Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Aw, that barely qualifies as a bit of "GAS", let alone a "case" - I know of a couple of us here that have far worse Gear Aquisition Syndrome <wink>. I'm trying to "recover" a bit myself, so far too go...


The main thing I'd suggest (and Ken confirms this approach) is to set your shutter to keep it in a lower range (1/30 for low light, 1/60-125 for "normal" light conditions, and use the wheel for exposure/AE compensation, ND as needed. RS is bad in 4K, the physics of reading that bigger sensor with more pixels is what it is. It did seem to me to improve with lower shutter speed (probably motion blur helping cover the skew...).

Since you've already got familiarity with Sonys, it shouldn't be too difficult to use it as your primary. I found that the camera in "auto" caused some issues on the first "experimental" outing due to high shutter speeds... the next time out with shutter in manual, I got far more good footage than I typically seem to get! Using the VF to add stability, it does seem to have better IS than the RX10, though I still love that cam for stills (the AX stills are nothing to carp about).

Even though it is a "tad" big, you'll quickly come to love it - I can now multicam with AX100/RX10/RX100M2 with very similar image quality, and a small bag for the lot. Yep, there are quite a few cams I "could" sell now! I see those three as a "system" that really covers most of what one would ever "need" in a camera, so even though some things will hang around for sentimental reasons, those are my "go to kit".

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Yeah reviews often complain about using Sony cameras but then that's because they are used to Canon, Nikon, etc gear. If you are used to Sony gear like you and I am then this camera is a breeze to pick up and work with. Took me all of two days of experimenting and testing it before I was comfortable using it for business. One thing I'd recommend and maybe you already do this is to disable UI sounds on the camera so that you can use touch focus without it making that 'boop' sound when you touch the screen. The AF occasionally gets confused if you get into a low light situation (like 15db+) so it's good to have touch focus handy during run&gun type filming.


I've tried my best to avoid this and instantly sell anything that I don't need anymore. I can't tell you how much money that has saved me, as the value of this gear plummets fast! The last camera I sold just a few months ago was the Sony VG900, and it's already worth ~$550 less now on ebay. Sell your gear if you don't need it guys, you can do it!

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Just got back from a wedding and it was a walk in the park shooting with the ax100, it took me a bit to wrap my head around operating the shutter, iso and iris, I couldn't directly find how to change and/or lock them separately and how to assign iris and iso simultaneously to the front wheel. About halfway the day I was using the camera as if I had it for weeks. It also took some time getting used to setting a appropriate nd each time, I do know when to use a ND but I was missing the routine to do it each time. In any case, this is a impressive camera, there are some "issues" I had with it and that can be up to a wrong setting or just the way the camera has been designed but I actually enjoyed using it that much I filled the 64gb card completely. The footage is loading onto my pc right now, I hope it all turned out well :)

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

And so does the happy couple, no doubt, although right now their thoughts are probably elsewhere :-)

I await your verdict with bated breath, and your thoughts about how the AX100 compares to the RX10...

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

I started a thread here John about the camera (http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/open-dv-...ml#post1855809)

First off all, it all turned out much better then expected so I"m very happy with the results this camera gives me, to answer your question about the "verdict" between the ax100 and rx10. Half September I"m off on vacation to warm sunny beaches and beautiful sunsets and yes, I"m taking a camera with me and it won't be the ax100 but the rx10.

Why? Both are excellent camera's but the rx10 is lighter and more compact and I like the overall image it produces better, it has that dslr kind of look the ax100 can't reproduce and it has a creamier bokeh once you start zooming in. The ax100 has a clean looking, super detailed image but it lacks "character" if you know what I mean. It's great for my work as a general workhorse and I"m glad I got it but for my holiday purpose the rx10 will suite me better. The rx10 is also a very sharp 1080p camera and almost as easy as a videocamera to operate + it takes awesome pictures in raw.

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Many thanks Noa, extremely helpful. I do understand your thinking and why you won't be dumping your RX10. In as much as I'm always on holiday I might just stick with the RX10, for now. The extra reach the AX100 offers along with the slightly better image stabilization are features that interest me but as you point out the RX10 delivers when it comes to image quality both moving and stills.

Great report at 'Open DV'. Very much appreciated. Thanks again.

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Hello, this is my first post on this forum that I still long.
I feel if something is not understood by my English translated by google.
The issue:
Little over a month I have the fdr-AX100 ago.
Very happy, making me to it.
I have two days trying to solve a problem with the audio, it takes me crazy.

FDR-X100 + external microphone mini jack audio cable + mobile phone Youtube: NO audio is heard.

