what can i get with $50,000

The top-quality Four-Thirds zoom lenses made by Olympus are in a class by themselves. While they require a Panasonic or Olympus Micro 4/3 adapter to work with the AF100, the lens' AFS auto-focus, aperture control, and remote operation all work as on a native M4/3 lens. I have the following lenses and highly recommend them all:

Olympus 35-100mm f2.0 zoom lens (yes, it's f2.0, not a typo)
http://www.thewsreviews.com/2008/09/olympus-35-100mm-f20.html

Olympus 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 zoom lens
http://www.photozone.de/olympus--four-thirds-lens-tests/454-oly502002835

Olympus 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 zoom lens
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1239/cat/15

I've tried out the following lens but don't yet own one:

Olympus 14-35mm f2.0 zoom lens
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/zuiko_digital_ed_14_35mm_f2_0_swd_review/
 
I would suggest not to build any plans around a Scarlet this year... even if it launches, who knows how long you could be sat on backorder? As someone with responsibility to his head of division... the original poster should stick with products that have a firm launch date.

For $50k, I would probably look into 2 x F3s... you already have the nanoflashs, audio, tripods etc... so $27k on cameras, $23k on lenses and accessories.

That's why I commented that he didn't make clear when. Start, middle of end of the year?

The top-quality Four-Thirds zoom lenses made by Olympus are in a class by themselves. While they require a Panasonic or Olympus Micro 4/3 adapter to work with the AF100, the lens' AFS auto-focus, aperture control, and remote operation all work as on a native M4/3 lens. I have the following lenses and highly recommend them all:

Olympus 35-100mm f2.0 zoom lens (yes, it's f2.0, not a typo)
http://www.thewsreviews.com/2008/09/olympus-35-100mm-f20.html

Olympus 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 zoom lens
http://www.photozone.de/olympus--four-thirds-lens-tests/454-oly502002835

Olympus 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 zoom lens
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1239/cat/15

I've tried out the following lens but don't yet own one:

Olympus 14-35mm f2.0 zoom lens
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/zuiko_digital_ed_14_35mm_f2_0_swd_review/

Oh, that's good news. I have an Olympus 14-54 2.8~3.5 and a Sigma 105mm 2.8 Macro on the way for my GH1 (along with the adapter).
 
Just my $0.02.

I used to work for a university department as a student that sounds exactly like what you are describing. Well funded, all aspects of light, sound, support taken care of pretty well. We had a RED and it was a PITA to take out into the field for doc type of work. Not saying it can't be done, but it was such a hassle it got left in the studio most of the time. I'd rather take a nice ENG camera with a proper video lens any day of the week and twice on Sundays then something with 35mm sized sensor. For sit down interviews it would be OK, but for anything shoulder mounted, run 'n gun, unplanned and unexpected action I'll take the shoulder mount 2/3" please. We ended up with a 3700 which was a dream. Just being able to take it out of the bag, throw a batt on there and go is much preferred then spending 10-15 minutes building up a heavy, unwieldy RED setup. The AF-100 would be better I suppose, but I'd still miss the 20x reach of a Fuji or Canon ENG lens.

Bingo. A couple of nice entry level 2/3" ENG cameras are much more appropriate for this kind of work than 35mm anything. The problem with the AF-100 is the lack of appropriate cine-grade fast servo zooms that really are the best choice for what you do. Buy two of these and spend the rest on batteries and SXS cards.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/657503-REG/Sony_PMW_350K_PMW_350K_XDCAM_EX_HD.htmlB
 
That's why I commented that he didn't make clear when. Start, middle of end of the year?

I think the point is still valid... the bomb EVF has been on back order for over a year.... Scarlet and it's accessories could be worse in terms of delivery (hopefully much better).

I don't want to sound like a RED hater... i'm hoping for an Epic-S myself.... but I think in this instance, with people to answer to at the college, RED is not ideal.
 
Okay, the Olympus 35-100mm f2.0 zoom lens sounds like a nice lens! Hadn't seen that one. One question, I have an AF100, what kind of minimal support system can I use to support it? I don't want a huge set of rails, as I am no using a matte box, or follow focus, on this setup. Does such a thing exist?

Also, while I think the Scarlet would be a perfect camera for this, without question, timeline means everything. To me, for a university environment, as much as it pains me to say this, I'd want a servo zoom for ENG style situations. That said, maybe consider two cameras then. One that you can use the easy to obtain shallow DoF for interviews and such where it will be nice, and a 2/3 or less servo zoom camera for situations where you need more freedom. Why get one camera type and limit yourself when you KNOW you are going to have lots of different challenging situations.
 
I think the point is still valid... the bomb EVF has been on back order for over a year.... Scarlet and it's accessories could be worse in terms of delivery (hopefully much better).

I don't want to sound like a RED hater... i'm hoping for an Epic-S myself.... but I think in this instance, with people to answer to at the college, RED is not ideal.


I'm not sure any "cinema" type camera is a good choice for this kind of operation, especially if you are going to ever rely on operators with minimal skills and training. Over the shoulder ENG cameras have evolved to a very highly refined state for just this type of work.
 
The top-quality Four-Thirds zoom lenses made by Olympus are in a class by themselves. While they require a Panasonic or Olympus Micro 4/3 adapter to work with the AF100, the lens' AFS auto-focus, aperture control, and remote operation all work as on a native M4/3 lens. I have the following lenses and highly recommend them all:

Olympus 35-100mm f2.0 zoom lens (yes, it's f2.0, not a typo)
http://www.thewsreviews.com/2008/09/olympus-35-100mm-f20.html

Olympus 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 zoom lens
http://www.photozone.de/olympus--four-thirds-lens-tests/454-oly502002835

Olympus 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 zoom lens
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1239/cat/15

I've tried out the following lens but don't yet own one:

Olympus 14-35mm f2.0 zoom lens
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/zuiko_digital_ed_14_35mm_f2_0_swd_review/

Does the 14-54 extend as you zoom or is it self contained?
 
Back
Top