Hi guys, I just joined this forum (and this genre) so forgive me if I post/say anything that doesn't make sense or offends... I work for a church and we have just started to look into filming and streaming (over the net) our conference and events. We have been given some old studio gear including cameras, switchers, etc but, not knowing everything there is to know about it, I would like to know if they will work for us. My main concern is that the cameras (LDK 900 with FUJINON S14x6.6 lenses) were built for use in studios with a close proximity to the subject and thus would not be suitable for filming something further away or zooming in. The kind of distance I would be filming from would be approx 15-20 meters (45-60 feet). Has anyone had any experience with this gear and can tell me if it would work or am I dreaming? I'd appreciate any help or advice you can give. If I haven't made myself clear, just let me know and I'll do my best to explain myself... Thanks guys...

 Brad -

I can't remember if Phillips still utilized 1/2" imagers in the 900s or if they had migrated to 2/3" by then.  Regardless, that lens (92mm) in either 1/2 or 2/3 format would get you no more than a medium shot at 60 ft. Though I'm a fan of Thomson technology, that particular stretch of Phillips history isn't remembered for producing great, reliable cameras.  The gear may be free but you'll be paying a maintenance guy a pretty penny to keep it all going.  And in the end you'll still be living in an SD analog world.  My suggestion would be to hold out til you could budget for prosumer 1/3 in. HD gear.  JVC, for instance, makes a camera with a B-4 lens mount.  Find yourself a good Canon or Fuji 20x SD lens in the used market and with that 2/3 in. lens on the 1/3 in. camera you'll get as tight a closeup as you'll need. And the camera has HD SDI out, which in my view is a necessity for future-proofing your purchase.