First Look, Panasonic AG-AC90 at DV Expo

Mike Beckett · January 30th, 2013, 03:16 AM

Phil,

Sandisk SDHCs are on Amazon UK for £23 or so for 32GB. You can save your pennies.

You can use your Rode mic with an XLR converter. It won't be a balanced mic (so it may be prone to interference in some circumstances), but it'll work. I can't see camera mounting your Zoom giving any advantage over using the camera's internal stereo mic.

You'd be better putting the zoom somewhere near your interviewees and using it as a second audio source, evven better if you put a lav mic on it for their voice.

It's a good, basic camera that will probably do everything you need for interviews.

Noa Put · January 30th, 2013, 03:19 AM

Quote:

the suppliers website has 32gb SDHC cards at £135 which seems a little expensive to me?

30mbs class 10 sdhc cards are fast enough for your camera, I bhought a sandisc 64gb sdxc card (30mbs for under 100 euro) for my sony nex ea50 and it has worked fine so far. The cards you mention are probably 95mbs which is overkill.

Phil Gadd · January 30th, 2013, 03:25 AM

Noa/Mic, thanks..

yes you're right they are 95 mbs. I will look for some 30mbs class 10 sdhc cards or the 64gb sdxc card

Should I look at an alternative shotgun mic? For interviews i have a rode lavalier altho I was looking at the Sennheiser EW 112-P G3-Gb to keep me wire free.

Should I invest in a camera mounted LED light for this camcorder or maybe a lighting kit for my interviews?

P

Mike Beckett · January 30th, 2013, 03:49 AM

Phil, do you need wireless?

Maybe this is a question (or a search) for the Audio forum instead. I would maybe try the Rode lav mic (and maybe an extension cable) wired in to the AC90 for simplicity, or plugged into the Zoom if you don't mind synching in post and not being able to monitor audio (eek!).

An on-camera shotgun is no good at all for interviews. If you're just doing interviews, I would save my pennies and use your existing lav. Only go wireless if you have longer distances to cover or if it is a real problem.

Phil Gadd · January 30th, 2013, 04:14 AM

Thanks Mike

You're right, am unsure. I have just posted a thread on the audio forum as you have suggested.

The last time I did an indoor interview I went directly into the zoom and sync'd the audio in post edit, hopefully the other thread will help with this.

Is it wise to get any filters or additonal batteries for this camera Mike?

Mike Beckett · January 30th, 2013, 05:38 AM

Phil,

You may need an ND filter for the AC90 if you are shooting outdoors in bright sunlight. If you are shooting anywhere where you might get dust, grit or water on the lens, you may want to consider a clear UV filter as well.

Some people swear by the clear filters, some swear at them... I always use one on my cameras, with the logic that I'd rather replace a £60 filter than get the built-in lens repaired. The risk is slight degrading of picture quality and possible flaring under certain lighting conditions. Get a quality filter, such as B+W, if you go down this route.

Batteries: yes. The supplied battery will probably not run for very long (an hour or two) so plan on at least one high capacity battery to go along with it, that will probably last all day. You can test it yourself and see how long it runs for before deciding whether to buy more or not.

Mains power can be problematic in some cameras, as it can induce hum or interference in the audio, so it's best not to rely on it.

Phil Gadd · January 30th, 2013, 06:15 AM

Thanks Mike, invaluable advice there.

Think I am going to go with the camera, 4 or 8hr battery, 2 x 32gb (or 1 x 64) card, Filter kit and case.

Hopefully will let you know how i get on :-)

Chris Harding · January 30th, 2013, 08:35 AM

Hi Phil

I just rewired my Rodes for XLR ...if you are handy with a soldering iron it's just a matter of some new cable (the twisty cable is a pain anyway) and a male XLR plug..the mic is simple to pull apart and all you do is unsolder the existing 3 connections and solder in the new cable. You need a cable with two conductors and a screen ...Also easy to put the Videomic back together again...If soldering makes you nervous find a friend who can do it.

