VFR mode on the AF101 may have cost me my biggest client today!

Very interesting documentary and issue. Really liked the quality and lighting of the C.Us on the guys face early on. (What camera was used for that shoot?)

I would have thought that fast lenses would be "your stock in trade" so it puzzles me that you are now using the lenses that you are... and having to resolve the issues they bring on you in such a way?
 
Honestly, there is some truth in what you're saying about the AF100- I'm still trying to figure out how to make it work for verite. More flexibility with the ISO would help until we get a fast enough wide angle zoom with stabilization. Until I find a lens solution, I still prefer my EX1 for most situations (which is what that interview was shot with).

Timur, the film already aired on HBO, but they rerun it every once in a while. I'm out of the loop on distribution, so I don't know what's happening with Netflix. Thanks all for the kind words on the film...
 
oh amazing! i have no cable, so im out of the loop on HBO shows. Will look it up!
 
aschocken said:
More flexibility with the ISO would help until we get a fast enough wide angle zoom with stabilization.
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The only AF100-compatible wide angle zoom that meets those specs is the "Leicasonic" 14-50mm f2.8-3.5 with its rock-steady OIS. However, this lens has a bad reputation for the excessive way it breathes when you focus it. While that rules out pulling focus while shooting, it's not a dealbreaker for me, since for shots like that I'd use a fast manual prime anyway.
 
Aschoken, you have said it very well. There's no reason to discredit or shoot down the notion of adding an optional, non destructive function to the AF "multi function" wheel. We know how much easier, faster, and better this camera will become if we simply have the option of activating a variable ISO function for instant access. Just because you do not use the camera that way, it doesn't mean it wasn't designed for it, because I can tell you I get paid quite well to use it in that way, and it can make nice images. It becomes that much better with better useability if user interface improves. I've used this camera on jobs for two months and only once have I needed to do VFR, and nearly always feel I could use faster ISO access. But I sure dont suggest VFR be removed.
 
Barry_Green said:
That makes at least two Oscar-nominated members of DVXUser that I know of.
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I wasn't one of the two official nominees, but I was one of the cinematographers and a co-producer.

I don't want to threadjack this anymore, though. Still feeling terrible for the OP's VFR ordeal- "There, but for the grace of God, go I..."
 
I've been shooting doc style lately with the AF. My main lens is the Olympus 14-35, with the 35-100 behind it. No stabilization, I own what ever happens in terms of instability and while this took a moment or two of mental recalibration, I think I'm good with it now. I have to shoot like a still photographer much of the time , but I find this change of style interesting and opening me up to more opportunities.

There are a couple of times I wished for image stabilization, but I think it has become a crutch we don't really need.

That said I wouldn't mind a 5x zoom with a 2.0 stop all the way through, but really no more than that
 
aschocken said:
I wasn't one of the two official nominees, but I was one of the cinematographers and a co-producer.

I don't want to threadjack this anymore, though. Still feeling terrible for the OP's VFR ordeal- "There, but for the grace of God, go I..."
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Andy- nomination or not, great subject, great story, great photography (love the beach shot for the title).

And if not for your threadjack (nominating ISO wheel for Technical Achievement, a worthy nomination), I would not have seen your trailer, and would be unaware of the story of Gardner's last campaign.

Thanks for sharing.
 
I don't know, if this was mentioned before, but in the manual it reads that you should always select DIAL LOCK with the DIAL SELECT button to prevent such mistakes with the SHUTR/F.RATE wheel. When DIAL LOCK is selected the SHUTR/F.RATE does nothing. Or, I am wrong?
 
CraftyClown said:
And why when VFR is set to off in the menus, can it be so easily switched back on again?
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I got burned by VFR too.

Had setup Scene Files where VFR was off & others where it was on. Without doubt I was in one where it was off & had tested playback.

Somehow VFR got enabled at 25fps, likely via the wheel even though it was locked, & I lost audio. It was a one take visit of a celebrity/activist to an AIDs clinic in Soweto, & the camera was rolling the whole time. The Sound Man captured all the audio & I can't say enough about the wireless lavs with built-in memory cards, but I was still freaked.

My request is that when VFR is disabled in the Menu then there is no way it can be enabled via the wheel. And that there be some visual indication that VFR is enabled on the screen. "60:24" or "48:24" would be more than enough.

I'd also like faster access to the entire range of ISO, but again, if it's locked out in the Menu then it shouldn't be accessible anywhere else. And the menu items should be settable per Scene File.

Lastly, kill the audio bars & monitoring in VFR. I appreciate the firmware update, but if possible please take this to the next level.

Best,
Bern
 
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Bern Caughey said:
My request is that when VFR is disabled in the Menu then there is no way it can be enabled via the wheel.
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That sounds like an excellent suggestion and I will pass it on.

