Plastic quality

I find that in this industry, DP's (this definition may need expanding, so I apologize ahead of time) tend to be fascinated with novelty equipment. But then later on sober up (through time and experience with the novelty equipment) and finally uncover the faults.

Case and point the Zacuto 2010 Camera Shootout. In that documentary, all the DP's were like (paraphrasing) "WOW, DSLR's are amazing. Does a really good job for the price. Getting close to film". None of them knew about the moire artifacts at that point in time.

But today, through time and experience DP's now know that major artifacting occurs in DSLR's. And thus the majority of DP's are now seeking DSLR replacements like the AG-AF100 or the NEX-FS100.

Soon we will find rolling shutters and blown highlights unacceptable. We may even find that a fixed imaged sensor is unacceptable as I'm pretty sure that is becoming modular pretty soon (i.e. like Red MX).
 
Nigel-Cooper said:
LowDown, professionals don't use DSLRs, they Use Panavisions and Arri for Hollywood movies. TV commercials are also 35mm film, or Varicam or HDCAM, and soaps and the like are also Varicam, HDCAM or Digibeta or D9 type equipment for SD.
There is a difference between a Professional using something, and something being used for Professional applications.

I agree LowDown, it is a bit of a strong statement. Not sure how it is in the USA, but in the UK if you asked the GTC (Guild of TV Cameramen) to do a survey and ask all it's members if a 5D MK2 was a professional camera used by professionals I can almost certainly say close to 100% of them would say "No Way".

I can't understand people who try and justify their purchases by trying to convince themselves that what they own is used by professionals and is professional kit.

One of the most well known Professionals, Steven Spielberg, doesn't bang on like this, in fact, he doesn't even own any kit to envy yours. I very much doubt Mr Spielberg grabs a Panavision from his broom cupboard each time he wants to make a new movie, guess what, he doesn't even shoot his own movies ;) Just kidding around with you LowDown; trying to make a point.

If an agent in the UK asked me to shoot a TV commercial in England for Volvo cars, guess what, I certainly wouldn't reach for my AF101. I'd hire a crew with cine kit; that's what professionals do.
Click to expand...

Blame that on two-fold marketing. The need for manufacturers to play up their lower product lines by positioning them as a DERIVATIVE of their flagship camera. This is modern day marketing, make the best and greatest flagship product and then make a low-cost mass produced DERIVATIVE and state that this is the case in your sales pitch. People eat that up all the time.

Secondly, as indie-filmmakers we tend to want to overextend OUR own associations too. "Oh this camcorder is similar to the one used in big cinema" to get the client interested.

Just the way the world works today. Sad but true.
 
I still don't get this "can't press the white balance button". Do I need to make a video of pressing it? I'm 6'4" and my hands have NO issue using any of the controls. Period. I have no issue using the buttons on the FS100 anymore than I do pressing wise than the AF100. And personally, I like the layout more as well. No essential buttons for me under the LCD that I cannot get at. And, the directional pad is easier for me to use. Given the directional pad is typically 90 degrees out on the AF100 when using it, I constantly would be pushing in the wrong direction. Or how about the power button that is so hard to flip to on or off with the way it is designed on the AF100. Or how about the buttons under the LCD. I can barely tell if my finger actually pressed the EVF DTL button or not. Again, not that I think the FS100 buttons are any better per-say, but to claim one as superior baffles me, because they BOTH have pluses and minuses.

I see no reason the AF100 or FS100 couldn't be used in a professional capacity in most instances. Sure, the AF100 will always have the leg up with SDI, but to me, not even ND makes it NOT professional. For a video camera application, maybe, but like has been mentioned many times, there are PLENTY of film cameras that have no ND built in, and they are still used professionally. Unless you are telling me that matte boxes are unprofessional, which I HIGHLY doubt. I believe they've been built for the *cinema* world if I am not mistaken.

If I were doing something big enough to warrant say screen time at a theatre, I wouldn't use the FS100 or the AF100, I'd rent, period. Obviously if the shoot was at that level, then I'd want a camera that would have MUCH more freedom for the final format. I'd go so far as to say Alexa first, followed by F3 with SLog second. (Since Epic is not available and the Red One MX might be my 3rd choice).

The body is compact and solid. I've not seen ANYONE break their FS100 yet, or their AF100, so it doesn't look like an issue (yet) on either camera.

Why do people feel like they have to constantly classify if a tool is professional or not? If a professional uses ANY tool to get a job done, then that tool was used professionally. There is no STANDARD for what professional tools are. Anyone can claim that their tool is for professional or consumer use, but really, that doesn't guarantee you ANYTHING. What matters is your results, or the expectations placed on you for whomever or whatever it is you are working on. If all you do is get hung up on if the tools you are using are professional or not, you REALLY have your focus wrong. The focus should be on the results, and in many cases, the effort/complexity/risk of getting there.

I'm SURE that I'm not going to lose ANY work from people because they see the body is plastic on my FS100 (or my AF100). In fact, when they see it on my shoulder rig, or my modified hand held system, with my smallHD monitor, they are going to be impressed, because honestly, it does look very nice. Although that doesn't matter, because it *working* nice is what is important to me.

So can we get back on the topic of the FS100, and let's drop the DSLR discussion. This is NOT the post for that. Thanks.
 
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