You can get mini jack to XLR adapters too but I would only use those until you have a proper cable from the mic to the XLR plug ..it will work fine as a temporary solution

Chris

Phil Gadd · January 30th, 2013, 01:33 PM

Hi Chris

I am completely useless at soldering but what a great idea :-)

Im trying to find examples of where the ac90 has been used in an interview type scenario, dont suppose you know of any?

Chris Harding · January 31st, 2013, 03:03 AM

Hi Phil

Do a YouTube search for "Panasonic AC-90" and you will find quite a few clips that might give you a better idea of what to expect.

Chris

Phil Gadd · January 31st, 2013, 04:44 PM

Thanks Chris

Had a look, not too many reviews out there just yet.. looked at some pro's and cons etc.. All in all, whilst I would love the ac160, I think I could certainly capture everything I need for a while (hoping capturing live bands and the odd wedding will help pay for the ac160)

Phil Gadd · February 4th, 2013, 10:10 AM

ordered my ac-90 on saturday morning, quoted 2 week delivery, phoned up today and they are saying end of feb/begin of march..

can't be right that surely?

Phil Gadd · February 8th, 2013, 04:45 PM

is this really an Ac90 as the film shots are very impressive??

Mike Beckett · February 8th, 2013, 04:54 PM

I would guess so... seeing as it's an official Panasonic video. I'm not sure if they've colour graded that or not, but it is a very capable camera when handled properly.

Noa Put · February 9th, 2013, 02:35 AM

I"m sure it's the ac90 but they where smart when to film with it, as you notice most of the video is shot with a overcast sky so the camera doesn't have to deal with extreme highlights and or shadows.

January 30th, 2013, 03:16 AM	#31
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Re: First Look, Panasonic AG-AC90 at DV Expo Phil, Sandisk SDHCs are on Amazon UK for £23 or so for 32GB. You can save your pennies. You can use your Rode mic with an XLR converter. It won't be a balanced mic (so it may be prone to interference in some circumstances), but it'll work. I can't see camera mounting your Zoom giving any advantage over using the camera's internal stereo mic. You'd be better putting the zoom somewhere near your interviewees and using it as a second audio source, evven better if you put a lav mic on it for their voice. It's a good, basic camera that will probably do everything you need for interviews.

January 30th, 2013, 03:25 AM	#33
Phil Gadd Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: liverpool, England Posts: 143	Re: First Look, Panasonic AG-AC90 at DV Expo Noa/Mic, thanks.. yes you're right they are 95 mbs. I will look for some 30mbs class 10 sdhc cards or the 64gb sdxc card Should I look at an alternative shotgun mic? For interviews i have a rode lavalier altho I was looking at the Sennheiser EW 112-P G3-Gb to keep me wire free. Should I invest in a camera mounted LED light for this camcorder or maybe a lighting kit for my interviews? P

January 30th, 2013, 03:49 AM	#34
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Re: First Look, Panasonic AG-AC90 at DV Expo Phil, do you need wireless? Maybe this is a question (or a search) for the Audio forum instead. I would maybe try the Rode lav mic (and maybe an extension cable) wired in to the AC90 for simplicity, or plugged into the Zoom if you don't mind synching in post and not being able to monitor audio (eek!). An on-camera shotgun is no good at all for interviews. If you're just doing interviews, I would save my pennies and use your existing lav. Only go wireless if you have longer distances to cover or if it is a real problem.

January 30th, 2013, 04:14 AM	#35
Phil Gadd Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: liverpool, England Posts: 143	Re: First Look, Panasonic AG-AC90 at DV Expo Thanks Mike You're right, am unsure. I have just posted a thread on the audio forum as you have suggested. The last time I did an indoor interview I went directly into the zoom and sync'd the audio in post edit, hopefully the other thread will help with this. Is it wise to get any filters or additonal batteries for this camera Mike?

