True. But also better performances in low light (better ISO like the canon c100) & an AC/DC input independant from the battery input (much more practical if you have access to a wall plug and want to change the battery without turning off both recording and camera, just like the Sony & Canon ones).
In conclusion, this bastard is...
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True. But also better performances in low light (better ISO like the canon c100) & an AC/DC input independant from the battery input (much more practical if you have access to a wall plug and want to change the battery without turning off both recording and camera, just like the Sony & Canon ones).
hscully
Veteran
I'm still shooting on the AF100 and am very happy with the results and so are my clients. I've seen a lot of cameras come by since I got it and I'm still waiting. Recent temptations include a used F3 and the FS700. I'd be surprised if Panasonic does not upgrade the AF100 - at least I hope they do. It fills a niche in the market at that 4 - 6K price range and it's a little beast - reliable as can be and really fun to shoot with.
How about HDMI 2.0? It supports much higher data rates and, theoretically, 4Kp60 at up to 4:2:2 at 12 bits (4:2:0 at 16 bits). Unfortunately, I know of no way to transport raw over HDMI. As to the less-than-robust nature of HDMI connections, maybe a locking mechanism would help.
It's worth stressing that "Panasonic" as a company is split into a lot of divisions making a huge variety of products in many market sectors, and as example I understand the GH series comes from a completely separate team to the AF100?
I would agree that one division seems to have made a number of past strategic mistakes, but the whole company shouldn't be tarred with the same brush. In particular, the "Lumix" range seems to be quite a success story. Same goes for many other ranges from other divisions with nothing to do with photography.
I'm one that gambled and lost on the AF100... I assumed they would update the camera with an improved sensor that fixed chroma clipping, my main complaint - I really liked everything else just fine... so I invested in the 12-35, 35-100 and Nokton lenses as well as many adapters for Leica-R and Canon FD.
But, sadly, no AF200 - I don't much care for the GH cameras, so I switched to Canon - but I also got a BMD Pocket Camera which allows me to use those lenses as well as my old super16 zooms... It's really a "pocket-no-more" camera with cage, pre-amp, matte box etc, but despite it's many shortcomings (ie audio & NDs) it has solved my MFT dilemma - and originates beautiful images in proRes HQ and raw...
I still have and use the AF100, mainly for slow-motion, but do hope that Panasonic sees the trend and offers an improved version of the AF100. If BM can do it, there's no reason Panasonic can't build an affordable AF-style camera with a state-of-the-art sensor that records something better than 4.2.0 on the new fast cards (many complain about their cost, but come on, over here we've had P2 cards!)...
4K is a sales mantra, I realize, but without a sensor that delivers a currently possible wide dynamic range and eliminates ugly highlights it's only marketing.
But, sadly, no AF200 - I don't much care for the GH cameras, so I switched to Canon - but I also got a BMD Pocket Camera which allows me to use those lenses as well as my old super16 zooms... It's really a "pocket-no-more" camera with cage, pre-amp, matte box etc, but despite it's many shortcomings (ie audio & NDs) it has solved my MFT dilemma - and originates beautiful images in proRes HQ and raw...
I still have and use the AF100, mainly for slow-motion, but do hope that Panasonic sees the trend and offers an improved version of the AF100. If BM can do it, there's no reason Panasonic can't build an affordable AF-style camera with a state-of-the-art sensor that records something better than 4.2.0 on the new fast cards (many complain about their cost, but come on, over here we've had P2 cards!)...
4K is a sales mantra, I realize, but without a sensor that delivers a currently possible wide dynamic range and eliminates ugly highlights it's only marketing.
Probably because it's not going to happen... While I was waiting for a successor, Panasonic introduced new cameras (particularly the HPX600, which I considered, but it somehow seemed like an anachronism), new codecs but no MFT offspring... It became clear that they are interested primarily in the home market on one hand (4K for the masses) and the broadcast market on the other.. The digital cinema market has become so glutted, considering the relatively small consumer base, I think they just decided to pick up their marbles and go home... I sincerely hope I'm wrong because I really do like the AF100.
David W. Jones
Veteran
BTW, any news from the Mrs Jan Crittenden Livingston, the Panasonic spokeperson ? Personally, I think we have enough questions here Pany should at least (perhaps) answer, officially or non-officially. She haven't been here since last august, according to her last post here. Barry_green, is there (for you for anyone else) an efficiant way to reach her aside of PM ? Might worth the shot, don't you think ?
