Does the AF100 have the same bad jello problem as GH2?

Adamsenoj

Well-known member
I know the AF100 is better at moire and aliasing than the GH2. But is it also better at the horrible jello problem the GH2 has?
 
The AF100 isn't as bad as the GH2. The skew is still there but I basically never get the wobble type effect in normal use that a GH2 or 5D might give me.
 
The AF100 is really great in Raid Redemption. I didn't think I'd like it and watched it just to see how the AF100 did, but it's a good movie! The action stuff, the handheld, is stellar. I have a GH2 and it is worse with rolling shutter than the AF100 by a lot, in my opinion.
 
The AF100 is really great in Raid Redemption. I didn't think I'd like it and watched it just to see how the AF100 did, but it's a good movie! The action stuff, the handheld, is stellar. I have a GH2 and it is worse with rolling shutter than the AF100 by a lot, in my opinion.
+1
 
I've found that if you use the EVF for shooting handheld on the GH2, it really helps minimize the jello. I've done some shots that way that I was sure would turn into jello city, but they came out fine.
 
If you need to minimize jello, try shooting with the GH2 in ETC zoom mode. It has far less skew than the AF100. The drawbacks are an increased noise level and the 2.6X zoom factor.
 
I think the jello alone is a deal breaker for me with the GH2. You just see so many people bashing the AF100 and praising the GH2 that you wonder if they shoot only locked off. But that would explain why most GH2 videos you see are indeed locked off or with very little movement. Mostly you see videos trying to prove the point that it's sharper than the AF100 by shooting locked off landscape and city shots. This Raid movie is insane and I had no idea it was filmed with the AF100. The GH2 would have looked like Jello-Yello under those conditions. Props for the AF100 for being used in a such a production. Maybe GH2 looks nice for web video tests but as far as I know it has not been used in a real movie yet. I only wonder if the same people who say they prefer the GH2 would still prefer it if the AF100 cost only $2,500-2,700.
 
I think the jello alone is a deal breaker for me with the GH2. You just see so many people bashing the AF100 and praising the GH2 that you wonder if they shoot only locked off. But that would explain why most GH2 videos you see are indeed locked off or with very little movement. Mostly you see videos trying to prove the point that it's sharper than the AF100 by shooting locked off landscape and city shots. This Raid movie is insane and I had no idea it was filmed with the AF100. The GH2 would have looked like Jello-Yello under those conditions. Props for the AF100 for being used in a such a production. Maybe GH2 looks nice for web video tests but as far as I know it has not been used in a real movie yet. I only wonder if the same people who say they prefer the GH2 would still prefer it if the AF100 cost only $2,500-2,700.

It's being used on four major motion pictures right now, two of which I put several hacked GH2's on personally. Along with a good three or four broadcast narrative television shows (ABC, etc).

By major, I mean worldwide theatrical release with household stars.

Choose a camera, go and shoot.
 
No.

GH2 jello is manageable, though... heck, 5D2 jello is even worse, and they still use that old thing in all sorts of situations. Just don't free-hand the thing with long lenses.
 
I think the jello alone is a deal breaker for me with the GH2. You just see so many people bashing the AF100 and praising the GH2 that you wonder if they shoot only locked off. But that would explain why most GH2 videos you see are indeed locked off or with very little movement. Mostly you see videos trying to prove the point that it's sharper than the AF100 by shooting locked off landscape and city shots. This Raid movie is insane and I had no idea it was filmed with the AF100. The GH2 would have looked like Jello-Yello under those conditions. Props for the AF100 for being used in a such a production. Maybe GH2 looks nice for web video tests but as far as I know it has not been used in a real movie yet. I only wonder if the same people who say they prefer the GH2 would still prefer it if the AF100 cost only $2,500-2,700.

Wow really? What other movies are you sampling? Locked off only?
By the way...from what i understand "The Raid" was shot with AF100 and I believe some GH-2 also.
Not used in a real movie yet?

*deleted*

The GH-2 as well as the AF has been used professionally for the last couple of years. Skew is on par with any other DSLR out there....that have been used professionally for the past several years.
 
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used street price on the AF100 IS only a hair above $2700... and I still prefer GH2 in certain situations (but of course not all situations).

That's why lots of m43 shooters own both. It's a nice combo, cheaper and lighter than the current Sony or Canon "2 Cams in a backpack" pairings (ie FS100+NEX5N, C300+whatever) and comparably capable.
 
used street price on the AF100 IS only a hair above $2700... and I still prefer GH2 in certain situations (but of course not all situations).

That's why lots of m43 shooters own both. It's a nice combo, cheaper and lighter than the current Sony or Canon "2 Cams in a backpack" pairings (ie FS100+NEX5N, C300+whatever) and comparably capable.

So you have both? It would be interesting to know which situations you prefer one over the other. Thank you.
 
Sure... The rates and jobs I work prioritize speed and accuracy above ultimate quality, so whatever gets the job done "well enough" the easiest gets the nod.

I generally use the AF100 for quick work where I need decent in-camera synced audio, where I need to make multiple adjustments while rolling, and where I need various other features that the AF100 has: TC, VFR, HD-SDI, relay record, pre-record, and so forth.

The GH2 gets the A-cam nod for primarily non-VFR visuals-only shoots, super-quick shoots where "ok" single-mic synced audio will do, low-profile work, and situations where there's going to be a lot of inventive rigging: on a crane, boom, small steady rig, on or in cars, inside an OR, through a microscope, in a fridge or microwave, and similar "smaller is better" scenarios. And of course it's too dang small not to throw in the camera bag as a quick n' simple B-cam on interviews and performances.
 
I was thinking the original question was more about the AF-100 than mounting a defense of another camera? Don't be bashful in correcting me if I have it wrong.

Adam... The answer to your question is arguably, yes but you're going to find some skew in all CMOS (3MOS) cameras. It's an imperfect world--unless you are looking to achieve that particular look you'll need to move the camera with some reason (not necessarily locked down) or use something else (HPX-170?) alone, or in combination . . . Which of course brings up matching issues if you are using two different sensor technologies.

My limited experience is (and no doubt there are countless exceptions) people that bash the AF-100 either don't own one or know how to operate it. People with both are at the very least enjoying the ability to share lenses between the two . . .

Best.
 
To address the original question:

All CMOS and MOS sensors, that have rolling shutter, will have some level of skew. The AF100 has vastly less than the GH2, when the GH2 is in 1080/24p. When both cameras are in 720p, I think the skew between them is probably about comparable.

The GH2 has quite a bit of jello in 1080/24p mode, but no more than other comparable DSLRs. The AF100 is on par with other professional video and cine cameras like the EX1R/EX3, HPX250, and Red One.

When you put the GH2 in ETC mode, its skew gets much better.
 
I've haven't had a visible case of jello or skew with my last 3 shoots with my GH2. I never physically hold the camera in my hands though. Who would? A little shoulder rig is perfect, nimble, and the level of steady I personally like.
 
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