AF100-Successor in 2015!!!!

For Mcbob- sorry about the non standard quotes.

" What other systems have a non-adapted "cine zoom," though? The Canon 24-105 sure as heck isn't. The Sony 18-heck sure as heck isn't. The Sony 28-135 seems to be close, but is an awfully inconvenient focal length range for S35. Lots of S16 cine zooms available for the BMPCC, but then the camera itself creates a few inconveniences. Sure, you could buy a Fujinon Cabrio for just about anything for the low low price of two arms and four legs, but realistically every system is saddled with compromise."

Red, Sony, Canon. Any others? Yes, every system does have compromises, but the lack of a non-still zoom is a glaring hole that a truck can drive through. It's particularly odd coming from a company the size of Panasonic and with it's resources. Maybe their strategy is to drive the larger sensor/ Pro crowd into their Varicam... I dunno. Whatever the cause of their timidity with their M43 product lineup, it's a self reinforcing cycle that will lead many pros to look elsewhere eventually. I don't necessarily care to go to a S35 camera, but I may be forced to. I'm enamored with M43 for corporate/ commercial work, it's a sweet spot of price,quality,compact size and utility.

" There are palpable advantages in micro 4/3, mostly size, weight, and adaptability. I like being able to choose a very small M43-native prime or zoom or go with an S35 or full-frame lens from just about anybody, depending on the needs of the project. I like having slightly deeper focus for documentary work (but not small-sensor deep), or super shallow focus with speedboosted lenses. I like tossing a 3-lens pro zoom set into a small shoulder bag. I'd say there is now a glut of S35-sensored camcorders out there, and putting out yet another doesn't really differentiate them unless they go wacky with the feature set, system size, or price. JVC has a potentially wonderful solution..."

I haven't suggested the need for another s35 camcorder. I'm suggesting that there is a need for Panasonic to fill in the glaring gaps on what could be otherwise a very successful pro system. The benefits of M43 are minimized when you start slapping on a S35 or FF zoom. That small M43 form factor starts going away quickly.

Hey Veydra, how about making a zoom?
 
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FYI, although another still lens, I've been using the Olympus 12-50. It's still got that goofy hope-and-a-prayer aperture control, but it does have the option of manual focus, and the image is excellent.

I make documentaries and handhold most of the time. I always liked the AF100 because, properly set up, it is the best light weight camera out there, largely because of the MFT size. I'm using a C100 and two Pocket cameras now - the Canon has the 24-105 and 17-55, which although still camera lenses, are easily controlable from the handgrip - the Pockets let me use my ancient arsenal of S16 zooms and the Olympus - but I miss the AF. I've wanted a new and improved version for years, but so far nothing.
 
Just reread my post two above, my not-so-nimble fingers typed "12-50" - The lens I meant is the Olympus 12-40 Pro. Used it all day yesterday without needing to change lenses (on a Pocket Camera where admittedly the 40mm is equivalently longer). It is very sharp and the manual focus is nice. Wish they had a manual iris option as well, but oh well...
 
"Useable ISO (almost no grain) up to 12,800" would be very nice. Pity there is no rumor on a cine zoom...
 
The title of this thread should be: "Panasonic Repeals the Laws of Physics". 16 stops DR, 18mp sized pixels, almost grain free at 12800, improved everything else, 3-4k dollars? - haha, good one! Reminds me of the hype a while back about a certain GH4 firmware update. that one was FT4 rumor also wasn't it? Maybe they forgot the minus sign and meant -FT4.
 
I thought this was for NAB this year? Christmas delivery via Santa Clause would be too late :)

Seriously, that webpage is pretty funny. Basically about the best sensor and camera you can get for an expensive $3,000... Camera makers must see this kind of stuff and want to make high end coffee machines instead.

I guess they could make 16 stops with some kind of HDR technique. A couple of months and we will know.
 
From 4/3 Rumors:

Two sources shared new info about the posisble AF101 MFT camcorder successor

Source 1:

I had a conversation with a Panasonic Rep here in Japan.He told me in the near future there will be an upgrade of the AF 101 camera announced. Newly designed sensor will have an immense dynamic range of up to 15 stops and 4K. Sensor will be a big surprise in unexpected ways. Not shure about the price tag though.

Source 2 via Photorumors.
4K video
18MP photo
16+ stops of dynamic range
Improved lowlight capabilities
Improved skintones
Improved highlight rendition
Useable ISO (almost no grain) up to 12,800
The new camera will basically have one of the best stills and videos images/color rendition/dynamic range compared to the competition
Price tag is expected to be high – similar to the AF101: around $3k-$4k

***
My take: If you look at the competition, these specs sound just about right for what technology can deliver at this point in time. All most likely true!
 
Been thinking about how I would want to use this type of camera in my work situations and I would like to see some out of the box thinking from Panasonic. If these ISO figures would be true, I think they could get away with offering a fixed lens version of the camera. I know people are inclined to want an interchangeable lens camera, but I just want a fixed lens variant - a PX200F

I want a fixed lens because it opens up being able to use the camera in more fluid or "video camera" type situations. Plus it opens up better lens functionality. Here are my specs:

24-300 constant f2.8 lens - (f4 could be passable with the ISO but you would lose some SDOF looks)
Motorized Servo Zoom at the same level as the PX270 - (need those creeps and soft landings)
Same color science and menu choices as the PX270 - (I want this camera to be a match with the PX270)
ISO wheel/selector on the outside of the camera & the option to control ISO with an aperture style ring.
Same AF and IS capability or better than the PX270
4K60p, 1080p120, 720p240/120 with audio - (I want to be able to shoot for extended periods of time at higher framerates with audio)
Micro P2 and Long GOP codecs

Not going to guess on price. I do not want a DSLR. I want a workhorse to go along with my PX270. Panasonic - just get in the game and make this camera!
 
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Originally Posted by Bassman2003
24-300 constant f2.8 lens - (f4 could be passable with the ISO but you would lose some SDOF looks)
FrameFarmMedia said:
I would hate to see the price on this lens to cover M4/3 sensor.
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I'd settle for a decent m4/3 servo zoom like sony makes for their e-mount cameras
 
As you zoom, the f-stop of the 14-140mm lens goes from f-3.5 down to 5.6. If you made it open to f-2.8 and stay there throughout the zoom, the lens would be a lot bigger and heavier. I've become convinced that f-stop, more than anything else, affects lens size and weight.

462px-Aperture_diagram.svg.png

Is there any lens that comes close to your specification? The only lenses I know of that are constant 2.8 have a zoom range of just 3:1. They weigh two pounds (four times as much as the 14-140). The Sony 18-105mm weighs just twice as much, but opens just to f-4, and zooms just 6:1.

Is there anything close to a 13-150mm f-2.8 lens that is not big and heavy?
 
I do not know but lens design seems to be changing quite rapidly these days. If you look at the little LX100, they found a way to make that lens around a ~M4/3rds sensor very small, f1.7 - f2.8 and 24-75 (35mm eq.). If they can make that lens, why can't they make a 24-300mm version which could be much, much larger in comparison? If you have a camera the size of the PX-270 you have a decent amount of size to work with.

Just thinking out loud here.
 
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