Narrative AND documentary use?

Skuzzle said:
I'm confused.. What Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 are you using? If it's the AF-s 17-55mm f/2.8G DX IF-ED, how do you control the aperture? Thanks...
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Yes, that's the lens that I use. With the Novoflex Nikon to M4/3 adapter, you can control the aperture. And, their are no "click" stops, so adjusting the aperture while shooting is smooth on-screen, no "bumps" in the exposure change. This lens is parfocal, it does stay in focus as you change focal length. But, you would never want to do a hot zoom with it! The front element "pumps" about an inch when you zoom all the way out to 17mm. My clip-on Formatt matte box stays with that element, no problem.

Another great thing about this lens is that it has fantastic close focus ability. It focuses to UNDER one foot from the front element!

I never was a cinema shooter, having come to the AF100 from Sony DSR-300, 500, and 570 DVCams. Now that I use only Nikon lenses, racking focus with a follow-focus unit makes sense to me: twist away from the camera to focus far, twist towards the camera to focus close.

Works for me!
 
jdesignhi said:
Yes, that's the lens that I use. With the Novoflex Nikon to M4/3 adapter, you can control the aperture. And, their are no "click" stops, so adjusting the aperture while shooting is smooth on-screen, no "bumps" in the exposure change.
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Alright, now I'm really confused. My understanding of the "AF-s 17-55mm f/2.8G DX IF-ED" is that it is a DX digital only lens with no physical aperture ring. The Novoflex Nikon to M4/3 adapter (which I own) has neither any internal electronics or iris. How is it that you are able to control the aperture of this lens with an AF100? Thanks
 
Alright I see how it works. You can't tell what f stop you're at as you're using the unmarked ring on the Novoflex.
 
My problem is that I've used conventional-focusing cine lenses for many years and for documentary shooting find it difficult to adapt to the Nikkors. I've used them on the RedRock and feel like I'm driving in the UK.

Unfortunately the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8, the lens that I intended to buy, requires the as-yet-not-available Birger adapter. My (inadequate) solution was to buy the cheapest Zuiko, the f2.8-3.5 14-54, until the Birger was available. But, here I am, struggling with that varifocal lens, waiting in the queue with everyone else.
 
Just finished shooting a full-day event (a wedding) on the AF102 and I have to say it challenged me like no other camera has before (even more than my old JVC HD200 with it's manual Fujinon lens.) Maybe someone who is used to working with DSLR or full manual lenses might like it but for me, it totally sucked for run & gun (and you can't get any more run & gun than a wedding) the only way I'd use it again is if I was shooting b-roll.

Coming from EX1s & HMC150s, I found it really difficult to come to terms with not having OIS, Auto-Focus or the wide<-->telephoto range of a fixed lens camcorder. Sure the bokeh was beautiful, but damn it! I lost heaps of great moments because I didn't have time to nail focus or exposure (or both.) I'm now seriously considering selling it :(

PS: Throughout the day, I used f/2.8 Nikkors 14-24mm & 24-70mm zooms and also an old Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 for the low-lit interiors. I did try the Lumix 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 but found it too slow for interiors.
 
the only way I'd use it again is if I was shooting b-roll.
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The mantra here has been "Panasonic Broadcast doesn't make lenses!". That may be true, but Ford doesn't make tires either, I won't bother to continue with the analogy. It just seems that before Panasonic loses more people like you it would behoove them to inspire some serious zoom lens support for the AF...
 
mcstrangelove said:
I appreciate the lens suggestions. Sorry, I might not have been clear...I was wondering if there were any micro 4/3 zooms that can utilize the camera's autofocus feature. I checked on the Olympus lenses with Abel Cine and it seems that it cannot auto focus. Not sure about the Nikon yet, but trying to get an answer.
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If I remeber correctly, the Four Thirds (not micro) Olympus 14-54mm does autofocus on the AF100 but not continuously.
A simple adapter makes it just as useable as a micro four thirds lens so it'll work fine with the AF100.

For on-the-fly focusing you can get a small handle attached that puts your hand right by the focus wheel. A (very) small rig like this one: Here
Its really just a handle attached and extended out to the lens via the 1/4-20 mount on the bottom of the camera and runs you $160 for all the Redrock Parts from B&H
 
It's definitely in their interest to do so. And I hope they do. I know that I personally went to Fujinon, Angenieux and Zeiss and tried to convince all of them of the market potential that they could tap into with this camera and mount.

But there's a difference between attempting to inspire someone, and seeing the companies actually DO it. It's up to those companies to decide whether they will actually manufacture such a product. Obviously Panasonic can't force anyone to make a product.

And whether we like it or not, the broadcast division does not make lenses and never has. Hopefully they can lean on the consumer division to get them to make the lenses we want, but in that relationship it's really the chihuahua trying to convince the elephant of something. The consumer division is so much bigger (who knows, a hundred times bigger? More?) so broadcast will have their work cut out for them to convince them to make something in particular.
 
