mercer

- Are you recording long takes? Because, I have the a5100 and have used it in the hot, summer sun and have never had an issue with it overheating. Although, I have heard that it is a problem. - You can go into the menu and set any of the external buttons to do any of the manual functions you want. For instance, I set the ? Button to work for zebras. I set the up button for white balance and the left button for creative styles, etc, etc... - Yes, I wish it had an external microphone jack. - And a viewfinder would be helpful, but since I use focus peaking, combined with magnification... a viewfinder isn't necessary. Anyway, if you want 4K, then go for the G7. If not, either of the other two should work well, just remember you have a larger crop factor with the Panasonic cameras, not a big deal if you plan on using modern m4/3rds lenses, but if you intend on using vintage glass, without some version of a speedbooster, then your wide angle 28mm lens, becomes a 56mm lens. Your 50mm normal lens becomes a 100mm telephoto lens, etc, etc... Good Luck with you choice.

By no means am I an expert about these things, but I believe the point of transcoding is so you are not editing the heavily compressed, original file. I believe the native, compressed files are recorded in a manner where not all of the information, for every frame, is recorded. When the file is transcoded to prores or other intermediary codec, that information is expanded for every frame, giving you larger file sizes to work with but also making it less taxing on your system. I am new to FCPX but I believe if you have optimizing unchecked and proxy unchecked, then you are working on the native files and not until those files are rendered, or exported, will they be transcoded to whatever you delineate as your delivery codec. At least that's how I understand it, but again, I am relatively new to post... So I may be wrong.

I guess it depends on how much post work you do and what you're doing it for. If you're just making a couple edits and uploading to a website, then yeah... No need to transcode. But if you're doing a heavy grade and adding extensive effects, then transcode.

I think that means you are editing in the native format.

I just emailed Divergent Media, the makers of EditReady, and they claim their program will work with the XAVS-C files from the a5100 and the firmware updated a6000. I am going to download the free trial tomorrow and test it out. I'm interested in seeing how the metadata functions work in that program and the LUT applications Sorry to the OP for hijacking the thread.

Honestly, I don't have an answer for you. I know FCPX would do it, in fact I could only watch the files on my computer via iMovie or FCPX. I remember reading somewhere, a while ago, that it was better to convert before you bring it into FCX and then choose not to optimize in FC, and you would get a cleaner, quicker conversion. Since then I have read that you cannot set IN and OUT points while importing through FCPX? I don't ingest every second of every clip, I only transcode and import what I need.

I just picked up an a5100, I bought it because of the 50mbps XAVS-C codec. I usually transcode everything to prores before bringing it into FCPX, but MPEGStreamclip doesn't handle it. Does anyone know of another program that will transcode it... EditReady?

Like I said, I got mine in the mail the other day and I have filmed about 5 minutes of tests with it and so far I am really happy with it. My other camera is an eos-m, and I have duplicates of a Minolta MD 50mm f2, nice underrated lens btw, and I think I may do a side by side test between the two. I was always happy with the eos-m but now I am curious to see how the a5100 stacks up.

I assume this is your video? Great job... It looks beautiful!!! Very nice!!!

Why are you so angry at this camera?

Haha, by "governor" I was referring to a device that keeps motors and mechanics from exceeding certain speeds or power. In this instance it would control altitude.

Yes, 24p, 30p and 60p.

If possible, they should implement an altitude governor for drones.

Why wouldn't you transcode before you bring it into your NLE?

I just picked up a manufacturer refurb a5100 for next to nothing and I couldn't be happier. The 50mbps XAVSC is amazing. Good dynamic range for s camera at this price point as well.

I tried resolve lite for a brief period... I found it too convoluted. Soon after, I downloaded the free trial of FCPX, and haven't looked back... In fact, I am just going to delete the entire program from my computer. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Resolve has more color controls, but for basic grades FCPX is more than enough... I may get Color Finale just to have a couple extra options.

I like the FD 50mm 1.4, but I have to agree about the Rolkor. I have the 50mm f1.4 MC W PG Rokkor and there really isn't a better lens I have come across. The image is sharp wide open, and 3d.

I've been pretty lucky with adapters as well, other than most focusing past infinity... The regular ones anyway. Do the Roxsen speedboosters focus past?

Thanks Ren, my zooms were a little sloppy, but the lens looks good and that was the point of posting the test. I was looking for the 35-105 when I stumbled upon the 35-70. After reading some reviews, I went with the 35-70 because I read the 35-105 is big and heavy... Plus I picked up the 35-70 for 30 bucks.

Yeah, I am a prime guy as well, but recently I have been adding a couple vintage zooms to my lens sets for that very reason.

If you're looking for a nice midrange FD zoom... Try out the Canon FD 35-70mm f4 lens. Metal construction, compact, constant aperture, parfocal and it has a reputation as being as sharp as a prime wide open. And even at f4, it has some pretty nice bokeh. It's often overlooked due to the 35-105mm, but let me tell you... It is nice. Here's a quick and dirty lens test I did with the 35-70

I just picked up a Canon FD 28mm f2 for a decent price and let me tell you, it is a beautiful lens. With the fast aperture, you can get some nice bokeh and if you combine with a focal reducer and a normal adapter, you can get 2 good focal lengths out of it. The only problem I found with that lens, is that a lot of copies have haze. The first one I ordered, has it bad so I returned it. Luckily, a day later I came across another one in mint condition for less than the first one.

No problem, take a look at the FZ1000 as well. It's pretty much the same as the LX100 with a smaller sensor, but it has a microphone input. The LX100 is a better camera, but the FZ1000 is a little bigger and has some of the cinema picture profiles. I know Sony has an update to their RC10 that shoots 4K and is supposed to be amazing as well. There are some options out there. Good Luck!!!

Honestly, if I had your budget and was looking for a nice set up, I would probably go with the Panasonic LX100... Which would give me a built in zoom lens, 4K and 1080p video with full manual control and then also pick up a Panasonic G7, which would give me all of the above plus the ability to grow into interchangeable lenses. This way you could do multi-cam interview set up, run and gun shoots and a more controlled interchangeable lens shoot when necessary. I don't do that kind of work, but I would imagine the flexibility would be excellent for a video kit.

You also might want to consider the 4K bridge cameras that are out. The Panasonic FZ1000, or the new Sony model, or even the Panasonic LX100. They all have a built in zoom lens, shoot 4K and 1080p at multiple frame rates. Really nice cameras for run and gun and simple set ups... Which sound perfect for interviews.