Going Handheld with the AF100 / 101 at DVinfo.net

Mike Chalmers · January 27th, 2011, 02:59 AM

I am on the fence as to whether to get this camera (AF101 for me) or a Sony EX3. One of my concerns is handheld shooting.

The majority of my workload will be locked-off, but some will require handheld during events (backstage stuff is a requirement of an upcoming project, where a lot will be going on).

How does the AF10X handle being handled? Is it fine for on-the-shoulder or is a rig a good idea? If a rig is a good idea, does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks

MC

Andy Shipsides · January 27th, 2011, 07:09 AM

I put together this blog with a handheld / shoulder mounted rig we came up with.

AF100 Rigging: PL Mount Configuration | CineTechnica

I think it does much better on your shoulder.

Mike Chalmers · January 27th, 2011, 07:55 AM

That looks amazing but unfortunately totally out of my price range.

Does anyone have any options for a few hundred £s, that will enhance or make handheld a feasible option?

I still don't quite understand how some of these accessories can cost so much. I'm not saying they shouldn't, I'd just like to know why.. Take, for instance, the o-grips mentioned in the blog post:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/712802-REG/OConnor_C1244_0002_O_Grips_Double_Jointed_Set.html
Why do they cost twice what my first car did?

Thanks for your reply

MC

Olof Ekbergh · January 27th, 2011, 08:26 AM

I have already made a NanoFlash and wireless mic bracket for the AF100.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/panasoni...ml#post1608405

I am just finishing up a shoulder brace that attaches to the same bracket. It will be available next week.

I also have a AF100 specific rod system that will be available in February, with handles and lens support, that will work with any 15mm follow focus matte box etc.

These systems are locally made here in New England in my studio, and in a local CNC shop, even the anodizer is in a neighboring town, and I sell direct so pricing will be very reasonable. I design all these kits for myself. So they are rugged and ergonomically correct. My day job is as a shooter. I started making my kits because I saw a need for affordable quality gear, and by request from fellow shooters. I have been making my own gear for decades. And I just happen to have a machine/wood shop.

Contact me if you are interested.

I also plan to make custom wooden handles for the AF100.

I really like this camera.

David Heath · January 28th, 2011, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Chalmers

How does the AF10X handle being handled? Is it fine for on-the-shoulder or is a rig a good idea?

This has all been discused in relation to Sonys F3, and the AF101 has exactly the same issues in this respect, Yes, you can add extras, but (as Mike points out) they are either very expensive relative to the cost of the camera, or still leave problems.

The biggest single issue to be overcome is viewfinder placement. Unless you start adding an external viewfinder (as in Andy Shipsides example), the mount has to put the entire bulk of the camera in front of the cameraman. That makes the weight balancing more difficult to hold, and means a lot of bulk out in front - a nightmare in confined spaces.

The EX3 may not be ideal, but with the viewfinder further forward it does ease some of these issues. The real USP of the AF100 is the large sensor, and it's shallow depth of field, and you have to work out how important that is to you. Against that, the EX3 has a better onboard codec, and a full servo zoom with good manual controls

Joachim Hoge · January 29th, 2011, 07:52 AM

Have to agree with Heath, I have an EX-3 and just got a AF101. The EX is ok for handheld ( I shot hours of TV shows with it), I´m still trying to figure out how to handheld the AF.
I would go for the EX if I were you.
I got the AF because the producers want it for the next TV docu I´m doing, I would have prefered to use my EX for the "reality" part AND the AF for interviews, stock shots etc.

Not sure I can convince them to comply

Olof Ekbergh · January 29th, 2011, 10:42 AM

I now have a $225.00 shoulder kit for the AF100.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/panasoni...ml#post1612333

William Hohauser · January 29th, 2011, 12:30 PM

You want cheap? Check out SpiderBrace although Olof's design seems more appropriate to the camera.

Mike Chalmers · January 29th, 2011, 12:53 PM

Olof, the rig looks good and well done for making something fast.

I don't think it's right for me as I'm not initially using any extra recording units or batteries and would prefer not to be holding the lens, rather I would like dual handles or similar.

William - I wondered if there was something cheap and cheerful, thanks for the tip. It does look like it would do a job, at least get your money's worth.

I'm still not decided on which camera, but EX3 is winning right now.

Joachim - I am with you, I'd love to have that set-up for the different situations, might be something a work towards. Especially when the AF101 has been out for a period and might have more solutions (lenses, mounting, recorders) available to it.

