Lets compare AF-100 from pure indie movie maker perspective with component system based on VDSLR.

Let's show that you don't need AF-100 most of the time. Especially if you are beginner.

So, HDSL package:

1. Body :

  • Panasonic GH1 ($400-500)
  • Panasonic GH2 ($800-1000)
  • Nikon D7000 ($1200-1300)
  • Pentax K5D ($1300-$1600)
  • Canon T3i ($850-900)
  • Sony A55 ($700-800)

Problems:

  • Today we already have clear HDMI output in GH2. But on many cameras it is still a problem
  • Aliasing. Caused by two things - simple pixel binning algorithms and sometimes by line skipping (you can view this similarly).
    Plus wrong AA filter (too fine for video). It is not huge problem, but it is present. GH1 and GH2 seems to be best today.
    AF-100 have some advantage here, but Panasonic marketing team exaggerated this problem by several magnitudes.

2. Sound

Something like Tascam DR-100 ($300)

or Zoom H4n do the job ($300).

Problems:

  • One flaw of these recorders is weak preamps. They are very good for hot condenser mikes.
    For most else you better have separate portable preamp (from $90 for ART preamp up to $600 for Sound Devices stuff).
  • Levels are not upon your nose (on LCD).

So, overall it won't be larger than $1000. For such price you can get very good portable audio solution, much better than AF-100 audio section.

3. Recording

We'll be going using upcoming Atomos Ninja (Prores 10bit) + disk It'll cost us $1200.

Problems:
Nothing major, AF-100 still require such recorder for uncompressed recording.
Problem here is that it is still not released :-)

4. Monitoring

We'll use professional broadcast LCD monitor here ala http://www.shopfsi.com/FSI_7_inch_hd...p/lm-0750w.htm Prices in USA are from $1500 to $2000 (for best 7-8" monitors). You can buy directly at alibaba for about $1000-$1300. Or using taobao (chinese ebay) http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=5247626657 ($1460) Monitor has higher resolution compared to AF100 LCD. All functions - ala waveform, focus assist, etc. Audio levels can be also shown on screen.

New option is TV Logic monitors:

http://www.tvlogic.co.kr/Product/Product_10_01.asp

  1. Some other things will be necessary, ala small cage-like mount ($100-$300) to mount both recorders, camera and monitor.
    Plus HDMI audio embedder (or HDMI to SDI converter with embedder)
    can be used to insert two channels of audio and look at levels at monitor directly.

So, total good level rig will be:

$1000+$300+$1200+$1500+$300 = $4300

Note that huge part of this is monitor and video recorder.

If you buy direct and remove recorder using only camera files it'll be

$1000+$300+$1300+$300 = $2900

Lets suppose that GH2 is hacked up to AF100 level (not much). Plus chinese company made 8-10" monitor that is planned for production (with many functions of pro solution) for around $300. You already can buy hdmi LCDs in 7" or 10" with batteries and 1/4" mount for $120-$220 (but they have no specific features).

It'll make rig to be:

$1000+$300+$300+$300 = $1900 only.

So, you can see clear advantages of modular approach.

As any technological advancement will cost you small money in contrast to AF100.
Right now only aliasing is one clear advancement of AF100, despite heavy marketing bombardment,
but even one small company that will be able to replace AA screens can change this landscape.
Or more speedy LSI and sensors will make proper downsizing in next two years and it'll be not required at all.

AF100 is perfect solution, especiall in first querter of 2011.
Problem is - most people really do not need this camera.
But if you thing that you need something integrated like AF100,
you must always first look around and know why you spending such amount of money!

>> Discuss hacks at Personal-View.com


Page last modified on February 11, 2011, at 02:40 AM