AF100 or FS100?

maxusa said:
I would like to understand better what the original poster (stevedocmaker) considers a decent handle. It may be the case of extreme/specialized application.
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Maybe it's just my hand, by I find the thing extremely uncomfortable and awkward. I'm doing a lot of handheld work at the moment, so I'm picky about this. I also think that they could have come up with something more innovative than just the hold-it-up-to-eye-level (and use the junky EVF) angle. Olaf's design is far superior, for example.

Regarding the EVF, I know it was a cost decision. I think Sony is on the right reack in having the LCD double as the EVF.
 
The handle isn't crap! I recently had a Cooke 25-250 mounted on my AF100 and picked the whole rig up by that handle without fear. I doubt the FS100 could handle that. Look, both cameras are cool. But I'm VERY happy with my AF100 and very happy it has HD/SDI. Was shooting a Showtime promo the other week and the client had the luxury of viewing the footage on a 17" panny ran through my Ki Pro Mini. HDMI can suck it.
 
EVF sucks but doesn't suck anymore that most cameras. Handle is great. Balances nicely once a lens attached. Love the fact that it's removable too!
 
stevedocmaker said:
Maybe it's just my hand, by I find the thing extremely uncomfortable and awkward. I'm doing a lot of handheld work at the moment, so I'm picky about this. I also think that they could have come up with something more innovative than just the hold-it-up-to-eye-level (and use the junky EVF) angle. Olaf's design is far superior, for example. Regarding the EVF, I know it was a cost decision. I think Sony is on the right reack in having the LCD double as the EVF.
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It seems that you hold a grudge about the AF100 handheld shooting is general and the side hand grip in particular, not the top handle/bracket that many posters here refer to.

I looked at Olof Ekbergh's accessories at Westside AV Studios and elsewhere on this forum. There are some interesting shoulder/accessory brackets for the AF100. I found Olof's wooden side hand grip. I also found your post with your DIY side hand grip. I see how these side handles can be more comfortable, however, must say that for predominantly handheld/ENG-style work a shoulder mounted camcorder would provide better ergonomics. It appears that for your application, any compact camcorder (not only the AF100) would offer less than optimal handling unless you build a specialized handheld rig.
 
Well I own the AF100 and the FS100 and I hate the handles on both of them, for my hands they are both extremely uncomfortable to shoot with. In fact, I even tried to shoot handheld with the AF100 on a shoot and got so frustrated with how much it bothered my hands, I haven't shot that way since.

The FS100 on the surface sounded better because I could rotate it, but the problem is the weight distribution is all wrong. On both cameras, the hand is just not the right spot for me. I am building something different for handheld at the moment.

The top handle on the AF100 is superior to the FS100, but for me, that doesn't matter. I don't want a tall camera because I undersling on a shoulder mount. I would have loved to take the AF100 handle off but the EVF makes that useless to do for me.

The ND filter on the AF100 *IS* a time saver. Period. That said, if you are going to be shooting deep within a building with little light, then I'd seriously consider the FS100. In all my low light found light testing, that was probably the only area I was unhappy with the AF100 in comparison to the FS100. In all other situations, the AF100 looks just as great. Both cameras produce decent footage to my eyes that I have been VERY happy with.

I'd say the one issue that has annoyed me from day one on my AF100 is no 1:1 zoom for focus assist. The FS100 has 2:1 focus assist zoom. I have tried to use the focus in red feature and for me, it doesn't work that often as I'd like (and I've tried). Now since I typically use a SmallHD DP6 attached to the AF100, this really hasn't been an issue. It allows me to leave the waveform monitor up on the AF100 which is awesome. (And the histogram on the FS100 with the zebra line on it is nice as well).

I also like the FS100 has a dual record feature with their flash memory unit. I *WILL* be picking this up for safety.

As many have said, this is where I look at my pros and cons simplistically:

FS100 PLUSES: smaller, lighter, more sensative, 1080p60 WITH audio, better battery life, dual record to flash unit
FS100 MINUSES: no ND, no negative gain, no built in mic, no SDI if you need (I don't),

AF100 PLUSES: ND, negative gain, built in mic, SDI, birger mount comes out first
AF100 MINUSES: size (height mostly), less sensitive, a little less wide,


I don't use the EVF on the AF100 and I am 6'4" so the LCD on the FS100 is perfect where it is. These are both things that should be considered. (especially placement). Also, I've not had moire problems on either camera yet.
 
Well I get asked this question A LOT. Everyone wants there to be a clear winner I feel, but there isn't. Decide what is most important to you and take that one, simple :)
 
Yep. Every product fulfills a specific niche or other. And some products that are perfect for one person, would be ridiculous for another person. There is no such thing as an overall "better", there's only "better for a specific purpose." So figure out what your intended usage is, and then choose which product fits your style better.

But for the love of pete, folks, please don't try to wedge one product into another product's niche just because somebody on the internet tells you "oh, get this one, it's 'better'."

All these products are good and valid for their specific purpose.
 
I have said this before (im evaluating both cameras) FS100=heart AF100=head

The reason I will probably buy the FS is that the bigger chip makes 'cooler' images

I can see buying the AF100 and still shooting on my 5 or 7 a lot, just saving the AF100 for corporate emergencies

IMO the FS100 will be more fun and still almost handle those corporate jobs
 
Would it be fair to say that the FS100 is better for Cinema, while the Af100 is better for documantaries/corporate videos?
 
Danespina said:
Would it be fair to say that the FS100 is better for Cinema, while the Af100 is better for documantaries/corporate videos?
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The high native ISO, poor ergonomics, & lack of a ND wheel, will cause users to rig the FS100 more like a cinema camera, but the AF100 is a fine choice for most types of productions, & a much better choice for most documentary work.

To the difference in chip size, I don't put much weight in it. The FS100 chip is not that much bigger, & there are fast lenses available for m4/3, notably the 25/0.95, & 14-35/2.
 
Danespina said:
Would it be fair to say that the FS100 is better for Cinema, while the Af100 is better for documantaries/corporate videos?
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I sure wouldn't say that. I think it's more fair to divide them along the lines of: those who think shooting on a DSLR is a good experience, will love the FS100. Those who think shooting on a professional video camera, will love the AF100.
 
Barry_Green said:
those who think shooting on a DSLR is a good experience, will love the FS100. Those who think shooting on a professional video camera, will love the AF100.
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+10 :) :) :) :)

I just LOVE shooting with my AF100 after a year in purgatory with dSLRs!

I'd also go with a different camera altogether if I were primarily shooting run-and-gun documentaries- an all-in-one camcorder with a decent lens and a smaller sensor so focussing isn't so critical. That's why I've kept my HVX200's... although I must admit they are getting hardly any use.

Cheers, Hywel.
 
I'd even go further to say, if I was doing run and gun, documentary type stuff, I'd probably go with a different camera altogether than the FS100 or the AF100. I think a small sensor sized camera just offers more protection in design for shooting for things you might not be able to rerecord.
 
Rick Burnett said:
I'd even go further to say, if I was doing run and gun, documentary type stuff, I'd probably go with a different camera altogether than the FS100 or the AF100. I think a small sensor sized camera just offers more protection in design for shooting for things you might not be able to rerecord.
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Totally agree.
 
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