AG-SFU100 questions

B

Babu

Well-known member
I've been lurking in the FS100 forum reading about the FS700 and the FS100 firmware update. I have a question about the firmware update for the AF100. I remember when the HMC150 came out they released a firmware update to fix a couple of things but one nice jewel in that firmware update is it improved the lowlight quality of the camera. I was told this by 3 different owners of the hmc150 that used them for weddings. The FS100 firmware update seems to have improved the gamma curves on that system and improved highlight handling from the sound of the users there. What are the chances if any we'd see an increase in performance with the AF100 with this paid upgrade? I love the useability my AF100 gives me, and it's been a blast shooting gigs with it. Highlights are what it is, but could the noise reduction be fined tuned in this upgrade? Heck I'd pay Panny to replace my olpf with a less aggressive one which they probably won't do. Thanks
 
The only thing this does is add 1080/60p & 1080/50p recording at 28Mbps, and changes the marker in the viewfinder from 2.35 to 2.39. Is Correcting a marker in the viewfinder and an extra 4Mbps for 60p / 50p worth $250???

Not to me!

And where in the world did Panasonic get the idea that 1080/60p @ 28Mbps was a "Master-Quality" format?????
 
Master quality AVCAM. ; ).
$250 isn't much, it might help as far as resell goes.
1080p60p is a nice touch. I would like to see them throttle up the sensor to at least 30 Mbps.
 
Where did you see any claim of "master quality?"

The firmware update is designed to bring the camera up to AVCHD 2.0 specification. Which means 1080/60p FOR 60p playback, or the "live" look. Think 1080/60i, but with true progressive frames instead of interlaced fields.

This isn't about increasing quality, it's about adding a new capability that didn't exist in the camera before. That's basically something Panasonic has never done before, so it's certainly a departure for them (as is charging for a firmware update, that's new too.)

If you need 60p for slow-mo, you already have it (and, as David pointed out, at a higher mbps than the new firmware offers). But if you need 1080/60p for live footage, including sound, then this firmware is a way to get that. Yes it's at 28mbps, which is what AVCHD 2.0 calls for.

Would I upgrade? No, I don't see any reason to, because I don't use 1080/60p as 60p, I'm quite content with the 1080/60p for overcranking/slow-mo. But if someone's business calls for needing 60p "live", well, now they can get it.
 
Babu said:
I've been lurking in the FS100 forum reading about the FS700 and the FS100 firmware update. I have a question about the firmware update for the AF100. I remember when the HMC150 came out they released a firmware update to fix a couple of things but one nice jewel in that firmware update is it improved the lowlight quality of the camera. I was told this by 3 different owners of the hmc150 that used them for weddings. The FS100 firmware update seems to have improved the gamma curves on that system and improved highlight handling from the sound of the users there. What are the chances if any we'd see an increase in performance with the AF100 with this paid upgrade? I love the useability my AF100 gives me, and it's been a blast shooting gigs with it. Highlights are what it is, but could the noise reduction be fined tuned in this upgrade? Heck I'd pay Panny to replace my olpf with a less aggressive one which they probably won't do. Thanks
Click to expand...



What are the chances that Charlize Theron will show up at my house tomorrow in a string bikini, ready to get it on?

Unlikely, but technically and theoretically possible.

Panasonic is not known for adding earth-shaking features via firmware. They specialize in adding "things-that-should-have-been-there-in-the-first-place" instead....

The paid upgrade will eventually be given out for free and your question is loaded. If there was an increase in low-light performance, don't you think that would be the major feature of the update? Anyways, it's a good camera and produces good quality footage, so go out and shoot. You know very well that this "question" is un-answerable.
 
David W. Jones said:
Well here is just one of many...
http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wc...2052729863&surfModel=Content04022012052729863
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That's an unfortunately-worded press release. I can't fathom that they would call AVCHD "master quality", nor do I think that's what they're doing here. I think they're pointing out that master-quality 1080/60p is becoming more popular, but notice that they didn't say that AVCHD was "master quality". So yeah, that's a real tough one to figure out why they said that.

