125mm, two telescopic pan handles, and a bubble level. The head has been designed in such a way that it can be mounted on a flat base tripod with a 3/8" female thread attachment.

MILLER

Miller is marketed in India by DBI. Some of the models offered by the company include:

ARROW-25 (for lightweight ENG camcorders): The Arrow 25 model for lightweight ENG camcorders has a weight of 9.1 kg to 10.55 kg, payload capacity of 14 kg, payload range of 3.5 - 14.0 kg, transport length of 820 mm to 1002 mm, and a height range of 382-2032 mm.

ARROW-40: The specifications for the Arrow 40 model include 9.3 kg to 10.75 kg, payload capacity of 16 kg, transport length of 820 mm to 1002 mm and a height range of 382 to 2032 mm.

Arrow 55 (for studio EFP): The specifications for the Arrow 55 model include weight of 9.55 kg to 12.95 kg, payload capacity of 25 kg, payload range of 10 to 25 kg, transport length of 862 mm to 1092 mm, and height range of 602 to 1752 mm.

DS-60 (for studio EFP): The specifications for the DS-60 model include weight of 12 kg to 19.5 kg, payload capacity of 32 kg, payload range of 15 to 32 kg, transport length of 932 mm to 1122 mm, and height range of 702 to 1772 mm.

O'CONNOR ENGINEERING

O'Connor Engineering is represented in India by Shashi Enterprises. In the year 2008, the company sold 35 units of O'Connor camera tripods, which include 17 units to private studios and 18 units to undisclosed customers. Shashi Enterprises also provides accessories and camera tripods of Egripment BV Xtreme's telescopic crane, and Movie Tech AG's Magnum Dolly.

The models sold by the company in India include:

Ultimate 2060 HD. This new mid-sized head, based on OConnor's Ultimate 2575 fluid head, features OConnor's stepless, ultra-smooth pan and tilt fluid drag specifically enhanced for HD applications. The model is designed to give users a better control and stability for HD shooting.

Ultimate 2575C. The model is the flagship of OConnor's Ultimate range of fluid head and features OConnor's stepless, ultra-smooth pan and tilt fluid drag specifically designed for film style shooting. With its famous features the 2575C has become the standard for 35mm film cameras.

SACHTLER

Sachtler is represented in India by Shashi Enterprises. The company sold 154 units of camera tripods in India at an undisclosed amount. All of these tripods were supplied to several private broadcasters.

The models offered in India by the company include:

FSB 6/2D. The general specifications of the FSB 6/2D model include FSB 6 fluid head, tripod ENG 75/2 D, spreader SP 75, and padded bag DV 75 S.

Video 75 Plus. The new fluid head Video 75 Plus boasts an outstanding payload range of 12 to 75 kg. Suitable for a variety of camera configurations and flexible applications in both EFP and studio operation, it offers proven Sachtler fluid damping, easily accessible brakes, fast changeover from EFP to studio, and robust design.

Studio 9+9. With the Studio 9+9, Sachtler's unique, patented damping system has been significantly extended. As the name indicates, there are nine levels of extra-powerful drag, ensuring perfect counterbalance in 18 steps. The fluid head also boasts a sliding plate, which has an integrated spindle drive. The counterbalance system combines the renowned Sachtler system with a dial knob system, compensating perfectly for any load up to 55 kg / 121 lb. In addition, the Studio 9+9 incorporates a viewfinder extension bracket and front box connections as standard features.

Video 25 Plus. The Video 25 Plus fluid head and its seven-step, temperature-independent damping system helps professional camera operators to capture the film with perfect clarity. The Video 25 Plus displays an 18-step counterbalance that can be adjusted easily and safely in 9 stages. Fine tuning is achieved via a half step function which can either be engaged or disengaged. The Video 25 Plus 7 step damping system delivers the same outstanding performance as the proven Video 20 system. The self-illuminating touch bubble, which runs on conventional batteries, helps to level the camera even in poor lighting conditions. With a maximum payload of 35 kg/77.2 lb, the Video 25 Plus is ideally suited to HDTV and wide screen cameras.