Help me spend $50,000 accessorizing the AF100

Cory Braun

Cory Braun

Well-known member
I am looking to accessorize our AF100, and wanted to know how everyone would spend their $50,000 budget (or has spent their budget). We have a couple tripods that we are happy with but other than that we are starting from scratch. I want to know what you guys purchase on everything from lens support to sliders to monitors to cases. etc. I would like to keep things somewhat mobile.

In terms of glass we want to get a zoom lens with a range from wide to telephoto. Ideally we would shoot on primes, but with the way we shoot, a zoom lens is more beneficial. Based off reading the other zoom lens threads, it seems like our best option would be a PL mount lens, so what would you recommend in terms of that? How is the RED 18-85mm T2.9? (yes, I know with the crop factor that 18mm isn't that wide) We will test out whatever lens we get ahead of time, but I would love to hear some suggestions from those who have experience with these lenses. Also what is everyone using for PL mount adapter? The hot rod?

We shoot both narrative and documentary works.

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Just curious, if you have a $50k budget what made you decide to get an AF-100? Dont get me wrong it's a great cam for the price, but for my money if I had your budget I would seriously look at getting the Sony F3 instead. You'd still have plenty to spend on good glass after purchasing the F3.
 
Check out the Arri Alura Cine Zoom by Fujinon. It's 18-85mm, T2.6, no ramping, no breathing, great markings, mechanicals, very sharp, matches modern Zeiss primes. There is a longer Alura zoom as well. These were designed for the Arri Alexa camera.
 
Answer A: Spend the money on a truly useful accessory like a business degree.

Answer B: A loaded 1-ton grip truck and a complete audio kit.
 
Kinda ridiculous if you ask me. If thats the budget range, a Red One, at least used should be in your sights, not an AF100. Seems like a waste of budget to buy just one big ass lens or something with all that money unless you only shoot in studios. Outfit it for like 10-20k with Zuiko 14-35, 35-100, a couple primes, proper monitoring, follow focus etc. Can't see any scenario needing to spend more.
 
Seems a sort of arse backwards kind of question.

You guys know what you shoot and what it takes to achieve those shoots.

Everyone does stuff differently so throw out a bone and see who picks it up.


Why not make a gear list and have the guys here make suggestions with examples and reasons.

I have specifically equipped, accesorised and rigged my AF to exactly what I do and the way I do it. (Its also a fit with my "business model")
 
vcfilms said:
Just curious, if you have a $50k budget what made you decide to get an AF-100? Dont get me wrong it's a great cam for the price, but for my money if I had your budget I would seriously look at getting the Sony F3 instead. You'd still have plenty to spend on good glass after purchasing the F3.
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We will most likely be getting an F3 this summer. This part of our budget is strictly to accessorize our AF100, accessories that we will continue to use with the F3. As to why we decided to get the AF-100, as you said it is a great camera, and it came out a month and a half before the F3 and we have gotten great use out of it in that month and a half.


MotionFx said:
Well for an HD monitor, I know many are buying the TV Logic . There is a group buy here:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...onitor-Group-Buy&highlight=TV+logic+group+buy

or the

Small HD. http://www.smallhd.com/Products/DP6.html
Click to expand...

Thanks for helpful the response. The TV Logic monitor is one of the ones I have been looking at.

swanny said:
give me your $50,000 and I'll show ya :)
Click to expand...

Haha, do you accept paypal?

Dino said:
Check out the Arri Alura Cine Zoom by Fujinon. It's 18-85mm, T2.6, no ramping, no breathing, great markings, mechanicals, very sharp, matches modern Zeiss primes. There is a longer Alura zoom as well. These were designed for the Arri Alexa camera.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the helpful response. I'll look into this. Again, thank you for the helpful response.

David W. Jones said:
Answer A: Spend the money on a truly useful accessory like a business degree.
Click to expand...

I wish my degree would have only costs $50,000.

djrockadoo said:
Kinda ridiculous if you ask me. If thats the budget range, a Red One, at least used should be in your sights, not an AF100. Seems like a waste of budget to buy just one big ass lens or something with all that money unless you only shoot in studios. Outfit it for like 10-20k with Zuiko 14-35, 35-100, a couple primes, proper monitoring, follow focus etc. Can't see any scenario needing to spend more.
Click to expand...

Yea, if we don't end up spending the $50,000, that will be great. I just wanted to know how everyone would ideally accessorize their AF100. RED's cameras are overkill for us. We mainly distribute through the web with the occasional piece being broadcasted on television now and then.

Shooter said:
Seems a sort of arse backwards kind of question.

You guys know what you shoot and what it takes to achieve those shoots.

Everyone does stuff differently so throw out a bone and see who picks it up.


