AF100 vs. Alexa

While the comparison I set up yesterday was just for fun and I didn't roll any footage at all, these days DSLR's are being compared to RED, F35 and Alexa.

I saw an Alexa vs. 7D video test where the cameras were over and under exposed in one stop increments, then graded for correct exposure. The 7D codec fell apart very quickly, the Alexa was good for 6+ stops in both directions. I would expect AVCHD to fall apart rather quickly as well vs. ProRes from a clean, high latitude camera. A camera like the Alexa can save time by not requiring as much light control, due to its amazing DR. And it can offer a whole lot more flexibility in post, theoretically.

Could an AF100 be used for a few insert shots in an Alexa shot project? Absolutely.

http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/freshdv/story/alexa_vs_7d_grading_comparison/
 
Dino said:
While the comparison I set up yesterday was just for fun and I didn't roll any footage at all, these days DSLR's are being compared to RED, F35 and Alexa.

I saw an Alexa vs. 7D video test where the cameras were over and under exposed in one stop increments, then graded for correct exposure. The 7D codec fell apart very quickly, the Alexa was good for 6+ stops in both directions. I would expect AVCHD to fall apart rather quickly as well vs. ProRes from a clean, high latitude camera. A camera like the Alexa can save time by not requiring as much light control, due to its amazing DR. And it can offer a whole lot more flexibility in post, theoretically.

Could an AF100 be used for a few insert shots in an Alexa shot project? Absolutely.

http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/freshdv/story/alexa_vs_7d_grading_comparison/
Click to expand...

Wow! that is an awesome test. Nice find.
 
Dino said:
While the comparison I set up yesterday was just for fun and I didn't roll any footage at all, these days DSLR's are being compared to RED, F35 and Alexa.

I saw an Alexa vs. 7D video test where the cameras were over and under exposed in one stop increments, then graded for correct exposure. The 7D codec fell apart very quickly, the Alexa was good for 6+ stops in both directions. I would expect AVCHD to fall apart rather quickly as well vs. ProRes from a clean, high latitude camera. A camera like the Alexa can save time by not requiring as much light control, due to its amazing DR. And it can offer a whole lot more flexibility in post, theoretically.

Could an AF100 be used for a few insert shots in an Alexa shot project? Absolutely.

http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/freshdv/story/alexa_vs_7d_grading_comparison/
Click to expand...

Hehe, I know you weren't comparing the Alexa to the AF100 as if the AF100 could replace the Alexa :) It's just funny the number of verses posts that DO try and sell the DSLR above some really nice pro camera that happens to be really expensive.
 
I think it is interesting tho, that with proper lighting, shot selection and all things that go into a production, something like an af100 would look 'comparable' to something like the Alexa. Not the same or AS good, but close. The problems come into play with extensive grading and 'fixing' of production mistakes. But the comparison with the 7D is great to show what your paying the big buck for on the Alexa... the big bucks I wish i had!
 
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jburke14 said:
I think it is interesting tho, that with proper lighting, shot selection and all things that go into a production, something like an af100 would look 'comparable' to something like the Alexa. Not the same or AS good, but close. The problems come into play with extensive grading and 'fixing' of production mistakes. But the comparison with the 7D is great to show what your paying the big buck for on the Alexa... the big bucks I wish i had!
Click to expand...

With proper lighting and shot selection, ANY camera will look great.
 
jburke14 said:
I think it is interesting tho, that with proper lighting, shot selection and all things that go into a production, something like an af100 would look 'comparable' to something like the Alexa. Not the same or AS good, but close. The problems come into play with extensive grading and 'fixing' of production mistakes. But the comparison with the 7D is great to show what your paying the big buck for on the Alexa... the big bucks I wish i had!
Click to expand...

It's nice when new members post something so smart and so well-informed. :D

This was exactly the discussion I had with our editor, and with our colorist, in the editing/finishing of "Verse…". Both of them have spent quite a bit of time working with footage from higher-end (and dollar) cameras, and their take was almost word for word what you said. You're never going to have the range to "save" a shot with the AF-100 like you can with film, but given proper lighting and good exposure, you can do a good bit of grading with the AF-100 before things start to fall apart.
 
Stephen Mick said:
It's nice when new members post something so smart and so well-informed. :D

This was exactly the discussion I had with our editor, and with our colorist, in the editing/finishing of "Verse…". Both of them have spent quite a bit of time working with footage from higher-end (and dollar) cameras, and their take was almost word for word what you said. You're never going to have the range to "save" a shot with the AF-100 like you can with film, but given proper lighting and good exposure, you can do a good bit of grading with the AF-100 before things start to fall apart.
Click to expand...

I'm excited about the af100... I have an hpx170 and redrock micro m2e adapter, but would love to make the process a little more streamlined and bypass the adapter, and this camera looks like something that is trying to do that. We have some nice zeiss (ZF still) primes that we LOVE. And i think with this camera they could look great...with proper photography of course ;)
 
jburke14 said:
I'm excited about the af100... I have an hpx170 and redrock micro m2e adapter, but would love to make the process a little more streamlined and bypass the adapter, and this camera looks like something that is trying to do that. We have some nice zeiss (ZF still) primes that we LOVE. And i think with this camera they could look great...with proper photography of course ;)
Click to expand...

Well, if you want to see how those ZF lenses can look on the AF-100, just take a look at "A Verse Before Dying." We shot most of the film with Zeiss Compact Primes and ZFs, so that should give you an idea of what your lenses will look like on the AF.

And this post has some frame grabs showing various lenses used… http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...-NOW-ONLINE!&p=2195538&viewfull=1#post2195538

Now, back on topic…

I had a chance to look at some Alexa footage recently, and I was certainly impressed by the range and fidelity of the image. I can see why Deakins is sold on it, and for projects that have room in the budget for it, the Alexa is a great tool.
 
Dino said:
I saw an Alexa vs. 7D video test where the cameras were over and under exposed in one stop increments, then graded for correct exposure. The 7D codec fell apart very quickly, the Alexa was good for 6+ stops in both directions. I would expect AVCHD to fall apart rather quickly as well vs. ProRes from a clean, high latitude camera. A camera like the Alexa can save time by not requiring as much light control, due to its amazing DR. And it can offer a whole lot more flexibility in post, theoretically.

http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/freshdv/story/alexa_vs_7d_grading_comparison/
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting this. Very interesting.

One thing that amazes me is that the BIG differences between these cameras is not chip size, not pro features, not lenses one can use but really for the most part codec - and specifically the information they can gather. That to me is not such a striking difference. It's data gathering technology that is the weak link here and not the camera anymore.

This is very exciting because one can easily envision an Andromeda AF100 in the near future that doesn't throw away data. Then, I would suspect you could push the AF100 as far as the Alexa in post. I don't know about you guys but I'd certainly be up for that mod in a year or two.
 
Thanks for this comparison. I just cancelled my order for the AF101 and ordered two Alexas instead.
 
Didn't use the AF100 on the telescope for that shoot; we just mounted it there for grins after the landing had already happened. But, I will say, Jay said that just looking at the monitor, his quote was along the lines of "that's the best-looking image I've ever seen come off of that 'scope."
 
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