AF100 still worth picking up?

R

ReelFilmGeek

Well-known member
Recently seeing the price of the AF100 drop and seeing used ones go for as low as $800 on ebay in decent condition. This makes it tempting to pick one up as I currently shoot video on the D7100 and while its a great image its a DSLR and has its kinks. The problem is the AF100 is getting old and while it has great ergonomics the image quality is not ahead of the game, and what worries me the most is the dynamic range and how it handles highlights, specially blue skys that go so bright and cyan and look very ugly.

Still it has a competitive price but how hard is it to get a good image out of the camera? I have been looking to switch to something as I start to short more corporate work more and want to break into doing more commercial work (and I shoot narritives too but those don't pay the bills as much). Yet there is the A7S now which I feel offers a great image (and slow motion and low light), and while it costs more its not much more (I would most likely buy a speed booster for the AF100, and would not be able to sell one of my back up DSLRs [I do photography work as well for work] so the difference in price would not be much) the image is amazing from the a7s.

So does the af100 still worth picking up? I know I have seen good footage come from it in controlled lighting situations but I am mostly worried for daylight exteriors where its really pushed to its limits with overexposing highlights and ugly cyan skys that have that very video like.
 
Depends. If you can get enough extra work or save enough extra time to justify the purchase price, then sure, it's worth getting (used... I wouldn't pay the new price for a 100A).

Here's a small-time user assessment (~3 years). It's satisfied every corporate and commercial assignment I've used it on. I've shot three broadcast pieces (one recent), usually with an Atoms recorder. It's been nixed by producers in deference to the 5D3 in one instance (where it would have been better suited, a sports profile), the C100 (where they just wanted to match cameras), and an EX1 (again, camera match).

It does take extra care on exterior bright daylight shooting, but it's useable... definitely more forgiving of underexposure than overexposure, but not particularly forgiving of either mistake. It's usually lensed with a Nikon Speedbooster and a selection of Nikon-mount lenses (Sigma 18-35 and 50-150 and modded Leica R primes). I personally find it more ergonomic and flexible than the C100. Nearly every other modern large-sensor camera can produce a nicer image (that combo of sharpness, range, and rolloff).

I use my GH4 more often now, as I'm being hired on more shoots with separate sound and the GH4 simply kicks the AF100's ass image-wise and even feature-wise (aside from XLR, ND, SDI, and good Timecode). But on one-man-band type shoots, it's still a go-to because I know it well and can work quickly and efficiently with it.
 
I'm an AF100 owner and have been keeping an eye on how used AF100s are selling on ebay (europe) lately as I was considering picking up a second one. And I've observed that prices are actually going up in the past three months from where they were. I would say an average price for used cam without lens is now around €1500, whereas it was around €1100 over here not so long ago. I dunno what the reason for this might be but I'd like to think it is because people realize it is still a viable cam with serious versatility. The inbuilt NDs are great for those outdoor shots you mention and you can do slo-mo with an Af100 too. And don't under-estimate the audio functionality and exposure tools of the cam. Admittedly, highlights can be an issue and the camera does take a bit of time to learn (get Barry's book and DVD).

The film we've had the most success with this year (a modest documentary about a local family business) was shot 100% on the AF100 (using zeiss zfs, no external recorder) and we've had nothing but praise for the images, even when projected on the big screen at a film festival. No one asked what camera we used, by the way.

I used the cam for a rock gig last night as part of a multi-cam set-up having not shot with it for awhile and it really was a joy to use. I have a shoulder mount rig and even from a handling point of view, the cam was just so practical to use in the crowded venue.

It may not be the only cam I use, but I'm not parting with my AF100 any time soon as it is just too useful.
 
Is it worth $800? Yes, absolutely.

But it also depends on what you're using it for. I shoot almost all my medical work (mostly doctor profiles) on it, because I simply move too slow with my GH4, and we use an assembly line method to shoot the doctors (we often have to shoot multiple interviews plus b-roll in a very short amount of time). The GH4 does kick the AF100's rear end image wise, but the AF100 is still "good enough" that for a lot of things it's simply a better fit than my GH4. Like McBob said, it's a good one man band camera. I'm keeping it until at least NAB to see what Panasonic does and see what the IQ of the JVC LS300 is. Even then, I may hold onto it for a while.
 
Well thanks for the replies that surely helped. I know for most corporate clients they most likey wont complain about the image as its still a decent image, its just that technology has surely moved so fast that its crazy what we are getting out of some cameras now. Also mcbob, how do you like the sigma 18-35mm and 50-150mm combo on the af100? Those would be the lenses I use as I already own them for my nikons when I shoot photography.

And Norvan they are raising in price in Europe? I just lost a bid on ebay for one that sold for $800 (was on the fence of buying one but at that price I was like why not, worst case I just resold it and lost a few bucks). Thanks for the input and I might see if i can get my hands on one to see how i like it soon. I've seen great images in controlled lighting situations its just finding good examples of daylight exteriors. Also hows the EVF and montior on the af100? I've heard mixed things about it and was wondering if I would need to pick up an EVF like the zacuto or SmallHD DP4 to go with it.
 
Mike Harvey said:
Is it worth $800? Yes, absolutely.

But it also depends on what you're using it for.
Click to expand...

At the moment I am shooting corporate interviews and B roll for a construction company but want to start doing more video work again (Started out in video, then moved over to photography work as it was easier to find work at the time). Would love to get into commercial work (and wouldn't mind corporate work to pay the bills).
 
