This is our first visit to NAB (the largest show for broadcasters and movie makers). In the times of convergence between video.

At NAB we looked at three kinds of different professional cameras. We want to try some of them to see what we are missing with our HDSLRs.

• Panasonic AG-AF100
• Red Scarlet
• Canon XF300
  

Here are the features that make those cameras pro models:

• allow pro sound recording in camera
• top class EVF
• built-in ND filters
• aids to judge focus on LCD/EVF
• scopes to judge exposure
• Higher quality codecs
• Auto focus
  - recording time only limited by card size
  - good lenses available (Video lenses at allow precise focusing, fast lenses available)
• Time code

Panasonic AG-AF100

This camera is right now just a mockup but the basic idea is interesting (delivery for end of this year). This is essentially a GH-1 in a pro video camera body.The final specs are not known. Some comments are more or less open questions.

Pro

• relative large sensor m4/3 (allows shallow DOF shots and more film like look)
• all m4/3 lenses can be used
  

Con

• fast lenses can bet bulky
• not sure which fast lenses will be available and how fast they focus in AF
• using manual focus with m4/3 lenses is not very precise
• AVCHD is more a consumer camera Codec

Red Scarlet

This camera is also not available right now (more likely end of the year).

Pro

• 2/3" chip
• 3K recording
• Raw recording
• low compression
• modular system (flexible)

Con

• data amount is large
• modular (likely not that complete out of the box )
  

Canon XF300

Pre-production cameras exist. Delivery in June.

Pro

• very complete out of the box
• likely good zoom with good range
• Pro codec 4:2:2 50Mbit/sec
• low moire tendency

Con

• small 1/3" chip (DOF)
• noise at higher ISO likely

Misc

External monitors

• Marshall Electronics 5" monitor

LED Lights

• Saw nice small LED lights

Tiffen Steadicam Merlin

 

Instructed by the master

This is a fun image because it shows me with Garrett Brown. Garrett instructs me how to use the Vest/Arm for the Steadicam Merlin. Garrett is the inventor of the original Steadicam and made film history (he received an Oscar for inventing the Steadicam).

Canon Theatre

• Canon showed nice footage from different Canon HDSLRs on a bigger screen. This was a demonstration what these cameras can do.

Red Theatre

• Red had a Red User day at the Tropicana and about 1,500 attended. The demo clips were shown using 4K projection, very nice.

 

Conclusion

Except of the Panasonic AG-AF100 not much new in terms of HDSLR convergence. Maybe next year?

 

 

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