DSLR or AF100

mikegrasso

mikegrasso

Well-known member
Ok, I have a small budget and need some help. Lets say $6000 Max. As of now I have a XSi with a few vintage lenses and a kit lens. So My issue is do I buy an AF100 and 1 lens say a 14-140 Lumix. Or do I by a good DSLR rig with a few good lenses. I was thinking of getting two T2i's, tascam recoder, good shotgun mic, and a few L lenses. I am torn because I do a mix of still and video work, and still have to have a slr for still needs. The XSi has done fine so I am sure a T2i or a 7D would be great as well. What is your take? If you had $6000 to spend to buy a set up for film what would you do. Most of what I shoot is Interview mixed with B-Roll, and short films.
 
I'd say, if it's working for you, stick with it. Most of what I shoot are commercials and I've shot a feature length film, a few shorts, while also shooting stills - all with the 5D. I don't seem to have all the issues that other people have had with DSLR cameras. I've not ever needed to shoot double system sound, and I've managed to mostly elude the moire that everyone seems to complain about.

I've worked with the 5D for just about a full year at this point and my feeling is simply - it's working for me. I've put so much time into my rig and have learned all the ins and outs of using the camera (and rig) that I for one am looking forward to making it work some more - until something much better comes along.
 
I would say save your money for a half a year. The next batch of DSLR's and S35 video cameras are around the corner and the quality level is only going up.
 
Yep i agree with Yoclay! The technology is so new and tbh so exciting - that we feel an impulse to purchase with every revelation lol! We've been waiting so long for some of these innovations that the rush to buy can feel overwhelming. Truth is - the tv screen, or the corporate client does not really see or care for the differences that us and our feelings of dop grandeur demand!

So the reality isn't as fast as our enthusiasms, and i say being aware of that difference, can help keep your wallet a little heavier!
 
Thanks, I think I will go DSLR for now and just pick up a good lens or two. I will keep saving money so I can get what is out in a year or so. I hope Canon plays off the AF100, I would love a FF XF300 w/interchangeable lens.
 
And the best part of sticking with DSLRs, for now, is that a lot of the accessories and lenses can be used on the AF-100 or whatever comes out next.
 
Philip Bloom provides a comprehensive primer on the Panasonic AF100 and gives it mostly high marks.

http://philipbloom.net/2010/10/19/af100/

I wouldn't want to be locked into it's 24mb/s AVCHD, so I wouldn't bother with it unless I was using the HD-SDI out to get around 100mb/s 1080p via a Nanoflash, etc.

The T2i Rebel is such an amazing deal that it's hard not to recommend. The HD video it produces is beautiful, and just gets better the more you use it and advance your skills. It is also capable of producing professional quality photographs in the right hands. But if you're looking for a wider angle, larger sensor, excellent low-light performance, and a fully professional still camera, Mark III 5D would be worth the extra cash.
 
A two camera setup will also most likely give you better performances with actors... especially if you're doing improv. You can just set the cameras up and let them go. It'll look much more fluid since you're not stopping them all the time and having them re-start their performances.

The difference between the AF-100 and DSLRs are not exactly night and day either. Sure it's sharper, but it's still 4:2:0 color space and honestly, I think that the Canons, and the GH2, still have more DR... it sounds stupid I know, but there is just something that's more video-looking about the AF-100. It's probably just because it's new and people are playing around with the gamma curves and such. Everything I've seen from the AF-100 looks allot like an HVX with shallow DOF, where the GH2 looks more like, dare I say it, Alexa footage?
 
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mikegrasso said:
Thanks, I think I will go DSLR for now and just pick up a good lens or two. I will keep saving money so I can get what is out in a year or so. I hope Canon plays off the AF100, I would love a FF XF300 w/interchangeable lens.
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Get a 5DmkII, and some good L glass. Remember its one of the best still cameras you can buy period.
 
TimurCivan said:
Get a 5DmkII, and some good L glass. Remember its one of the best still cameras you can buy period.
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+1. My thougts exacty. Especially for the size and you are used to how it works.

One thing I wanted to add... Unless you are spending tens of thousands of dollars on a camera, or multiple cameras, and need certain fatures that existing technology doesn't have, I never advise people to "wait". I get that technology will advance in the next round of cameras. And they will advance in 6-9 months after that. You can always sell your camera body when a new model comes out if you're going DSLR. In the mean time though, make money with what you have, get an extra 6 months of hands on experience and cross the new hardware bridge when you get there. Even if a 5D MKII body costs you $2500 now, you could easily sell it in 6 months for $say $1400-$2000. So it costs you $75 to $175 per month as a loss. Not only would it cost that much to rent the camera for a day, you can right the loss off against your taxes if you sell the camera at a loss. And hopefully you're making well beyond $75-$175/mo with it through fim and still gigs / productions. There really is no reason to wait unless you only have to wait a very short period of time. Nothing new has even been announced yet on the DSLR front, especially from Canon. Maybe we'll get lucky this week at CES, maybe by NAB, maybe a bit later, and then it takes how long to actually receive your camera depending on availability, etc? Always a good idea to purchase what makes you money now.
 
Truth be told, $6K will buy you more "imaging power" with a 7D or 5D and all the stuff you NEED, couple lenses, good CF cards , mics, recorder, even some editing software if you dont have. If you buy a AF100, you will get the camera, and the 14-140, and thats about it. You will still need, tripod, Microphone etc....
 
If I were in your shoes....$6000

HMC 150- $2800
Canon T2i - $799
your existing canon lenses - free

So for around $3600 you've really got your bases covered. HMC for establishing and deep shots and to plug in your sound and T2i for shallow DOF stuff.
 
yeah i run with an hmc150 and 7d for the one man band stuff. its worked out well. i've thought about selling the hmc many times, but its a money maker.
 
The HMC150 is a great idea.

So great that I picked up a used one for some smaller jobs for $2100.

Shares the same batteries and sd cards as the AF-100 and has a great image.
 
Look at the GH2. I got one a week ago and my T2i is very lonely now. The moire and aliasing will drive you nuts with the Canon cameras. I have seen some good stuff out of the Canons but
when I see that aliasing it drives me nuts. Some people shoot the canons really soft to try and mask the moire and aliasing but them it looks - well soft....
I think the 5D with the magic latern hack can give you good audio. I see there is a magic latern hack for the T2i but I doubt I will mess with it because
it does nothing to solve the aliasing issues. I have a ZOOM H4N but after shooting video so long it is a real hassle to do double recording if you are a one man band.
JuicedLink has this to help with DSLR video. http://www.juicedlink.com/audio-preamps-mixers-etc-c-66/jl-dt454

The GH2 does have 4 adjustable audio levels. This week I will test some wireless mics with it.
Right now I have the 14-140 lens, a Nikon & Canon adapter. The Nikon adapter allows you to adjust aperture.
I have been so busy I have only mounted the Nikons - I will try to shoot some this week.

I am use to the HVX200 and the GH2 is much sharper and cleaner.
The only thing I miss is the ease of transfering P2 and the servo-zoom.
I have a shoot Wed & Fri and will try to use the GH2 for some B-roll
shots. I was using the T2i for some shots but the aliasing was
killing me.

Here is a quick shot I grabbed of my dog & cat the other day.

 
I vote DSLRs for right now. Wait until the dust settles before diving into an AF with the budget you have.
 
+1 for DSLR for now. As Matt said lenses you buy can grow up to an AF100.

I would say 60D. I have owned 60D and 7D for Video and 60 is hands down a better video camera.

So to save even more cash 60D and HMC 40 spend the money saved on good glass.
 
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