I thought and thought on this and came to the realization that I had more negative issues with the camera than positive. When there are more cons than pros, it is time to sell and get into something that works better. Back in April of 2011 I sold my HVX170 and P2 cards at what I thought was a great deal for the buyer and a less than great deal for me. At the time I was shooting more and more with my Canon 60D and I looked to the AF100 since it “fixed” several problems of DSLRs.
I bought the camera along with an M4/3 to Nikon adapter since I own several old Nikon primes. That got me going but I needed a zoom lens. I settled on a used but nice Olympus 14-54 f2.8 – 3.5 lens. Far from perfect but it suited my needs. And, it was relatively fast. I used it as a variable prime along with my Nikons.
After using the camera for a few months, I had such a hard time with a few of its problems that I could not get past them. The biggies are:
Handling of highlights – horible. This alone is a deal breaker for me. I think this should be tweaked and fixed in a firmware update. However, I seriously doubt a firmware update would be available for the current AF100. Panasonic will fix it and save it for a later release of the camera. Those of us with the first gen AF100 are out of luck.
No auto gain feature. This is so simple yet I would use it all the time since I often shoot alone and cannot hold the camera while opening up a lens iris as I walk from outdoors to indoors. It is a common and rudimentary feature on the DSLRs.
No quality zoom lens. I think Panasonic should have had Leica design a good 5X zoom lens (14-70 would have been awesome!) that works with the AF100 body and sold it as an add-on. Lots of us AF shooters would buy it. This camera desperately needs a nice, fast, parfocal zoom lens – more of a cinema zoom than a still zoom – that is not a beast, of manageable size and weight. I think Panasonic could have partnered with Leica to design and build a lens, it is already being done on other Panasonic cameras.
As for the exteriors of the camera:
I don’t like the cheap feel of it. The viewfinder esspecially, is very light and cheap. The fittings inside make noises as the camera is pitched and moved. I think Panasonic should have made the entire body out of metal. I would pay an additional price for this. I seriously doubt it would increase the cost that much. Panasonic is looking to cut corners on quality – increasing the bottom line.
I really liked the flip out LCD of the HPX170, that it could easily be opened with a single finger with little effort. I noticed in photos of pre production AF100s that there was a small indention at the latch of the LCD then it was removed on the production version. The LCD on the HPX170 also allows it to be opened up past 90 degrees – a great feature - not on the Af100 though. The 170 LCD was a step-up, or evolution of the HVX200 LCD. Panasonic improved the LCD on the 170. On the AF100, Panasonic went backwards. (puposefully altered on this model to step-up a AF100”A” to purpertuate camera sales)
I don’t like that the batteries were changed and did not match the same batteries used in the DVX100, HVX200, HPX170, etc. I had several of those batteries and it would have been great to use them on the AF100. (puposefully changed on this model to increase profits, causing buyers to invest in new batteries)
The handgrip is not comfortable and it is cheap. It should have been an integral part of the camera body and had the controls laid out in the usual places.
I think the dual SD slots are great but what use are they if you can’t swap SD cards out during recording? (puposefully not included on this model as to not compete with P2)
Also, only having three available gain selections is bad. There are many times I need 1000 ISO or higher then I need 200 ISO on the next shot and several other ISOs in-between. In addition to an auto gain, I think more gain selections should be available through the USER buttons.
I miss the scene file dial from my other Panasonic cameras. I change around from time to time and the scene file dial was great to just click over instead of going through the menu. At first I thought this would not be a big deal but as I worked with the camera I missed it.
The AF100 should have the magnify feature for critical focus. Focus in red is nice but if I had to choose between red or magnify, I will always take magnify, along with normal peaking. The thing is though, it is easy to do both. (puposefully not included on this model to step-up a AF100”A” to purpertuate camera sales)
I know this camera or any other camera will never be perfect. As for my shooting style, to move fast and earn a living I need a camera that has a good zoom lens, has a few key auto features and has an image that will hold up. I am well aware that not every shooter wants to work that way nor needs to. But I work fast and alone 95% of the time. I shoot doc based content.
My needs require a camera like an EX1. I can supliment with my DSLR when there is more time and resources available.