Why not make a gear list and have the guys here make suggestions with examples and reasons.

I have specifically equipped, accesorised and rigged my AF to exactly what I do and the way I do it. (Its also a fit with my "business model")
Click to expand...

Shooter, I appreciate many of your posts. Most of the time you are very helpful to this community. But at other times you tend to come into threads and critique how the post was posted, rather than just responding to the poster's questions. If the post bothers you ignore the post. Rather than criticizing my question, why not tell me about your specifically equipped, accesorised and rigged AF? That way I can research what you have, discuss it with you and see if it works for me.

I think everyone is getting hung up on the budget here. This is not my personal money. I did not wake up this morning and say "Hey, I'm going to spend $50k because I feel like it." When I am told I have a certain amount of money to spend on a specific area, I research it (often by coming to DVXuser), test the different products out, and come back with my conclusions. If I end up spending less than $50,000, then great. We have other money allocated to other areas, and our budget for accessories has nothing to do with our budget for camera bodies, gaffing equipment, etc. This is strictly for camera accessories.

Actually, if a mod wouldn't mind changing the title of this thread to "Ideal AF100 Accessories" or something along those lines, I would really appreciate it.
 
Cory, I'd have to agree. Seemed like an honest question. Not sure why it gathered somewhat hostile responses. Too bad.
 
Myy post was not intended to be disrespectful and to the contrary... I was after information so I could offer helpful valid suggestions pertinent to your requirements. eg. not much point suggesting an underwater housing if you never go near the water etc... .

Its just that I have no idea what and how you currently shoot so I think you have asked a "lucky dip" kind of question.

So if this is helpful ....here goes.

I have purchased an AF102 specifically for studio , tabletop , pack and product and food shoots; all to a certain production budget ( Mid $$$). I own stuff for convenience and I can rent anything else I want or need on a project by project basis. (my "task related business model")

Nature of my work generally requires close focussing and sharpness and DOF control. Work is always lit and always art directed.

I have a set of 10 handpicked Nikkors primes - all manual focus and aperture (F1.4 , 2.8 )- 20mm thru 135mm including 55mm Macros
One 17-35 f2.8 Nikkor zoom Aspherical and close focussing - constant aperture.
One 35-70mm Nikkor zoom (non constant aperture - variable prime)

Zeiss Contax 35mm, 50mm

Zacuto Universal base plate with Rod set under camera and on top of camera . (Camera can under mount or over mouint to rigs)
Hybrid Matte Box with filter slots and donuts
Hybrid follow focus
Red rock and Cinevate lens rings

Remote on/off

Panasonic 1700 HD field broadcast monitor.
On board Small HD

Cartoni C20 head and legs
Miller Head DS 25 and legs

So thats my minimal kit for shooting what I shoot the way I shoot. If it was my "ideal" kit... I would own all PL Zeiss Cine lenses (but only cos I would like to...not need to)

If I was shooting docos, wildlife, action, underwater, aerials, carsrigs... I would accesorise differently ( purchase or rental or hire).

I dont own stuff to sit around the studio 350 days of the year doing nothing. Thats just me.

To spend your money... top glass is number one, top monitors is number 2, top crew is number ?, top camera support and mount systems is high on list... the rest is just "toys" (lovely toys)
 
Dino said:
Check out the Arri Alura Cine Zoom by Fujinon. It's 18-85mm, T2.6, no ramping, no breathing, great markings, mechanicals, very sharp, matches modern Zeiss primes. There is a longer Alura zoom as well. These were designed for the Arri Alexa camera.
Click to expand...

+1 on that lens.

it is big and heavy, but it can do it all, and you can use it on the RED and Sony F3 as well. A great choice.
 
I believe Fujinon is going to be giving Angenieux a run for its money on zooms. The Fujinon Premiere series zooms are getting a good reputation amongst DP's for both film and digital cameras. There is a single sensor camera evaluation happening currently and the lenses being used for all the cameras, including AF100, F3, Alexa, Phantom, etc, are the Fujinon Premiere Cine zooms and Zeiss Master primes.

We bought the Arri Alura because it provides modern optics, great flexibility, and a manageable size and weight for the speed and range at a very attractive price point. This is a lens that can be used with many cameras, as Matt posted, for years to come. It's really hard to get excited by stills lenses after using cine glass. Of course, in order to use a lens like this, an investment must be made into a dove tail, base plate, 15mm studio or 19mm rod support, PL-adapter, and adapters to use matte box and follow focus that are 15mm LWS. These support items cost as much as an AF100! Of course, it probably makes sense to rent vs. buy lenses like this, unless you have a lot of shoots to justify the expense.
 