Chris Messineo
Veteran
I still love my AF100 and use it every week. About the only thing I really wish it had was better dynamic range. I know 4K is all the rage, but for me and most of my students - we have no practical use for it.
I thought Jan had moved on to another position that moved her more distant from this august group
Can't say. I've never knew about her until very recently. If she's no longer here, is there anybody else on this forum who works for Pany ? Unless they decided to completely ignore us, which I hope it's not the case...
Agreed with all that. 4k dosn't have much more of practical use (for now, at least). It's mostly a marketing gimmick.
David W. Jones
Veteran
It's not mostly a marketing gimmick if you need 4K.
Some people just don't need it for the work they perform, others do.
ShawnMi
Active member
Totally agree... I wish I didn't, but I do. It does seem like Panasonic (broadcast division) has lost interest in the sub $10k digital cinema market. Personally I find it baffling, as I think they could make a killer cine/ENG camera with their current technology. I was hoping the next version of the AF100 would record AVC-Ultra on P2 with an updated sensor, and possibly a log recording option... I wasn't even expecting raw (though that would have been fantastic). I admit that I'm not an engineer, but am I way off base in assuming that it's not completely out of Panasonic's capability to produce an AF100 style camera with a better sensor and CODEC? 4k be hanged, just give me a really nice, lightly compressed 2k image!
Shawn
dregenthal
Veteran
I think the first update that Panasonic needs to do to the AF 100 is to lower the price.
Not some visa card or battery system that takes three or four months to arrive at your doorstep, but a true price decrease that positions the camera appropriate to the current market. I am sure that would generate significant new interest in its present iteration.
Then by NAB they could drag out the old Balsa wood and black spray paint and dandy something up called the AF-whatever with a new sensor. I have no great desire to purchase additional computing power just a process 4K footage. But a 2K camera might have some appeal for me… Or anything else that wouldn't amount to a complete disappointment at NAB again this year.
And it would give me something else to complain about for the following 6 to 8 months as we await delivery of the first units, a practice which seems to be very much in vogue these days.
Not some visa card or battery system that takes three or four months to arrive at your doorstep, but a true price decrease that positions the camera appropriate to the current market. I am sure that would generate significant new interest in its present iteration.
Then by NAB they could drag out the old Balsa wood and black spray paint and dandy something up called the AF-whatever with a new sensor. I have no great desire to purchase additional computing power just a process 4K footage. But a 2K camera might have some appeal for me… Or anything else that wouldn't amount to a complete disappointment at NAB again this year.
And it would give me something else to complain about for the following 6 to 8 months as we await delivery of the first units, a practice which seems to be very much in vogue these days.
hscully
Veteran
I don't see them lowering the price. The used prices are dipping below $2K. If I were looking for another one I'd go there, and I might. It's almost too hard to pass up. The AF100 as it is, in controlled light is still a freakin' kick ass HD camera.
I agree about a good 2K camera. I'd really go for that. The thing is, I need a RAW option and I haven't heard any news or rumors to that effect for Panasonic, not even on the new Varicam. Sony nailed the feature sets I'm interested in with the F5. I'm DPing a short soon with some competent film people and it looks like we're renting that. The post people want that RAW at least for narrative work. It's a huge advantage to be able to rent that RAW recorder and still have a really good HD, 2K camera for everything else. It's still pretty expensive for me right now at $20k. I'd have to book a lot with it to justify that kind of lay out.
What would be even more fantastic would be if the manufacturers opened up to other RAW recorders with CinemaDNG or something not proprietary, or offer their proprietary schemes to other manufacturers, kind of like what's happening with the 7Q.
Has anyone heard anything about Panasonic creating a RAW option or it that just wishful thinking on my part?
I agree about a good 2K camera. I'd really go for that. The thing is, I need a RAW option and I haven't heard any news or rumors to that effect for Panasonic, not even on the new Varicam. Sony nailed the feature sets I'm interested in with the F5. I'm DPing a short soon with some competent film people and it looks like we're renting that. The post people want that RAW at least for narrative work. It's a huge advantage to be able to rent that RAW recorder and still have a really good HD, 2K camera for everything else. It's still pretty expensive for me right now at $20k. I'd have to book a lot with it to justify that kind of lay out.
What would be even more fantastic would be if the manufacturers opened up to other RAW recorders with CinemaDNG or something not proprietary, or offer their proprietary schemes to other manufacturers, kind of like what's happening with the 7Q.
Has anyone heard anything about Panasonic creating a RAW option or it that just wishful thinking on my part?
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