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The Perfect Professional-Quality Camcorder For Film Hobbyists
I’ve been introduced to the film making hobby with my video-capable DSLR camera. As time passed, I got better, my skills improved, and my imagination started to sprout wings, but my camera stated to feel limiting. For one, I can only take short videos when using my DSLR camera.
A major limiting factor was the frame rate, I needed better frame rates but my camera would only record at 24 frames per second. One of the biggest issues I have when using DSLRs for making videos is that they lack or only have mono microphones. Also, whenever I zoom or focus my lenses, the noise resulting from these actions are recorded on the video. The DSLR also didn’t have many of the filters, modes, and codecs that video cameras can offer.
For these reasons, I shopped around for a video camera. Before shopping for one, I already decided that I will be getting a professional yet affordable camcorder. I also did some research to determine which capabilities are essential and which features I am willing to pay extra for so I do not get persuaded into buying something more expensive by a sweet talking salesperson.
For one, I wanted a video camera that can take films in low-light conditions and can accommodate various lenses from fixed focal lengths to zoom lenses. Also, it should be able to record in true 1080 and 720 formats and have a high resolution LCD monitor and viewfinder. Because one of my issues with a DSLR camera is the underwhelming audio recording capability or lack thereof, my camcorder should have jacks for external microphones. Relay recording capability was also on my list but it was not a priority.
After a few weeks of reading forums and review sites, I decided to buy a Panasonic Ag-af100 because it affords me the depth of field and field of view comparable to that of 35mm movie cameras but with a considerably lower financial outlay. In addition to that, the Panasonic Ag-af100 can accommodate a wide range of lenses which are all readily available.The Panasonic AG-AF100 has an interchangeable lens mount, just what I wanted. This makes it possible for me to use a wide array of low-cost camera and film-style lenses with my Panasonic Ag-Af100 video camera in order to achieve the effects I want.
The Panasonic Ag-Af100 video camera also supports multiple frame rates, 20 different frame rates to be exact. Remember what I said about storage being a limitation, not so with the latest Panasonic HD professional camcorder, this one supports a whopping 2 terabytes of storage. As is common with the Panasonic HD professional camcorder range, 3 years limited warranty is standard, now you know why I zeroed on this one.