AF100 / AF101 - initial report

[BobDiaz]

this is exactly the sort of thing that makes film so much better than video (if you can afford it) you make a movie now, then make a dvd of it and watch it or whatever, but in 20 years when all the tvs have 16bit colour depth you just rescan your film and it looks awesome compared to the dated video footage shot on 8, 10 and 12 bit cameras from 2010.

The human eye can detect a change in brightness if the difference is greater than 1%. While 8 bits is limited to 256 different values, the range is enough to look like a continuous range.

Going beyond 8 bits, like 10 bits, increases the number of possible values. While you don't see a difference in viewing, the reason is to allow more wiggle room for brightness/color adjustments. You can take an 8 bit video and bend the curves some, but IF you go too far, you'll see a series of steps in a smooth change in brightness. This is known as banding. Going to 10 bits allows for 4 times the number of steps and allows for greater changes in the adjustments without banding.

My guess is that in the future, we'll see an increase of the color depth to allow for greater adjustments. Maybe someday, all professional cameras will record in RAW mode to allow for unlimited color selection adjustments in post.


Film is wonderful and has a great look to it, BUT the color dyes in the film do change over time. A color film shot 40 years ago is likely to show a shift in the color.


Bob Diaz

 

[RaviSun3D]

Currently, only few continues autofocus lenses available and that too from Consumer division. So I don't think there is a possibility of any Lens would officially come with AF100.

Barry, can we expect more LUMIX type lenses?
I mean, does the Broadcast Division have any plans of Lenses specially for AF100?

 

[xmephestox]

Film is wonderful and has a great look to it, BUT the color dyes in the film do change over time. A color film shot 40 years ago is likely to show a shift in the color.


Bob Diaz

That's why we have 4k scans, re mastering, and touch up tools in the DI. There are blu rays of films made over 40 years ago that have never looked as good as they do now, not even when they were first projected. Blade Runner for example, 28 years ago, never looked better after they rescanned and remastered it. I can't wait till they start doing scans of classics like Citizen Kane etc. They are gonna look amazing.

 

[Barry_Green]

I'm a little late to the party, but the 7D and 5Dm2 do NOT have more dynamic range than Red One.

Correct.

According to dpreview, the DR for the 7D is 8.3 stops

Agreed, that's exactly what I tested it at with the Stouffer chart.

, and for the 5Dm2 is 8.4 stops.

Which is pretty much exactly what Art Adams of PVC tested it at.

Even the Sony EX1, with a DR of 10 stops (according to ProVideo Coalition) is higher than the DSLRs.

Agreed again, that's about what I tested it at.

 

[Barry_Green]

Any hints at what the resolution is of the LCD and the EVF? Are they parts pulled from other cameras?

The statement made to me was that they will be "even better" than the highly-regarded parts on the HPX370. The ones on the prototype were of course pulled from other cameras, but the final production one will have improved models. I don't remember exactly how it was phrased, but the idea I came away with is that one of them may be a 920k-pixel display, and the other (or maybe both) will be substantially better, about 1.2mpix. It could be that what I was looking at, both were 920k, and they said one would be improved, or it's possible that one was 920k and one was better, and they said the 920k one would be improved. I don't recall exactly.

 

[Barry_Green]

Currently, only few continues autofocus lenses available and that too from Consumer division. So I don't think there is a possibility of any Lens would officially come with AF100.

Formally and officially announced, no lens comes with it.

Barry, can we expect more LUMIX type lenses?

I'm sure, but I don't know of any specific announcements.

I mean, does the Broadcast Division have any plans of Lenses specially for AF100?

The Broadcast division hasn't ever made and sold its own lenses; for the broadcast cameras they have always turned to the major lens manufacturers (Fujinon and Canon) to supply them with their lenses. I don't expect that to change with the AF100. They may start offering the Lumix line directly, maybe, but I don't think they'll be making their own specific versions or anything like that.

 

[xmephestox]

the thing about DR tests is that people will ALWAYS get different results, because some people always count the "unusable" portions of the DR as part of it. they dig deep into the shadows, which is full of noise and will never meet broadcast standards unless heavily DNR-ed, and also count the milky grey top end that might as well be considered "clipped" but it's just a shy under clip so they count it anyway, when very little detail is still actually in that highlight.

Usable dynamic range is way different from seeing step charts all day. The Zacuto thing was counting every ounce you could get out of it, while the PVC was counting more towards what they deemed usable. You'll get different opinions on DR all the time, it's a matter of what you consider acceptable or not. It CAN be very subjective, no matter how scientific you make it.

 

[Barry_Green]

It CAN be very subjective, no matter how scientific you make it.

This is, of course, true.

But using standardized testing methods can certainly go a long way towards minimizing the discrepancies. Using calibrated professional measuring tools, and then using the same person's standards of objectivity, you should be able to get consistent readings from camera to camera. And I am encouraged that DP Review, Art Adams, and I all reached the same or comparable readings on three different cameras, which implies that our comparative readings are probably pretty spot-on.

