Right then, here goes…
Hey, great news on the job! Share the details if you can.
Cheers! Was an internal corporate for a hostel for homeless people, to help new residents settle in and learn the rules. Suspect it won't ever be online due to protecting the people featured in it, but was a really fun shoot.
I am really leaning towards the Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with the 18-200mm Zoom Lens) due out in a few months. Price I hear is $5,599.00 at B & H. Please feel free to contact me with any and all info. Like, are they giving out any discount coupons or rebates on this camera or specials on additional lens?
The rep was in broadcast engineering rather than marketing, which cut the bullshit but did mean he wasn't that hot on pricing info - B&H may well be offering discounts and rebates themselves, but given the relatively high demand and low availability on release, it seems fairly unlikely that Sony will feel the need to offer any incentives.
Will these cameras work with my (really old) Pentax Super ME bayonet K lenses (LOL -- been a long time since I shot with a 35mm SLR)? They are good 35mm lens, just old. Are their adapters? Could I use my current Sony DSR300 and/or DSR 500 Canon lenses?
There are only three E-mount lenses available at the moment (the 18-200 f/3.5-6.3 that you mentioned, a 16mm f/2.8 and an 18-55 f/3.5-5.6) but apparently Sony are also planning on releasing a 24mm f/2, a 40mm f/2, a 30mm f/3.5 macro, and a 55-210 (stop unknown). It can also take Sony's A-mount lenses (used on their DSLRs) with an adaptor, which opens up your choice of OEM glass considerably.
Perhaps more usefully, Canon FD and Nikon glass can be mounted with the appropriate adaptor. K-mount to E-mount adapters are fairly cheap and readily available, so you could use your old SLR lenses. As Brian pointed out earlier, using lenses designed for a 1/2" sensor with a Super35 one isn't a very practical solution unless you can put up with large amounts of vignetting and poor IQ.
When I had the FS100, it would not output a 1080/24P signal or anything with flags for the pulldown.
Ask if they've fixed it. =]
Couldn't get an answer for this I'm afraid!
Overall I had quite mixed feelings about both cameras, particularly with regards to the ergonomics. I'd had a play with both of them at BVE a few months ago, but wasn't able to pick them up and judge the handling very well. When kitted out with a rig - shoulder support, handles and monitor/EVF - they'll both be absolutely fine, but in their out of the box form I'm not so sure. The F3 is simply far too heavy to handhold in the way you could do with an EX1 that's about the same size, and the ponytail EVF and low flip-out monitor basically mean you need to buy an EVF if you want to use it handheld with any ease. The combo monitor/viewfinder on the FS100 is fantastic if you want to use it on a tripod, but try and shoot with it handheld and you'll end up with tired arms, shaky footage or both.
I'd happily hire either camera with the appropriate accessories, but as a long-term investment it seems like you'll have to spend practically the same again to be able to do what you want to with them. I think the F3 has a bright future at its price point, but I wonder if Sony may have missed the mark a little with the FS100 - too expensive for many indies, too cheap for pros.