Thanks everybody - feel free to throw in other ideas if you have any, I'd still be interested to hear.

MC

January 27th, 2011, 02:59 AM	#1
Mike Chalmers Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 43	Going Handheld with the AF100 / 101 I am on the fence as to whether to get this camera (AF101 for me) or a Sony EX3. One of my concerns is handheld shooting. The majority of my workload will be locked-off, but some will require handheld during events (backstage stuff is a requirement of an upcoming project, where a lot will be going on). How does the AF10X handle being handled? Is it fine for on-the-shoulder or is a rig a good idea? If a rig is a good idea, does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks MC

January 27th, 2011, 07:09 AM	#2
Andy Shipsides Sponsor: Abel CineTech Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York, NY Posts: 361	I put together this blog with a handheld / shoulder mounted rig we came up with. AF100 Rigging: PL Mount Configuration \| CineTechnica I think it does much better on your shoulder. __________________ Andy Shipsides -Camera Technology Specialist AbelCineTech, New York - Visit our Blog - http://blog.abelcine.com

January 27th, 2011, 08:26 AM	#4
Olof Ekbergh Sponsor: Westside AV Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mount Washington Valley, NH, USA Posts: 1,365	I have already made a NanoFlash and wireless mic bracket for the AF100. http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/panasoni...ml#post1608405 I am just finishing up a shoulder brace that attaches to the same bracket. It will be available next week. I also have a AF100 specific rod system that will be available in February, with handles and lens support, that will work with any 15mm follow focus matte box etc. These systems are locally made here in New England in my studio, and in a local CNC shop, even the anodizer is in a neighboring town, and I sell direct so pricing will be very reasonable. I design all these kits for myself. So they are rugged and ergonomically correct. My day job is as a shooter. I started making my kits because I saw a need for affordable quality gear, and by request from fellow shooters. I have been making my own gear for decades. And I just happen to have a machine/wood shop. Contact me if you are interested. I also plan to make custom wooden handles for the AF100. I really like this camera. __________________ Olof Ekbergh • olof@WestsideAV.com Westside A V Studios • http://www.WestsideAVstore.com/

January 29th, 2011, 10:42 AM	#7
Olof Ekbergh Sponsor: Westside AV Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mount Washington Valley, NH, USA Posts: 1,365	I now have a $225.00 shoulder kit for the AF100. http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/panasoni...ml#post1612333 __________________ Olof Ekbergh • olof@WestsideAV.com Westside A V Studios • http://www.WestsideAVstore.com/

January 29th, 2011, 12:30 PM	#8
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	You want cheap? Check out SpiderBrace although Olof's design seems more appropriate to the camera. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

January 27th, 2011, 07:55 AM	#3
Mike Chalmers Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 43	That looks amazing but unfortunately totally out of my price range. Does anyone have any options for a few hundred £s, that will enhance or make handheld a feasible option? I still don't quite understand how some of these accessories can cost so much. I'm not saying they shouldn't, I'd just like to know why.. Take, for instance, the o-grips mentioned in the blog post: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/712802-REG/OConnor_C1244_0002_O_Grips_Double_Jointed_Set.html Why do they cost twice what my first car did? Thanks for your reply MC

January 29th, 2011, 07:52 AM	#6
Joachim Hoge Major Player Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 402	Have to agree with Heath, I have an EX-3 and just got a AF101. The EX is ok for handheld ( I shot hours of TV shows with it), I´m still trying to figure out how to handheld the AF. I would go for the EX if I were you. I got the AF because the producers want it for the next TV docu I´m doing, I would have prefered to use my EX for the "reality" part AND the AF for interviews, stock shots etc. Not sure I can convince them to comply

January 29th, 2011, 12:53 PM	#9
Mike Chalmers Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 43	Olof, the rig looks good and well done for making something fast. I don't think it's right for me as I'm not initially using any extra recording units or batteries and would prefer not to be holding the lens, rather I would like dual handles or similar. William - I wondered if there was something cheap and cheerful, thanks for the tip. It does look like it would do a job, at least get your money's worth. I'm still not decided on which camera, but EX3 is winning right now. Joachim - I am with you, I'd love to have that set-up for the different situations, might be something a work towards. Especially when the AF101 has been out for a period and might have more solutions (lenses, mounting, recorders) available to it. Thanks everybody - feel free to throw in other ideas if you have any, I'd still be interested to hear. MC