 

[Peter J. DeCrescenzo]

Any hints at what the resolution is of the LCD and the EVF? ...

This spec sheet says "... large-sized high quality view finder (1.14cm (0.45 inches) / 1.226 million dot equivalent [852 x 480 x 3 (RGB)]) ... along with a 16:9 color LCD panel (8.76cm (3.45 inches) / 921,000 dot (1920 x 480)) ...":
http://pro-av.panasonic.net/en/sales_o/news_info/news100913/100913.html

Barry has indicated that some aspects of the cam may change between now and when the final shipping version is released by the end of this year, so stay tuned.

 

[David Saraceno]

If I purchase the stock GH1 lens, I assume that it will be compatible with the AF100.

What can I expect that lense to provide in the way of auto focus when needed; zoom capabilities; and auto iris when needed.

I know image quality is subjective, but I have no experience with the GH1, just a Nikon DSLR 300s for stills.

Any thoughts on image quality.

 

[Barry_Green]

If I purchase the stock GH1 lens, I assume that it will be compatible with the AF100.

Of course. All micro-Four Thirds lenses are compatible.

What can I expect that lense to provide in the way of auto focus when needed;

Full video-style silent autofocus.

zoom capabilities

Well, you can zoom with it, but no power zoom.

and auto iris when needed.

Yes, it does auto-iris, but it's a bit steppier than you'd be used to with a video camera. Video camera irises usually are calibrated for much smoother steps in-between; this lens does half-stop steps, I think.

Any thoughts on image quality.

Looks very good on the GH1. You can read a review of it on dpreview.com.

 

[Gary Senda]

Barry has indicated that some aspects of the cam may change between now and when the final shipping version is released by the end of this year, so stay tuned.

I can confirm: the camera is in Italy now and we have shooted a short film today (don't ask for the clips because it is not possible). Several functions were limited or disabled and other were unavailable on this copy of the camera. The image is simply fantastic and we have not seen any aliasing or moirè. The dynamic range is good but it needs to be a little improved, in my opinion. The result with the photo lenses are wonderful: we have tried Zeiss lenses with nikon mount, Canon FD lenses and even M42 DDR old lenses.

This camera is going to establish the standard for the next years.

Thank you Panasonic

Gary

 

[monkeyking]

When using the Lumix 14-140 lens, how is auto focus enabled/disenabled? On the GH1 you can slightly press on the shutter release for single shot autofocus or choose a setting for continuous focus if you keep your finger on the shutter release.

 

[Gary Senda]

When using the Lumix 14-140 lens, how is auto focus enabled/disenabled? On the GH1 you can slightly press on the shutter release for single shot autofocus or choose a setting for continuous focus if you keep your finger on the shutter release.

You can enable or disable autofocus with a switch on the camera body. It is an AFC (continuos auto focus) and it is silent, quick and effective, as on GH1

 

[Barry_Green]

When using the Lumix 14-140 lens, how is auto focus enabled/disenabled?

As Gary said, it's by a switch on the body, which is just like the switch on the DVX/HVX/HPX170/HMC150. Up = full continuous auto mode, middle = manual mode, down = push-to-infinity.

There's also a "push auto" button, which enables autofocus while the button is held down.

 

[Barry_Green]

I can confirm: the camera is in Italy now and we have shooted a short film today (don't ask for the clips because it is not possible). Several functions were limited or disabled and other were unavailable on this copy of the camera. The image is simply fantastic and we have not seen any aliasing or moirè. The dynamic range is good but it needs to be a little improved, in my opinion. The result with the photo lenses are wonderful: we have tried Zeiss lenses with nikon mount, Canon FD lenses and even M42 DDR old lenses.

This camera is going to establish the standard for the next years.

Hey Gary, thanks for the report. So this makes you, like, the third guy in the world to shoot with the AF100.

 

[David G. Smith]

I just noticed that the Lumix 14-140 was "Temporarily out of stock" on the B&H website. I hope that is not an omen for Lumix accessories in light of the AF-100 pending release!

 

[Gary Senda]

Hey Gary, thanks for the report. So this makes you, like, the third guy in the world to shoot with the AF100.

There's a DOP who is shooting, I am only an assistant .

Tomorrow there's a demo for italian sellers

http://www.adcom.it/evento_detail.php?id=46 (link in italian)

and the short film is only for this event. After this event the short film probably will be destroyed: as you have repeated several times, this is only a working prototype and it is normal that Panasonic does not want that the clips are posted on the web.

One further thing: the camera will stay in Italy only 36 hours: I think it is on tournè

 

[monkeyking]

Well, the Lumix 7-14 f/4 is finally back in stock. That's a 14-28 in FF speak . No IS though. Sharp and wide.

 

[Rick Burnett]

Hey Barry, the company making the electronic Canon mount, any idea when they plan on revealing themselves? Is it going to be the Birger people?