Upgrading From HVX205a+Redrock Encore --> AF100

N

nealiios

New member
Hi there. I've been shooting with an HVX205A and a Redrock Encore for about three years (still very much a novice), and I've been considering upgrading to an AF100. My only hesitation at the moment is that I'm unclear on how this will affect using the lenses I already own (nikkor 24, 28, 50, 85). I'm assuming there are adapters that will let me mount these on the AF100. Am I going to be experiencing the same/better/worse crop factors on the AF100 as I was on the HVX+Redrock combo? Or will I have to buy an entirely new set of lenses? Also, what external recorder does everyone prefer to record the best quality video? I've only ever worked with P2s.

Thanks,
Neal
 
nealiios said:
Hi there. I've been shooting with an HVX205A and a Redrock Encore for about three years (still very much a novice), and I've been considering upgrading to an AF100. My only hesitation at the moment is that I'm unclear on how this will affect using the lenses I already own (nikkor 24, 28, 50, 85). I'm assuming there are adapters that will let me mount these on the AF100. Am I going to be experiencing the same/better/worse crop factors on the AF100 as I was on the HVX+Redrock combo? Or will I have to buy an entirely new set of lenses? Also, what external recorder does everyone prefer to record the best quality video? I've only ever worked with P2s.

Thanks,
Neal
Click to expand...

Hi Neal,

I can offer some opinions here, having used the HVX/Redrock combination a fair amount.

"...I already own (nikkor 24, 28, 50, 85). I'm assuming there are adapters that will let me mount these on the AF100."

Yes, I personally prefer the Novoflex m 4/3rds to F-mount adapter, but there are others on the market to consider. It's certainly worth searching around the forum to see what's worked for others.

"Am I going to be experiencing the same/better/worse crop factors on the AF100 as I was on the HVX+Redrock combo?"

The angle of view on the AF100 should be about 3x wider than the HVX... just going by memory here, hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong. I can say this from experience though, I didn't fully appreciate how much I disliked the loss of light and crop of the RR adapter until I started using the AF100... the only thing I still really like about that adapter is the look of the spinning ground glass.

"Also, what external recorder does everyone prefer to record the best quality video? I've only ever worked with P2s."

I think everyone has their preferred extenal recorder, mine is Blackmagic's HyperDeck Shuttle (because it's inexpensive and good). To be honest though, I only use it in cases where I need higher resolution than the HVX200 can deliver and more colors than AVCCAM can produce (chromakey shots where the final key needs every advantage it can get). If the Blackmagic Cinema Camera proves to do 80% of what it currently promises, I will probably use it exclusively for VFX and beauty shots, instead of the AF100+HDS. Otherwise, the AF100 with onboard CODEC seems to work (for me) 95% of the time.

Thanks,

Shawn
 
ShawnMi said:
...Yes, I personally prefer the Novoflex m 4/3rds to F-mount adapter, but there are others on the market to consider. It's certainly worth searching around the forum to see what's worked for others...
Click to expand...

I have the Novoflex as well. I had one of the cheap $25 ones from Amazon before, but it always had a little play in it... then it literally fell apart in the middle of a shoot. The Novoflex isn't cheap, but it's rock solid.

[EDIT] I mean, I had a cheap $25 off-brand adapter... re-reading that, it sounded like I meant a cheap Novoflex
 
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You will definitely feel a hit in your wide angle. That 24mm will be only a normal lens on the AF100. You would probably have to get at least one more wider lens, specially if you are doing drama, which judging by your lens selection it seems the case. But all your lenses will work just fine with the AF100 given the correct adapter. In the beginning it will be a little annoying that all your lenses now produce a narrower FOV but with time you will get used to it. Be also prepared to take a hit in the shallow DOF. If you are a big fan of razor thin DOF the AF100 is not the best option unless all your lenses are like F0.95. You pretty much have to shoot at F2.8 and wider to get good shallow DOF in my opinion.
But I think the AF100 will be a good step up from a HVX with a 35mm adapter. It will still have it's own shortcomings but all together you will be in much better shape and the prices are falling more everyday.
Just one last thing I would like to point out. If most of what you shoot is daylight outdoors, rent the AF100 for a weekend before you buy it. It's not the easiest camera to work with under uncontrolled high contrast daylight conditions. Specially that you are probably used to the way 35mm adapters bloom the highlights. The AF100 is pretty harsh with the highlights. So test it and see if you like it.
 
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