Re: FS100 vs DSLR (for artistic use)

E

ectobuilder

Veteran
Re: FS100 vs DSLR (for artistic use)

Hey Guys,

I've been a huge supporter of the FS100. However recently I invested in some lighting (LED) for the first time (I normally do run and gun events with no external lighting).

With the lighting, I shot with BOTH the FS100 and my DSLR. And wow was there a difference in usability and user interface.

You see, up until now, I've always preferred my FS100 (to my DSLR) because of it's splendid low light capability. BUT, with proper lighting, the DSLR really kicked the FS100's butt in terms of giving full artistic freedom to adjust exposure and white balance on the fly (used magic lantern for white balance, very easy to get to). Accessing these features on the DSLR is so much more quicker and easier than it was on the FS100.

I love the dedicated ISO button and dial wheel of the DSLR, whereas the FS100 (as you all know) has a three-stage gain switch on the side and to dial in the gain in 1db increments you must go into the menu (yuck).

By having such easy access to such features, it allowed me FULL CONTROL and ARTISTIC FREEDOM over my lenses and artistic composition of the scene. Yes the FS100 allows for exposure adjustments as well, it's just more awkward and slow to get to.

So my question is this, given my situation should I be selling my FS100 (assuming if I am content with staying away from very low light shoots)?

I've reasoned that in order to get great low light out of the FS100, you need to shoot with a wide open aperture anyways, meaning I am forced to shoot with a shallow depth of field (not something I want to do all the time), so that defeats my purpose of wanting to shoot like a free artist (I should have full control over selective depth of field), meaning I would have to "pick my fights" and shoot with proper lighting only, hence using DSLR's.
 
Strange question, since YOU know your needs as a shooter more than us. I would say, shoot with the camera that fit your needs the most. If you found yourself having more control and freedom in your shooting style and situations with DSLR, then shoot with DSLR.

I personnally prefer to shoot with true video cameras to have sound onboard, monitor it, better res, better output selections, less artifacts, and I like to adjust the gain and WB the FS100 way. Of course I come from ENG cameras so that's what I am used to. But you can shoot great stuff with DSLR, we all know it. I did it, you did it, everyone did it. But before, we didn't have the choice to shoot dslr. Now, we can shoot DSLR or fs100, af100, etc. Great world!
 
As a dramatic film shooter, my rules are to NOT adjust white balance or exposure once it's been set for the scene, so each to their own; I don't need to adjust those settings so I prefer the fs100. If the Dslr works for you, go for it
 
I actually REALLY like the way you can adjust white balance on the
fs100. I just hit the little 'upside down triangle' button and
use the scroll wheel ...it lets you adjust white balance in 100K
increments. Since I usually have a good idea of what the color
temp is I just love that. Gain is annoying a bit but I can deal
with that if I don't have to deal with the other dslr annoyances.
 
Re: Custom Side Hand Grip Venture for FS100

Re: Custom Side Hand Grip Venture for FS100

*Bump

See forum thread "Side Grip for FS100"
 
You do have "FULL CONTROL and ARTISTIC FREEDOM over [your] lenses and artistic composition of the scene" with the FS100. It just seems you have "quicker control" with the DSLR.

What's your rush? If you're using lights then adjusting white balance and gain settings is not something you would need to do all that often I would have thought?

And are you getting the best out of the FS100? Do you know about setting the auto gain setting to a maximum of 0db so that it acts as a fourth preset?

Or maybe you just prefer DSLRs? Nothing wrong with that. And better to sell your FS100 than have it rot in the cupboard. There's nothing sadder than modern technology rotting away... Good luck with your decision.
 
So you want to get rid of your FS100 entirely because of the 3-stage gain switch?

Not sure that makes sense, but if it bothers you that much you should feel free.

I'm not sure what your statement about being wide open on the FS100 means. By my estimation and experience, the FS100 is about 3stops better in low light than any DSLR I've seen, so that gives you that much more freedom to stop down. Also the codec is better, sound quality is better, ergonomics are better, it does not have the bad moire problem of DSLRs and resolves nearly twice the resolution. And then the fact that you can go all day without changing batteries or media doesnt hurt, nor does the included EVF tube.

When I need smooth gain adjustments for run and gun, I sometimes use auto gain on the FS100 and it is surprisingly good. Remember that as you roll the iso up and down on a Canon DSLR that the curves change and your 1/3 stop increments each have varying noise levels that go up and down in an odd way. I have not found this to be the case on the FS100. I have shot FS100 alongside 5D and in low light, the 5D can barely get exposure and the FS100 can make the room look brightly lit with far less noise. Personally I also found Canon DSLR's limited in what they could achieve with their gamma curves even with extensive use of canons PSE, and post gamma and white/black clipping issues also bothered me a lot when handing off footage to editors that didnt pay attention to their workflows.

Canon DSLRs are nice for web or 720p or lower delivery if you dont mind a little moire here and there and are lighting most things and have total control over your post workflow and work out a good way to monitor on set. The FS100 I have found to be better in every way compared to Canon DSLRs as well as others (I kept my GH2 as a B-cameras just because its so damn sharp and so small and the gamma curves are quite nice).
 
Keep both The right camera for the right job but it's almost like saying, should I keep my fs100 and sell my Alexa lol
 
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