Cory Braun said:
I am looking to accessorize our AF100, and wanted to know how everyone would spend their $50,000 budget (or has spent their budget). We have a couple tripods that we are happy with but other than that we are starting from scratch. I want to know what you guys purchase on everything from lens support to sliders to monitors to cases. etc. I would like to keep things somewhat mobile.

In terms of glass we want to get a zoom lens with a range from wide to telephoto. Ideally we would shoot on primes, but with the way we shoot, a zoom lens is more beneficial. Based off reading the other zoom lens threads, it seems like our best option would be a PL mount lens, so what would you recommend in terms of that? How is the RED 18-85mm T2.9? (yes, I know with the crop factor that 18mm isn't that wide) We will test out whatever lens we get ahead of time, but I would love to hear some suggestions from those who have experience with these lenses. Also what is everyone using for PL mount adapter? The hot rod?

We shoot both narrative and documentary works.

Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...

If I were you I would get the Panasonic 14-140 (maybe as a kit with a gh1 or gh2 as a backup cam) as your basic do it all zoom and then pick up a set of illumina S35 pl mount lenses - a very modern design and super fast T1.3 for about $26K and will work well on your a f100 and F3 when you get it. http://www.lumatechinc.com/S35.html these are true cine lenses, with all of there advantages, and are pretty lightweight so a lot more manageable than the PL zooms - and you wouldnt need all of the heavy duty and expensive that pl zooms require.

Again if you really need a zoom for a particular shot - the 14-140 would be your option.

This would still leave 20k for a very good tripod, lights, wireless mics, etc.
 
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For prime lenses check out the Schneider xenar lenses. They are a bit more than the zeiss compact primes, but I hear they are spectacular, very warm and great skin tones. On my last short I used a cam-tram slider dolly, and won't leave home without it now. Amazing piece of kit. The small hd monitors are really great, and I would get a red rock handheld kit and either a cineroid evf or the zacuto evf. Zoom lenses are the tough ones with the af100, maybe have Duclos or RPLens "cine-mod" the Olympus zuiko zooms 14-35 and 35-100. Tripods are too subjective for me to give advice on, everyone's got their flavor. The O'Connor matte box and mini follow focus look awesome. That's my "drunken sailor" burn someone elses money advice.
 
We're real happy with our Kessler CineSlider ... very well made and has endured well.

Have you considered lighting for your accessories? Lenses are cool and everything ..

jeff
 
Danny1280 said:
Cory, I'd have to agree. Seemed like an honest question. Not sure why it gathered somewhat hostile responses. Too bad.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I guess I could have been more clear in my original post, but I was just looking for some help.

Shooter said:
Myy post was not intended to be disrespectful and to the contrary... I was after information so I could offer helpful valid suggestions pertinent to your requirements. eg. not much point suggesting an underwater housing if you never go near the water etc...

Its just that I have no idea what and how you currently shoot so I think you have asked a "lucky dip" kind of question.
Click to expand...

Yes of course, I understand. When posting, I try to not to go into what I specifically do, because I would prefer to only represent myself on these boards, rather than the company that I work for. But we work in the medical field and do a wide range of shooting. We create everything from educational videos (in a narrative style) to simulations to podcasts to portrait pieces to live events and so on. So that's why I kind of left it general as we do shoot variety of things and the more equipment people suggest the more I could look into what works for us.

Shooter said:
So if this is helpful ....here goes.

I have purchased an AF102 specifically for studio , tabletop , pack and product and food shoots; all to a certain production budget ( Mid $$$). I own stuff for convenience and I can rent anything else I want or need on a project by project basis. (my "task related business model")

Nature of my work generally requires close focussing and sharpness and DOF control. Work is always lit and always art directed.

I have a set of 10 handpicked Nikkors primes - all manual focus and aperture (F1.4 , 2.8 )- 20mm thru 135mm including 55mm Macros
One 17-35 f2.8 Nikkor zoom Aspherical and close focussing - constant aperture.
One 35-70mm Nikkor zoom (non constant aperture - variable prime)

Zeiss Contax 35mm, 50mm

Zacuto Universal base plate with Rod set under camera and on top of camera . (Camera can under mount or over mouint to rigs)
Hybrid Matte Box with filter slots and donuts
Hybrid follow focus
Red rock and Cinevate lens rings

Remote on/off

Panasonic 1700 HD field broadcast monitor.
On board Small HD

Cartoni C20 head and legs
Miller Head DS 25 and legs

So thats my minimal kit for shooting what I shoot the way I shoot. If it was my "ideal" kit... I would own all PL Zeiss Cine lenses (but only cos I would like to...not need to)

If I was shooting docos, wildlife, action, underwater, aerials, carsrigs... I would accesorise differently ( purchase or rental or hire).

