af100: is this a good lens setup choice

S

spikespiegel

Member
Hey all, first post here! My team and I have been using a HPX500 and 170 A/B cams for a series we recently sold to Discovery and Ngci. Its a very run and gun shoot but at moments where we had a chance to calm down and capture proper broll we have also used a redrock micro 35mm adapter wi/ the 170. I am quite happy with the HPX500 and the fujinon lens combo ; the 170, not as much; its just OK as a bcam.

I am planning on adding a AF100 to substitute alongside the HPX500 now and minimizing the 170 to shots where we really need something light and portable/inconspicious and on the go. The 500 and the AF 100 will never be that camera, and i'm ok with that.

I was just running by this setup to see if theres anything i'm missing..
Panasonic DMW-MA1 Adapter to Mount 4/3 Lens on Micro 4/3 Camera

(1) Olympus 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens

(1) Olympus 35-100mm f/2.0 ED Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens

(1) VariZoom VZ-PFI Focus/Iris Control for Panasonic Compact HD Cameras

(2) Tiffen 77mm Clear Coated Filter

(1) Tiffen 77mm Circular Polarizing Glass Filter

(3) Panasonic 7.2V 5800mA Battery

  • PAnasonic BTLH80W monitor
  • Nanoflash recording
This is basically the run and gun kit from abel cine, I was wondering if this is an ok place to get started with this kit..? And a couple question on the lenses.. Will they autofocus? There is no zoom rocker on a AF100 body correct, its all done manually via the lens?

Thanks!!
 
Also, wanted to ask, with the nanoflash, i plan to record at 100Mbps bandwidth on average wi/ the mxf wrapper. Question is, in premiere cs5, what sort of a sequence should I select if the camera is set to shoot at 1080 30p? THe HD-SDI changes things around, doesnt it?
 
So .. the VariZoom .. the "zoom" doesn't do diddly (as you probably know) .. there is a noticeable lag for the aperture
control as well as focus. The focus is too course to dial the camera in ... think of it as a mere suggestion.

It's a good "start / stop" control, however.

jeff
 
jmarkham said:
So .. the VariZoom .. the "zoom" doesn't do diddly (as you probably know) .. there is a noticeable lag for the aperture
control as well as focus. The focus is too course to dial the camera in ... think of it as a mere suggestion.

It's a good "start / stop" control, however.

jeff
Click to expand...


Although if you need just a start stop button, you can always just get a mini-jack and wire it to a momentary switch plugged into the s/s port, and viola, external stop start control. ~$2 at radio shack...
 
varizoom was just included part of the kit.

I'm curious as to how the focus work son this camera/lens set and the zoom functionality. Any insight here appreciated. As well as on the lens choices. Thanks!
 
Oliver Rush said:
Although if you need just a start stop button, you can always just get a mini-jack and wire it to a momentary switch plugged into the s/s port, and viola, external stop start control. ~$2 at radio shack...
Click to expand...

you DIY people are all alike :-)

jeff
 
spikespiegel said:
varizoom was just included part of the kit.

I'm curious as to how the focus work son this camera/lens set and the zoom functionality. Any insight here appreciated. As well as on the lens choices. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Zooming a lens designed for still camera is going to be less than optimal.

Using an electronic lens still camera lens ( eg.no aperture ring) is going to be a compromise you may or may not be willing to make.

You can be sure the glass you are looking at is very good to excellent... but thats not the "whole enchillada" when it comes to motion picture work.

Try before you buy.
 
I have the 14-35mm and it´s a great lens. A few things you should know though.
When adjusting iris, it´s not super smooth, but looks like it goes up (or down) by 1/3 at a time. It also makes a mechanical sound when you do this. It has never been recorded with the on board mic as far as I can tell though.
Although you can zoom while shooting (it seems to hold focus, but not every time) it´s best to be avoided
The F2 zoom through makes this a great lens. It´s super sharp and is clearly better at the wide end than the "stock" 14-140mm.
I have the Foxi Bebop focus/iris controller, and although there is a small delay, it find it great for focusing when shooting handheld. I just attach it to the top handle towards the front of the camera
 
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