AF100 for news as a replacement to HPX2100?

since I'm an Avid guy, can you tell me on FCP, can you playback video, say that P2 footage, on your timeline, as soon as it shows up in your project?
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Apple, by themselves, prevent you from doing the drag 'n' drop tapeless workflow. But you can circumvent them. If you use Raylight or Calibrated, it's truly a drag-and-drop process, you can plug in the card and drag the files to the timeline and edit instantly.

Years ago Apple used to allow other file formats, but sometime around the HVX's release they changed their corporate policy to enforce a "quicktime only" mentality, and as such, no other file formats are or ever will be supported, and users of other file formats are comparatively punished by being forced to go through the (technologically unnecessary) Log & Transfer process, which results in (at the minimum) a file rewrap, and at the worst, a complete codec conversion. With the addition of third-party software, you can give the Apple NLE the same functionality that basically every other NLE on the planet enjoys, which is freedom from file conversions.
 
I think I've clearly defined what "news" Im talking about. When I use the word "news", I'm referring to anything non-fiction and not corporate/commercial. I personally dont like using the term "news" in my and others work either because it suggests certain traditional connotations. What it definitely is not, is corporate, red carpet etc. I've repeatedly called it news magazine or short-doc. We produce pieces that take days to weeks or even a month. I've also said before that if I could only own/use one camera it would still be my EX1. If you believe there is no place for a 5D, AF or F3 in ANY TYPE of "news" environments then that's your opinion and you should stick 100% to ENG. There's no argument here and I agree with 90% of what your saying. If you dont want to accept the fact that a lot pro's are not using ENG's for certain type's of work these days, I'm not gonna sit here and try and convince otherwise. My still photojournalist partner shot the stills for our upcoming nationally broadcast news magazine show on a medium format Hasselblad on Tri-x B&W film. No still shooter working for wire service's would ever do that. The same way nightly news wouldn't use a AF100. I used the EX for 70% and 5D for 30% of the show.

Everyone; use what your comfortable with and or what's best for the situation at hand.
 
bhdfield said:
I think you need to define what "news" you're talking about when talking about the AF100 in a news environment. I shot National Press Photographers (NPPA) style and was a member of that organization for years. It dictated composed photography and visual storytelling applied to feature work or daily TV news packages edit on deadline, and it made a difference on the air. The gear we used was traditional ENG. It was extremely durable, made beautiful images (for its time), and was very expensive. But that's news. I generally wouldn't consider shooting the stuff you're talking about "news", as it has more in common with corporate shooting, in terms of the rigors, production value, and workflow. If I were to shoot another feature package in a KC-135 on a refueling mission knowing I needed to edit a kick ass story that night, I would not choose the AF100 for that task, I would go for the traditional ENG camera, or even the multi-tasker HVX. If you're talking about shooting red carpets and sit down interviews, then the AF100 would be an economical alternative to more expensive ENG gear. But to me, that's not "news". It's news magazine. Different beast.
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to clarify 'news' here are a couple of examples of work ive done abroad. I work for a 24 hour news station based in the UK but has an international audience.

http://vimeo.com/7477840
http://vimeo.com/7478772
http://vimeo.com/2845426

the work i do is very varied - im a cameraman / editor so I edit all my own material in the field on FCP, so no work flow issues to worry about - we shoot everything in HD and file back using FTP through BGan or hotel internet (compressed using M-LINK)

I Feel that i could achieve better results using a combination of cameras rather than just relying on the big ENG camera. whether this could impact on missing shots because of lens changes, lack of zoom motor etc remains to be seen and i guess it will be very be down to the decisions i make on each story.
 
Yes, I'd say given the kinds of stories in your examples, you could definitely benefit from the AF100. I would consider these news stories much more a documentary style, where you often (though not always) have the time to compose beautiful shots, and have repeating or constant action. The most utilitarian single lens available right now for the AF is the 14-140, with its autofocus and stabilization. But it's slow, and you'll need to zoom to get the shallow DOF. But still, I think that lens and the AF100 would be a great combo for stories like you've linked above. Very nice work!
 
One thing to consider is going to be a horrible form factor for hand held shooting. Add some heavier prime lens in front and I predict you'll have egronomical nightmare on your hands.
 
duncsharp said:
to clarify 'news' here are a couple of examples of work ive done abroad. I work for a 24 hour news station based in the UK but has an international audience.

http://vimeo.com/7477840
http://vimeo.com/7478772
http://vimeo.com/2845426

the work i do is very varied - im a cameraman / editor so I edit all my own material in the field on FCP, so no work flow issues to worry about - we shoot everything in HD and file back using FTP through BGan or hotel internet (compressed using M-LINK)

I Feel that i could achieve better results using a combination of cameras rather than just relying on the big ENG camera. whether this could impact on missing shots because of lens changes, lack of zoom motor etc remains to be seen and i guess it will be very be down to the decisions i make on each story.
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Excellent stuff Duncan! I suggest you wait a bit more til these cameras get a full motor zoom and rocker....it will come! Til then keep your big beast and continue the good work!
 
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