Any options for servo? at DVinfo.net

Justin Molush · February 7th, 2011, 03:31 PM

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....

David W. Jones · February 7th, 2011, 08:44 PM

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

Justin Molush · February 8th, 2011, 11:50 AM

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.

Denny Lajeunesse · February 9th, 2011, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Molush

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?

David W. Jones · February 9th, 2011, 05:55 PM

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

Justin Molush · February 10th, 2011, 02:17 PM

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...

Brian Drysdale · February 12th, 2011, 03:17 AM

You could check this:

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

David W. Jones · February 12th, 2011, 04:24 AM

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

James Campbell · February 12th, 2011, 05:05 AM

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

Brian Drysdale · February 12th, 2011, 05:47 AM

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.

David Heath · February 12th, 2011, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Drysdale

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.

David W. Jones · February 12th, 2011, 06:39 AM

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.

Brian Drysdale · February 12th, 2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Heath

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.

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 .

David Heath · February 12th, 2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Drysdale

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.

Brian Drysdale · February 12th, 2011, 03:35 PM

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.

February 7th, 2011, 03:31 PM	#1
Justin Molush Major Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 388	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....

February 7th, 2011, 08:44 PM	#2
David W. Jones Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Little Rock Posts: 1,383	No, the AF100 was not designed as an ENG camera with servo zoom. __________________ David W. Jones www.joneshdfilms.com

February 9th, 2011, 05:55 PM	#5
David W. Jones Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Little Rock Posts: 1,383	I shoot TV commercials with mine. I think if it were intended for ENG use it would of had a servo zoom. __________________ David W. Jones www.joneshdfilms.com

February 12th, 2011, 04:24 AM	#8
David W. Jones Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Little Rock Posts: 1,383	Yes, I saw that yesterday. They are using a M4/3 to PL adapter, then the optical doubler for the phantom. __________________ David W. Jones www.joneshdfilms.com

February 12th, 2011, 06:39 AM	#12
David W. Jones Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Little Rock Posts: 1,383	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. __________________ David W. Jones www.joneshdfilms.com

February 8th, 2011, 11:50 AM	#3
Justin Molush Major Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 388	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.

February 10th, 2011, 02:17 PM	#6
Justin Molush Major Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 388	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...

February 12th, 2011, 03:17 AM	#7
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	You could check this: Using 2/3″ Lenses on the Panasonic AF100 \| CineTechnica

February 12th, 2011, 05:05 AM	#9
James Campbell Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cheshire, CT Posts: 110	Any idea of an approximate $ range of what that kit would add to the AF100 price?

February 12th, 2011, 05:47 AM	#10
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	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.

February 12th, 2011, 03:35 PM	#15
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	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.