The consumer division is so much bigger
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And there's no way to convince them unless they figure it out for themselves... An example, my wife, a school teacher, has an Olympus Pen and some version of the Panasonic (I don't remember which), but she often shoots video with them on her trips to the Middle East and India. She would love to have a light weight, controllable zoom lens instead of the clunky Zuikos she currently has - for all of the same reasons that dedicated filmmakers want one. There must be many thousands of potential buyers out there, not even including this picky little AF100 group.
 
The thing that disappointed me most about the Lumix 14-45mm wasn't it's slowness in low light, but the fact that once auto-focus was switched on you couldn't manually make any corrections using the focus ring (the Sony NEX-VG10's stock lens suffers from the same issue.) I would have thought this was a no-brainer for any lens manufacturer, but then I'm guessing these Lumix lenses were designed for the consumer market. In hindsight I'm glad I didn't blow $1,000 on that 14-140mm f/4-6.5
 
In hindsight I'm glad I didn't blow $1,000 on that 14-140mm f/4-6.5
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I originally ordered the AF100 with the 14-140, then cancelled the lens and bought a 14-54 f2.8 at a camera store because it was half the price. Figured I'd wait till NAB and "nab" something then... Nothing, S__T! - so I ordered another 14-140, had second (or is it third) thoughts, cancelled it again.

Now I have put a deposit on a Birger, but may die of old age before I get it. Funny thing is, I waited till the last moment, before a job, to get the AF - hoping for a zoom lens. I didn't wait long enough.
 
Did you ever contact ciecio7 to see about an Aaton adapter for the AF100? I'm quite curious to hear how your Cooke zoom would work with it...
 
id you ever contact ciecio7
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I sent an email but haven't received a reply. I've also instituted a search through a research friend, a PI actually. I also contacted ZGC and asked about converting the lens to PL (I'd use a Hot Rod), but he doesn't think he can find the mount.

FYI. I set the Cooke 10.2-52mm on a sand bag and carefully lined up the camera (well, not THAT carefully, just ballpark) and covered the gap with a toilet paper tube. The lens SEEMS to cover with a little vignetting at 10.2 and a little more vignetting in the middle of the range.. But acceptable compared to the current options. But, that was not a perfect test and I only used T2.8. I forgot what a big mofo that lens is, I'd definitely need something like the Hot Rod to support the mount.
 
I bought ciecio7's PL to M4/3 adaptor and I must say it is very solidly built, also the guy is great to deal with. The only major issue I see with using any lens mount converter would be not having a back-focus adjustment.
 
how heavy is it?
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Don't know, don't have a scale handy, but I'd guess 4+ pounds. I'll try to check it out tomorrow - I haven't had this lens out of the case for nearly ten years since ROOTS OF CALIFORNIA PHOTOGRAPHY, my last (probably ever) super16 project.

By the way. I originally thought the Zuiko 14-54 wasn't so bad. I worked out a way to keep track of focus by leaving the peaking on the Cineroid on constantly. But after 2 weeks of working with it, I pretty much hate this lens. I have settled on using it at 14mm only, and primarily shooting with my Leica-R 28mm f2.8 and the 50mm Summicron. If I need longer and can't change lenses, I will zoom in in post. Not a perfect solution, but not much choice till the Birger arrives.
 
Okay, 4 pounds isn't THAT bad. I was afraid you were going to say it was on par with the 18-100, which is 10+ pounds and just a real monster. Even so, yes, you would need a supported mount to hold a 4lb lens.

Not a fan of the Zuikos. Yes they're relatively fast but in usability, meh.

Have you looked at the nikon 17-55 or the Zeiss ZA 16-35?
 
ive been using the 14-140 for a while now.
so far, its been working far more than id thought.
there were times that i wished i hadnt bought it but based on my previous shoots, im glad i did.
yes its horrible at low light. its best as a stills lens than a video really but the zoom helps a lot in some situation.
 
Have you looked at the nikon 17-55 or the Zeiss ZA 16-35?
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I haven't, but my previous experience with Nikkors (I have a 28, 35, 50 and 105 and an old F body) makes me want to wait for the Canon, because of focus direction. When using Nikkors I always have to think about which way to turn it, doesn't exactly fit my spontaneous nature... However, if the Birger doesn't work out soon, I will have to go that way out of desperation.

My issue with the 14-140 isn't speed, although it is too slow, but the clunky iris - the reason I've grown to hate the 14-54 Zuiko. I often shoot in changing conditions and need to dial the iris within the shot. The current lenses don't allow for that.

From what I've read about the hopefully-soon-to-be-available Birger is that the Canon EF lens will be as fully functional as a cine lens only with operation from the camera head... we'll see.
 
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