AF100 Rig Advice Needed!

R

ryansworld10

Member
LIST UPDATED

Hello, I have come up with a list of equipment for the AF100 to get when I buy the camera.
Please offer any suggestions you have!

Panasonic AG-AF100 Starter Kit
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/750702-REG/Panasonic_AG_AF100_Starter_Kit.html
$5499.99 (Essential)


Sachtler Ace Fluid Head with 2-Stage Aluminum Tripod & Mid-Level Spreader
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/822102-REG/Sachtler_1001_Ace_Fluid_Head_with.html
$534.99 (Essential)


Kingston 32GB SDHC Gen 2 Ultimate X Memory Card (Class 10) (x2)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/762884-REG/Kingston_SD10G2_32GB_32GB_SDHC_Gen_2.html
$99.99 (Essential)


Pearstone VW-VBG6 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack (7.2 V, 4800 mAh)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...VW_VBG6_VW_VBG6_Lithium_Ion_Battery_Pack.html
$99.99 (Essential)


D|Focus V3
http://jag35.com/index.php/products/followfocus/dfocus.html
$139.99


SmallHD DP4-EVF
http://www.smallhd.com/Store/4-3-Monitors-EVF/DP4-EVF
$749.99


Jag35 Articulating Arm
http://jag35.com/index.php/accessoryarm.html
$54.99


Rode NTG-2 Battery or Phantom Powered Condenser Shotgun Microphone
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/400806-REG/Rode_NTG_2_Battery_or_Phantom.html
$299.99


Genus GL GVCSMK Video Shoulder Mount
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/769540-REG/Genus_GL_GVCSMK_GL_GVCSMK_Video_Shoulder.html
$949.99


Total Price (Essential)
$6234.99


Total Price (complete)
$8429.99
 
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I've had my camera for a couple of weeks and I know it's tempting to buy all the things right away. I would suggest that you wait until you've used the camera before you start acquiring a load of extras. My camera came with one battery and no memory cards, so these were my first purchases. It came with the Lumix 14-140mm, but I have several Nikon lenses, so I bought the Novoflex adapter (very nice, by the way). You probably already have an adequate tripod/head that will allow you to get started. I'm currently looking at the Manfrotto 504 head/546 sticks.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...to_504HD_546BK_504HD_Head_w_546B_2_Stage.html
 
The only thing on your list besides the camera Pkg I would possibly keep would be the SmallHD Monitor.

If it were me, I would start by investing in basics like extra batteries, memory cards, memory card case, camera protection such as a case or bag, microfiber lens cleaning cloth, and a very good fluid head/sticks. I think so many newer shooters get caught up in all the indie film gear hype that the first thing they do is blow their budget on a matte box, follow focus & monster shoulder rig, when there are areas that would make a bigger impact on their productions like lighting and audio.

Of course I have no idea what you are going to be shooting, no idea what gear you may already own, and no idea of your working budget.

All the Best!

Dave
 
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I agree with the previous poster. If you want feedback on your purchase list, we need an idea of how it will be used primarily. Example: I have a redrock mattebox and different filters for it, but i don't use it that often. Can you afford to have a piece of gear you don't use often? Perhaps that purchase could wait for a job that could pay for it. Same with the follow focus and shoulder rig. It really depends on what you are shooting.

I personally would be purchasing a good lav mic, a good wireless mic, some lights and a camera bag before most of the other accessories you've listed.

just my 2 cents.
g.
 
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And lenses. What do you have for lenses? Purchasing good lenses will go further for your production value than a FF, matte box and shoulder rig. IF, you only have the lens that will be coming with the cam (14-140 I believe?)
 
Yup, better tripod. It'll last longer than the camera.

More batteries. And good ones.

Lenses. Scour Ebay for old Nikon primes with manual aperture and manual focus.
 
Forget those extras and spend all you can on the tripod. You'll still be using it years after the a f100 has become long in the tooth.
 
Skip the manfrotto if possible. There is a reason it is the #1 listed used video tripod on ebay. Try to find a used Vinten, Miller or Cartoni in the same price category as the new Manfrotto and you will be happier in the long run. YMMV but I humbly suggest the Vinten vision 5 or 6 or the Cartoni ALFA II but you might even be able to find a good Miller DS in the same price range. The "leverage" of the AF100 is the potential to use still prime lenses that in some cases will outperform (optically) cinema style lenses that are vastly more expensive. Nikkor lenses are great, Canon FD lenses can be too and are generally much less expensive.
 
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