Why is the AF100 using SD cards?!? Is Panasonic dumping P2?!?!

For any that want to skip the SD card AVCHD issues, the cam does has SDI-HD and HDMI output. Intra, DVCPro-HD, ProRes, no problem. Maybe for run-n-gun, the extra baggage wouldn't work, but this isn't really a run-n-gun cam.

Grant
 
I would want the P2 DVCPROHD one (if given a choice) all things being equal, but due to the SDHC AVCHD one being shipped first, I would still buy the SD card one due to the presumably larger existing user base, meaning more multi-cam gigs. Since there is SDI-out, there is always other options when I need a better codec.
 
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I am guessing it's using AVCHD and SDHC to keep the costs down to attract upgrades from the HDSLRs. There is indeed a P2 version in the works though, AFAIK.
 
The reason is because they can. The 24mbps of the AF100 works because of the bitrate. You wouldn't want to try and throw 1080 30fps footage from the HVX onto a single SD card.
 
emeticmedic said:
I work for a news station and we just bought a bunch of 370 and 170s. We had a Panasonic rep to come in and do some training and got talking about the AF100. He confirmed that in fact the P2 version of the AF100 is well in the works. I'm sure that they will wait a bit to release it for many of the reasons already stated in this thread. It's good to know that they aren't backing away from P2 though.
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Well I think your rep is incorrect about that. We are not backing away from P2 at all but there is not an Af100 P2 version in the hopper at least at this time.

Sorry.

Jan
 
ggrantly said:
P2 cams are oriented towards journalists, documentaries, and mid-level movies shot with higher end P2 cams. Reliability is paramount. The SD card based AF-100 is not going to win the hearts of the run and gun crowd or high end shooters. (...)

The AF-100 is aimed at snatching away the DSLR crowd from whatever they are now shooting with and may snatch a few Red customers on price - performance considerations. Price point is important and the improved feature set of the AF-100 over a DSLR with accessories is going to be a hit. (...)

This is making more sense to me now.
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Exactly. And on a broader scope, the difference in markets becomes even more apparent. The HVX and HPX170 are fantastically versatile cameras. They can fit nicely into almost any venue.

The P2 market overall, though, is overwhelmingly ENG: broadcast stations, journalism, sports... those applications. Many, many stations have switched to P2 and many, many more are in the process of making that switch now and in the near future. For example, NBC Universal Stations:

NBC Universal's Local Media Group, Telemundo and CNBC Convert All ENG Operations to Panasonic P2 HD

NBC-U O&Os Standardize on P2 HD

They are using cameras like the HPX500, the HPX2000, and for run-and-gun handheld shoots the HVX and HPX170. NBC is one of the larger network examples, but in general, even one very small, local news station will have around 10 - 15 cameras.

The AF100 gives you some beautiful, cinematic footage. Great if you're shooting a movie, a TV show, a commercial. Not so great for a traffic accident, a baseball game, or the latest hurricane tearing through Florida. So as it is, the AF100 falls outside the needs for the majority of the P2 market.

The market that the AF100 falls into, studios and videographers producing independent films, commercials, music videos, those kinds of applications. They are working with a different budget scale than a TV station. The bottom line is a very big issue. It's competing against the established DSLR market, as well as lot of people who are coming from the HVX/HPX170. The price difference is absolutely worth it compared to a DSLR camera, certainly, but if you added one or two grand... plus the cost of P2 media? And even for those who already own P2 cards, $5000 for an HVX got you a complete working set up out of the box, $5000 for an AF100 is the camera body only, literally the tip of the iceburg.

There's some overlap between these markets, for sure, but when you consider the needs for the majority, well, AVCCAM for the AF100 just makes sense. It fits nicely in that family, too, with the HMC150, 80, and 40 (compare that to the P2 line up: the Varicams 2700, 2000, 3100, the 500, the 370, yep, the HVX/HPX170 are actually the "low end" of the P2 family tree...).

On a related note:

Using professional grade SD cards will get AVCCAM much closer to P2 reliability. One of the weirdest things about all this is when, having previously invested in P2 cards, some then shy away from the "expensive" high quality SD cards. Really now! Stick to Panasonic Gold or Sandisk Extreme III, saving $40 is not worth the risk of loosing your footage. It's still the fraction of the cost of a P2 card (even with the latest price drop!).

Now, loosing your SD cards on the other hand... sorry can't help you there...

;)

Best,

Jasmine Moore
Administrative Assistant
Specialized Communications / Noventri
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858 (US)
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
jasminem@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com
www.noventri.com
 
Besides the fact that you are switching lenses and having to adjust focus all the time, why is the AF100 not good for run and gun work?

I'm on the HPX and is considering switching... just wondering if simply shooting an event with a wider lens with the AF100 would do the trick.
 
chromeboy007 said:
Besides the fact that you are switching lenses and having to adjust focus all the time, why is the AF100 not good for run and gun work?

I'm on the HPX and is considering switching... just wondering if simply shooting an event with a wider lens with the AF100 would do the trick.
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Take a look under the AF100 forum, there are a number of guys that do use the AF100 in a run and gun fashion.

Best,
Jan
 
chromeboy007 said:
Besides the fact that you are switching lenses and having to adjust focus all the time, why is the AF100 not good for run and gun work?

I'm on the HPX and is considering switching... just wondering if simply shooting an event with a wider lens with the AF100 would do the trick.
Click to expand...

My comments were more directed at form factor. I would think most real run and gun folks would prefer a shoulder mount cam. If your run and gun includes a tripod, then it wouldn't much matter.

I use a HPX as well, and I suck trying to hand hold it and hope to add a shoulder cam at some point.

Grant
 
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