FDR-X100 + internal audio camera + mobile phone Youtube: YES Audio listening

The audio on the camera is set to two channels. Mp4 files. Y. Meters
On the computer if all audio with external microphone heard from youtube.
Neither Iphone, android or windows phone or play the audio with external microphone from youtube.
I've done all kinds of tests. With original files from the camera, worked with EDIUS files, etc, etc, etc.. Uploading them to youtube.
And the final conclusion is that the recorded audio with external microphone NOT repdroduce on youtube + mobile phones.
And the audio recorded with the internal microphone of the camera When playing on youtube + mobile phones.

This is an example:

Can anyone try it?
A greeting. Thank you

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Well I think I found the problem and my solution.
The problem is the mini jack cable-canon, I've tried three different cables and get the same problem. The cables are well constructed and that worked well with a Panasonic TM900.
The solution is to record the audio with Sennheiser ew 100 G3 wireless. It works perfectly. The audio can be heard properly on mobile youyube.

There will be some way to get this to sony official? or youtube...

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Does the microphone you are using need phantom power? The AX100 does not provide phantom power, the mic needs to be self powered.

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

I had the same problem (but it was expected) with my audiotechnica 875r that doesn't work on AX100 even with a balanced/unbalanced 3.5mm cable. The 875r needs 48v phantom power to work.
for now I use a shure sm58 : it works fine with a simple xlr to 3.5mm cable (straight, no impedance adjustment).
what kind of microphone you're using? is it XLR? Again a shure SM58 works on the AX100 . it's not a shotgun and I need to get really close to the source, but it works (pretty well too).

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Ok, I did not realize that issue.
The handheld microphone is an interview that has sennheiser feed.
And naturally sennheiser wireless battery operated.
But there is a question to find out,
Why the computer is listening well and not the mobile phone?

thank you very much

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

because the impedance is low and the signal as well , so if you like the microphone then you can get a cable to connect to the AX100 with impedance matching , like this one
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/748853-REG/Sescom_SES_TR_153_SES_TR_153_Right_Angled_XLR.html
there are some XLR microphones (that I know of) that don't require phantom power and may work without a cable with impedance matching (just a straight XLR to TSR patch). I remember an elecrtovoice 50 working on a sony FX1 without a special cable for example. But it all depends on the signal and the boost from the internal port of the camera. It is indeed a matter of impedance. Usually mics with 3.5mm connectors give a pretty high signal, so the port on the camera is set to low to don't amplify noise and statics.

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Thank you very much for the explanation.
The subject of resolved audio.
By the way, I am very happy with the camera, another issue that concerns me, but I think that it is impossible for the few tests I've done, it is slowing down the image to 50% or 75% in format 4 K 25p, in post-production.
So and will be so in this House, this is not?

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

You can't slow down 25p well, 25 frames is about the minimum framerate for smooth motion, if you want to slow down 50% you have to shoot at 50p. Because in 4K it's limited to 25p you can choose 1080p 50p for that purpose.

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Thank you very much for the replies.
The handheld microphone youtube video is a Sennheiser E 855 without feeding.
And we are the ones that we use:
- Sennheiser ew 100 G3 wireless
- And a Rode NTG-2, which is powered by a battery.

As for the 4k 25p a shame, for now recorded XAVC-S HD: 1920x1080/60P

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Just want to mention I'm very happy with my AX100s. Dynamic range is wonderful for a camcorder this size. Just shot an outdoor wedding and the footage is really, really nice.

I'm getting hang of adjusting aperture, etc., on the fly, but the wheel is really a pain. Can't find it by feel sometimes and the manual focus button is worthless, can't find it by feel at all. Will probably dedicate a custom button to MF/AF.

Overall these are great cams and I LOVE shooting in 4K. Editing is a bit of a nightmare, two lines of 4K in the same project really bog down my machine. Will probably have to use proxies.

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

FWIW I just finished a project with AX100 4K footage in Vegas V13 with no crashes. Upgrading memory from 8GB to 16GB made all the difference. The previews weren't noticeably better but stability was vastly improved even with proxies turned off.

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Interesting the memory thing for vegas13. I'll do it right away. Thanks.
a note about the AX100 and ND filters: they engage in a brutal manner, so careful when shooting live or for important takes. When you need to engage the ND filters just give 1 second to settle or shoot something not important.
Again the RS of the AX100 in 4K is cute. Really cute. I must learn how to shoot with that cuteness.

But all things considered I'm getting the best footage ever and with any camera that I had before. This AX100 is nothing less than spectacular!

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

I only use one 4k camera with other 1080p camera's in a multicam so far and then it runs just fine in Edius but as soon as I add a second 4K camera the music stops playing :)
I don't plan to use two 4k camera's in a multi-cam anyway so until my pc is ready for a upgrade, probably end next year, it should be up to speed should I need to use more then one 4K cam in a multicam setup and like you said, I'd convert to canopus own hq avi if there is a need for it.

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Has anyone tried using Film Convert with AX100 footage? The AX100 isn't one of the supported camera's so I've been trying the FS700 setting, the color curve is wrong so I disable that but otherwise it seems to work ok but I was wondering if one of the other camera settings works better. For example someone had noticed that an Arri camera setting worked well for the GH4.

