Couple of questions about AF100

S

speedandstyle

New member
Hello, new here. I am looking at getting the AF100 to replace Canon XL1s but I have a few questions.

First question is for a lens that matches the XL-1s 16x zoom or at least the upper end. If I understand the conversion correctly the XL1s lens is equivalent to a 630mm in 35mm slr{88mm x 7.2 crop factor = 633mm}. The micro 4/3 sensor in the AF100 has a crop factor of 2 so I would need a 315mm or longer lens. Do I have this correct? Anybody know of a good lens , preferably in micro 4/3 mount but I could go with a converted one. Price is a factor so please no $1500+ lens suggestions.

My second question is about the sensor. This is NOT the same sensor as the GH2 - correct? Also does the AF100 have the "Extra Tele Conversion" mode that the GH2 has? I guess that would be the third question!

Lastly any strong opinions on this camera from those who have used it - good and/or bad. I do not want to spend the money only to regret it.

Thank you,
 
speedandstyle said:
First question is for a lens that matches the XL-1s 16x zoom or at least the upper end. If I understand the conversion correctly the XL1s lens is equivalent to a 630mm in 35mm slr{88mm x 7.2 crop factor = 633mm}. The micro 4/3 sensor in the AF100 has a crop factor of 2 so I would need a 315mm or longer lens. Do I have this correct? Anybody know of a good lens, preferably in micro 4/3 mount but I could go with a converted one. Price is a factor so please no $1500+ lens suggestions.
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To the best of my knowledge, it doesn't exist. The larger the sensor, the more expensive the lens, because the more expensive it is to manufacture. So to find a zoom lens that will reach out to 315mm and not suck is going to be far more than $1,500. I mean, a good new 2/3" ENG lens is going to be well north of $10k, and often much more than that. And a 4/3 sensor is much larger. Speaking of which, bare in mind there are no zooms for the AF100 with a servo. Some folks have be getting adapters and putting 2/3" ENG lenses with 2x extender on them (lenses without the extenders won't cover the chip), but then you run into the issue of powering them.

Unless you need shallow depth of field, you might want to look at the AC160. For all intents and purposes, it's an AF100 with 1/3" chips and a 22x servo zoom.

[EDIT... I posted some crap because it's late and I wasn't thinking. There are lenses that long for under $1,500... but looking at the specs, I'm not sure I would want them. Never the less, I've changed this post to remove my inaccurate info]
 
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The lumix 100-300 will get you the telephoto range you're looking for. It isn't fast (I think it's 5.6 on the long end) but it is cheap, it has the reach, has decent autofocus and great image stabilization. Zoom action isn't very good though.

As for overall impressions, the AF100 is a great camera. Great. Images are excellent, it has all the things a shooter needs, and it's really a steal at it's price point. I'm buying another one this week.
 
5.6 will be good enough because it will be used in a properly lit room. Zoom would just be to frame it up and then it would be left alone. The primary use for this camera{well actually I will need two} is for filming a weekly live Bible study. The cameras have to be at the back of the room and the stage is at the front. The canons I currently use reach well but the one I set closer is almost to the end of the zoom range. Just worried that the 300mm will just be short.

Barry , since you seem to know so much about this camera , does it have the "Extra Tele Conversion" mode? The GH2 does and it allows me to use old 16mm cine lenses. These lens have a retro/vintage look to the image but if the AF100 could do it too , that would be great.
 
Barry_Green said:
No, the AF100 doesn't have ETC mode.
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Thanks!

I had searched the internet but could never find a definitive answer. It isn't a deal breaker but it would have been a nice bonus. Still the GH2 does have that mode and it works well using the old lenses. Wish I had the budget to get some classic 35mm cine lenses.
 
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