Purchase FS100 or wait for Blackmagic/something else?

M

mw5j1

Active member
I am in the situtation where I need to upgrade my camera (from a gh2, canon dslrs). I would appreciate anyone's feedback on the fs100. Also, if they are thinking of getting the Blackmagic camera if they are not completely satisfied with the image of the fs100.

Fs100 (+)
Large Sensor
Good image
Low light abilities
SD cards
Adapt any lens.
XLR/Peaking/zebra etc.
Cheap Batteries
Ability for uncompressed out.
(-)
Low bitrate avchd (however, it seems it holds up well)
A bit expensive for me.

Blackmagic (+)
Great DR with Raw and Uncompressed output
EF lens support

(-)
Footage takes up lots of HD space
Smaller sensor
Have to purchase SSD's $300-900
Swapping out SSD's on the field worries me?
Interal Battery (carry external power source)
New Camera/not out yet/ could have issues?


Is there anyone not liking the fs100? I have read that a couple people were thinking of selling it due to the way it deals with highlights. Does the new firmware help with this much?
I think that purchasing an FS100 now might be the smart move, especially since the BM is not even out yet.


Anyways, would greatly appreciate anyone's thoughts.
Cheers.
 
I am going to wait for the second generation BM camera, hopefully with 1080 60p and global shutter or a GH3 with global shutter.
 
nonono, you're both spouting nonsense. don't be so misleading. it's essential to wait at the very minimum 5 more years before something truly usable is available.
 
Total rubbish, I'd give it 10 years for a truly obsolete proof camera. Buy a camera any sooner than that and you're just pouring money down the drain.

You don't want to be buying anything less than 8K RAW with 64bit audio. Any fule know that.
 
i am in exactly the same position as you, was about to buy the fs 100 and then bang comes the blackmagic. I have very similar list of positive and negatives as yourself too, but my main issue is dynamic range. If the blackmagic cinema is better in this department, then I would consider that a very important reason to go with it. However, all we have at the moment is a spec sheet and some test footage designed to make it look awesome. Come on fs 100 users, hand on heart what are your feelings on the camera, and if you were in our position where would you be putting your money? Thanks :)
 
The FS100 has these ADDITIONAL points which the BMC camera does not.

-customizable zebras on the built in LCD (with the BMC you need to plug in a thunderbolt laptop to get waveform and histograms)
-very long battery life (with the BMC you have to get into a whole external battery system).
-Ergonomics is far better than the BMC which is too wide and shallow.
-Probably better rolling shutter performance.
-Expanded 4x 8x focus with new firmware.
-Aspect ratio frame guides.

The BMC will be like the original red one for a while. Will I get one? Probably next year.
 
I would say if you do professional video and are out and about covering events... FS100 hands down, not even a debate I think. If you do narrative type films, the FS100 isn't all that convincing; BMC will definitely give you much more of a film-like image resembling alexa / red.

I'm actually excited to pick up a used FS100 once the price drops with all the new releases coming out this year. I'll be able to cover events and get into some great low-light situations which I haven't been able to do thus far, probably be able to find em on ebay soon enough around 4k which would be a total steal.
 
*edit: sorry , L1N3ARX I wrote this as you posted your reply. Same sentiment! :)

mw5j1- I'm sure you already will, but I would definitely wait until more footage comes out from the BlackMagic comes out. I ordered one, but I still want to see more 'real' tests of low-light footage and the rolling shutter before I would declare it a better cam than my FS100. Assuming those facets are at least on the level of a DSLR, here is what I anticipate using the BMCC and my FS100 for.

BMCC
- short films
- green screen shots
- commercials

Sony
- slow-mo shots
- extreme low light shots
- run&gun / documentary b-roll / etc

For the work I do, I anticipate using the BMCC 80% of the time. John Brawley's test footage implies it looks more natural, higher-res and filmic than the FS10. Rarely do I need to put my FS100 over +9 db (1,000 ISO), so I don't know if the low light advantage will be that big of a deal for me. That's just the nature of my jobs, though.

It is nice with the FS100 to have the ability to shoot without a rig. The battery and a (sort of) EVF are all there. With the BMCC you are going to need an extensive rig to go handheld.

So I say if doc is your area of expertise the Sony FS100 will be a MUCH safer pick. But if you are going for the best image and a more future-proof b-cam, the BMCC might be the way to go.
 
