AC130: Leaning towards the AC130a

Zim

Zim

Veteran
After a lot of looking around I think the AC130a will probably work pretty good for the two documentaries I have planned. You kind of get caught up in the hype and marketing going. You think "I need this" and "I need that". "I need 50/mbits" etc, etc. I just need a good camera to replace the DVX100b. I need a camera for this project. The last film I ended up with about 50 plus tapes and I don't want to do that again!

I've thought about the AC160a but it is $900 more and not sure I need the extra stuff on it. Plus I've read some negative comments about the auto focus and I do use it.

So any thought s on the AC 130a? Upgrade to the 160a worth it?

Also looking at the specifications at B & H the AC160s says the effective pixels are 1920 x1080. But the AC130a doesn't list that specification. Is it the same?

Thanks
 
Hi Zim,
I am a 160A owner and use this camera professionally. Let's address your concerns: Auto focus:On the original launch of the 130/160 there were many reports of the autofocus hunting or breathing after having locked on. There was a very quick change bought out by Panasonic which was launched as the A series. Existing non A series could also be upgraded to this new spec.

Now, it was never stated that this was one of the fixes in the upgrade, but I never had this problem and nor did other "A" series owners I spoke to. So I can only assume that the upgrade addressed this, as well as some other issues, in any case it does not seem to be a problem on current models.

The autofocus is not the fastest in the world, but with such a massive and superb zoom lens it is a small price to pay depending on the nature of your work. But these models have a turbo focus mode too- press this in auto and focus is instant. This is really useful.

130A or 160A- Hmmm, For me the biggest benefit of the 160A is being able to output 4.2.2 data via a HD SDI port. The 130A can also output 4.2.2 but only via the more fragile HDMI port. (speaking from bitter experience on a TV, these are very fragile indeed!) The HD SDI connection is an industrial lock-in bayonet connector and thus far more secure.

Both of these cameras are capable of superb output and offer total control over every aspect of scene profile and exposure control. I couldn't find another camera that came close in specs for the money (and boy, did I look!).

In the interests of fairness I should mention that mine did have a warranty replacement on the lens/servos, which were reported as being "tight" and causing the lens to stick on auto focus. But this is not the hunting problem that was reported on the earlier model, and my camera performs faultlessly.

It is also interesting to note that JVC did exactly the same thing on their new 600 series by bringing out a firmware update with a couple of months of its launch. But they did state among other things, that it would "improve" auto focus- note that this is another veeery long auto zoom lens- maybe coincidence, maybe not.

One of the most useful features I find, is the movable target zone for focus and exposure. This is great when you want to autofocus on an off centre subject- It is like having a movable spot meter- brilliant!

SO I hope this helps Zim, if you forsee ever needing 4.2.2. , say for TV work, go for the 160A. if not, the 130A will give identical results in AVCHD card mode.
CHeers!
Rod
 
I too have an AG-AC160A.

My experience is about the same as Rod's - "best all around" after extensive analysis (1 year). And. for me, the movable target zone feature is EXTREMELY useful. I use this most of the time but surely this feature is included in the 130?

I did extensive testing on auto-focus on this camera over several months.

A lot of the testing was theoretical (looking for a bounce when going from Z00/3.9mm to Z86/86mm) - the auto focus does give a bounce but not if you approach the target through a high contrast zone. In any case, a smooth 90 degree pan, according to Am Cinematographer's Manual (See Barry's book, page 31) should at 24P take no less then 198 seconds so the time to lock in focus is trivial in that type of maneuver.

I did a stress test last couple of days on a new remote from Studio1Productions where the camera was kept stationary, with zoom speed set to maximum.

You can see a slight bounce. I could have pressed turbo focus and avoided the bounce with the right timing.

http://youtu.be/28LqOr6W_Lk
 
The AC160A and AC130A are identical in all ways and features except for these additions:

1. AC160A has SDI
2. AC160A has 1080/60P (and 50P)
3. AC160A has uncompressed audio in some modes
4. AC160A in NTSC/PAL switchable
 
Thanks, Rod, Karl and Barry. The difference between the two is about $900 right now. I don't need SDI right now or the uncompressed audio. Will I in the future for TV? Probably not. But it might be a nice option to have.
 
Looking at the clip I posted, there is no bounce.

I did see it though with the same setup the night before (lower lighting?). Consistent across the auto-focus testing bounce is all about how you approach a target. Go thru a high contrast area and you get rapid focus with no-bounce. Do not go thru a high contrast area and you either get a bounce or a time lag to focus lock in.
 
Hi, rzr219,

How about you do the math for a 4 year lease and see how much more per month $900 means. Then you decide.

Of course, the other side of the coin is whatever you buy now, you probably won't use all of the features and by the time you do, there will be "better" cameras out there and you will say to yourself "Why did I not wait".

I so enjoy the camera I just don't care what new models come out. I built my own light system, now I am salivating over cranes/sliders, the 160A will be ahead of my capabilities long after I am at the end of my lease.
 
kwkeirstead said:
Looking at the clip I posted, there is no bounce.

I did see it though with the same setup the night before (lower lighting?). Consistent across the auto-focus testing bounce is all about how you approach a target. Go thru a high contrast area and you get rapid focus with no-bounce. Do not go thru a high contrast area and you either get a bounce or a time lag to focus lock in.
Click to expand...
Hi Walter, nice to hear from you. The bounce you mention: Did you have the OIS on or off? That will definitely cause movement at the end of a pan or zoom when on.
Cheers!
Rod
 
I plan on buying soon.

kwkeirstead said:
Hi, rzr219,

How about you do the math for a 4 year lease and see how much more per month $900 means. Then you decide.

Of course, the other side of the coin is whatever you buy now, you probably won't use all of the features and by the time you do, there will be "better" cameras out there and you will say to yourself "Why did I not wait".

I so enjoy the camera I just don't care what new models come out. I built my own light system, now I am salivating over cranes/sliders, the 160A will be ahead of my capabilities long after I am at the end of my lease.
Click to expand...
 
With my DVX100b i shot 24p almost 100% of the time. I know it is not a Red or some super 35 cinematic camera, but as long as the 130a or the 160a can do 24p well I'll be happy. My next two films are like the last one. Interviewing musicians, recorded some concert footage, indoor and outdoors footage. Really no plans for TV unless it is local. Maybe shown on a screen and a DVD release.
 
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