Do I hate the AF100? Well, yes I do and no I don't. I was able to get great images from it but in the end I just could not get spot on to a look that "I" really liked. The picture always looked plastic and overly digital. In the future if Panasonic addresses my and other issues then improves the camera I will come back around and consider it. But, it would have to be A LOT better and use the AVC Intra codec, with P2 cards for me to seriously take a look.
I bought the camera along with an M4/3 to Nikon adapter since I own several old Nikon primes. That got me going but I needed a zoom lens. I settled on a used but nice Olympus 14-54 f2.8 – 3.5 lens. Far from perfect but it suited my needs. And, it was relatively fast. I used it as a variable prime along with my Nikons.
After using the camera for a few months, I had such a hard time with a few of its problems that I could not get past them. The biggies are:
Handling of highlights – horible. This alone is a deal breaker for me. I think this should be tweaked and fixed in a firmware update. However, I seriously doubt a firmware update would be available for the current AF100. Panasonic will fix it and save it for a later release of the camera. Those of us with the first gen AF100 are out of luck.
No auto gain feature. This is so simple yet I would use it all the time since I often shoot alone and cannot hold the camera while opening up a lens iris as I walk from outdoors to indoors. It is a common and rudimentary feature on the DSLRs.
No quality zoom lens. I think Panasonic should have had Leica design a good 5X zoom lens (14-70 would have been awesome!) that works with the AF100 body and sold it as an add-on. Lots of us AF shooters would buy it. This camera desperately needs a nice, fast, parfocal zoom lens – more of a cinema zoom than a still zoom – that is not a beast, of manageable size and weight. I think Panasonic could have partnered with Leica to design and build a lens, it is already being done on other Panasonic cameras.
As for the exteriors of the camera:
I don’t like the cheap feel of it. The viewfinder esspecially, is very light and cheap. The fittings inside make noises as the camera is pitched and moved. I think Panasonic should have made the entire body out of metal. I would pay an additional price for this. I seriously doubt it would increase the cost that much. Panasonic is looking to cut corners on quality – increasing the bottom line.
I really liked the flip out LCD of the HPX170, that it could easily be opened with a single finger with little effort. I noticed in photos of pre production AF100s that there was a small indention at the latch of the LCD then it was removed on the production version. The LCD on the HPX170 also allows it to be opened up past 90 degrees – a great feature - not on the Af100 though. The 170 LCD was a step-up, or evolution of the HVX200 LCD. Panasonic improved the LCD on the 170. On the AF100, Panasonic went backwards. (puposefully altered on this model to step-up a AF100”A” to purpertuate camera sales)
I don’t like that the batteries were changed and did not match the same batteries used in the DVX100, HVX200, HPX170, etc. I had several of those batteries and it would have been great to use them on the AF100. (puposefully changed on this model to increase profits, causing buyers to invest in new batteries)
The handgrip is not comfortable and it is cheap. It should have been an integral part of the camera body and had the controls laid out in the usual places.
I think the dual SD slots are great but what use are they if you can’t swap SD cards out during recording? (puposefully not included on this model as to not compete with P2)
Also, only having three available gain selections is bad. There are many times I need 1000 ISO or higher then I need 200 ISO on the next shot and several other ISOs in-between. In addition to an auto gain, I think more gain selections should be available through the USER buttons.
I miss the scene file dial from my other Panasonic cameras. I change around from time to time and the scene file dial was great to just click over instead of going through the menu. At first I thought this would not be a big deal but as I worked with the camera I missed it.
The AF100 should have the magnify feature for critical focus. Focus in red is nice but if I had to choose between red or magnify, I will always take magnify, along with normal peaking. The thing is though, it is easy to do both. (puposefully not included on this model to step-up a AF100”A” to purpertuate camera sales)
I know this camera or any other camera will never be perfect. As for my shooting style, to move fast and earn a living I need a camera that has a good zoom lens, has a few key auto features and has an image that will hold up. I am well aware that not every shooter wants to work that way nor needs to. But I work fast and alone 95% of the time. I shoot doc based content.
My needs require a camera like an EX1. I can supliment with my DSLR when there is more time and resources available.
Do I hate the AF100? Well, yes I do and no I don't. I was able to get great images from it but in the end I just could not get spot on to a look that "I" really liked. The picture always looked plastic and overly digital. In the future if Panasonic addresses my and other issues then improves the camera I will come back around and consider it. But, it would have to be A LOT better and use the AVC Intra codec, with P2 cards for me to seriously take a look.
