AF100 rig for documentary shoots

S

StephenVilas

New member
I am currently using the AF100 for a documentary shoot. I've done a few days of test shooting with it and looking for some advice on putting together a rig.

At times, the project demands following of characters which means i have to be quite mobile and not carry too much weight. stability is an issue if i just shoot handheld.

what rig would work best here? shoulder mount? or something in the lines of those Nano DSRL rigs? ideally, i would need something which can also hold a nanoflash and perhaps extra power supply.

i would love to hear what other documentary shooters are working with.
anyone using an extra monitor for documentary shoots?
also, any suggestions for a good and affordable microphone for this type of shooting?

much appreciated!
 
This is so dependent on your personal tastes and what you're shooting. I'm working on a film about street youth. I shot one day with a full shoulder rig, but it was way too cumbersome and distracting to my subjects. Now I carry a monopod with a quick release, or just handhold the camera stock using the 14-140 and OIS. (My biggest problem has been the terrible EVF, I just can not get reliable focus from that if I'm wide open with a prime.) Following characters can work well just holding the handle (with OIS), much better than any shoulder rig IMHO, but of course you get a lower perspective. I have a DP6 but don't use it much, but it's something I would consider almost essential when you have the time to set it up. For a mic, most of the time I'm putting a wireless lav on my subject, or shooting with a short shotgun. I have an Audio-Techinca model that's pretty decent for a short but no longer made. Even a Sennheiser ME66 will show in the frame at 14mm, so be careful.
 
I shoot docs and lots of handheld and I keep going back again and again to the Lumix 20mm lens. I'll throw on the 14-140 or a 50mm prime or whatever, but for some reason it just never feels as right as using that little pancake. I think I figured out why. The camera just weighs so little with the 20mm on it, and the lens is so damn sharp wide open that everything pretty much looks great. Sure, I have to move around a lot more for reframing, but I think for the most part I like that. I end up getting better shots when I move instead of zooming with a lens. The only drawback is the focus ring. But for me the AF100 bare with just the 20mm can really take you far in a doc shooting situation. Of course I'll keep my fanny pack on with a couple extra lenses just in case (definitely does not look cool though.)
 
StephenVilas said:
... ideally, i would need something which can also hold a nanoflash and perhaps extra power supply.
Click to expand...

I use Olof's shoulder mount, & an EVF hung upside-down from the AF100's handle via a Noga Arm, & Cine Locks

http://www.westsideavstore.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=8&pg=1

He's also making a wood handle.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?249464-AF100-Wood-Handles-finally-off-to-the-Anodizer

Beside Anton, or V-mount, bricks there is a small Swit battery that replace the AF100's, & has a tap for powering the Nanoflash.

http://www.abelcine.com/store/Swit-VW-VBG6-7.2V-Battery-for-Panasonic-AF100/

Lenses are a harder choice, but I always include the 14-140mm.

On-camera mics are a compromise at best, & I chose a Audio-Technica AT875 for it's short length, as I find few things are more annoying then another cameraperson's mic creeping into your shot.

Audio-Technica AT875 Short Condenser Shotgun Microphone
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/495302-REG/Audio_Technica_AT875R_AT875_Short_Condenser_Shotgun.html

Coiled XLR Cable
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/732252-REG/Pearstone_C2413603_RC_3_Pin_XLR_M_to_Angled.html

Here's one person's overview of mics.
www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/right_mic_brockett.html

Best,
Bern
 
Last edited:
EidolonFilms said:
I shoot docs and lots of handheld and I keep going back again and again to the Lumix 20mm lens. The only drawback is the focus ring.
Click to expand...

Strap on a 6-8" zip-tie around the focus ring, trim the zip-tie to 1" or less and be amazed at how easy it is to focus the lens now.
 
stevedocmaker said:
This is so dependent on your personal tastes and what you're shooting. I'm working on a film about street youth. I shot one day with a full shoulder rig, but it was way too cumbersome and distracting to my subjects. Now I carry a monopod with a quick release, or just handhold the camera stock using the 14-140 and OIS. (My biggest problem has been the terrible EVF, I just can not get reliable focus from that if I'm wide open with a prime.) Following characters can work well just holding the handle (with OIS), much better than any shoulder rig IMHO, but of course you get a lower perspective.
Click to expand...

