af100 as ENG?

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Eithcowich

Active member
Does anyone have experience using the af100 for filming events? Or any other scenes with the Lumix 14-140, when you need the zoom, and autofocus to work well? I'll be really curious to know.
 
In my opinion the AF100 is no good for real ENG work... I mean purely in ergonomical terms. If I had to run around all day gathering footage for news or whatever I'd want to have a perfectly balanced shoulder cam.
Can't comment on the AF of the 14-140 but here again, real ENG cameras are focused manually. A experienced camera operator is most likely quicker with MF on any day than the best AF lens.
 
AF100 is nowhere near as versatile as a proper ENG rig. As much as I like the large imager, I still prefer the HDX900 (or any Panasonic ENG body) for its speed and 4 tracks of audio.

The 14-140 has good range for a large imager, but is slow as a paralyzed turtle, and will not hold focus while zooming (though it quickly snaps back to place once the zoom move is over).

Also, there is no replacement for a mechanical focus ring. These electronic focus motors are driving me nuts.
 
all it needs is a shoulder mount, new viewfinder, proper zoom with rocker and a smaller sensor (eg 2/3) for a more managable DOF and zoom size...
 
Taylor Rudd said:
AF100 is nowhere near as versatile as a proper ENG rig. As much as I like the large imager, I still prefer the HDX900 (or any Panasonic ENG body) for its speed and 4 tracks of audio.

The 14-140 has good range for a large imager, but is slow as a paralyzed turtle, and will not hold focus while zooming (though it quickly snaps back to place once the zoom move is over).

Also, there is no replacement for a mechanical focus ring. These electronic focus motors are driving me nuts.
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This is why I am waiting to see some footage from someone using just the 14-140 doing some run and gun pseudo ENG type stuff. I would like to see examples of how the AF does. I would like to see examples of deep depth of field shots. I would like to see examples of any type of ENG/event/run and gun type stuff.

I realize that this is not the intended design/use of this camera, but I still would like to see how it does in those conditions. After all, look what people are/have done with DSLRs...and we all know what those are designed for.

Regards,

G.
 
nugat said:
all it needs is a shoulder mount, new viewfinder, proper zoom with rocker and a smaller sensor (eg 2/3) for a more managable DOF and zoom size...
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I think they make that don't they? It's not called AF-100 though. What was it??? AG-HPX500? No wait...AJ-HPX2000 maybe? Hmmm oh well...maybe I just dreamed that up. Oh well never mind. :-)
 
ProAmateur said:
I think they make that don't they? It's not called AF-100 though. What was it??? AG-HPX500? No wait...AJ-HPX2000 maybe? Hmmm oh well...maybe I just dreamed that up. Oh well never mind. :-)
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actually a 371 panny or 350 sony will make do too...
 
From ProAmateur:
"I realize that this is not the intended design/use of this camera, but I still would like to see how it does in those conditions. After all, look what people are/have done with DSLRs...and we all know what those are designed for."

Your right that while limited, DSLR's have been used effectively in some news gathering environments. I myself have used the 5D along side my EX1 for a number of news/short doc pieces with great success. With that, it's limitations are what drove me to buying a AF100. For pure ENG work I would continue to use the EX1(because I own one), but for the majority of work I do I'll probably be able to get away with using the the AF 70% of the time and the EX 30%. Any hand held work with the AF will HAVE TO be stabilized with a shoulder rig in my opinion. Here's a quote from Noah Kadner's recent review: "As I brought in my footage, I noticed some of my handheld shots turned out shakier in post than I’d expected when looking through the onboard monitor. So one thing to keep a watch out for if you’re used to working with optical image stabilization is that you may be in for some lifestyle changes when working with prime lenses. A shaky camera does add some visual energy, but if that’s not something you desire, be sure to use a robust shoulder mount, a SteadiCam-type rig or a tripod."

Again, because I already own a EX1 I would never buy/use the slow as molasses 14-140 on a AF, it pretty much defeats the main purpose of a larger sensor. I read somewhere that if using the same focal length, f5.6 on the AF is roughly equal to f1.9 on the EX. Not sure how accurate that is but you get my point.

In a couple months I have a news/doc piece that will be aired on "Dan Rather Reports", it was all EX1 and 5D but we might be shooting some additional pick up footage and I'll use the AF for that. You'll be able to see all three camera's side by side.
 
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In a couple months I have a news/doc piece that will be aired on "Dan Rather Reports", it was all EX1 and 5D but we might be shooting some additional pick up footage and I'll use the AF for that. You'll be able to see all three camera's side by side.
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Look forward to it.
 
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for DOF purposes from canon5 to 4/3 is 2 stops (2x crop or diagonal ratio). 4/3 to 2/3 is again 2 stops. 2/3 to 1/3 is again 2 stops.
 
I used my AF and the 14-140 in a little bit of run and gun on my first gig with that camera. It's not easy, but it is possible. Focusing is tricky, and that lens is slow. You need to get you user settings in a low-noise setup, so you can push the ISO/gain to make up for that 4.0-5.8f. I used a shoulder rig, so it was steady enough. It was my first time out with the camera in that kind of semi-eng situation, but I suspect I will refine it. If you're just getting talking heads and spraying some b-roll in a situation that's not too chaotic, I think it will be very manageable. WHen things really get rocking and rolling, you'd be better off probably with even an HVX, or obviously a camera with a good eng lens. But it makes nice images that looks more video-ish with that 14-140, especially when you're wider or stop it down.
 
There were some people on here who adapted ENG lenses to the GH2. I'd assume this might be possible with the AF100. Problem is, if you take into account how much the ENG+Doubler+Mount is, you could just buy a used ENG camera.
 
Billygoat said:
I used my AF and the 14-140 in a little bit of run and gun on my first gig with that camera. It's not easy, but it is possible. Focusing is tricky, and that lens is slow. You need to get you user settings in a low-noise setup, so you can push the ISO/gain to make up for that 4.0-5.8f. I used a shoulder rig, so it was steady enough. It was my first time out with the camera in that kind of semi-eng situation, but I suspect I will refine it. If you're just getting talking heads and spraying some b-roll in a situation that's not too chaotic, I think it will be very manageable. WHen things really get rocking and rolling, you'd be better off probably with even an HVX, or obviously a camera with a good eng lens. But it makes nice images that looks more video-ish with that 14-140, especially when you're wider or stop it down.
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Thanks for this. This is the kind of feedback I have been looking for. Would love to see some footage, but I know I can only ask so much.

Could you elaborate on "focusing is tricky"? Did you try/use auto focus at all? Also, what kind of environment in terms of lighting were you in? How far did you have to push the ISO/gain? I suppose that would be variable depending on zoom amount and f-stop, but just in general?

Thanks again for your feedback. Greatly appreciated.

Regards,

G.
 
Thanks, Billygoat, I second ProAmateur -- it is a great feedback. When not doing interviews I'm shooting mostly handheld, and mostly in good light conditions, and while for my previous docu I was in plenty of chaotic situations I'm now on a slower pace project. The camera is coming to Israel http://www.dvxuser.com/member.php?71876-Billygoatnext week so I think I'll give it a try.
 
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