Spots on Footage -- Help

Just don't shake the can at all.
Keep it upright while spraying.
Small one second bursts is how you do it. No long sprays.

Hope you get this resolved.
 
Okay all. Very bad news. I talked to B&H, showed them my video samples re. spot and they think it's a sunspot, burned on my sensor -- which is why in the overexposed shot I included in my first post -- the one zebraed with red/green lines -- there's a perfectly round circle (the spot) in the middle of the overexposed frame that the zebras completely bypass . . . .

Not sure how I did this. Maybe too hasty changing a lens and I pointed the camera toward the sun without putting the cap on . . . . does anyone have any idea how much this might cost me to fix?
 
Thats doesn't sound right. Don't get to worked up Cathy. Send it in to Panasonic and they will tell you whats up. Guessing will make you crazy.
 
I agree with EriK. B&H are guessing and its illogical and unlikely. Get Panasonic to take a look at the issue.
 
Guys, do you think I should send it straight to panasonic or use a shop that fixes cameras? There's only a few shops that service and they're all kind of mom and poppyish. I feel a little uncomfortable dropping my special baby off with someone I don't know. Panasonic is the father. Do you think I'm right to think that "father knows best."?
 
Ouch, man I hope it's not the sensor! But yep, time to send the baby to Papa Pany in Jersey (*sniff*... separation anxiety! :crybaby:). At least you're close!

Maybe even ask, as you send it in, what a sensor replacement would cost just to steel yourself for a worse case scenario? (at least that would be my preference, get the worst possible news out of the way, but hope for the best).

Good luck- please keep us posted, Catherine!
 
cathstrat said:
Guys, do you think I should send it straight to panasonic or use a shop that fixes cameras? There's only a few shops that service and they're all kind of mom and poppyish. I feel a little uncomfortable dropping my special baby off with someone I don't know. Panasonic is the father. Do you think I'm right to think that "father knows best."?
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Hi Cath, yes the best of luck with this. I have read elsewhere of sunspots, disco lasers etc causing such issues, but let's all hope yours is just a piece of crud that can be easily fixed. Would you be good enough to give us any updates? It would be good to have facts rather than speculation and is of interest to all of us. Best of luck Cheers! Rod
 
cathstrat said:
... since the camera is no longer under warranty. :(
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Are you sure the AF is out-of-warranty? Panasonic USA offered a free 3 year warranty, but you had to register the camera within a certain time period, & I believe it is non-transferable, so you'd need to be the original owner.

And before heading to a Service Center you need to call Panasonic first. My AF has been in twice & both times the turnaround was only few days.
 
Ok, really bad news. I sent my af100 to panasonic. They are telling me that it will cost $4436 to replace the CCD Assembly and clean and align . . that's all the detail they give. Can anyone explain this to me and why it will cost so much? The parts are 3770 and they estimate it will take 2 hours of labor.:(
 
That's tough!! any insurance Catherine? they usually opt to pay the lower of repair or replace. And these cameras have a 3 year warranty - are you out of that ? You may also check whether any domestic insurance you have covers at least some of it. I added my camera to the domestic insurance as a business item and they advised that $2000 of it would have been covered anyway- just a thought. and best of luck!Rod
 
What a bummer. No sense in paying that much to repair it when a new or used one is so much less. How did the sensor get damaged?
 
Ooo... that hurts to hear! I would assume they want to replace the CMOS assembly, not CCD.

But even though that's the guts of camera, I can't guess why it should cost so much, Catherine!

Unfortunately, I think it's time to start anew... :crybaby:
 
Well, yes, that is the problem. This was the first camera I bought used a year ago. It only had 110 hours on it and it looked to be in great shape - bought it on this board. It was a good price but now doesn't seem as good . . .

Anyway, I don't know whether to move on from the AF100 now. Maybe look into something "newer." Never got too engaged in the HDSLR movement. Should I now? Let me know your thoughts. I read Philip Bloom's thoughts about the different cameras - which is best for what, etc. I certainly don't want to venture into the super high end RED's and such -- interested what Digital Bolex will be like. hmmmmm
 
Hi Catherine, well I cannot advise on any specific camera as they are all so personal to your style and content. My only constructive observation would be that the AF100 is an incredible bang for buck- ask yourself, did it do everything you wanted, in a flexible way as well as having that strangely esoteric "feelgood factor" when in use? Your problem and disappointment is in the fact that you have an AF100 that is broken, not the AF system which is great (for me of course-maybe not for you!) Just my ramblings, but I think we all look for the greener grass at times like this, and it is very tough to question your own motives but it must be done to ensure future happiness! The very best of luck! Rod
 
Catherine,

Based on the nature of work you do I'd say stay with a true video camera as your primary tool. There are too many adaptations with a DSLR that might often compromise how you like to compose and your personal documentary style. However, one of the neat things about the AF100 is that you can use a GH2 or GH3 as a companion camera and have access to all the same lenses for either capturing stills or the times when you want to do more "stealth" type documentary shots.

Just my .02.

Panasonic will probably have some new possibilities in the Micro-two-thirds realm pretty soon, but meanwhile there are some good deals to be had on used AF100s.
 
You will pay double for the next camera like the Canon C100 and Sony FS700 or FS100. As others have stated might be more practical to get a another used AF100 and step up to the next generation in another year. Also the lenses you have. Did you buy MFT?
 
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