Need help with making a decision about the AF100 + accessories

[DavidH]

I am interested in setting up a small studio that would be primarily used for personal projects, such as documentaries, sketches and shorts, with the occasional wedding, commercial or corporate gig mixed in. I have shot quite a bit on the DVX100B and I've loved using it, but I would like to try my hand at the AF100. I have some questions about the AF100 as well as some about accessories..

Questions about the AF100 -

1. How would editing AF100 footage in FCP compare to editing DVX100B footage?

2. How will this camera perform in observational situations? It's often mentioned that a bunch of additional equipment is suggested if you would like to create a run & gun setup. What sort of results might the developing user expect if they were to use the camera without the additional gear?

3. Can I use the AF100 without a monitor?

4. If anyone has transitioned from a camera similar to the DVX100b to the AF100, would you mind sharing your feelings about the loss of power zoom?

5. Is there a set of lenses that is standard for AF100 usage? What lens specs. tend to be a part of everyone's collection?

Questions about accessories -


1. I'm looking for good shotgun, omni and wireless lav mics in the $500 - $1000 apiece range. Anyone have suggestions?

2. I'll need a lighting kit. I've heard talk of LED kits, but can't seem to find much info about how they compare to traditional ones. Does anyone have any insight? Would anyone mind suggesting specific kits for both traditional and LED?

3. Any tripod recommendations?

4. If I were to choose the AF100, does anyone have suggestions for a good shoulder mount?

Other questions

1. I have the feeling that the complexity of the AF100 is substantially higher than the DVX100B, but I am anxious to start learning the new DV landscape. I'm sure that I will wind up purchasing Barry Green's AF100 book, but does anyone have any additional recommendations for books about learning the intricacies of general camera usage?

 

[Noel Evans]

1. How would editing AF100 footage in FCP compare to editing DVX100B footage?

David first off welcome to DVXuser.

SO firstly I assume you're used to using log and transfer to ingest your DVX100 tapes from a deck (or camera itself). For the AF100, its basically > copy cards > use log and transfer to transcode to prores. Currently this means your data rates are going to be a fair bit more than your'e used to with your DVX100, but it terms of edit speed its about the same. Panasonic are bringing out a plugin to allow direct edit without transcode and with the new FCP X coming theres some changes to this around the corner if you want to be part of them.

2. How will this camera perform in observational situations? It's often mentioned that a bunch of additional equipment is suggested if you would like to create a run & gun setup. What sort of results might the developing user expect if they were to use the camera without the additional gear?

AF100 is a ready to roll camera. Add a lens and you dont need anything else to shoot. But there are many options out there to assist you with obtaining for example a more stable shot. But without buying anything else - good shots are possible.

3. Can I use the AF100 without a monitor?

Absolutely you can. I can nail focus with nothing more than whats on the camera. Peoples mileage differs on this point. But I can only tell you my experience and I can. But a monitor can serve more purposes than just setting focus. What do you need it to do?

4. If anyone has transitioned from a camera similar to the DVX100b to the AF100, would you mind sharing your feelings about the loss of power zoom?

How this impacts you depends on the style of shooting you undertake. From your list commercials / corporates / sketches / shorts are all fairly well set shots so a quick zoom wouldnt be missed at all. For documentaries - maybe on the odd occasion when doing B roll shots insofar as its gives you quick access to different focal lengths in changing circumstances. Especially for exteriors, in this situation a good zoom is a god send.

5. Is there a set of lenses that is standard for AF100 usage? What lens specs. tend to be a part of everyone's collection?

There are not. And there are many options. I'd seriously take some time to go through this forum to see what others are using and how their experience is with those.

1. I'm looking for good shotgun, omni and wireless lav mics in the $500 - $1000 apiece range. Anyone have suggestions?

2. I'll need a lighting kit. I've heard talk of LED kits, but can't seem to find much info about how they compare to traditional ones. Does anyone have any insight? Would anyone mind suggesting specific kits for both traditional and LED?

3. Any tripod recommendations?

4. If I were to choose the AF100, does anyone have suggestions for a good shoulder mount?

Some good tripod suggestions here but Id go go to audio and lighting forum to look at those options.

