Just bought an AF101

R

Realdvxuser

Well-known member
Over the past 5 years we've shot more or less everything on our Red One camera. Fantastic camera. But besides the Red we were looking for a small yet very practical camera for some of the quicker jobs. And we were looking for value. So we just bought ourselves a new AF101 for a good price.

We ran some tests today, setting up scene files etc, checked out the results on a HD tv and all I can say is that if properly set up the camera, and on a well lit scene, the little camera delivers and still offers amazing value. Yes, it is not as crazy sharp and clean as our Red One, but that would not be a realistic expectation. But when not pixel peeping too much and with the nose not pressed against the screen, it generally looks really good. It is such a fun and well designed little camera. It brings back the glory feeling of working with a good old DVX100, I just simply love it. Can't wait to use it on one of our jobs.

I thought the little camera deserves a few kind words, especially since it can now be had for a very reasonable price.
 
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Nice. Having fun while working is rather important. I just realized I am glad we cancelled our reservation for the Black Magic camera. Once I found out how many add-ons it needs to operate properly (audio, battery, LCD), it took away the fun factor of the camera. Sometimes it's so nice to have a little package that does it all out of the box and is easy to lug around. Cables and add-ons look impressive on a set, but are a complete disaster otherwise :)
 
For the price there is still nothing like the AF101. The Sony's at a similar price range have a few features missing and the Canon's are still a little more expensive.
 
yohenk said:
I am glad we cancelled our reservation for the Black Magic camera. Once I found out how many add-ons it needs to operate properly (audio, battery, LCD), it took away the fun factor of the camera. Sometimes it's so nice to have a little package that does it all out of the box and is easy to lug around. Cables and add-ons look impressive on a set, but are a complete disaster otherwise :)
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Yes but in reality these are things you will likely get for any camera.
 
yohenk said:
Nice. Having fun while working is rather important. I just realized I am glad we cancelled our reservation for the Black Magic camera. Once I found out how many add-ons it needs to operate properly (audio, battery, LCD), it took away the fun factor of the camera. Sometimes it's so nice to have a little package that does it all out of the box and is easy to lug around. Cables and add-ons look impressive on a set, but are a complete disaster otherwise :)
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Raw is the siren call for the Black Magic camera but since you've access to a RED for that, it makes sense that you'd hold off. I think that the feature set on the Black Magic is sorely lacking especially the powering.
 
hscully said:
Raw is the siren call for the Black Magic camera but since you've access to a RED for that, it makes sense that you'd hold off. I think that the feature set on the Black Magic is sorely lacking especially the powering.
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Yes I have to admit, RAW is absolutely great to work with. And once you learn how to tweak the RAW files, a basic grade does not take that much time. And it's always nice to know there is so much more room for tweaking whenever you wish. I do have to say that Redcode is crucial here too, as it makes the files manageable. Although I am not sure about the exact filessizes from the BMCC, I think those RAW files are much bigger and demanding. Having said that, the compromise on file quality of the AF100 are in this case worth the compromise. I feel spoiled having access to two such great cameras :)
 
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If you want to really make the AF-100 shine pick up the Lumix 12-35 and the 35-100. Both are constant 2.8 and are very sharp. Love the OIS for handheld. No need for a rig with these two lenses since they are so light weight.
Enjoy!
 
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Erik thanks for the tip. We plan on mostly using Nikon lenses, but for the wide end the 12-35 would be fantastic. Not sure the cost weighs up for the purpose though. We'll see what we get out of it once the Nikon adapter arrives. I sure like having those lightweight Lumix lenses on there. They are good lenses.

David, yes. Well maybe an extra battery, but not the brick kind. The small ones last many hours and are so much more convenient. Microphones we'll plug straight into this puppy with the XLR and I don't want an extra monitor on top for this. For the purpose this will do the trick. If I want to lug around loads of gear we'll grab the Red anyway :) This is all about practical use. It's nice to quickly grab a small camera out of the bag without all these extra things on top making it big.

Troels, I am confident you'll one day get your hands on one too.
 
Troels out of curiosity I just checked some of your paint work. Holy cow, that is absolutely stunning work. You don't need an AF100 to create. Wow.
 
Peter Greenaway, Wim Wenders, Derek Jarman, David Lynch- some painters make very good filmmakers. Warhol.. on the other hand.

a smarter man than me called it "painting with light".

sorry- a bit OT
 
Thank you Yohenk! I have found video to be a very inspiring addtion to my artist dayjob... And the possibility to grade footage in the same style as I use my colors and contrast on canvas adds immensely to the exitement. I have a couple of GH2's and love them, but after borrowing an AF101 for a day I was sold... the camcorder is so unbelievably more practical and pleasurable in use.
 
Yohenk, if you're already in Nikon mount for your other lenses, the Tokina 11-16 works very well for your wide end needs. It doesn't autofocus or have OIS, but obviously at 11-16 these are slightly less of a concern anyway.
 
Thanks mcbob, the Tokina is a good option too. Although the OiS would be a welcome feature to have. It's less of a must on the wide end indeed, but it can make just the slight difference when handheld. Worth taking into consideration.
 
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