Sony FDR AX100 UHD 4K

Update. Yes today I sold an AX-100 4K clip for $299 at the other agency. So the quality is good enough.

I've depended on focus peaking a lot, so I'm used to it. On the AX100, however, it stays on when in autofocus, which, unlike any other camera on this one I use a lot, and it's good. On the FS700 the peaking goes away when in auto. Zebras annoy me, so I only use them occasionally. I "learn" the viewfinder/lcd, and tend toward darker to preserve highlights. Looking at a clip I shot today right now - I remember thinking that the mountain and sea would be too dark, but they are fine, and the sky is natural looking. Love the ND filters, and on this cam, the ultra cool option to automate them. On the FS700 V1U and Z5U, they are physically selected, not electronic, which is limiting sometimes (like when the cam is remotely mounted)

I use the focus magnifier occasionally, but more seldom.

Congrats on the other agency sale!

OK, you guys - the AX100 has just arrived and the battery on charge. Thanks again for the continuing commentary on this camera.
Looking forward to having a go with all this "fancy camcorder stuff" - just need to get my focus peaked and zebras in a neat line.

Thanks for the feedback on the focus guys. I didn't realize it had focus peaking which is something I have come to rely on with my Sony pmw200. Never been a big fan of auto focus on any camcorder as they have let me down too many times when I needed to nail the focus(like when a brides walking down the aisle towards you in a darkened church and the auto focus wants to go hunting!)
Not a real issue with stock shots though where time is on your side.

I guess the main reason to go 4k this early in its evolution is not necasarily immediate sales but maybe to future proof the shots you are taking now and not have to come back and do them all again in a couple of years when 4k has(hopefully) really taken off.

This camera certainly seems to pack a lot of punch for very few $$$ from what I have read and seen so far.

Let us know, Videostock50! What you think, how accurate the descriptions are, etc.

Birkley - Only the low level peaking is useful, as the middle and high are gawdawful thick and nasty. Not an uncommon thing, but yeesh! On the autofocus, interestingly, maybe because of the way I use the camera but also likely due to the fact that it's pretty darn nice, this is the first camera I've ever used it more than manual. It doesn't hunt (although it does if it's a distant bird flying across a cloudy sky tracking pan over water - yeah, it didn't like that), but even with moving closer/farther subjects it keeps the subject spot on. Did miss a couple shots in challenging conditions, partially due to holding the camera with lens down then moving up to shoot, took a while in grey skies, etc.

A complaint I've yet to make but finally remembered: If in autofocus, and you accidentally hit the focus ring, it tells you it's in auto by pasting a big black rectangle with text in it across your view. Nice....and it stays around for too long. Wish I could make that go away. Does a similar thing if you hit an exposure button wrong.

I'm sure now the AX100 will be my future camcorder which i'll buy within the next weeks (can't wait). I don't think the 4k (r)evolution will need long time or some years. I remember the quick change from VGA to HD, but i think it's not a such dramatically change. Last not least my reason to "jump on the early train" as we in Germany say is that if TV manufactorers or LED panel manufactorers will offer their 4k hardware, why shall they or broadcast customers buy HD clips from up to now?
In the same mind i have a curious feeling and ask myself, why to shoot any more HD video, it seems like wasting time! ;)

Ordered mine today, many thanks for contributors to this thread in helping make my decision

Interesting camera!

I had already downloaded a file so knew - as Rekindle has stated - that the files open fine in Prem Pro CS6. Just made up a UHD preset and all works perfectly.

I'm used to fully manual cameras but got a feeling I'm going to be using auto focus on this. Love the way you can have anything you want manual or auto or any combination.

I have just tried manual iris/gain/shutter/ND and, as you say, it's easy to overexpose but more experience should sort that out.

Tried auto iris and manual gain/shutter/ND - essentially Shutter priority. Worked surprisingly well - in fact was spot on. Was cute that it asks politely for the ND to be changed when needed! Might see if I can use auto ND with shutter priority. For me this camera is about speed of use, so the more it can do auto, the faster it'll be. I'll decide the shutter and gain though as they're critical but need to shoot in a variety of conditions first to see what it can be trusted with.

Talking of gain - I took some clips indoors at gain +9. It was horrendous and the skin colors red and blotchy - just wondering what is considered the max usable gain for stock? Maybe I got something wrong and need to take another look.

Used "Cinema". The clips are very, contrasty in sunshine. However checking a jpg grabbed from the clip and looking at levels in Photoshop, it just about holds within 0-255 but wow it pushes that contrast big time.

The colours are fantastic and when I get the exposure right, the overall effect is - how do the kids put it - awesome!

Did pixel peep but we won't mention that ;-) Actually took a clear blue sky and the pixels reminded me of my 7D (which I don't like for stills but is OK for video)

I have read the manual cover to cover and played with the settings - think I know mostly what it's about but am not yet sure what's sticky and what has to be checked off every time it's turned on. At the moment I'm getting a jpg with every clip ;-) - is that normal!

Not yet upgraded to latest firmware - assuming it's not been done yet.

When changing display to look at the various settings on the screen I find it's there for too short a time - can't seem to find a way to keep it there a few seconds longer - Ah well, back to the manual; which is sort of in English in a non English sort of way.

Glad I've jumped into camcorder shooting - it's completing this DSLR shooter's education. Let's hope the contrast and sharpness of this super little camera aren't over-the-top for stock.

OP: If you've ordered from Jessops, note that they didn't use registered nor recorded delivery - mine was simply left on the doorstep as I wasn't in.

As I didn't want to reformat my existing SD cards I bought an SDXC from MyMemory. Sandisk Extreme Pro UHS-1 (10) 64Gb 95MB/s 633X. Cost £82. I know cheaper cards fit the bill but I don't know what speed might be necessary in the future.

Found a nice link in german, but with great example videos which are interesting for everyone:
http://www.traumflieger.de/reports/Kamera-Tests/Panasonic-Olympus-Nikon-Sony/Sony-AX-100/4K-Camcorder-Das-Sony-AX-100-Tagebuch::661.html

P.S. My problem with short time on the display - is solved.

Just turned it from AUTO to ON in the menu. Then, using display button, to OFF when I'm done. Simples.