Joining the ranks.....

[Gabe Strong]

Well, I finally did it. After FOREVER researching and trying to figure
out which camera I should buy for my video business to give me a 'bit
of an edge', I pulled the trigger and ordered the FS-100. Honestly,
I probably couldn't have gone wrong any way I chose (these days all
the cameras are amazing) but still, when I'm spending that kind of
money I get a little obsessive. It's being sent Fed Ex 2nd day
air (which in the language of Alaska means 4 days) so I should have
it early next week. I'll be sure to add video and impressions to
help everyone else out, as I'm glad so many people did for me.
When the closest dealer is about 1000 miles away, you don't have
the option to actually pick up the camera and play with
it, but at least I was able to see what it is capable of imagery wise,
so thanks to everyone who shared.

Also, if anyone is looking to buy one, give Omega a call. They have
the camera IN STOCK right now!! Great service, Alan totally rocks!
You can't go wrong giving them your business.

[Derran Rootring]

Hi Gabe, nice to hear.
Gotta love the internet for researching right? I had the same thing. Looking at all these different camera's and what they are capable of and sometimes lack... It's so difficult to make a decision.

I've always had video (shoulder mounted) camera's and was looking to this new DSLR market from a distance. Not long before I pulled the trigger for the NEX-FS100 I was thinking of buying a Canon 5D or 7D. But got lost in all the extra accessories you can add to make it easier (or nicer) to work with. In the mean while I started to read more about the Fs100 and AF101 and thought it would be nice to have a video camera with DSLR image quality, or somewhat similar. Then I started to see footage from these camera's and also watched the comparison videos from Philip Bloom. I think he really did a great job on showing the pros and cons of these camera's and it was really helpful in making a decision. I liked the image quality of the FS100, but wasn't a big fan of the form factor. But having the camera for a week now, I couldn't be happier with my decision. Everything you film with the camera looks like it's a great looking photograph with only one difference: it's a movie! You get used to this new shooting style really fast and it's a joy to work with a camera that delivers such high quality footage. Because in the end, the result is all that counts.

[Gabe Strong]

Darren,

Thanks for the response. I am in pretty much the same situation as you.
I am a admitted 'video guy' who shot on big cameras, and was thinking
about buying a Canon T3 or something to get the DSLR 'look', something
I could play around with and learn some new skills. But then...
just looking at all the images this camera was capable of....I finally
decided to go for it. I was starting to question my decision a little,
but you are among several others who have told me that it's video is like
'a photograph, only it's a movie.' That sounds just amazing,
now I'm even more excited to get it.

[Pedro I. Vazquez]

i'm waiting for mines to arrive, was on the hunt for a new cam almost went for a 7D or 5D im glad i waited for the fs100. what good ND filters or matte box you guys recommend for this cam??

[Gabe Strong]

I'm not sure yet which ND solution I will use. My camera is due to arrive
on Wednesday....ordered it Fed Ex 2nd day air on Thursday night last week.
I would probably either go with the Heliopan fader if I could find one
ANYWHERE to buy, or maybe a clip on mattebox with some strong ND. If you
put two square ND filters in a mattebox, does that introduce color shift
or image softening? Just wondering as I haven't ever done that before.

[Brian Bang Jensen]

You can´t go wrong on the Heliopan. You get op to 6.6 stops. Believe me you need it.
I have a pair of Zeiss ZF2 f1.4 primes. On a sunny day to stay below f2.8 I need between 5 and 8 stops reduction in light. Stacking up 4x4 filters could cause problems with internal reflexions. I have been investigating on the availability of 4x4 filters and could not find a suitable solution. Either you get 1, 2, and 3 stops or you can get a big stopper 10 stops. 10 stops is to much in most situations and you are then left on stacking 2 or 3 filters.
I have bought a 77mm Heliopan for my Nikon 24-70 and 70-200 f2.8 SLR lenses and a 72 to 77mm step up ring for my Zeiss. I have also ordered a cheap matte box from India. I will use that because the Heliopan is preventing me from using the sunshades for my lenses.