I am not sure where all of this confidence in resolution and detail is coming from for the BMCC. The only online examples are 720p and thus quite soft. I am not saying it can't be much better once full 2k examples are uploaded, but I see no reason to make an assumption that it will be great before they prove it to me. That said, the fs100 has unmatched detail and resolution for the $5k and lower price range.
 
We do care, 5w5j1! :) It's an important decision. Always feel free to come back to this board for more questions on the FS100. If you can't come here for advice for this particular purchasing decision, where can you go?
 
Kyle McConaghy said:
We do care, 5w5j1! :) It's an important decision. Always feel free to come back to this board for more questions on the FS100. If you can't come here for advice for this particular purchasing decision, where can you go?
Click to expand...

Ha, thanks Kyle. I realize it is a question that comes up, but it is good to get other opinions. I am at that point in my job where I need something more functional and professional but don't want to buy and then kick myself a couple months down the road. I waited for NAB and besides the BMCC there was not much of interest (under the 6-7k). So, my thinking is that for what I need the FS100 might work out great.

Cheers
 
Totally a valid question! I was in the same boat last summer. Either camera should be great. You might even be able to get an FS100 under 4k once the FS700 comes out. One thing I'll say, though: If you were originally looking for something under 7k, go all in and get the $8-9k FS7000. You'll automatically save $500 b/c you won't need a Heliopan ND and you'll be future-proof for the next couple of years. Last summer, I was going to buy an AF100 for $3,700 as opposed to a $5,000k FS100 even though I knew the FS100 was superior. I'm definitely glad I "splurged". You'll never regret getting as much quality as you can if you're making money off your camera.
 
Thank you from me too, that's a lot of really useful information and opinions. As a Film student, the Blackmagic probably has more to offer me if I want to go down the narrative route, whilst still giving me the ability to do doc work, just takes a little more set-up. I also want it for July though, yet I'm guessing the shipping dates will probably slip which provides me with another problem...
 
The pragmatic view,

Spend as little as possible on camera equipment as they're disposable and make sure you get your return ASAP. Don't invest in cameras thinking it'll help you in your career, even if it were true, which it isn't, would only be a short lived existence until the next fad camera arrived. Blackmagic already know what they'll be announcing at next NAB and it'll make this year's model look obsolete.

If you want to splurge spend your money on camera accessories that will move from camera to camera with you. A really good tripod and head is well worth investing in. I have seen some expensive camera equipment tottering around on some god awful sticks in my time. Such a waste.

I bought a dealer demo FS100 at a drastically reduced price, I did so after waiting for the next wave of DSLRs to be released to see if there was a bargain to be had, they were all duds. I also waited for the FS700 announcement, seemed the extra money over the FS100 was for features I'd never use regularly. I didn't see the point in the C300 or the F3 as the significant step up in price would not have made much, if any, difference to the earning potential of the camera.

I'd only buy what I need at the lowest price I can find and get the return ASAP. Splurging out and breaking the bank gets you bragging rights for 6 months to a year but with a more affordable/second hand camera the total package of support equipment would be a better career move.

Do not lose sight of the fact the Blackmagic camera is only capture card and sensor and you'll have to spend a small fortune in extra equipment just to use like a camera. Even with the Kit lens you'll be up and shooting the same day with a FS100.

As the BMCs hit the public watch the actually cost of ownership rise two fold or perhaps more.

If the weather hadn't screwed up shooting last week I would've already have paid off half of what I paid for the FS100. It was only a small job too.
 
Kyle is right in saying it is an important decision and that you should come here to ask questions. However, what you do with the camera is information that would help people when making suggestions. If you shoot for a living then what is it you shoot? If you are in the Doc crowd for example, then producers and directors may be "trending" on a particular camera as they were with the 5D for some time, so you get my point. If you shoot weddings your needs may not have to be as sensitive with regard to trends since the main issue will be stellar quality images of Bob and Babs and Uncle Johnny after too many glasses of wine. Wedding shooters have to compete in a different way than doc or Indy feature guys who have to try to emulate million dollar shots with very elaborate shooting kits.
My position is to do my best to pay for a camera within the six months I own it and then make money with it for as long as it is a viable tool. I chose the FS 100 and NEX 7 this year and I am very happy with the results. They replaced an HMC 150 and a GH1 which served me well for three years. I will probably buy a Sony PMW 100 this summer to satisfy the needs of clients whose work demands a run and gun servo zoom type camera. I can also say that I have gotten more calls from new clients as a result of having the FS100 than ever before. These are people I know that were working with 5D/DSLR shooters previously and like the look and ease of the FS100.
Brian
 
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