by Kyle Kull
Panavision Genesis being used on the set of Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Similar to the Arri Alexa, the Panavision Genesis is a popular camera that has been used by an overwhelming list of productions. When the Genesis was released, it was one of the most commonly used and popular cameras on the market. Here are some of the productions that have used the Panavision Genesis:
The camera has not been used in the past year, showing that its competitors are beginning to push the Genesis out of the market. However, the camera is still in circulation.
Panavision began differently than most motion picture camera companies. Rather than starting by producing cameras, Panavision began by creating anamorphic projection lenses, which were in growing demand in movie theaters during the 1950's. Robert Gottschalk, one of Panavision’s founders, owned a camera equipment store in which his costumers were cinematographers. As a result, he noticed the need for anamorphic camera lenses, and suggested that Panavision produce those as well. Soon after the company’s creation in 1953, Panavision launched into the market for the anamorphic projection and camera lenses. The camera lenses instantly became popular in the production market, leading MGM to commission Panavision to start working on a widescreen format. They soon produced the MGM Camera 65, which was a widescreen format made for films shot in 65mm film. The first major film the MGM Camera 65 was used on was Ben-Hur (William Wyler, 1959), which won a record breaking 11 Oscars including Best Cinematography. The success of this film and the anamorphic format solidified Panavision in the market for producing camera equipment.
- Superman Returns (Bryan Singer, 2006)
- Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (Sidney Lumet, 2007)
- 21 (Robert Luketic, 2008)
- 2012 (Roland Emmerich, 2009)
- Easy A (Will Gluck, 2010)
- Captain America: The First Avenger (Joe Johnston, 2011)
The camera has not been used in the past year, showing that its competitors are beginning to push the Genesis out of the market. However, the camera is still in circulation.
Panavision began differently than most motion picture camera companies. Rather than starting by producing cameras, Panavision began by creating anamorphic projection lenses, which were in growing demand in movie theaters during the 1950's. Robert Gottschalk, one of Panavision’s founders, owned a camera equipment store in which his costumers were cinematographers. As a result, he noticed the need for anamorphic camera lenses, and suggested that Panavision produce those as well. Soon after the company’s creation in 1953, Panavision launched into the market for the anamorphic projection and camera lenses. The camera lenses instantly became popular in the production market, leading MGM to commission Panavision to start working on a widescreen format. They soon produced the MGM Camera 65, which was a widescreen format made for films shot in 65mm film. The first major film the MGM Camera 65 was used on was Ben-Hur (William Wyler, 1959), which won a record breaking 11 Oscars including Best Cinematography. The success of this film and the anamorphic format solidified Panavision in the market for producing camera equipment.
The MGM Camera 65 widescreen format being used for Ben-Hur (1959)
Panavision was given a lucky opportunity in 1962, when The Mutiny on the Bounty (Lewis Milestone, 1962) went so far over budget that MGM was forced to liquidate some of its assets to Panavision. As a result, Panavision was given the rights to the MGM camera equipment division as well as the rights to the MGM Camera 65 format, and changed the widescreen format to the Ultra Panavision. However, because of the increasing popularity of 35mm filmmaking, the Ultra Panavision was virtually obsolete by this time. So Gottschalk decided to change the company’s business model, turning Panavision solely into a camera equipment renting company. This meant that the company could regularly maintain and update the cameras, allowing for Panavision to reach new standards of durability. The company also continued to produce 65mm cameras, but similarly to the MGM Camera 65 format, the 65mm filmmaking was becoming obsolete.
Then Panavision created the Panaflex, a lightweight camera that was to be used mainly for handheld purposes. This camera was revolutionary to the motion picture camera market, because it eliminated the need for a sound blimp and allowed for synchronized sound in handheld camera work. The first film to use this camera was The Sugarland Express (Steven Spielberg, 1974). The success of the Panaflex in the 1970’s and the updated versions that appeared in later years proved to be essential to the success of the company, and made it one of the most competitive camera companies on the market.
Then Panavision created the Panaflex, a lightweight camera that was to be used mainly for handheld purposes. This camera was revolutionary to the motion picture camera market, because it eliminated the need for a sound blimp and allowed for synchronized sound in handheld camera work. The first film to use this camera was The Sugarland Express (Steven Spielberg, 1974). The success of the Panaflex in the 1970’s and the updated versions that appeared in later years proved to be essential to the success of the company, and made it one of the most competitive camera companies on the market.
The Panavision Genesis
The Panavision Genesis is their most recent camera, and was a response to the influx of digital cameras that cornered the market about 10 years ago. Similar cameras that are competitors with the Panavision Genesis are the Arri Alexa, any of the RED cameras, and the Sony CineAlta, among others. Panavision is unique in that since their remodeled business plan in 1962, they do not sell their cameras, but rather rent them out to studios and filmmakers. This allows for Panavision to update the cameras themselves, so that the cameras are ready to be used and up to date when the filmmakers begin their projects. Along with the Genesis, you can also rent out other cameras that are not created by Panavision. If you go on their website, it gives the option to select cameras such as the Arri Alexa, the Sony F55, the RED Epic, etc. This helps Panavision make revenue even when their camera is not being as successful in the market.
The Panavision Genesis, like the Alexa, uses a Super 35 chip, which allows for the user to utilize any 35mm film lenses they may have. The chip has a 16:9 aspect ratio and although it initially records in 5760x2160, the camera cuts this in half to have a final resolution output of 1920x1080. Because Panavision initially had difficulty with colorimetry, specifically with Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (George Lucas, 2002), they created their own Panalog color space. This has a better ability to preserve color highlights in post-production and as a result, this camera is often preferred for films with large amounts of visual effects in post-production.
Overall this camera is respectable for filmmaking and has been proven to be an asset for many of the productions in the past decade. Because this camera is starting to become unused by the film industry, expect to see either an updated Genesis camera, or a newer camera in the coming years. Panavision remains one of the more successful camera equipment companies, and they have produced a quality camera with the Panavision Genesis.
The Panavision Genesis, like the Alexa, uses a Super 35 chip, which allows for the user to utilize any 35mm film lenses they may have. The chip has a 16:9 aspect ratio and although it initially records in 5760x2160, the camera cuts this in half to have a final resolution output of 1920x1080. Because Panavision initially had difficulty with colorimetry, specifically with Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (George Lucas, 2002), they created their own Panalog color space. This has a better ability to preserve color highlights in post-production and as a result, this camera is often preferred for films with large amounts of visual effects in post-production.
Overall this camera is respectable for filmmaking and has been proven to be an asset for many of the productions in the past decade. Because this camera is starting to become unused by the film industry, expect to see either an updated Genesis camera, or a newer camera in the coming years. Panavision remains one of the more successful camera equipment companies, and they have produced a quality camera with the Panavision Genesis.
