ISO setting - My one complaint/firmware request

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Primarily because the thread is not asking what he thinks people's opinions are of his requesting this type of feature. If it's possible, let's investigate and see why the camera can or cannot. If not then fine and if so, what do we have in our power to try and make happen?

Absolutely it's democratic and open, which is also a reason why I feel that if someone decides to reply with something that goes against, solely in my opinion, the direction of the thread, then equally speaking, I should be able to voice my opinion and try and keep this thing on course.
 
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I suspect most of the people who keep slamming this request simply don't use the AF professionally, or in environments that vary quickly. And if you do not, stop slamming the request. I have 20 years shooting, and have used video cameras with lenses worth 10 times the AF in news and other broadcast work, and now I use the AF too. Those who have really been using this camera in changing environments with the 14-140 or different lenses know how badly this function is needed. The 14-140 is not flexible enough to be used well with only 3 positions when environment or focal length change quickly or unpredictably. A good ENG lens is different than the 14-140, or different than changing primes with different speed character. Doing so requires freaquent trips into the menu, under situations when the client, the one paying you, is standing there wondering what's wrong, why is it taking so long. Its taking long because I have to tap keys like a texting teenager to get the right settings into the gain detents, while that wheel sits there looking at me. I have probably touched it once in the 3 months I've been using this camera. The wheel needs an ISO option, and we don't need people who don't understand it to shoot down those that do.
 
"I suspect most of the people who keep slamming this request simply don't use the AF professionally, or in environments that vary quickly. "

I only use the camera professionally. I work in the NYC market, Ad agencies, corporate, broadcast, no weddings. I asked the question I asked simply because I did not understand why people would want to be constantly adjusting the ISO. I'm not starting a flame war, I'm asking a question which you may think is stupid to be asked in a thread where most people desire a certain feature, but what better place to ask if you want to understand the issue?



"And if you do not, stop slamming the request. I have 20 years shooting, and have used video cameras with lenses worth 10 times the AF in news and other broadcast work, and now I use the AF too. Those who have really been using this camera in changing environments with the 14-140 or different lenses know how badly this function is needed."

That's exactly why I don't use the 14-140 lens, except on my GF1.
So I think I understand the feature request after filtering out the snark. Thanks for taking the time to enlighten me.
 
This request has been made and the reason for it has been adequately documented. No more debate over it here. Thank you.
 
A lot of operators requesting this are coming from DSLR background, but that isn't the only reason for the divide. With surprisingly clean higher-ISOs, cameras like the F3 and AF100 (and many of the DSLRs) are going to be used in documentary and other unscripted formats. These shooters work will less light and crew infrastructure and generally demand quicker access to camera features than their scripted counterparts might.

We have a great deal of users who have careers that started in film - where changing ISO meant changing magazines! Historically, film-based productions are comparatively disciplined and, usually, very well-planned. There would be fewer instances of changing stock during a production day. And when you did, it wasn't something done on the fly. So, there is a little bit of, "why would you expose that way?" in the discussion.

Let's agree that more and more video / digital cinema cameras now offer cleaner and greater dynamic range and interfaces more akin to those found on motion picture cameras? There really isn't a reason to keep the feature off the AF100 - not philisophically, anyway. You can change ISO very easily on Alexa - and if Arri (a decidedly film-centric company, historically) can make the leap to thinking that way, then the rest of us should have no issues with those who want to either.
 
Erik Olson said:
This request has been made and the reason for it has been adequately documented. No more debate over it here. Thank you.
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Totally agreed. I am another who's been advocating for this capability, and I have never even touched a DSLR, for video or otherwise. I like that the AF100 conforms to a broadcast standard in switchgear, and I think that it should. I am familiar with that format. But I also think that it's also a new kind of camera in a new era, a hybrid of sorts, and the increased function of ISO on the wheel would just make it a better stronger product out in the field where it will be pressed into many different kinds of situations.
 
Same here, bhdfield, I've never used a dslr either. I honestly believe that this was simply an oversight by Panasonic, and I'm sure if it's physically possible, they'll rectify it. Better beta testing could have also avoided the situation.
 
broughtonfilm said:
Understood. The question is does cluttering one wheel with multiple functions really speed up your work?
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I think if one was frequently dialing in ISOs, the Dial Select would show ISO as soon as you hit it, so you wouldn't be spinning the dial past Shutter or Frame Rate.

I shot ENG cameras for 20 years with default gain levels 0db +9db and +18db before the arrival of assigning gains of Low Med High +3db, +6db, +9db, and yes, the unuseable hypergain of +36db.
I welcomed the flexibility of assigning low, medium and high gain levels, but obviously this wasn't something you would do frequently.

However, with the AF100, I think it makes sense. For the record, I've shot DSLRs fewer than a dozen times, have a mix of manual and electronic lenses for the AF, don't obsessively shoot wide open, and I think the idea of assigning dialable ISO to the selected gain switch is brilliant.

Do you frequently use Synchro Scan? I don't- I leave it on 180. But I'm glad it's there.

And if you don't like the idea, don't use it- use Dial Select solely for Synchro Scan, Shutter and Frame Rate- don't spin it to ISO.
Problem solved.

This is basically a workflow issue, and last I checked, there was no one official way to do everything- ie: to each his own...
 
I have never ever "slammed" the request . I just did all I could to discover why others needed it because I was genuinely puzzled. ( I found out eventually and learnt something about how others "shoot" in the process)

The 14-140 is not flexible enough to be used well with only 3 positions when environment or focal length change quickly or unpredictably
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I also understand that its a lack of suitable lenses and choice for the professional that drives the request.
 
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