January 30th, 2013, 05:38 AM	#36
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Re: First Look, Panasonic AG-AC90 at DV Expo Phil, You may need an ND filter for the AC90 if you are shooting outdoors in bright sunlight. If you are shooting anywhere where you might get dust, grit or water on the lens, you may want to consider a clear UV filter as well. Some people swear by the clear filters, some swear at them... I always use one on my cameras, with the logic that I'd rather replace a £60 filter than get the built-in lens repaired. The risk is slight degrading of picture quality and possible flaring under certain lighting conditions. Get a quality filter, such as B+W, if you go down this route. Batteries: yes. The supplied battery will probably not run for very long (an hour or two) so plan on at least one high capacity battery to go along with it, that will probably last all day. You can test it yourself and see how long it runs for before deciding whether to buy more or not. Mains power can be problematic in some cameras, as it can induce hum or interference in the audio, so it's best not to rely on it.

January 30th, 2013, 06:15 AM	#37
Phil Gadd Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: liverpool, England Posts: 143	Re: First Look, Panasonic AG-AC90 at DV Expo Thanks Mike, invaluable advice there. Think I am going to go with the camera, 4 or 8hr battery, 2 x 32gb (or 1 x 64) card, Filter kit and case. Hopefully will let you know how i get on :-)

January 30th, 2013, 08:35 AM	#38
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: First Look, Panasonic AG-AC90 at DV Expo Hi Phil I just rewired my Rodes for XLR ...if you are handy with a soldering iron it's just a matter of some new cable (the twisty cable is a pain anyway) and a male XLR plug..the mic is simple to pull apart and all you do is unsolder the existing 3 connections and solder in the new cable. You need a cable with two conductors and a screen ...Also easy to put the Videomic back together again...If soldering makes you nervous find a friend who can do it. You can get mini jack to XLR adapters too but I would only use those until you have a proper cable from the mic to the XLR plug ..it will work fine as a temporary solution Chris

January 30th, 2013, 01:33 PM	#39
Phil Gadd Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: liverpool, England Posts: 143	Re: First Look, Panasonic AG-AC90 at DV Expo Hi Chris I am completely useless at soldering but what a great idea :-) Im trying to find examples of where the ac90 has been used in an interview type scenario, dont suppose you know of any?

January 31st, 2013, 03:03 AM	#40
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: First Look, Panasonic AG-AC90 at DV Expo Hi Phil Do a YouTube search for "Panasonic AC-90" and you will find quite a few clips that might give you a better idea of what to expect. Chris

January 31st, 2013, 04:44 PM	#41
Phil Gadd Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: liverpool, England Posts: 143	Re: First Look, Panasonic AG-AC90 at DV Expo Thanks Chris Had a look, not too many reviews out there just yet.. looked at some pro's and cons etc.. All in all, whilst I would love the ac160, I think I could certainly capture everything I need for a while (hoping capturing live bands and the odd wedding will help pay for the ac160)

February 4th, 2013, 10:10 AM	#42
Phil Gadd Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: liverpool, England Posts: 143	Re: First Look, Panasonic AG-AC90 at DV Expo ordered my ac-90 on saturday morning, quoted 2 week delivery, phoned up today and they are saying end of feb/begin of march.. can't be right that surely?

February 8th, 2013, 04:45 PM	#43
Phil Gadd Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: liverpool, England Posts: 143	Re: First Look, Panasonic AG-AC90 at DV Expo is this really an Ac90 as the film shots are very impressive?? Video Promocional AG-AC90 - YouTube

February 8th, 2013, 04:54 PM	#44
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Re: First Look, Panasonic AG-AC90 at DV Expo I would guess so... seeing as it's an official Panasonic video. I'm not sure if they've colour graded that or not, but it is a very capable camera when handled properly.

February 9th, 2013, 02:35 AM	#45
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: First Look, Panasonic AG-AC90 at DV Expo I"m sure it's the ac90 but they where smart when to film with it, as you notice most of the video is shot with a overcast sky so the camera doesn't have to deal with extreme highlights and or shadows.