Panasonic AJ-PX5000 Accessories: Keeping a Shoulder Camera Fleet Working

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The Panasonic AJ-PX5000 is a 2/3-inch P2 shoulder camera that is still working hard in newsrooms and production fleets, so the best accessories keep it reliable: the right 100mm head for a shoulder camera and ENG lens, dependable battery power, wireless video and field lighting. Here is how to keep a PX5000 fleet working with the Black Flag Distribution range.

The AJ-PX5000 in brief

The AJ-PX5000G is a 2/3-inch 2.2MP 3-MOS P2 HD shoulder camcorder with native AVC-ULTRA recording (plus AVC-Intra, DVCPRO HD and others) to P2 and microP2 cards. It takes interchangeable 2/3-inch bayonet (B4) lenses, has a four-position ND filter wheel (clear, 1/4, 1/16 and 1/64) plus a CC filter wheel, and weighs about 3.4 kg body only.

Camera support: Sachtler 100mm heads

A shoulder camera with an ENG zoom, viewfinder, battery, microphone and receiver is a front-heavy load that wants a 100mm head with proper counterbalance range. The Sachtler aktiv10 flowtech100 and FSB 10 Mk II systems suit a typical news build, and the aktiv16T flowtech100 or Video 18 flowtech100 systems take a longer lens and more accessories. Weigh your actual configuration and see our fluid head by payload guide.

Power: Anton Bauer

A shoulder camera that is still in service lives or dies on its batteries, and older packs are often the weakest part of an ageing fleet. Refreshing with the Anton Bauer Dionic XT or Titon range on the camera's battery plate, charged on a QUAD 6A charger, keeps the cameras and their on-camera lights and receivers running through a full news day. Match the battery mount to the plate fitted to your cameras. See our Anton Bauer battery guide.

Wireless video: Teradek

A Teradek Bolt 7 takes the camera's SDI output for zero-delay video to a producer, director or vision mixer. Bolt 7 video is compatible with existing Bolt 4K and Bolt 6 receivers, so it fits alongside a fleet's existing wireless.

Prompting: Autocue

For pieces to camera and interviews, the Autocue 17" Pioneer Portable Teleprompter mounts in front of the lens and packs down for the car.

Lighting: Litepanels and Quasar Science

The Litepanels Astra IP 1x1 is IP rated for rain and dust, which is exactly what a news crew needs, and the Astra IP kits put two or three panels, stands and battery brackets in one case. The Gemini 1x1 Soft covers soft, full-colour interview lighting, and LEE Filters CTO, CTB and 216 balance and soften them.

Crew and transport: Setwear, OpenMoon and Bagside

Setwear EZ-Fit gloves, the OpenMoon Crew Gear Box for cards, cables and batteries, and a Bagside Bagstation Mini cart to move a shoulder camera kit from the car in one trip.

A complete AJ-PX5000 kit at a glance

Frequently asked questions

Is the Panasonic AJ-PX5000 still available new?

Panasonic lists the AJ-PX5000 as discontinued, but many remain in service. The accessories in this guide help keep an existing fleet working and can carry over to a replacement camera.

Does the AJ-PX5000 have built-in ND?

Yes, a four-position ND wheel (clear, 1/4, 1/16 and 1/64) plus a CC filter wheel.

What tripod suits a shoulder camera like the PX5000?

A 100mm head such as the Sachtler aktiv10 or FSB 10 Mk II for a typical news build, or an aktiv16T or Video 18 for longer lenses and more accessories.

Where to buy in Australia

Black Flag Distribution is the official Australian distributor of the professional film, television and production brands featured in this guide. We support our valued specialist retail partners and prefer that you purchase through them wherever possible: use the store finder to locate your nearest authorised dealer. If you would rather buy direct, we can also facilitate your order.