So what happened to the AF100A and the whole pseudo 10bit thing?

I'd be really curious to hear about this too...like, how different is it on a recorder? Does it simply help alleviate banding?
 
Incredibly difficult for me to believe too many people interested in this camera at $4,000 (on sale at B&H).

But at $2,500, it becomes much more attractive. A strange sidestep by Panny no matter how you slice it.
 
jdv said:
Incredibly difficult for me to believe too many people interested in this camera at $4,000 (on sale at B&H).
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Perhaps if it turns out that the 10-bit out eliminated banding, that and the expanded focus function might be worth the extra to someone looking to get one.
 
Haha. Well I own one. But don't yet own an external recorder and have yet to test out the 10bit out. I got a brand new import model for a hair under $2900! I'll have to borrow or rent a recorder one of these days to test whether or not it actually makes a difference. Personally I'm still hoping somebody mans up and hacks this bad boy. Is it so much to ask to want at least 50mbps output to SD cards???
 
f44876 said:
Haha. Well I own one. But don't yet own an external recorder and have yet to test out the 10bit out. I got a brand new import model for a hair under $2900! I'll have to borrow or rent a recorder one of these days to test whether or not it actually makes a difference. Personally I'm still hoping somebody mans up and hacks this bad boy. Is it so much to ask to want at least 50mbps output to SD cards???
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OMG! We found someone who has one!!!!:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG) $2900!! Wow did you get a good deal.

How well does the focus magnification work? Is the viewfinder any better than the AF-100's?
 
Yeah, I negotiated (battled) with a younger salesman at a shop in Jersey City. Even got him to throw in a 4 yr warranty and an extra 1hr battery for no extra cost. It's an AF105A so its not serviceable under the manufacturers warranty in this country. I'd have to ship to Japan or pay for service at Panasonic USA, so a third party warranty felt like the way to go.

Expanded focus works well! I programmed it to the User 2 button and checking focus is a snap! The viewfinder is still very silly. They desperately need to make an eye cup that magnifies the EVF. I hardly ever use it because I have to squint to make out anything on that little screen.
 
I also picked up a new, factory-sealed AF105A for just under $3K. I got an extra battery, camera case and extended warranty as well. Focus magnification works as advertised and is helpful. I've already encountered two interview situations where it helped. I don't have external recording devices as of yet (I mostly shoot for web use), so I can't comment on the "virtual 10-bit" efficacy. 60p seems to work well as does the audio. I decided to pick up this camera and use it as my "dirty camera" for shooting in industrial factory areas where I really don't want to take my expensive gear. That said, I really like the form factor, ease-of-use and feature set and am strangely drawn to it on jobs for which I hadn't intended. Highlight clipping is still an issue, of course, and must be watched, but it's a really nice little camera. Overall, while we like to complain and add to our collective "wish-lists," I think we're pretty spoiled. Digital video technology is a quantum leap beyond where we were just a few short years ago and I step back from time to time in wonderment as to the incredible advances that have been made. The AF105A may be a bit lackluster by today's standards, but it still presents a bundle of great and useful technology and I'll get a lot of use out of it in the coming months, I'm sure.
 
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Asleep at the wheel! That is my impression of Panasonic at the moment.

They have missed huge marketing opportunities, which Canon has taken advantage of.
 
The Sasquatch Camera has gone public...

Wow! At these prices, anybody asking "What sub-$5000 camera should I get?" would be crazy not to pick up an AF100A! Or 2!!!

Still looking forward to seeing external recorder results...
 
Firstbase said:
I also picked up a new, factory-sealed AF105A for just under $3K. I got an extra battery, camera case and extended warranty as well. Focus magnification works as advertised and is helpful. I've already encountered two interview situations where it helped. I don't have external recording devices as of yet (I mostly shoot for web use), so I can't comment on the "virtual 10-bit" efficacy. 60p seems to work well as does the audio. I decided to pick up this camera and use it as my "dirty camera" for shooting in industrial factory areas where I really don't want to take my expensive gear. That said, I really like the form factor, ease-of-use and feature set and am strangely drawn to it on jobs for which I hadn't intended. Highlight clipping is still an issue, of course, and must be watched, but it's a really nice little camera. Overall, while we like to complain and add to our collective "wish-lists," I think we're pretty spoiled. Digital video technology is a quantum leap beyond where we were just a few short years ago and I step back from time to time in wonderment as to the incredible advances that have been made. The AF105A may be a bit lackluster by today's standards, but it still presents a bundle of great and useful technology and I'll get a lot of use out of it in the coming months, I'm sure.
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Where did you get yours?
 
BrandonT said:
Where did you get yours?
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From one of those East Coast places I seldom shop: Ryther Camera. I must admit they attempted a lot of hard sell (lenses, memory, etc...), but I think the hassle was worth it. Interestingly, I originally responded to their AF100 offer, which they claimed they no longer had in stock, but instead offered the 105A for the same price. I couldn't believe the 105A could be had for the same advertised price ($2695) so I had the rep send me a photo of the sealed box to verify it. All was received as promised.
 
I also have an AF105AP....bought through Amazon for $1,000.00 less than the B&H price. I am still learning how to operate it and wonder if I have found a glitch. When you close the viewfinder and shut down the camera, then turn it back on several hours later, the viewfinder won't come on unless you open and close it again. Very strange.
 
Firstbase said:
From one of those East Coast places I seldom shop: Ryther Camera. I must admit they attempted a lot of hard sell (lenses, memory, etc...), but I think the hassle was worth it. Interestingly, I originally responded to their AF100 offer, which they claimed they no longer had in stock, but instead offered the 105A for the same price. I couldn't believe the 105A could be had for the same advertised price ($2695) so I had the rep send me a photo of the sealed box to verify it. All was received as promised.
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Well, first, the 105A is not the U.S. model (that's the AF100A, not 105), so if you reside in the U.S.A., then you don't have a warranty on it. Second, are you sure it is the 105A? Does it have that listed somewhere on the camera body itself?
 
lol. If he can use expanded focus then its definitely the A model. And his manufacturers warranty is still good in Japan if he cares to ship it, should he need to service the camera. The extended warranty he got with the camera is a third party one. I got one of those myself when I purchased my AF105A.

All the A models are the same the only thing that varies from region to region is the serial number! Worse comes to worse you can always pay to have the camera serviced at Panny USA.
 
Gary Huff said:
Well, first, the 105A is not the U.S. model (that's the AF100A, not 105), so if you reside in the U.S.A., then you don't have a warranty on it. Second, are you sure it is the 105A? Does it have that listed somewhere on the camera body itself?
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Yep, it's definitely the "AF105A" version with 1080p 60fps and focus magnification. You are also correct that it's not the USA model. Frankly, for under $3K, I felt it was worth the risk. I've had the camera for about 2 months and it's already paid for itself, so I'm not terribly concerned with the warranty issue, even though I have a third party warranty on it. I just felt the deal was a little too hard to pass up. Rumors that the audio plays back in Japanese are greatly exaggerated, too! ; )
 
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