Other questions

1. I have the feeling that the complexity of the AF100 is substantially higher than the DVX100B, but I am anxious to start learning the new DV landscape. I'm sure that I will wind up purchasing Barry Green's AF100 book, but does anyone have any additional recommendations for books about learning the intricacies of general camera usage?

If you've got a good handle on the DVX100 and you have Barry's AF100 book. (And remembering this great resource right here) There's nothing more you need other than the camera to go out and shoot.

 

[Oliver Rush]

I am interested in setting up a small studio that would be primarily used for personal projects, such as documentaries, sketches and shorts, with the occasional wedding, commercial or corporate gig mixed in. I have shot quite a bit on the DVX100B and I've loved using it, but I would like to try my hand at the AF100. I have some questions about the AF100 as well as some about accessories..

Questions about the AF100 -

1. How would editing AF100 footage in FCP compare to editing DVX100B footage?

It will be more processor intensive to edit the HD prores files, and the transcoding does take some power, but depending on your system it probably wont be a big deal. It all depends on your system. Otherwise, it is alot easier as you dont have to worry about capturing from tape and all the related headaches of a tape based workflow.

2. How will this camera perform in observational situations? It's often mentioned that a bunch of additional equipment is suggested if you would like to create a run & gun setup. What sort of results might the developing user expect if they were to use the camera without the additional gear?

I do alot of run and gun work with just my set of primes, my camera, and a tripod or monopod (Camera bag on my back, tripod/monopod in one hand, lens case in the other). Frankly, I find less is more for run and gun.

3. Can I use the AF100 without a monitor?

You can, but focusing is def. easier with one. If you get one, make sure it is HD or you are really not benefiting much more from it for focusing. I very often shoot without one, but you really have to take your time and use all the aids to judge your focus correctly, especially with wide apertures.

4. If anyone has transitioned from a camera similar to the DVX100b to the AF100, would you mind sharing your feelings about the loss of power zoom?

I went from a HVX and HPX to the AF100, and really never missed it. I never used the power zoom much though, and usually had the servo off, so it was not a loss for me.

5. Is there a set of lenses that is standard for AF100 usage? What lens specs. tend to be a part of everyone's collection?

Get good FAST glass, and try to find constant aperature zoom lenses if you want a zoom. If you are going for primes, I like fast nikons as a bang for buck lens choice... I made a couple long posts about glass here:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea......but-I-m-a-bit-green-about-what-else-I-need.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...else-I-need.&p=2313119&viewfull=1#post2313119

Questions about accessories -

1. I'm looking for good shotgun, omni and wireless lav mics in the $500 - $1000 apiece range. Anyone have suggestions?

For wireless, you cant go wrong with Sennheiser e100 lavs. Best bang for buck, IMHO. The cheaper ones I find dont work as well in busier places like NYC where there is alot of wireless traffic.
For a Shotgun, NTG-1 or NTG-2 (same mic, the 1 only works with phantom power) are best bang for buck at around $250 and are fine for alot of work and work great for an on camera mic (as good as a mic mounted on the camera can be). They are what I keep in my bag for gigs when I can't hire a sound guy. If you want a top production quality mic and have the money, get a Sennheiser 416 for about $1000. My sound guy uses one and it is great.

2. I'll need a lighting kit. I've heard talk of LED kits, but can't seem to find much info about how they compare to traditional ones. Does anyone have any insight? Would anyone mind suggesting specific kits for both traditional and LED?

I never much liked LEDs from the little I have used them, and have always preferred KenoFlo Banks and Arri Tungstens as my goto lights... but then again they are what I know and I have little experience with LEDs. It really depends on what you are doing though.

Other questions

1. I have the feeling that the complexity of the AF100 is substantially higher than the DVX100B, but I am anxious to start learning the new DV landscape. I'm sure that I will wind up purchasing Barry Green's AF100 book, but does anyone have any additional recommendations for books about learning the intricacies of general camera usage?

It is a diffrent camera. For some, like me, that is the major attraction. I learned shooting film, so was use to having to do everything manually and like that I can use my manual primes with it and treat it like a film camera. It may be a bit more complex than a DVX, but the rewards you get out of it in image quality are worth it. Think of it like a digital film camera rather than a camcorder like the DVX... It does require a bit more skill and patience to get the best out of it, but the results are worth it.

Barry's book is included with the camera, and is definitely worth the read. Otherwise, read through here, shoot and practice.