powervideo
Well-known member
This has been a real interesting time on the AF100 forum this past week. No-one can say there isn't passion surrounding this camera, but as mentioned elsewhere some of the commentary has been less than helpful to the debate.
Panasonic's invitation to bring those experienced DOP's to Japan really is to be applauded. I'm sure other manufacturers involve camera ops in their product's development, but probably not as spectacularly public like Panasonic has done here. The Japanese footage has been very useful but probably in hindsight should not have been released. Everyone has been dying to see footage (myself included), but releasing preproduction material has caused a premature debate and possibly unrealistic expectations for the sub-5K camera.
I've been a long time Panasonic user since 2000 with a D910 Pro50, then a SDX900 and now a GH1 (hacked) and Varicam (tape). I've always loved the Panasonic "look". To my eye, it is less video-like than some other manufacturers and produces lifelike natural skin tones and a more organic structure (some would call it noise).
One thing the Panasonic cameras, particularly the SDX900 and Varicam, have been able to do is to hold the highlights. But even more interesting to me is how well the low-cost hacked GH1 holds the high contrast detail. Just do a Vimeo search and look at some of the better GH1 videos and you will see the difference between the GH1 contrast-holding ability and the AF100, even with graded footage.
The level of highlight clipping is the most worrying part of the camera for me. Like Philip I use Magic Bullet a lot and even the most subtle MB effect can blow out the highlights without any trouble. If the detail is not there to begin with, then MB will kill it every time.
At the very least I hope there is still time for the engineers to at least match the highlight handling capability of the GH13. I know the AF100 units tested in Japan were still pre-production, but I would expect that the assembly lines will start rolling within the next couple of weeks if Panasonic is to make a late December dealer delivery. The problem would be if the clipping is inherent in the new sensor design, but I would think this is unlikely.
I think it will be a great little camera; very useful on commercials, music clips and corporates. I've prepaid for one, so my verdict is already in.
Panasonic's invitation to bring those experienced DOP's to Japan really is to be applauded. I'm sure other manufacturers involve camera ops in their product's development, but probably not as spectacularly public like Panasonic has done here. The Japanese footage has been very useful but probably in hindsight should not have been released. Everyone has been dying to see footage (myself included), but releasing preproduction material has caused a premature debate and possibly unrealistic expectations for the sub-5K camera.
I've been a long time Panasonic user since 2000 with a D910 Pro50, then a SDX900 and now a GH1 (hacked) and Varicam (tape). I've always loved the Panasonic "look". To my eye, it is less video-like than some other manufacturers and produces lifelike natural skin tones and a more organic structure (some would call it noise).
One thing the Panasonic cameras, particularly the SDX900 and Varicam, have been able to do is to hold the highlights. But even more interesting to me is how well the low-cost hacked GH1 holds the high contrast detail. Just do a Vimeo search and look at some of the better GH1 videos and you will see the difference between the GH1 contrast-holding ability and the AF100, even with graded footage.
The level of highlight clipping is the most worrying part of the camera for me. Like Philip I use Magic Bullet a lot and even the most subtle MB effect can blow out the highlights without any trouble. If the detail is not there to begin with, then MB will kill it every time.
At the very least I hope there is still time for the engineers to at least match the highlight handling capability of the GH13. I know the AF100 units tested in Japan were still pre-production, but I would expect that the assembly lines will start rolling within the next couple of weeks if Panasonic is to make a late December dealer delivery. The problem would be if the clipping is inherent in the new sensor design, but I would think this is unlikely.
I think it will be a great little camera; very useful on commercials, music clips and corporates. I've prepaid for one, so my verdict is already in.
