advise on buying sony FS100 with lenses and audio

[Kyvelos]

Hi There,

I just wrote a long request in a new thread but I guess it got lost. So I try again.

I need some help or feedback on my wishlist for the fs100 that I am about to buy. My experience lies
in shooting full automatic and directing 'making of' episodes for reality shows. I have red I think almost
every article online about the fs100 and lenses, did extensive research watching fs100 footage on vimeo and youtube.

My objective:

1. shoot my brothers short drama (hand held / semi scripted docu style)
2. do interviews for own format
3. prepare for making docu/indie

I have never set up a shot film wise and would like to shoot handheld, with maybe the blackbird. I love the filmic
possibilities some of you out there shot with the fs100, and I know its experience and working a lot with the camera, but i would
like the lenses I buy to be already capable of doing the much requested DOP and flimic look.

What i have on my list so far:

- Sony - NEX-FS100 Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens)
- SEL50F18
- SAL1650
- LA-EA2 converter
- SEL16F28
- VCLECF1
- Sony - NP-F970 L-Series Info-Lithium Battery Pack
- 82mm Variable Gray ND Filter (with step up rings)
- Audio-Technica - AT8022 X/Y Stereo Phantom and Battery Powered Field Microphone
- Blackbird Camera Stabilizer

also concidered:
- SEL1855
- SAL50F14

Because I want to shoot hand held I probably need the OIS in the SEL lenses, but I red good reviews about
the SAL1650. Also I don't want too many lenses. I would like to get the best out of the few necessary.

So my questions:

- Is this a good list for my objectives? Which lenses are redundant or should be dumped from the list
- Is the heliopan 82 too big or should I go for 72
- need I a complete different option (3 lenses....wide/55/tele)
- is this audio mic sufficient for shooting drama, or should I get another one.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Really enthusiastic about getting the camera, and after weeks of learning and searching
my fiancee is going to NY to pick it up (I am in Guam, no shipping to Guam?!)

regards,

Roel Kyvelos

 

[legrevedotcom]

Hi There,

I just wrote a long request in a new thread but I guess it got lost. So I try again.

I need some help or feedback on my wishlist for the fs100 that I am about to buy. My experience lies
in shooting full automatic and directing 'making of' episodes for reality shows. I have red I think almost
every article online about the fs100 and lenses, did extensive research watching fs100 footage on vimeo and youtube.

My objective:

1. shoot my brothers short drama (hand held / semi scripted docu style)
2. do interviews for own format
3. prepare for making docu/indie

I have never set up a shot film wise and would like to shoot handheld, with maybe the blackbird. I love the filmic
possibilities some of you out there shot with the fs100, and I know its experience and working a lot with the camera, but i would
like the lenses I buy to be already capable of doing the much requested DOP and flimic look.
The filmic look you saw cannot directly be attributed to the lenses. Sure some of the expensive ones have a nice look to them, but the look comes mostly from choice of angles and LIGHTING (or reflecting / filling / flagging)
While a lot of talented people have turned out some nice filmic examples, you can find 3-4 times as much which look like video, and in some cases they might even have used the same lenses as the "filmic" guys.

What i have on my list so far:

- Sony - NEX-FS100 Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens)
- SEL50F18
- SAL1650
- LA-EA2 converter
- SEL16F28
- VCLECF1 Had it, sold it.... was fun... for a while. I'd rather have the Tokina 11-16 (and there's a new model out by now.) Probably mostly because I wouldn't be shouldering with a wide angle lens. I would probably lock down the shot otherwise it gets too candid.
- Sony - NP-F970 L-Series Info-Lithium Battery Pack Get two..... and do get the original Sony ones. The off brand are hit and miss with life span.
- 82mm Variable Gray ND Filter (with step up rings) Is your largest lens 82mm? Just curious, since my own lenses are pretty much 77mm all the way.
- Audio-Technica - AT8022 X/Y Stereo Phantom and Battery Powered Field Microphone Why a stereo mic? Stereo mics are for ambience and effects, not vocal, and most definitely not on-camera. You'll be hauling in as much noise from you handling the camera as the talent you want to record. Super Cardioid mic for outdoor booming and hyper cardioid for indoor. Although a decent super can work indoor as well with the risk of the sound turning funky because of phasing etc.
- Blackbird Camera Stabilizer

also concidered:
- SEL1855
- SAL50F14

Because I want to shoot hand held I probably need the OIS in the SEL lenses, but I red good reviews about
the SAL1650. Also I don't want too many lenses. I would like to get the best out of the few necessary.

So my questions:

- Is this a good list for my objectives? Which lenses are redundant or should be dumped from the list
- Is the heliopan 82 too big or should I go for 72
- need I a complete different option (3 lenses....wide/55/tele)
- is this audio mic sufficient for shooting drama, or should I get another one.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Really enthusiastic about getting the camera, and after weeks of learning and searching
my fiancee is going to NY to pick it up (I am in Guam, no shipping to Guam?!)

regards,

Roel Kyvelos

See the red text above....

 

[Kyvelos]

thank you for your advise. I read a lot about the Tokina and many people use it on the fs100. Guess my first step would be learning the camera and focusing on lighting. I am on Guam and not many chances to test lenses. Have no lenses, thats why I opted for the 82 variable. Just to be safe. . But I guess you are right, not much lenses i have seen or red about with 82. Also with the mic. Just thought that stereo would be better. Too much info on the Internet, too many opinions. As you can see, I am new to this world of advanced film making and when I read my own post it reminds me of young tennisplayers who come unexperienced to the court with a big bag full of rackets without knowing how to hit the ball.

I will ask my fiancee to buy the fs100 with one extra lens: SEL16F28....learn how to compose and shoot and next month when i travel to the states take my time to go to a proper shop and get all the 'other' stuff....

Really appreciated your feedback, as I know these are all beginners questions, i just have hard time making decisions and now with the Blackmagic coming soon, I am also doubting to wait for that one.

thanks again!

Roel