Thanks Steven, for sharing your experience. I don't mind handheld and the lower perspective. I've been doing this for most shoots in the past with the EX1 and think it works fine. untill now i haven't really found a way that works better for me. Tried the Easyrig before, but just found it silly and cumbersome. then again, i havent tried the nanorigs for DSLRs. Problem i have with handheld is that when im following a character it just becomes too shakey and looking for something that would make it look a little bit smoother. no need for steadicam material, but just something that wouldn't clash so much with the fixed shots i have.

What kind of monopod + release are you using? I've been thinking of getting one of these, it would definitely be an improvement over the tripod im using now, which is light enough but not always that practical.

stevedocmaker said:
I have a DP6 but don't use it much, but it's something I would consider almost essential when you have the time to set it up. For a mic, most of the time I'm putting a wireless lav on my subject, or shooting with a short shotgun. I have an Audio-Techinca model that's pretty decent for a short but no longer made. Even a Sennheiser ME66 will show in the frame at 14mm, so be careful.
Click to expand...

DP6 looks great. What about this one: RUIGE 480HD
I'm also using wireless lavs but would like to combine with a short shotgun. what's a good system to attach the receiver to the camera (on the side or something) when having a shotgun installed on the top of the af100?
 
AF handheld.jpg
Just posted this in the rig thread. Hand held in the traditional verite style shooting like the CP16mm camera. I rigged it with the Cineroid viewfinder, a follow focus, use mostly two zooms the 16-50 2.8 Tokina and Nikon 35-70mm 2.8. I have Hot Rod handles and an Indian baseplate, shoulder pad all secured to Manfrotto quick release to tripod. It's light compact and can rig extra shot gun sound if I'm solo and a ring light if needed. Might make adjustments as I go with a weight plate but don't seem to need it as yet. The shoulder pad is behind me at the moment and will have some form of cushion under the baseplate as that is were the camera sit son my shoulder. It is very close up to my eye.
 
I'm using a Flashpoint carbon monopod, with the manfrotto 394 QR.

You'll notice that there are a couple of 1/4" threaded holes on the top of the handle. I mounted a cold shoe in one of these, and my Sennheiser receiver fits nicely there. I also mounted the microphone holder upside down, mostly because it makes it fit in my case better, but it also gives me use of the stock cold shoe that way.

I think you'll find doing following shots holding the camera loosely by the handle and using OIS gives decent results.
 
I've read more than a few posts that claim the AF100 unsuitable for documentary work. I find this puzzling, as I purchased it expressly for shooting a series of documentaries! Here's a piece we just finished for Hawaiian Skies, the Hawaiian Airline inflight video magazine:

http://vimeo.com/25162586

"For the Birds" takes you to the 6,000 foot level of Mauna Kea, on the Big Island of Hawaii. We worked in cold, wet weather, and the AF100 never missed a beat, and I felt totally confident that we would come back with the goods.

For the gearheads:
Mattebox: Formatt clip-on mattebox
Lens: Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 G lens with Novoflex Nikon/M43 aperture control adapter
Follow focus: Cavision, modified with left hand palm grip
Handgrip: Westside AV Aaton grip with integral start/stop switch and my modified Zacuto rosette mount (single point mount)
Baseplate: Genus Hotplate
Baseplate quick release: DM-Accessories VCT-WEDGE Mount

If you're interested I can post some photos of my rig.
 
wbrock001 said:
What framerate and slider did you use for the documentary?
Click to expand...

1080p (30fps). It's an Igus slider I built myself back in the summer of 2009, before they were available commercially. Incredibly simple, and easy to pack into remote locations.
 
I spend a week at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indy500 shooting a doc with a RedRock Shoulder Mount with a monopod and a few lenses. I used the 14-140 for all of the run and gun stuff, an 85 and 135 for the race track footage. Everything is as sharp as I could want. I did a commercial doc style shoot on the streets of NYC this week with a Nikon 17-55 f/2.8. No complains there either. Same setup, but had a TVLogic monitor onboard for this one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top