Shooting a documentary - AF100 the right choice?

[stiller]

Hi

Thanks for reading this.

My first documentary as director is coming up (and for that matter, I havent worked on any documentaries in other positions either). the problem is that both my DP and I only have DSLRs and need something with continuous focus.
We have been thinking about renting the EX1, but now are coming around to buying a camera, since costs for borrowing almost amount half the cost of the camera.
The thing is that, since its my money, I would like to invest into futureproof equipemnt.
The EX1 is already on the older side and has no interchangeable lens system.
So I am looking at both the Pana AF100 and the Sony FS100. My biggest concern is if there is a lens with continues focus for either one of these cameras.

Is there a lens like that out there? For either the AF100 or the FS100? Otherwise what would you advise me to buy? Please keep in mind that I would like to use it in the future for shooting narrative film.

Thanks a LOT =)

Cheers Xin

 

[parkerhqj]

I have both the EX1 and AF100. The EX1 is still a great camera and will give you your continuous focus. You'll have to work a little harder to get a shallow depth of field, but its resolution is excellent. I shoot most of my interviews now on the AF100, but when I look at some of my older interviews from the EX1, I find myself saying, "wow, that's sharp!". If your doc is going to be a lot of run & gun and you're not going to be overly fussy about shallow depth of field, I'd think harder about the EX1. The iris control is another advantage - with the AF100, unless you buy the Panasonic lenses, you'll either have to control the iris on lens itself, manipulate the ISO settings, or wait for the Birger mount (!). Not having interchangeable lenses can also be a blessing and the EX1 lens is very good, to my mind. You can also get a Century Optics wide angle if you feel the need or the Sony one which I have. Again, I don't know what you're shooting or what conditions you'll be operating under, but you may be better off renting the EX1 for this documentary and then waiting for the perfect camera to come out. Good luck with that!