Thinking of buying an AF100

A

adamsherwin

New member
New to the forum but finding a ton of useful information. Looking for honest answers on the cons of shooting with the AF100. I'm a photographer making more video than stills. I've shot with this camera several times as a rental and really enjoy working with it. Is there anything I'm missing before I decide which camera to buy? Looking for an experienced answer on some of the pitfalls I might run in to. My camera of choice until now has been the 5D MKII and 7D.
 
How long is a piece of string?

You have shot with it already..did you think you were missing anything or there was a "con" or a "pitfall"...

Not sure exactly what kind of answer you were expecting from our limited kowledge about your expectations of the camera.
 
I have an AF-100 (wish I had two) I also have many other cameras including RED One and Epic. I LOVE this camera. I care not for brands, any brand. All I care about is ease of use and quality. This camera does an awful lot for very little money. I suppose if you really wanted to find faults with it you could but you would have to look very hard and considering the price I say it is nearly 100%
 
I own three 5DIIs, and have owned one of them since they were released. They got me into video. Haven't shot video with one (except one case when the client demanded the 5DII) since getting the AF100 almost a year ago. I hope that makes my thoughts on the AF100 pretty clear.
 
From what you wrote and your previous experience, you will love it. Regarding pitfalls, it's more a matter of "right tool for the right job" - if you were trying to use this tool (a cinema style camera) for ENG (electronic news gathering) where you need quick zooms, one lens that does it all, auto-focus, optical image stabilization, etc. this would not be the best (or proper) tool. That's pretty much it. The sensor size is closer to 7D and not the 5D Mark II so there's a crop factor if you're used to shooting with Full Frame lenses and sensor. However, the AF100 is much closer to actual cinema size sensors and lenses. For what this camera is and what it does and it's price point, there's not a lot to complain about. The only thing I hear is some people have issues with the way it handles highlights (clipping whites, and chromatic aberations if you don't watch the settings). But that's not really an AF100 issue as much as it is a characteristic of panasonic color profiles, which has this negative but also a lot of positives.

Anyway, that's getting nitpicky. This is a popular camera for a reason. If you've enjoyed working with it, you'll enjoy continuing to do so. It's a much better video tool than a 7D or 5D Mark II for most people and most use cases.
 
filmguy123 said:
Regarding pitfalls, it's more a matter of "right tool for the right job" - if you were trying to use this tool (a cinema style camera) for ENG (electronic news gathering) where you need quick zooms, one lens that does it all, auto-focus, optical image stabilization, etc. this would not be the best (or proper) tool.
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Here's a new article from a SKY News cameraman who just used an AF100 for a year in China that would differ (although he did carry more than one lens):

http://www.dslrnewsshooter.com/2011...ear-with-the-panasonic-af101-and-gh2-cameras/
 
"The only thing I hear is some people have issues with the way it handles highlights (clipping whites, and chromatic aberations if you don't watch the settings). But that's not really an AF100 issue as much as it is a characteristic of panasonic color profiles, which has this negative but also a lot of positives."


Far as I can see all the single chip cameras in the price range from the AF up to the F3 have highlight handling problems to one degree or another and really there isn't that much difference between them. I think Panasonic being first to market got slammed a bit more than usual on their high light handling, but honestly I've seen an FS 100, AF 100 and F3 side by side and the highlight handling differences are not that big as monitored on their outputs.

From my experience I think all the cameras in this class require more user expertise in terms of set ups, picture profiles white balances. I find myself frequently switching gammas or matrixes to optimize image quality more frequently than I have in the past with other cameras but considering the price and the features the AF is a lot of value for the money. Not even the F3 does 1080 over crank and that camera costs about 3x more than the AF.
 
Mark Smith said:
"The only thing I hear is some people have issues with the way it handles highlights (clipping whites, and chromatic aberations if you don't watch the settings). But that's not really an AF100 issue as much as it is a characteristic of panasonic color profiles, which has this negative but also a lot of positives."


Far as I can see all the single chip cameras in the price range from the AF up to the F3 have highlight handling problems to one degree or another and really there isn't that much difference between them. I think Panasonic being first to market got slammed a bit more than usual on their high light handling, but honestly I've seen an FS 100, AF 100 and F3 side by side and the highlight handling differences are not that big as monitored on their outputs.

From my experience I think all the cameras in this class require more user expertise in terms of set ups, picture profiles white balances. I find myself frequently switching gammas or matrixes to optimize image quality more frequently than I have in the past with other cameras but considering the price and the features the AF is a lot of value for the money. Not even the F3 does 1080 over crank and that camera costs about 3x more than the AF.
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With any camera you have to learn how the camera works and avoid the issues that can screw you. Then its all gravy.
 
I love it. I just bought another one. Sure it's no Alexa, but it's 1/20th the price too. I think it is the screaming steal of pro digicine cameras out there right now.
 
Barry_Green said:
Wow, just saw Terry Nixon's post saying that there is a $500 Amex gift card rebate on the AF100 now!
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Argh! I just purchased an AF100 and took delivery yesterday! Dang it all, I wish I had known. :(

Adam, I should add that I spent a long time researching the video cameras in this price range. Learning about them, pros and cons. Learned a lot from this forum and many others. I was waiting for the Scarlet announcement. Visited my local video camera suppliers and spent some time hands on with a few cameras and decided on the AF100. I just received the camera yesterday and already couldn't be happier.

As so many others have said, it depends on what you're using the camera for and personal taste, but I know that I made an informed decision.

Best of luck on your research and decision. :)
 
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Karma Engaged....

Waited forever to buy this camera. Sent certified payment in yesterday before I saw the notice of the $500.00 rebate. Check will arrive the day the rebate starts!
 
I have some Canon L lenses, might I buy the adaptor to fit these L lenses on the AF100?

Four third sensors seems better in capturing low light situations. My shortlist is now AF100 vs AC160 (1/3 CMOS)...

Any thoughts on that?
 
AF100 and AC160 are, effectively, the same camera. The difference is a big 4/3" sensor with interchangeable lenses, versus three small sensors (1/3") with a 22x fixed lens. Other than that, they're pretty much identical.

Canon L lenses are a problem to adapt to any other camera system, because you can't control the aperture on an L lens. The AF100 is about the only camera out there that has a workable adapter solution, the Redrock Live Lens adapter, it lets you electronically control the iris.
 
Sorry for going back to the rebate deal- I just purchased my AF100 packaged with the 14-140 from Adorama. On the rebate form it says it may not be combined with any other offers, would the packaged 14-140 be considered another "offer"? Or should I still be eligible for the rebate?

Thanks!
 
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