Tired of DSLR... should I move to the AF100

back on point (now that I've spent a bit of time trying to defend myself lol)... so, the search for a used c100 begins
 
back on point (now that I've spent a bit of time trying to defend myself lol)... so, the search for a used c100 begins

You have no need to. I still like the Lite Panel 1x1 style LEDs in case there's not enough light to shoot and an offside key is always nice, but that's not your goal. If anything it could make the subject distracted and it looks like having enough light isn't usually an issue for you as much as it could be.

I do really like the C100, though, and think you will, too. Amazing low light and only a little bit trickier to use than a dSLR, the closest thing there is an with fantastic pre-amps.
 
I'll second the C100 if you can swing it. Really nice camera that just works, and works well. Nice image out of the camera. Good ergonomics, great in low light, built in NDs, good audio etc...

For your scenarios where you want to think about the camera as little as possible, it's a great option.
 
I'm nervous to post any of my work because I don't really want to hear all the things I did wrong . . .
https://vimeo.com/66883275

The Internet is a dangerous place to seek affirmation. ;)

But I'm here now, so it's okay.

Hey, dude, I enjoyed it. I think you have a natural gift even . I think your composition and especially your editing show signs of an intuitive feel for cinematic art.

I got into film at age 12 or 13, and that was 25 years ago. I devoured film books and made 40 student films in high school and college. I also went to film school. Then I made about 100 videos freelance. Currently I'm on sabbatical, but I still study the art and I still hang out in this dump, I mean fine academy of collegial minds. So hopefully my affirmation means something, even though I could just be a psychopath ;)

You don't need no stinking lights. That guy outside was somehow in soft light, so it looked okay. Three-point lighting with some kind of colored gobo on the back wall would be too slick for what your purpose is and only detract from it. Okay, so maybe that's not what the lighting advocates had in mind. Still, with cameras as sensitive as they are, you might do better with flags, not lights. Lighting is never about just brightening things. It's about shaping the scene. You can shape it either by addition or subtraction (or both, of course).

But anyway, lots of great videos have been made shooting as a one-man band with no lights. You just have to be pickier about where your subject sits exactly, if you can help it. One of my favorite examples is Kendy Ty, who shoots on a Canon Rebel with one lens (a prime even, 30mm) with no lights.


Haters gonna hate!
 
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Guys, I can get the AF100 for like $1000-$1200 on ebay but I'm seeing the C100 for $2200-$2500...

Awww but I need to price a lens...
 
If a camera costs $2999 new and sells for $2500 with THREE YEARS of use...

It must be damned good.

Buy new or look for $2200 or under.
 
One of my favorite examples is Kendy Ty, who shoots on a Canon Rebel with one lens (a prime even, 30mm) with no lights.

With Kendy's work it's all about his camera angles and how he handles his footage in post that creates his specific look. ( it's the best work I've seen from a Canon Rebel )
 
Based on this comment I just attached a Rode Video mic Pro (the older DSLR one with 20db Gain) to the GH4 3.5mm mic input, then attached it to the H4n 3.5mm input, and the audio quality is miles, miles, miles ahead on the zoom. For kicks, then I attached to the Zoom H1 input, and it sounds much better than the GH4.

If I just use the GH4 as a recorder versus just using the Zoom H4n as a recorder...

1- The GH4 has a slightly lower noise floor ( -70 dB RMS ) compared to the Zoom H4n ( -66 dB RMS )

2- Using a professional mixer ( Sound Devices ) and using a professional mic ( Audio-technica AT4053b or Sennheiser 416 ) to deliver your audio signal, both devices ( GH4 and H4n) will record pretty much identical sound. ( just make sure your GH4 is in PCM WAV recording mode )
 
It's a pretty unscientific test, but in my experience with DSLR/mirrorless camera always proven in-camera audio quality is simply bad, it's only production-ready quality on camcorders like the C100, FS100, AF100, X70, etc, which seem to have much higher end audio components in there. There are two exceptions to this however, the GH4 with the YAGH module and the A7s with the KLM-XLR module, both terrific audio quality. I'd suggest OP to look into them if he needs internal synced audio. [/SIZE]

...And I've found exactly the opposite with GH2, GH3, and GH4 mirrorless cameras. In most cases it's the people using the gear that do not know what they are doing that is causing the problem with internally recorded audio.

Here's an example from 2012 shot with my hacked GH2, being fed signal from a Sennheiser wireless handheld mic. The GH2 has no way of monitoring the audio, but I had used this set-up so many times that I knew how to make it work.

Ronnie Burkett Interview using Internal GH2 Audio
 
I'm nervous to defend myself... I'm nervous to post any of my work because I don't really want to hear all the things I did wrong, but I think it might be necessary to explain what it is that I do with these clients.
I typically show up at their house. The appointment has been set up with the case manager at the firm. They only know that I am showing up with a camera to gather a glimpse .........
This is not used to show on big screen or to sell on DVD or anything like that...
No need to be nervous! :) That's one of the best "defensive" posts I've seen, and you've convinced me!

Which just goes to show there is rarely a one size fits all approach. I've seen some material which would actually have looked better with no (or at least less) lighting, but I've also seen too much which cried out for at least some frontal modelling. (And no circumstances such as in your case which ruled against lighting.)
 
Well I got a AF100 from a fellow forum member named BrandonT and I've been super impressed with him and how easy he's made the transaction... assuming he hasn't scammed me out of the money, I should be shooting with the camera by the end of the weekend... ha ha
Thanks for all the help guys!
 
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