ReelFilmGeek said:
Well thanks for the replies that surely helped. I know for most corporate clients they most likey wont complain about the image as its still a decent image, its just that technology has surely moved so fast that its crazy what we are getting out of some cameras now. Also mcbob, how do you like the sigma 18-35mm and 50-150mm combo on the af100? Those would be the lenses I use as I already own them for my nikons when I shoot photography.

And Norvan they are raising in price in Europe? I just lost a bid on ebay for one that sold for $800 (was on the fence of buying one but at that price I was like why not, worst case I just resold it and lost a few bucks). Thanks for the input and I might see if i can get my hands on one to see how i like it soon. I've seen great images in controlled lighting situations its just finding good examples of daylight exteriors. Also hows the EVF and montior on the af100? I've heard mixed things about it and was wondering if I would need to pick up an EVF like the zacuto or SmallHD DP4 to go with it.
Click to expand...

I use the Sigma 18-35 and 50-150 combo in Canon mount with a
Metabones smart adapter on my FS700. Just an awesome couple
lenses for video work. I guess they wouldn't be quite as wide on
an AF100 but still seem like they'd be a great combo on almost any
big sensor cam.
 
A GH4 producea a far better image, it's what the AF200 will probably produce.
I would buy a GH4 if I didn't absolutely need the XLRs and NDs and SDI. The 4K image out of the GH4 is a whole other league, it gives that "wow" effect to viewers.
 
ReelFilmGeek said:
Also mcbob, how do you like the sigma 18-35mm and 50-150mm combo on the af100? Those would be the lenses I use as I already own them for my nikons when I shoot photography.
Click to expand...

Very very nice. Obviously you know much about them already, and their size pairs well with the larger AF100 body. The Speedbooster makes them 13-25/f1.2 and 35-105/2 lenses, which is awfully handy. They lose all their auto capabilities, obviously, but their manual controls (with the Metabones iris ring) are very very very nice and work well with follow focus if that's your thing.

The third zoom lens I use in my typical AF kit is a Tokina 11-16 for UWA (8-12/f2 on the Speedbooster), and the Sigma 10-20/3.5 also works well on the booster (7-14/f2.5).
 
ReelFilmGeek said:
Also hows the EVF and montior on the af100? I've heard mixed things about it and was wondering if I would need to pick up an EVF like the zacuto or SmallHD DP4 to go with it.
Click to expand...

Monitor and EVF are okay, but nothing spectacular. The EVF is a bit plasticky. In my experience, the monitor tends to be less accurate (and more flattering) than the EVF, but then again we have the waveforms and zebras etc for judging proper exposure. I find both monitor and EVF fine for run and gun work. For narrative work, in controlled lighting situations, I do use an external monitor too but I wouldn't in general say you need to invest in a zacuto or DP4 to get going with an AF100 for most kinds of work.
 
Of course! The AF100 is a fantastic camera. Do yourself a favor and head right over to screen grabs and see some of the beautiful images rendered from the AF100. It is a pleasure to shoot with. I could not have been happier with mine. To think that you might be able to get one for less than a grand is ridiculously great.
 
Last edited:
Mike Harvey said:
I'm keeping it until at least NAB to see what Panasonic does and see what the IQ of the JVC LS300 is...
Click to expand...
I got a hunch you'll see several new working camcorders at the CES'15 (including the previously mentioned JVC units) and a few new photo-video/4K hybrids from the likes of Sony, Olympus and Fuji at the CP+ show in February.
 
We recently bought a 2nd AF101 from a user on here for a good price, they're our main cameras, if you get familiar with the set up, use the waveform whenever possible and buy some nice lenses you'll get some great images. Also got an AC160A coming this week for those jobs that need a fixed lens cam, hopefully it will complement the AF's as well as our HMC151 currently does.
 
The AF100 offeres a great tool set for the price, and still makes pretty pictures. That being said, the GH4 eats its lunch when it comes to resolution.
 
TubEfingers said:
We recently bought a 2nd AF101 from a user on here for a good price, they're our main cameras, if you get familiar with the set up, use the waveform whenever possible and buy some nice lenses you'll get some great images. Also got an AC160A coming this week for those jobs that need a fixed lens cam, hopefully it will complement the AF's as well as our HMC151 currently does.
Click to expand...
Hi, you will love the AC160A if you haven't already used one. I have both and it is a great camera. Resolves higher than the AF100 too- about 1000 lines compared to 800 or so on the AF. Plus it has a MONSTER zoom. They compliment each other well. Menus are almost identical but the AC160 has the advantage of being able to record on both cards simultaneously , so great insurance for the once in a lifetime shoot.
enjoy!
Rod
 
TubEfingers said:
We recently bought a 2nd AF101 from a user on here for a good price, they're our main cameras, if you get familiar with the set up, use the waveform whenever possible and buy some nice lenses you'll get some great images. Also got an AC160A coming this week for those jobs that need a fixed lens cam, hopefully it will complement the AF's as well as our HMC151 currently does.
Click to expand...

I have an AC130A, which I think is close to identical to the 160, aside from SDI. It's a very good cam. 22x zoom can't be beat without stepping up into another tier of camera. Menus are almost identical, like Rod said. About the only main difference is how you change the frame rate. Being able to sync the time code on the AF100 and the 130/160 is really nice for two camera shoots. For event shoots, like a college commencement, I use the AC130A as the A cam for the more close up shot. And then the AF100 with the Lumix 45-175mm servo zoom lens as the B cam wider shot. Works well.
 
:) Yes, the AC160 is a great companion cam for our AF101/HMC151 set up, we recently shot a rescue helicopter film and that longer zoom reach was a godsend, the 3 cams cut seamlessly with a minor amount of CCing, although the AC160 doesn't (to my eye) look any sharper than the AF101/7-14 combo
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top