good start kit

N

NOA

Active member
I guess this question has come by a million times but going through all these post in regard to the lens choices for the af100 makes my head spin. That Panasonic decided to sell the af100 without a lens must be unique in it's price segment but on the other hand leaves it up to the user to decide what they exactly want which is good I suppose.

There is one thing I don't understand about this camera, I read that you can practically put on any lens on it with the suitable adapter but I am most interested in what lens would be best all-round lens to get you started so you could build your lens collection out when budget allows it.

What type of lenses are fully controlled by the camera? I want a lens where I at least can control the iris smoothly without any jumps in exposure.

What about image stabilization, is that as good as on a "regular" camera with a fixed lens or do you need some very specific lenses as well so that it functions well and silent?

What about zooming, is that always manual with this camera?

F.i. would a Panasonic Lumix G 14-140mm f/4-5.8 be a good all-round lens and are there any limitations in regard to control with this lens?
 
Hi I would have a think about what you are looking for in your camera and what your main use will be. If it is shallow depth of field I would get one fast prime around 25mm and as long as you move your camera around you will probably find you will be happy 80% of the time. If you cant move your camera around (sport, theatre, event) then the 14-140 is a better choice. Myself I am going for the Voitglander f0.95 25mm fast and sharp lens that I imagine I will use 80% of the time.
 
I think one prime lens is kind of restrictive.

I would recommend a "zoom" lens and use it as a variable prime.
 
zooms have more glass elements for you image to pass through, are much slower and the focal ring isnt as smooth/the focal pull is small. when you can, always go with a nice manual prime, as wide open as your budget can allow. though the zoom is nice for a back pocket alternative, i myself will get one when the need comes just to have for those quick shots. there is no IS with manual lenses but the 35mm adapters you have to turn the cameras OIS off and there was never a big issue for me.
 
zooms have more glass elements for you image to pass through, are much slower and the focal ring isnt as smooth/the focal pull is small. when you can, always go with a nice manual prime, as wide open as your budget can allow
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How many elements do you believe are in a good prime lens compared to a good zoom lens?

So as a film maker .. how do you cut from a single prime lens to the same single prime lens?

Why suggest "as wide open as budget allows" ?

What does a zoom used as a variable prime have to do with "quick shots" ?

there is no IS with manual lenses but the 35mm adapters you have to turn the cameras OIS off and there was never a big issue for me.
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That I dont understand at all!
 
How many elements do you believe are in a good prime lens compared to a good zoom lens?

many primes have around 7 where as the lumix lens has 17. the image is passing through much more glass.

So as a film maker .. how do you cut from a single prime lens to the same single prime lens?

by moving the camera, one lens could suffice if your shooting atmosphere allows for it. if not then the zoom is your only option. in any case one should always move the camera rather than zoom; the eye does not zoom.


Why suggest "as wide open as budget allows" ?

many primes the difference of one stop can be $500 more/less due to sometimes bigger elements and most often more iris blades for a smoother, rounder bokeh.


What does a zoom used as a variable prime have to do with "quick shots" ?

Well for weddings and events i wouldnt want to carry a big bag of primes down the isle, so with a zoom you can get any type of shot you want quickly. again, a last resort and also the nature of the shooting atmosphere.


on 35mm adapters, such as my redrock m2E, the cameras OIS is set to off; with it on the image has a jello effect when panning, it shifts side to side. so with it off you are essentially shooting with no IS. so the poster asked about IS with the primes, on the af100 you with have none in the body so with primes there are no IS. with my experience the camera operates fine without it.
 
thx for the answers so far, for my line of work (mainly events and weddings and some corporate movies) having at least one good zoomlens is a must, especially for events and weddings, there are not always situations where you can get up very close. That's why I asked about that 14-140 lens, also how about controlling the iris, most of my work involves "realtime" adjustment of focus and iris, meaning get it right now with no second chances. I do own a Canon dslr with 2 nikon nikkor prime lenzes and a few Canon lenzes and I know that it's virtually impossible to get good shots without the necessary time to prepare and that's something I often don't have. That's why I was in some doubt if the AF100 is the right camera for me because I at least need realtime smooth iris adjustments (is that even possible and if so, with which type of lenzes?)

About IS, are there any type lenzes that do have a good IS implemented, as I will be doing handheld work as well IS is something that's necessary.
 
Hi NOA I would find covering a wedding with only one AF100 camera very difficult because it does not have an easy solution to servo zoom. (Servo zoom may be possible using an ENG B4 mount lens, using the doubler- but probably a relatively expensive exercise). Probably the better alternative is to shoot with 2 cameras, even if one is just locked off on a wide at the back of the church and you can intercut in the edit. If affordable servo zoom is a must have then maybe there are better cameras for you. The main selling point of the AF100 is the larger sensor, shallow depth of field, ability to use still or cinema lenses. Servo zoom is not really AF100 forte.
 
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