HPX170 vs AF100

ksteiger

ksteiger

Well-known member
So I am in the market for an upgrade. I currently own an HPX170 and an HVX200 (original, YIKES!!) I shoot a lot of 2 camera live music performances and the 200 is so noisy in low light levels that it makes shooting under these conditions very difficult. I would like to purchase the AF100 as my main camera to use in conjunction with the the 170 as the 2nd camera. I keep hearing that the AF100 is a very noisy camera in low light levels. So how does it stack up against the 170 in this area? (With the kit lens) And is there an appreciable difference in terms of the resolution compared to the 170. Or am I just better off buying a second 170 for this purpose? The shallow DOF is wonderful but if it is at the cost of noise or resolution maybe I can live without it. I can't imagine that the 100 would not outshine the 170 but it's so hard to make a decision without putting my hands on the camera. That's why I am turning to you all. Also I assume that using the "stock" lens would be controllable through the camera's remote ports (I currently use a varizoom to control iris, focus and zoom...yes I know zoom is not able to be remotely controlled) Thanks in advance. I keep drooling over the new Sony FS700 but it's way out of my price range. For about $4500 I can get the camera and lens. Even the FS 100 isn't in that price range.
 
I keep hearing that the AF100 is a very noisy camera in low light levels
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"very"? That's nonsense.

Here's a look at exactly how the noise levels appear, at various ISO's:

As for noise & resolution, I would say you're likely going to see substantially less noise on an AF100, and slightly better resolution on the AF100, as compared to the 170. But if you truly want an effortless match between two cameras, getting a second HPX170 is probably the smart move here.

I currently use a varizoom to control iris, focus and zoom...yes I know zoom is not able to be remotely controlled
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Focus and iris are easily remote-controlled. You can actually control zoom if you use one of the powered zoom lenses, the Lumix X 14-42 and/or the 45-175.
 
I actually purchased an AF100 after owning an HVX170. I had been trying to use the two cameras together to shoot live events.

But honestly, the image quality of the 170 wasn't nearly as good as the AF100. I've actually been using a GH2 now as the second camera to the AF100 which appears to be to be a much better image to the 170...
 
Excellent. I don't mind dumbing down the AF100 a little to match the the 170. For the kinds of music events I'm talking about this is fine. I was just hoping that for the money the AF100 would allow me to also shoot narrative material at a higher quality than the 170. Sounds like this may be the way for me to go. Thank you.
 
In other words if I can make the 100 look like the 170, I'm fine with that. It doesn't have to be the other way around. If it does I can always rent. Thanks again!
 
I still use my HVX200 (also original flavor) with my AF100 and GH2, so you'll be fine with the 170.
 
I've matched my old hvx200 (sold it) to the af100 very successfully. I just matched the settings identical and they seemed only a few points of each other. Right now is a great time to pick up a used AF100. THey are all over the place with users ditching it thinking some other camera will magically make them better film makers. The Af100 has a great feature set built in and is a solid camera. It's very light and for the price I'm seeing them at, probably one of the best deals out there for a large chip cam.
 
dustylense said:
I've matched my old hvx200 (sold it) to the af100 very successfully. I just matched the settings identical and they seemed only a few points of each other. Right now is a great time to pick up a used AF100. THey are all over the place with users ditching it thinking some other camera will magically make them better film makers. The Af100 has a great feature set built in and is a solid camera. It's very light and for the price I'm seeing them at, probably one of the best deals out there for a large chip cam.
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This.

Also, I'll chime in that I've also matched my HMC150 (same chips as the HPX170) easily to my AF100, and did it similarly to Dustylense... get the internal settings close, and a tiny amount of tweeking in post.
 
dustylense said:
and for the price I'm seeing them at, probably one of the best deals out there for a large chip cam.
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Absolutely. Sometimes I think that people forget this little camera was approved by the BBC in the same HD Specialty list that includes the Red One, the F3, and other large sensor cameras. It's a great little camera, especially for the bargain basement price they're going for now.
 
After reading Barry's thread and doing all the research it appears that the main advantage of the FS100 is the cleaner image at very low light levels. Even though this is somewhat of an issue for me, the actual levels of most of what I will be shooting will be "stage lighting". So I won't be concerned about shooting with a single tea candle (The 2 video examples (1 by Phillip Bloom, 1 by Barry Green) of the "tea candle" lighting are nice and clean, but it is obvious that the detail suffers trying to keep noise at bay. To me, hair detail always tells the story. I need the detail. It's why I am upgrading from a 170.) So OK. I understand all this. But I can not live with all the glaring ergonomic issues the Sony has. Did Captain Nemo design the placement of the EVF?? No ND filters? Those two things alone are a deal breaker. And that's the top of the list.
Now here is my question. this listing on Ebay is extremely low in price.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300658303101#ht_6113wt_1389
Do you think it's a grey market item? Would it be eligible for the $500 rebate. I would love to save a few scheckles so I can afford some fast glass when I do need a little "boost" Thanks for all of your help, Barry.
 
ksteiger said:
Do you think it's a grey market item? Would it be eligible for the $500 rebate. I would love to save a few scheckles so I can afford some fast glass when I do need a little "boost" Thanks for all of your help, Barry.
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Form the Ebay listing:

Our products are covered by a warranty of 1 years parts and 90 days for labor. Due to our very low low prices, we are prevented from listing our items with manufacturer warranty. Rest assured, our products are the same as if you bought in stores
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That plus the very low price screams grey market to me, which means I'm pretty sure you aren't going to be eligable for the $500 rebate. :cry:
 
Missed that thank you. "Rest assured, our products are the same as if you bought in stores" Yeah. Stores in Nairobi, lol...
 
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