Sony FDR AX100 UHD 4K

Dapoopta, go up about three or four posts and see Beckhusen's post with the link "...ordered this now!" Looks like a darn good solution to me, easily removable. I probably wouldn't use it myself in that it sticks up too far for my "quick release" cases, but it would easily fit in the side pouch for "those moments". Setting input levels not as easy as without dedicated gain knobs, but "do-able" in menu. Here's the B&H link http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/913245-REG/sony_ecmxyst1m_stereo_microphone_for_multi.html

Beckhusen: Well, my previous two Sonys had either protruding onboard mics with dead cat muffs on them or dead cat covered short shotguns. Of course, we are not talking dialogue quality anyway. in which case completely different mics need used, but mostly, for me, is the fact that the sound is obscured by more than wind, especially polluted by other noise. One of those noises is crappy digital preamps (not the onboard mics, but the onboard preamps) especially in low level situations. If audio is important, best not to leave it in Auto level! I suspect strongly that if external mics were used, even with Auto Gain it would sound bad in low level situations where the Auto Gain jacks up the level too high.

I like peace. Thanks!

Here's two clips recorded with the built in mic,
Both on manual setting @ 60% and auto wind reduction on, not tried the zoom mic setting yet

A first test shot just accepted. Handheld with stabilizer on, everything auto. Not too bad, but I'm really not used to shooting handheld. Been 6+ years that I owned a camcorder that was this tiny.



I think it's save to say that my dog had fun. :)

Varius congrats! Word of advice, make sure to set EV -.7 when shooting auto. I'm living my AX100 a lot more with that, and setting zebras on at 100% (for highlights in sky, clouds, leaves) and never letting it show me more than a twinkle. Looks dark in viewfinder, but will be fine (also leaving room to bring it up a bit in post) Shooting darker somehow changes the sharpening level, and the contrast/saturation are both lessened a bit too, it seems. Shots look more natural, never ever overexpose this camera....it's not nice!

Finding that the Active stabilization (which I use a lot, and will continue to do so) has a caveat - it crops pretty heavily into the sensor, so creates additional apparent artifacts. Always use the least amount of stabilization possible for best IQ.

I'm also finding that motion needs to be ultra smooth and slow. Pans and tilts should be as if they are done in molasses. 10x harder to do without a hitch that ruins the shot, but very much worth it, besides looking more premeditated and cinematically smooth, it also gives the codec a chance to keep up with the detail, and the unsightly mush that occurs is decreased or avoided. Slides and dolly shots need to be unbelievably slow especially if there is lots of detail in the shot. Backbreakingly slow. It's really kinda annoying, especially with mosquitoes, and a slider that is having problems. Fast slides just do not work. Combining the slide with rack focus can help, but of course this is not so easy in some situations.

Nice clips indeed. How do you feel the codec copes with movement in front of the camera, rather than movement of the camera?

Codec has much easier time encoding a moving subjects, even several, rather than EVERYTHING in the frame moving. Shots made of trees and moss and mushrooms and creeks were what I was doing slider moves with, and it was very hard. But with slow moving shots even with buildings or mountains, with people or birds or cars in foreground, no problem.

Another thing I wanted to mention, is that I put a bubble level glued to the lens hood. Sony apparently forgot to implement the wonderful roll indicator like is in the display of the RX100m2, which really helps, and I'm getting far fewer tilted horizons. With bubble, it's a lot better in that I can use peripheral vision to keep things on the level.

How about using the grid to help level shots by aligning to horizon or vertical structures.

By me the grid is always activated, need it especially for handheld shots!

Southeast Alaska has few "horizons" and even fewer straight lines. Most of my shots have zero buildings in them. Trees grow crooked. Lots of reasons I'd rather have the little green line than a grid. Reference is sometimes dodgy. Perspective can become skewed easily.

Keep your fingers crossed. Tonight is a big fireworks festival in my neighborhood. Gonna test the AX100 with the external mics tonight. I wonder how well the codec will cope with fireworks... (And if the BMC4K is up for the job.) Oh well, with 4 cameras lined up I should get some usable footage. :D