Justin Bacle

Just use it and let it get scratched up. A little patina never hurt no body.

Hey, Bought my AF100 a few mounts ago.
Just finished rigging it. And just got a used Atomos Samurai (not the blade version).
The AF100 is a tricky camera. It is easy to use, but you have to master the settings to get the best image out of it. I cannon recommend enough the AF100 book.
The package I got was AF100 + Panasonic 7-14/4 + Panasonic 14-140/4-5.6 + 2 batteries and a dead cheap SD Card (which is now stuck in the SD slot) for 1300€
The best thing about this camera is that it is ready to shoot run & gun. No need for external power, recorders or rig for handheld stuff.

The lenses I use are the 28/3.5, 35/2.8, 50/1,4, 85/1.7 and 135/2.8
These lenses work as they should. There are only minor problems : 
- On the 85/1,7 (MC version), the aperture sometimes gets "stuck" when you close it. You just have to rock the DOF preview switch (on the lens) to unblock the aperture.
- On the 135/2.8, the aperture is stuck @ 2.8.
These aperture problems however can be fixed by removing a millimeter from the aperture pin on the lens, and is quite easy to do. I didn"t do it yet, as I still use my lenses with minolta SLRs and don't want to modify my lenses (yet).
I already shot basic tests of the lenses but haven't got to edit yet. Only the 28mm is visible here : 
 

I have both an RJ FOcal reducer (MD -> FX) and Mitakon Lens Turbo II (MD -> M43) and here is my thought on both of them.
The RJ, is cheap and fun to use. But corners of the image gets very soft and it is not good for fast aperture lenses (my 50/1.4@1.4 is dreamy like with the RJ adapter). Built quality is good enough though. I'll just think that the RJ focal reducer is good if you are not seeking sharpness and contrast. (Plus the RJ suffers from "blue flare" which was also present on the first versions of the lens turbo but corrected on the lens turbo II.
The Mitakon is very good in terms of quality. No loss of contrast or sharpness. Build quality is good except that the mount is not stiff enough. The lens can move on it by a degree. Which makes follow focusing a hell ... I do not know if it is a QC problem as I do not know anyone else with a Lens Turbo II MD -> M43.
I used the Metabones once. I dont think it worth the extra money compared to the lens turbo II. Build quality is a bit better, but thats it. Image quality wise, both are very good.

For price get the Yi v2 4K for sure!

Very good point. (I would still take the F3 to a skate event ;))
I would definitively get the F3. This thing is a workhorse and you have everything you'll ever need (except 4k but personally I don't want it).
SDI, XLRs, Fr**king INTEGRATED ND FILTERS !, Build quality, Adaptability.
The A7s is  a good camera, sure, but it is a still camera.

I just checked the focus throw on the minolta, and well, it is very small (between 90° and 120°).
But strangely enough, I had never any problem focusing on this lens. (Although, at 28mm and f/3,5 , everything is pretty much in focus)

As 28mm, here are the one I have : 
Minolta Rokkor 28/3,5 -> Nice image quality, quite contrasty. Decent focus throw and well damped.(MD Mount) Makinon 28/2.8 -> Good image quality, contrast is a bit low. Focus throw is short but nicely damped. (MD Mount, other mounts are available) Super Varexon 28/3.5 -> Quite soft with short and too stiff focus throw (M42 mount) but my copy has a dent, so it might not be representative.

just FYI,
On the Panasonic AF100, you can set the EVF in B&W for easier focusing, but you can also set the recording mode to B&W. This allows for better compression of the images as the full 24 MBps are used for the Luma encoding only (i.e. the data not used for chroma can be used for additional information on luma channels).
So I think it may be good in that case to record directly in B&W, but you have to get the look right in camera (which is always a good way to work IMO)

So people are going to buy a Raven or Terra for Stills....

I'm pretty sure you won't loose a contract because of not complying to 4K. If it looks good in 1080p, upscale it in post to 4K if the client requires it.
If it looks good in 1080p, it'll still look good on any screen

