Any options for servo?
 

Looking at this AF100, are there any options out there for a servo zoom?

Preferably either with sensitivity adjustment or pressure sensitive? I haven't found any yet and curious if there were any out there....

No, the AF100 was not designed as an ENG camera with servo zoom.

Ah man, bummer. I'm in love with the thing but the problem is the investor (friend/business partner) requires it have a servo and it fall in line more with a broadcast/ENG camera in that regard. This thing would be perfect if it had one.

Im a prime lover when shooting, but Im also not the one shelling out the cash.

What's the intended purpose for the camera?

I shoot TV commercials with mine.
I think if it were intended for ENG use it would of had a servo zoom.

Yeah, we ended up purchasing an HM700U due to its similar price point and after talking with someone who handles one on a frequent basis.

For my purposes I would use it for video editing only, but it will be used for live TV productions as well and servo is something that was needed. Now to go over to the JVC forum...

You could check this:

Using 2/3″ Lenses on the Panasonic AF100 | CineTechnica

Yes, I saw that yesterday. They are using a M4/3 to PL adapter, then the optical doubler for the phantom.

Any idea of an approximate $ range of what that kit would add to the AF100 price?

Here's the link:

HDx2 B4/PL Optical Adapter :: Specialty Optics :: Lenses & Lens Accessories :: Equipment Sales :: Abel Cine Tech

Not cheap, but neither are the 2/3" lenses.

Once you start paying that sort of money - $5,500 for the adaptor, plus the 2/3" lens! - it makes far more sense to just get an F3 in the first place, if a large sensor is essential. I believe it has a zoom rocker, and dedicated zooms are due to follow.

It's worth pointing out that the adaptor you link to will effectively make the lens at least 2 stops slower than when used on a 2/3" camera.

Might make more sense to use a M4/3 to B3 adapter, and engage the doubler on the zoom to cover the sensor. And then make your own power cable.

Yes, always a factor with these mods.I suspect it's probably only really worth while if you need the zoom range on a production .

It also just occurs to me that the same physics which means it will be 2 stops down also means you won't be gaining any depth of field advantage, compared to using the lens on a 2/3" camera!

If when used on a 2/3" camera a lens has a max aperture of f2, then on a 4/3 camera, wide open, it will effectively be f4 - and that is true for both sensitivity and depth of field issues. Since the USP of all the large format sensor cameras is shallow dof, you'd be far better off just using the lens on a 2/3" camera as designed for! The dof will be identical in that case to used on a 4/3 camera with the adaptor.

Yes, although the change in focal length may go part of the way counter that effect, Unfortunately none of the DOF calculators cover 4/3, but I suspect there's not a huge difference.

In practical terms it would be used when needing a lightweight, large zoom range lens. Not really the main lens, but something that can be used for shots that require this facility.

I don't think that will make any difference Brian - what really determines dof is the physical diameter of the iris, though it's not normally looked at in such terms. That's the physical reason why f2 for a 2/3" camera is the same in dof terms as f4 on a 4/3 camera. (For the same angle of view.) Same iris diameter in each case - it's the differing focal lengths (to keep angle of view constant) that will define f stops.

I did a quick 2/3 to 35mm standard motion picture DOF comparison with the 2 stops and there is a reduction in DOF (not a huge one), However, with the smaller 4/3 I suspect, as you suggest, there's nothing much in it comparing f2 as against a f4 max aperture..

That adapter is way expensive. About the cost of the camera...

I still want to use an AF100 for a production sometime. For my uses I use a DSLR, but an ENG style cam with servo was needed in addition.

The 2/3" zoom lenses are even more expensive.

I suspect that an ENG servo controlled lens for the AF100 would cost more than the camera. The only way it could be cheaper is if it's a dual purpose lens that stills photographers can also use.

Way, way more expensive than the camera. New, prices start at $15K for a "decent" lens all the way up to $60K for the high-end in both controls and glass quality.

If ENG is the purpose then neither AF100 nor F3 are ideal as they're specific use is for digital-cinema.

Maybe one day one of the Big Three will give us an ENG camera with film-like DOF characteristics - should you want it - but right now it's an "either - or" proposition, converting the AF100/F3 into an ENG rig can be done technically but not cost-effectively.

I would not group the AF100 and F3 together in this. Sony IS making a couple powered zoom lenses
for the F3, but they will not be released for awhile. They are being made to work with the F3.
Of course the big question, is 'how much will they cost?'

Sony has also made the F3 compatible with Cooke "i Technology" where the camera body communicates directly with their lenses, but all of this stuff - including the upcoming Sony servo zoom lenses - will absolutely be far and away in cost from the budget-minded users of the AF100.

The original point is still valid: If ENG is the intended purpose there are and will be much more cost-effective options for the foreseeable future, especially in the used market.

Something like the interface that Birger may be developing could be the best option if you want a low cost choice. Birger Engineering, Inc. Although, stills zooms often have issues when being used for video.

For a hand holdable ENG style lens designed for these cameras, as pointed out with the adapter, the physical size limitations of such a lens won't give much of DOF difference over a 2/3" camera with a wider aperture zoom.

Robert, just curious, have you some knowledge of what these upcoming Sony servo zoom lenses will
cost? I had not heard anything yet, and as I said, my big question was wondering what they
would cost. Obviously, just the cost of the F3 ITSELF is much above and beyond what a 'budget
minded' person buying the AF100 might want, let alone the extra cost of the Sony lens. But I am
curious as it might fit into a 'mid sized' budget if the lens wasn't too expensive.

Re: Any options for servo?
 

Here's a demo using the B4 adapter.

Demo Footage from Abel’s AF100 ENG Kit | CineTechnica