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Ive used the Canon 5d preset and the bmcc if i turn its color way down to 10% or something.
And a good start imo is also turning down the saturation by 15-20%.

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Cool I'll try that. Have you noticed that the AX100's footage is a touch green? I didn't notice it before, but now that I'm toying around with Film Convert I actually can see a slight green cast. I am using led light panels so it could be from that although they are supposed to be 91+ cri with no green tint.

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Some video I shot at 1280x720 120fps.



Mark

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Nice Mark. I shoot a lot in 720 120p for the slowmo factor with my AX100. I hope soon most cams will have 1080 120p soon.

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Hello everyone!

I was using the Sony FDR AX100 to film a wedding the other day as the B camera. One of my files won't seem to open. It shows up in my finder shows the size of the file and appears to be a normal video file. Only difference is it doesn't seem to have the meta data file and won't show a thumbnail. When I try to open the file nothing plays and if I import into Premiere it causes the program to crash....

I have opened large files off this camera before with no issues so whats up with this one did it get corrupt somehow?

I also contacted sony about this issue and I got no responds =/

Thanks!

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Does the AX100 still zoom and autofocus when shooting 120fps? And is the 120fps only at 720p?

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Will it play in camera?

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

I no longer have the file on the sd card...I tried to put it back on the sd card and play it and it was no go.

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

In the future, consider making sure your project is working for you before you delete the original on the card.

After a wedding I download files and pull everything into Vegas, sync it up completely, and make sure it all looks good before I reformat card. I then copy the entire project and video files onto a backup hard drive for editing at a later time.

Good luck, someone here will likely have a suggestion for you to try.

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Going to take a flyer here and ask if the file that won't play was part of a larger file (IOW was this a longer clip that was divided in camera into two clips?). If that's the case, maybe if you stitch the two files together properly it will play...

That's my guess at least.

And have you tried viewing the file with Sony's Play Memories Home program?

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Did you use Sony Play Memories Home to transfer the file to the PC ? Just reading off the card is not always the best. For all my Sony cameras I use the supplied transfer software.

Ron Evans

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Did the camera battery die before you could stop recording? If so then yes the file can't be open. The software to close out the file on the camera does not work in 4K mode. Not sure if it's XAVC-S or just the 4K mode. This is what I did as it has happened to me twice. I went to this site and paid for their service. I had a 11min clip and it was worth it for that particular job.

Video Repair Tool

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Yes, you can zoom and autofocus works normally. Resolution is fixed at 1280x720. Files are saved as 120fps progressive MP4 with a 50Mbps bit rate. They play back at normal speed, so in Vegas I have to stretch them out x4 to get slow mo. Peaking works. Touch screen focus does not work.

Mark

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Mark - thanks for the info.

The 4K bridge camera FZ1000 from Panasonic had drawn my attention for its slow motion capabilities, but it has several drawbacks. Its initially advertised 720p240fps mode has evidently been dropped from production models. It does offer 1080p120fps, but exposure, focus, zoom, white balance, etc. are all locked down at the start of recording. No thanks.

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

I have the FZ200 and it's the same way., when shooting a sky to shade scene, I have to compromise on the exposure level, lock it in with a half-press on the record button. It has a nice image and would still be useful if you record scenes with static light levels. Need to put it up for sale. It's a PAL model.

If you can afford to wait a bit, the FDR-AX100 might get a price drop in the U.S. like it has in Japan. Possibly when Sony releases their pro version of it.

Mark

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Yes, I'm in no rush and my current plan is to wait and see what new models and price changes happen.

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

The battery did not die. I just stopped recording when it was done .

Time for a new section??
 

I really think it's time discussion of this little camera moved out of a single thread in the News section and into a normal section of the Sony Cameras forum, where each topic can have its own thread. Maybe it can share space with the new X70? Mods? What can you do? Where do you want to put it? The "Sony XAVC and XDCAM Camera Systems" section looks like a good place to me.

Re: Sony FDR-AX100
 

Agree with Mark.

Re: Time for a new section??
 

I really agree with this. The so far 112 pages in this thread seem to be an indication of the very high interest in this camera. Yes, it could be in a new class including the PXW-X70, and any new cameras Sony brings to this family. The FDR-AX100 is quickly becoming my go-to video camera, and I'd like to see a section where users of the camera could trade information, and anyone interested in the camera could learn more.

Another useful section would be 'all about 4K'. How do you shoot, edit, display, store, distribute and market, and everything else 4K. My venture into 4K at the 'prosumer and low end professional level' has been pretty much in a vacuum; the technology is just emerging and no one knows the whole story of what works and doesn't work. 4K is amazing and once into it you don't go back; it seems to deserve a section in the forum.