In any case, in no circumstances can AVCHD 2.0 be considered "master quality".
 
dcloud said:
will the new af100s have these or those needs upgrade as well? really weird if not
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Can't believe that I didn't think to ask that. I don't think they will; I think this is being considered as an "optional" upgrade, but I don't actually know for sure.
 
I would love to see them add the marker change into the next basic firmware upgrade. I shoot narrative, at 24P, so I don't have need for live 60P but I do shoot in 'scope on some pictures and proper markers would be useful. Of course now I use the markers on the TVLogic, so I've learned to live without them in camera. But since the original 2.35:1 markers were essentially a 'mistake', I'd like to see the fix unbundled from a paid upgrade, especially a paid upgrade that appears to me to be targeted at broadcast and sports shooters, rather than narrative folks who are more likely to shoot in 'scope anyway.
 
Barry_Green said:
That's an unfortunately-worded press release. I can't fathom that they would call AVCHD "master quality", nor do I think that's what they're doing here. I think they're pointing out that master-quality 1080/60p is becoming more popular, but notice that they didn't say that AVCHD was "master quality". So yeah, that's a real tough one to figure out why they said that.

In any case, in no circumstances can AVCHD 2.0 be considered "master quality".
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Yup, it's just cleverly-worded marketing hype. Nowhere do they say AVCHD is master quality....just that "recording in 60fps" is master quality. I guess my handy-cam is master quality.

It's like re-releasing a DVX100 in a red color and saying that this RED color gives you cinema 4k quality.
 
StephenM said:
I would love to see them add the marker change into the next basic firmware upgrade. I shoot narrative, at 24P, so I don't have need for live 60P but I do shoot in 'scope on some pictures and proper markers would be useful. Of course now I use the markers on the TVLogic, so I've learned to live without them in camera. But since the original 2.35:1 markers were essentially a 'mistake', I'd like to see the fix unbundled from a paid upgrade, especially a paid upgrade that appears to me to be targeted at broadcast and sports shooters, rather than narrative folks who are more likely to shoot in 'scope anyway.
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+1
 
Can the Atomos samurai record 1080/60p thrue SDI or only 720/60p? (or will it only work with the Ninjas HDMI?)
 
StephenM said:
I would love to see them add the marker change into the next basic firmware upgrade. I shoot narrative, at 24P, so I don't have need for live 60P but I do shoot in 'scope on some pictures and proper markers would be useful. Of course now I use the markers on the TVLogic, so I've learned to live without them in camera. But since the original 2.35:1 markers were essentially a 'mistake', I'd like to see the fix unbundled from a paid upgrade, especially a paid upgrade that appears to me to be targeted at broadcast and sports shooters, rather than narrative folks who are more likely to shoot in 'scope anyway.
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+1. I use masking tape... and it sux

Barry_Green said:
Can't believe that I didn't think to ask that. I don't think they will; I think this is being considered as an "optional" upgrade, but I don't actually know for sure.
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it will be a free promo once the $500 amex card expires :)
 
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Barry_Green said:
The firmware update is designed to bring the camera up to AVCHD 2.0 specification. Which means 1080/60p FOR 60p playback, or the "live" look. Think 1080/60i, but with true progressive frames instead of interlaced fields.
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Barry, is this the full extent of AVC2.0? I've been wondering what it entailed.

And I guess regular recording at 1080/60p results in a loss of light (is it a stop?), just as overcranking does?
 
Phil1076 said:
.... If there was an increase in low-light performance, don't you think that would be the major feature of the update? Anyways, it's a good camera and produces good quality footage, so go out and shoot. You know very well that this "question" is un-answerable.
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To be honest I don't know what they did with the hmc150 firmware update. Was it stated that it would improve lowlight or did they just sneak it in there? All I know is they did it. You don't have to worry about me shooting with my cam. Clocking in hours since 2011. Up to 457hrs right now and clocking. Thanks for your input.
 
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