"behind my house" Short feature shot in the woods of Florida on Panasonic AG-AC130

[ashclever]

Hi Guys, I got my Panasonic AG-AC130 last Friday and am already in love with it. I had a couple of DVX100b's and moved into DSLR's this year to get into the world of HD. However, this thing just makes me feel right back at home and the footage looks fantastic. Great camera. Here is the link to my first video made on my first day of filming with this delight of a cam. I live to some pretty wonderful scenery so that helps. lol

http://youtu.be/yiLXXeSa60I

Thanks for watching and happy to answer any questions.

Edited in Premiere and AfterEffects
Color Graded with Magic Bullets Suite

Owner of RoughCutProductions.com

[ashclever]

I have it up on vimeo as well now for those who prefer it.

http://vimeo.com/34877927

[Boncrek]

I saw it on vimeo and I liked it! I am also coming from the DVX100B and am considering getting the AC160 instead of going the DSLR route.

[ashclever]

Well I got T3i's after finding the samples online so impressive and the price point was so amazing. I was really mulling over whether to go for a Mark 2 or get a camcorder for the next upgrade purchase for my business RoughCutProductions.com. In comparison to the T3i, this cams footage trumped it! This seems like it would be obvious, but the T3i is pretty comparable with a 7D. Even Stu Maschwitz says that T3i's replaced the 7D and 60D in his book for the DSLR to by in that price range. Here is a link to him saying that
(towards the bottom of the page)
http://prolost.squarespace.com/blog/2011/11/21/red-scarlet-canon-c300-and-the-paradox-of-choice.html

But bouncing back and forth between the two cameras raw footage it was clear that this cameras footage was just more there and full. Not to mention no aliasing. The color grading responded better as well. The thing that sold me on the camera too was the zoom which everyone likes. But to get that kind of range through an arsenal of DSLR lenses, it would cost a pretty penny. Not to mention I do live event shooting as well so the run and gun application of a camcorder is really nice in comparison to switching out lenses. However, all that said. Right now if I had the budget, when it comes to production shoots, I have really got my eye set on the Sony FS100 with intention of getting a smart adapter for Canon EF lenses and building on that. There is no one camera that does it all and I still plan to use my DSLR plenty. Different cameras for different applications always but as far as an incredibly well rounded camera at a great price point with fantastic fixed lens, so far in my minimal testing, I think Panasonic hit a real home run. More testing will hopefully make that a certainty.

[Greg Smith]

You have a pretty amazing back yard! I loved the mouse footage.

Nice test, and helping me think about the AC160 for my next camera purchase.

- Greg

[ashclever]

Thanks Greg. I do love it out here. Helps keep me balanced. More than happy to help contribute. I was starving for a little more sample footage when researching the camera myself. However, I found enough that convinced me of the cam's potential. Lot more to learn about it though and I look forward to the process.

[Boncrek]

I am so loving the detail out of this camera. Blows DSLRs out of the water!
Especially in the later shots of this sample: http://vimeo.com/34107984
(http://vimeo.com/34107984)I can almost count the hair on that dog lol

Is it true that the firmware update coming in spring will bring 1080p 60p for free to the AC160?
If it is then man the AC160 just became alot more important to me than the AC130 lol

[Barry_Green]

Is it true that the firmware update coming in spring will bring 1080p 60p for free to the AC160?
That's what they announced, yes.

[Boncrek]

Thanks Barry!

[ashclever]

Wow, it is not gonna happen for the 130?

[Barry_Green]

Wow, it is not gonna happen for the 130?
No announcement was made for the 130.

The 160 costs more, it is reasonable to assume it can do more. It already does 1080/60p in overcranking, so it's reasonable to assume that the change to 1080/60p live mode is within the realm of do-ability. The 130 doesn't have the 1080/60p overcranking, so it may not be possible to add 1080/60p live to it. Then again, we don't really know that it won't have it, all that we do know is that they announced the 160 would get it.

[Boncrek]

Wow, it is not gonna happen for the 130?

I'm guessing there are hardware limitations on the AC130?
I know it is hardware rather than software that separate the two models from one another so firmware upgrades are not gonna be the same for both.
The AC130 is still gonna rock because it has the same resolution, same monster zoom lens and comes in a good amount cheaper.
When it comes for me to buy (whenever that is) I would be glad to have either of them.

[SimonC]

Wow! great looking footage, like the grade as well. The shot at 1:02 is my favourite.

[ashclever]

No announcement was made for the 130.

The 160 costs more, it is reasonable to assume it can do more. It already does 1080/60p in overcranking, so it's reasonable to assume that the change to 1080/60p live mode is within the realm of do-ability. The 130 doesn't have the 1080/60p overcranking, so it may not be possible to add 1080/60p live to it. Then again, we don't really know that it won't have it, all that we do know is that they announced the 160 would get it.



I see. That does make sense. Well, obviously hope it heads my way on the 130, got my fingers crossed. I will be floored if it does! Thanks for all the info Barry. By the way, your book that came with the camera is so awesome! I really appreciate you writing such a comprehendable yet detailed read. In the midst of reading it cover to cover. So, even bigger thanks for that. A+!

[ashclever]

Thanks so much for watching SimonC. Appreciate the kind words. It is my first time grading AVCHD footage and I am really impressed with how flexible it is so far. This was my first shoot with the cam so hopefully it will stand up as well in other conditions as time will tell. The camera has exceeded my expectations so far. Very excited!

[randomdvx]

Excellent short. It really highlights what this camera can do. I usually like to see ungraded footage, but since I do some color grading myself, its nice to see how beautiful the footage can look in the end. Nice work ^_^

[ashclever]

Thanks so much for watching randomdvx. The raw footage still gave me goosebumps at times before grading upon review on my computer. Gonna be filming a music video in the city sometime in the next month and look forward to tying it out in a lot of different scenarios. Still have not pushed it's lowlight performance.