The Heliopan are in stock here.
Heliopan Variograufilter ND 0,3 - ND 2,0 77mm Brenner - Alles für die Fotografie

[Gabe Strong]

I'd have no problem ordering from them if they'd ship to me......but, as I
can't understand the language, I'm not able to navigate the website.
Seems like here in the US, everyone is out of the Heliopan filter.

[Dave Morrison]

Thanks Brian for confirming my calculations here. I don't have my '100 yet, but I was doing some calculating and I was coming up with around 8 or 9 stops of ND being necessary to shoot wide open here in the Florida sun. Now I have to see what's available in 4x5.65 glass.....ugh.

[Dan Crowell]

Hi Dave,

I've had my 100 for a little over a week now and have been shooting using a Genus matte box (who also make variable ND filters) using a 4x4 linear polarizer in front of a circular polerizer. It's been working well so far as long as you're not shooting directly into the sun. The filter are not matched pairs, just what I already owned. DigiPro makes a 4x4 fader filter set for $499. that states 2-8 stops. I'll probably buy this set at some point, but for now I'm going to wait and see where the competition goes. Using a matte box may also give you a wider field of options down the road too.Just an idea... You're going to love the camera once you get past it's short comings. Even then, for 6k it's worth every penny and more.

[Gabe Strong]

Brian,

I found the Heliopan in stock and jumped on it. Now I am wondering
what to do for a sunshade. Do you have a link to what you went with?

[Brian Bang Jensen]

Hi Gabe.

I have bought a cheap matte box from India.

From here:
DV City

They are fairly cheap and has a usable quality.

You can get a mattebox with a rail system (recommended) or with adapter rings for your lenses.

Delivery time were a little less than two weeks.

[Gabe Strong]

Brian,

Thanks for the info. So you went with this one?

PROAIM MB-700 Matte box with dv rail system for EX3 EX1 5D MARKII 7D VX21000 JVC 100U DV DSLR CAMS

The reason I am asking is because I am a little unsure how it all works together. So the Heliopan screws onto the front of your lens. Now you can
no longer use the sunshade that comes with your lens as the Heliopan is screwed on the threads. The Heliopan does NOT have threads on the front of
it? So you cannot buy a cheap $10 sunshade in the correct size to screw on
the front of the Heliopan? That is my assumption. So you get the 'cheap' matte box solution. Now you use the included rails to mount it so you don't
need to worry about how to clip in on to the front of the camera. Doesn't
that make it very hard to adjust the Heliopan filter when you want to vary
the amount of ND? Or is it still easy to access the twist function on the
Heliopan? Sorry for all the questions, I'm still trying to figure out
how it would all work together.

[Ryan Creason]

I didn't even think about the sun shade on the stock lens and how it attaches... I originally wanted to get a 77mm variable ND filter that would allow for a polarizer to attach to it as well - with a step down to 67mm. I didn't even think of how to attach the shade. So if we use a ND filter, we would need some sort of matte box?

[Gabe Strong]

That is my question as well. In my research, I've found this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/434539-REG/Cavision_LH77_LH77_Lens_Hood.html
It may work for a 77mm lens, and it's only $40. It might also attach
to the variable ND filter/step up ring on a 67mm lens and allow you to
turn the variable ND using the sunshade. Not sure how I'd feel about that,
I doubt the rubber sunshade weighs very much, but still, I'd be very
careful trying something like that. Really, I'm not to sure what to do,
until I get the filter and step ring here and can look at them.

[Brian Bang Jensen]

Hi Gabe.

Actually I bought the mattebox by itself and two different rail systems. A light simple one and a stronger heavy one. The one you are referring to is something in between! The mattebox is the same.

Regarding adjusting the ND. It is possible to stick your fingers into the mattebox and make adjustments. It is not a perfect solution and your fingers get into the picture!

I am thinking about making some kind of leaver sticking out trough one of the filter slots on the mattebox so that I can adjust the ND from the outside.

This hole ND business is a pain in the a.. everything getting so complicated...

As a last remark. I have borrowed some 4x4 glass ND filters. It is extremely difficult not getting flare into the lens. It is always a fight to adjusting the flags and changing the camera angle to the sun. Even then it is not perfect. With the Heliopan there is no problems.