And that there be some visual indication that VFR is enabled on the screen. "60:24" or "48:24" would be more than enough.
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That already exists, even in the original firmware. Go to the display setup menu and turn "other display" to "all". It will display exactly what you're asking for, "60:24" or "36:24" or even "24:24". In addition, if you've updated to the most recent firmware, the audio meters will display a "no audio being recorded" icon when VFR is on.
 
Barry_Green said:
That already exists, even in the original firmware. Go to the display setup menu and turn "other display" to "all". It will display exactly what you're asking for, "60:24" or "36:24" or even "24:24"
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Barry,

Thanks for your reply. I should have been more specific.

Due to your book I realize that turning the "Other Display" to "All" shows the frame rate, but also puts so much info on the screen that I find it distracting. I'm one of those who often toggles the display back & forth as I find it difficult to compose with a cluttered screen. Sound Men/Women hate this, but if I had my way I'd even kill the Timecode readout when I toggled the info display off. There's nothing like a clean screen when I'm wrapped up in composition.

I'll also say I'm very grateful for the quick firmware update, & feel much more confident with audio now. But I'd still prefer that the bars & audio monitoring get killed in VFR. I always explain these two quirks to the Sound Dept, but their eyes bug-out whenever I do, & I'd feel more confident if they weren't there.

I'm not asking that the camera be customized to my specific needs, rather more sticky Menu options be added so we can each customize it for ourselves.

Overall I love the camera.

Thanks,
Bern
 
Understood completely. On my HVX I used to use "other display - partial", and the great thing about the HVX was that even though it had a 4:3 LCD, it used the letterbox bars to put all the video display info to keep it out of the visible image area. That doesn't happen with 16:9 LCD's.

As a result, I actually always run the AF100 with "all" instead of "partial", because I want all that info easily accessible. I recommend to all shooters that they use "all". If you don't like the cluttered display, the "DISP/MODE CHK" button will take it all away and give you a clean and clear display, and with a press of the button you can bring it all back.
 
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I'm completely at a loss here. I'm a fairly newer shooter who mainly shoots DSLR but have used the HPX/HVX series as well. Just acquired a brand new client who I got to purchase a lot of new equipment including the AF100 for a couple of shoots we're doing. Setting up the lights and sound myself (which I've done many times before) but also running camera and directing. Just home from our first shoot which I put countless hours into preparing and there's no audio. I was monitoring audio the entire time but didn't run a playback at the beginning, didn't see reason to. I heard audio, it sounded great and the meters were running. This is a time sensitive project and a huge let down to my client. There's literally no way to reshoot this before the deadline as he's going out of the country immediately. I'm not happy about this at all. This is quite frankly idiotic. And while I'm at it, why is there no 1/50 SS function on the wheel. I kept hitting it to try and find 1/50 but couldn't. Must've turned on VFR doing this somehow. I feel sick.
 
1/50 is there, it's the default speed when the shutter is set to "off".

The no-sound thing is infuriating; we've tried to make that very clear to them, and at least the new firmware update gives you a little bit of a heads-up about it by putting the slashed "A.REC" icon up. I guess all I can say is to make certain that you have the latest firmware, and that VFR MODE is turned OFF whenever shooting dialogue...
 
Barry, yeah I eventually figured out that 1/50 is the default speed, although I don't see why there can't just be a "1/50" setting. Why overly complicate things? Also, during my efforts to try and locate the elusive 1/50, the VFR must've been enabled. I just called the client and left a message but haven't heard back yet. Not looking forward to breaking the news. I look like a total amateur now. This is highly embarrassing and frustrating. My day rate and the money I have coming to me in this edit just vanished. I spent a lot of unpaid prep time this week for this shoot and it all feels wasted now.

Not to mention my relationship with this client is not starting off on the right foot at all. I take pride in my work. To be made out to look like a fool because of a design flaw in a 5k dollar camera that I convinced my client was the right choice to buy is disheartening to say the least.
 
traviswears said:
Barry, yeah I eventually figured out that 1/50 is the default speed, although I don't see why there can't just be a "1/50" setting. Why overly complicate things? Also, during my efforts to try and locate the elusive 1/50, the VFR must've been enabled. I just called the client and left a message but haven't heard back yet. Not looking forward to breaking the news. I look like a total amateur now. This is highly embarrassing and frustrating. My day rate and the money I have coming to me in this edit just vanished. I spent a lot of unpaid prep time this week for this shoot and it all feels wasted now.

Not to mention my relationship with this client is not starting off on the right foot at all. I take pride in my work. To be made out to look like a fool because of a design flaw in a 5k dollar camera that I convinced my client was the right choice to buy is disheartening to say the least.
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What kind of a shoot was it?
Explain it to the client.
Sit down and show them the footage.
Of course you will have to eat everything and not charge for the re-shoot.
If the client blows you off maybe Jan can use the footage at the NAB 2011 Panasonic booth
showcasing the AF100.
 
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