[Uli Plank]

I’m not sure if you’ll get full resolution that way.

Plus, the AF10X definitely has no extended zoom range (i.e. sensor crop).

Director of the Institute of Media Research (IMF) at Braunschweig University of Arts

[Uli Plank]

That’s OK, but they aren’t cheap.

Director of the Institute of Media Research (IMF) at Braunschweig University of Arts

[Uli Plank]

Most of them will vignette, unfortunately.

Director of the Institute of Media Research (IMF) at Braunschweig University of Arts

[Uli Plank]

Including myself – just bought another one.

Director of the Institute of Media Research (IMF) at Braunschweig University of Arts

[Uli Plank]

I wouldn’t say that the crop factor (check the wonderful online simulator at Abel Cine) is the most important difference.
Sony is using a sensor made for HDTV, while Panasonic is scaling down from a photographic sensor. While they are doing it much better than any DSLR, it’s still a bit weaker in resolution, aliasing and sensitivity. BTW, wouldn’t the FS100 rather be the contender? It’s much closer in price and has the same sensor.

Director of the Institute of Media Research (IMF) at Braunschweig University of Arts

[Uli Plank]

Similar here: Pancake 20mm f1.7, 35mm Rokkor f1.8, 50mm f1.4 Rokkor, kit zoom 14-42mm and sometimes a 7-14mm Panasonic.

According to our tests the EX-1/3 has better resolution (it’s a video sensor, not scaled photographic) and less noise. Definitely the better run-n-gun camera, plus it has 10 bit via SDI with external recording giving you more correction headroom in post.

Director of the Institute of Media Research (IMF) at Braunschweig University of Arts

[Uli Plank]

Well, if you want to edit H.264 without transcoding, yes. It’s no fun with less, and Premiere Pro in particular runs in 64 bit only.

Director of the Institute of Media Research (IMF) at Braunschweig University of Arts

[Uli Plank]

I’m not sure you’d see a major difference in image quality on an AF 100. Not because those lenses aren’t better, but because the resolution of the AF100 is limited (I’ve tested older Zeiss/Arriflex lenses on it against photographic glass). BUT there are big differences in operation:

– less breathing
– standardized coupling for follow focus
– length stays constant
– continuous aperture adjustment

You need to calculate the whole package, like adaptor rings for focus, rails, support for heavier lenses, matte box, will the dougnuts fit, follow focus etc. before you can really decide.

Director of the Institute of Media Research (IMF) at Braunschweig University of Arts

[Uli Plank]

Ok, I read further and it seems he worked between 4 and 5.6, so that would explain the excellent contrast even with the lens I tested (or maybe better coating at the time his lens comes from).

Director of the Institute of Media Research (IMF) at Braunschweig University of Arts

[Uli Plank]

I don’t have that link, but I’d advise to rather go for current Premiere if you can afford it. It will use your native footage, and apart from saving conversion time and space, DVCProHD is not such a great codec, cascading it with H.264 will not be very good for your footage.

Director of the Institute of Media Research (IMF) at Braunschweig University of Arts