Hi everyone  
As I have a bunch of lenses (most of them are in Minolta MD mount), I am preparing a few lens tests. Would be a good experience for me I think as I watch a lot of reviewers/filmmakers videos.
The non exhaustive list of the old lenses I have available to test are : 
Minolta 28/3.5 (MD) -> Quick Test done Tokina 28/2.8 (MD) -> Quick Test done Super Varexon 28/3.5 (M42) -> Quick Test done Minolta 35/2.8 (MD) unknown 35/2.8 (M42) Minolta 45/2 "Pancake" (MD) Jupiter 8 50/2 (M39) Minolta 50/1.7 (MD) Minolta 50/1.4 (MD) Minolta 58/1.4 (MD) Helios 44-M 58/2 (M42) Helios 44-2 58/2 (M42) Minolta 85/1.7 (MD) Minolta 135/2.8 (MD) Praktica 135/2.8 (M42) Minolta 200/4.5 (MD) Tokina 400/5.6 (MD) Makinon 500/8 Reflex (MD) These are the lenses I can test right now, with and without a speedbooster (I have a Mitakon Lens Turbo II MD to m4/3) as I can adapt M42 to MD without any problems.
I am beginning by doing quick and dirty tests in order to choose the lenses to test properly. I don't want to try a lens which is just bad in everyway (but do you guys want to see it anyway ?)
I will be updating this first post with everything I'll be doing based on your remarks.
Test procedure for the quick tests : Same camera settings, same exposure on the lenses, same grading, shot with my AF100 (AVCHD codec) in 1080p/24fps
28 mm lenses (at f/3.5)
IMO : The Minolta looks sharp and contrasty, the makinon is not bad either but has a bit less contrast. Saying that the Super Varexon is soft would be an understatement.

More to come (35,50,85 and 135 already shot)
Thanks for the read

I am eager to see the full review
As I have many lenses from super 16mm to full frame, it would be a great camera for it  (plus super 16mm zooms are quite fast and super cheap !)
I guess B4 lenses would be an option too  (but the image circle is still a bit smaller than super16mm, would B4 lenses cover a sufficient amount of the LS300 properly ?)
But I just bought an AF100 and 4k$ isn't an option right now :s I still have to rig my AF100 and buy an external monitor :s 
BTW, I just began on working on review for the lenses I own (a bunch minolta primes and some M42 lenses)

I am eager to see the full review
As I have many lenses from super 16mm to full frame, it would be a great camera for it  (plus super 16mm zooms are quite fast and super cheap !)
I guess B4 lenses would be an option too  (but the image circle is still a bit smaller than super16mm, would B4 lenses cover a sufficient amount of the LS300 properly ?)
But I just bought an AF100 and 4k$ isn't an option right now :s I still have to rig my AF100 and buy an external monitor :s 
BTW, I just began on working on review for the lenses I own (a bunch minolta primes and some M42 lenses)

Just searched for a Minolta 35/1.8 (I only have the 35/2.8 yet :s) and fond that the minoltas MD lenses are going cheaper and cheaper :O

Minolta MD 50/1.4 : 60€, which is very very very reasonable IMO 
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Objectif-Minolta-50mm-f-1-4-MD-ROKKOR-1-1-4-/252344490621?hash=item3ac0e75a7d:g:z9YAAOSwdU1W9lHL
MInolta MD 28/2.8 (only have the 28/3.5 myself ....) : 42€, reasonable too 
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/28-mm-1-2-8-Minolta-MD-Rokkor-/172165384575?hash=item2815db497f:g:W3AAAOSwSzdXDPZj
Minolta MD 135/2.8 : 55€, which is a great compact telephoto/portrait lens
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Minolta-MD-Rokkor-1-2-8-135-/131775607947?hash=item1eae70348b:g:4xEAAOSwr7ZW4Fwi
There are also quite a lot of 35-70/3.5 which are known to be very good lenses for video around 40€
As a bonus, there is a cute 45/2 pancake which usually goes for 50€ in auction
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/vintage-Minolta-MD-ROKKOR-45-mm-45mm-F-2-PANCAKE-LENS-/281999659321?hash=item41a87d5139:g:oLAAAOSwoudW8WdD
Anyway, This jut motivated me to do a full review of my Minolta lenses. As it is quite difficult to find complete reviews on the web for minolta lenses with video.
I'll set up a scene this weekend and compare all my lenses. Results to come :p

Just searched for a Minolta 35/1.8 (I only have the 35/2.8 yet :s) and fond that the minoltas MD lenses are going cheaper and cheaper :O

Minolta MD 50/1.4 : 60€, which is very very very reasonable IMO 
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Objectif-Minolta-50mm-f-1-4-MD-ROKKOR-1-1-4-/252344490621?hash=item3ac0e75a7d:g:z9YAAOSwdU1W9lHL
MInolta MD 28/2.8 (only have the 28/3.5 myself ....) : 42€, reasonable too 
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/28-mm-1-2-8-Minolta-MD-Rokkor-/172165384575?hash=item2815db497f:g:W3AAAOSwSzdXDPZj
Minolta MD 135/2.8 : 55€, which is a great compact telephoto/portrait lens
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Minolta-MD-Rokkor-1-2-8-135-/131775607947?hash=item1eae70348b:g:4xEAAOSwr7ZW4Fwi
There are also quite a lot of 35-70/3.5 which are known to be very good lenses for video around 40€
As a bonus, there is a cute 45/2 pancake which usually goes for 50€ in auction
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/vintage-Minolta-MD-ROKKOR-45-mm-45mm-F-2-PANCAKE-LENS-/281999659321?hash=item41a87d5139:g:oLAAAOSwoudW8WdD
Anyway, This jut motivated me to do a full review of my Minolta lenses. As it is quite difficult to find complete reviews on the web for minolta lenses with video.
I'll set up a scene this weekend and compare all my lenses. Results to come :p