I dont own stuff to sit around the studio 350 days of the year doing nothing. Thats just me.

To spend your money... top glass is number one, top monitors is number 2, top crew is number ?, top camera support and mount systems is high on list... the rest is just "toys" (lovely toys)
Click to expand...

Thank you, that was very helpful. I'm going to look further into the gear that you have. Do you find yourself getting by with the Small HD without the extra features that the TV Logic has?


mcgeedigital said:
+1 on that lens.

it is big and heavy, but it can do it all, and you can use it on the RED and Sony F3 as well. A great choice.
Click to expand...

What are you guys using as support for this lens?

Dino said:
I believe Fujinon is going to be giving Angenieux a run for its money on zooms. The Fujinon Premiere series zooms are getting a good reputation amongst DP's for both film and digital cameras. There is a single sensor camera evaluation happening currently and the lenses being used for all the cameras, including AF100, F3, Alexa, Phantom, etc, are the Fujinon Premiere Cine zooms and Zeiss Master primes.

We bought the Arri Alura because it provides modern optics, great flexibility, and a manageable size and weight for the speed and range at a very attractive price point. This is a lens that can be used with many cameras, as Matt posted, for years to come. It's really hard to get excited by stills lenses after using cine glass. Of course, in order to use a lens like this, an investment must be made into a dove tail, base plate, 15mm studio or 19mm rod support, PL-adapter, and adapters to use matte box and follow focus that are 15mm LWS. These support items cost as much as an AF100! Of course, it probably makes sense to rent vs. buy lenses like this, unless you have a lot of shoots to justify the expense.
Click to expand...

Yea, we do shoots daily so we prefer to purchase rather than rent.

aquavideo said:
If I were you I would get the Panasonic 14-140 (maybe as a kit with a gh1 or gh2 as a backup cam) as your basic do it all zoom and then pick up a set of illumina S35 pl mount lenses - a very modern design and super fast T1.3 for about $26K and will work well on your a f100 and F3 when you get it. http://www.lumatechinc.com/S35.html these are true cine lenses, with all of there advantages, and are pretty lightweight so a lot more manageable than the PL zooms - and you wouldnt need all of the heavy duty and expensive that pl zooms require.

Again if you really need a zoom for a particular shot - the 14-140 would be your option.

This would still leave 20k for a very good tripod, lights, wireless mics, etc.
Click to expand...

I own the 14-140 for my GH1 & GH2 (personal use, not related to work) and I love the lens but because it's not a constant aperture and very slow, I'd prefer to get something else. Thanks for the suggestions on the primes. I think we are going to go with a zoom but I'll definitely check those out. We are already set on tripods, audio, etc. We are pretty set on lighting and other gaffing equipment as well, but I have a feeling we will be making some additions to our kit sooner or later. However, that will be a different budget all together.

ATrain said:
For prime lenses check out the Schneider xenar lenses. They are a bit more than the zeiss compact primes, but I hear they are spectacular, very warm and great skin tones. On my last short I used a cam-tram slider dolly, and won't leave home without it now. Amazing piece of kit. The small hd monitors are really great, and I would get a red rock handheld kit and either a cineroid evf or the zacuto evf. Zoom lenses are the tough ones with the af100, maybe have Duclos or RPLens "cine-mod" the Olympus zuiko zooms 14-35 and 35-100. Tripods are too subjective for me to give advice on, everyone's got their flavor. The O'Connor matte box and mini follow focus look awesome. That's my "drunken sailor" burn someone elses money advice.
Click to expand...

I'll have to check out the cam-tram slider. I've got a Pocket Dolly for personal use and was considering purchasing the CineSlider, but I'll have to give the cam-tram a look. What would make you go with a red rock rig rather than a zacuto rig? I've been debating about whether to get an EVF or not. As of now, I've been making do with the built in EVF, but it is certainly not my favorite. I'm hoping the Zacuto EVF comes out soon as our offices are down the street from their show room and would love to compare it to the AF100's EVF. I was considering the Olympus zooms but there are to many things that I've been reading about them that has been putting me off. They look great, but mechanically, from what I have read, they do not seem to be great.

jmarkham said:
We're real happy with our Kessler CineSlider ... very well made and has endured well.

Have you considered lighting for your accessories? Lenses are cool and everything ..

jeff
Click to expand...

Have you used a Pocket Dolly as well? Does the CineSlider perform better? I definitely like Kessler, they are very responsive whenever I e-mail them.

Yes we are set on lights for now. We will probably make a few additions here and there in the upcoming weeks, but for now our kits are working for us.



Thanks again for all of the helpful responses.
 
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