Just searched for a Minolta 35/1.8 (I only have the 35/2.8 yet :s) and fond that the minoltas MD lenses are going cheaper and cheaper :O

Minolta MD 50/1.4 : 60€, which is very very very reasonable IMO 
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Objectif-Minolta-50mm-f-1-4-MD-ROKKOR-1-1-4-/252344490621?hash=item3ac0e75a7d:g:z9YAAOSwdU1W9lHL
MInolta MD 28/2.8 (only have the 28/3.5 myself ....) : 42€, reasonable too 
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/28-mm-1-2-8-Minolta-MD-Rokkor-/172165384575?hash=item2815db497f:g:W3AAAOSwSzdXDPZj
Minolta MD 135/2.8 : 55€, which is a great compact telephoto/portrait lens
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Minolta-MD-Rokkor-1-2-8-135-/131775607947?hash=item1eae70348b:g:4xEAAOSwr7ZW4Fwi
There are also quite a lot of 35-70/3.5 which are known to be very good lenses for video around 40€
As a bonus, there is a cute 45/2 pancake which usually goes for 50€ in auction
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/vintage-Minolta-MD-ROKKOR-45-mm-45mm-F-2-PANCAKE-LENS-/281999659321?hash=item41a87d5139:g:oLAAAOSwoudW8WdD
Anyway, This jut motivated me to do a full review of my Minolta lenses. As it is quite difficult to find complete reviews on the web for minolta lenses with video.
I'll set up a scene this weekend and compare all my lenses. Results to come :p

Just searched for a Minolta 35/1.8 (I only have the 35/2.8 yet :s) and fond that the minoltas MD lenses are going cheaper and cheaper :O

Minolta MD 50/1.4 : 60€, which is very very very reasonable IMO 
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Objectif-Minolta-50mm-f-1-4-MD-ROKKOR-1-1-4-/252344490621?hash=item3ac0e75a7d:g:z9YAAOSwdU1W9lHL
MInolta MD 28/2.8 (only have the 28/3.5 myself ....) : 42€, reasonable too 
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/28-mm-1-2-8-Minolta-MD-Rokkor-/172165384575?hash=item2815db497f:g:W3AAAOSwSzdXDPZj
Minolta MD 135/2.8 : 55€, which is a great compact telephoto/portrait lens
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Minolta-MD-Rokkor-1-2-8-135-/131775607947?hash=item1eae70348b:g:4xEAAOSwr7ZW4Fwi
There are also quite a lot of 35-70/3.5 which are known to be very good lenses for video around 40€
As a bonus, there is a cute 45/2 pancake which usually goes for 50€ in auction
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/vintage-Minolta-MD-ROKKOR-45-mm-45mm-F-2-PANCAKE-LENS-/281999659321?hash=item41a87d5139:g:oLAAAOSwoudW8WdD
Anyway, This jut motivated me to do a full review of my Minolta lenses. As it is quite difficult to find complete reviews on the web for minolta lenses with video.
I'll set up a scene this weekend and compare all my lenses. Results to come :p

Oooooooo indeed. I have to check reviews to evaluate the screen quality. Are those mini SDI connectors reliable enough though ?
The thing is, it costs more than half the price of my camera. A rig should be still higher on my priority list ...
Too many options, too few cash :s
EDIT : Just saw that the BM Video Assist doesn't record interlaced (no internal 3:2 pulldown), which my camera outputs (AF100) .... I'll have to go with a Atomos Samurai Blade (which also seems to record DNxHD BTW) which has proper SDI inputs but no HDMI (not that I need it though ...) and is around the same price. Thank you Mattias for having pushed me on the right train of thoughts

Ohh, and the blackmagic video assist, so basically any camera with clean hdmi out.

Can't wait for your review  I hope it's not that good, as I just bought an AF100 :o

May sound stupid, but I would not want any of them for this price. I'd rather have a used FS100 or AF100 (or equivalent) and spend the remaining cash on lenses, mics and lighting.
I'm not in that 4k or High ISOs race anyway.