Panasonic A F100 Manual

							9
Shooting
Use of Variable Frame Rate (VFR)
Normal speed shooting for movie production
When producing videos for screening, a frame 
rate of 24fps as used in film projection is standard 
(x1). By using the settings below, playback with the 
same quality as the film projection is possible. Film 
like high quality video can be produced through 
1080p progressive and CINELIKE Gamma.
Recording format   
(REC FORMAT) Recording frame rate 
(FRAME RATE)
1080P/24P  
(native recording) 24 fps*
Normal speed shooting for commercial/drama 
production
When producing videos for display on television 
screen such as HDTV/SDTV broadcast, a frame 
rate of 30fps is standard (x1). By using the settings 
below, playback with the same quality as broadcast 
is possible. Commercials and music videos can be 
recorded at film-like high quality, and at a frame 
rate suitable for television broadcast. 
Recording format   
(REC FORMAT) Recording frame rate 
(FRAME RATE)
1080/30P  
(2:2 Pull down) 30 fps*
1080/25P 25 fps*
Undercrank shooting
This is a quick motion effect that can be applied 
to scenes showing the flow of clouds, people 
standing in the middle of crowds, and kung fu, etc.
For example, a quick motion effect of x2 can be 
gained if the VFR recording frame rate is set to 
12fps when recording with the 24P recording 
format that specifies the playback frame rate.
Recording format   
(REC FORMAT) Recording frame rate 
(FRAME RATE)
1080/24P Less than 22fps*
1080/30P Less than 28fps*
1080/25P Less than 24fps* Overcrank shooting
This is a slow motion effect that can be applied 
to scenes such as car chases, action, climaxes, 
etc. For example, a slow motion effect of 1/2 can 
be gained if the VFR recording frame rate is set 
to 60fps when recording with the 30P recording 
format that specifies the playback frame rate. 
1080P progressive movies produce smooth, high 
quality slow motion.
Recording format 
 
(REC FORMAT) Recording frame rate 
(FRAME RATE)
1080/24P Less than 25fps*
1080/30P Less than 32fps*
1080/25P Less than 26fps*
*    The recording frame rate (FRAME RATE) can be 
set to one of 20 values. (page 14) 
						

							10
Shooting techniques for different targets (continued)
Shooting using the FUNCTION knob
The following types of recording can be carried out 
using the FUNCTION knob.Area auto focus function
•	
  Operates auto focus within an area frame 
selected using the FUNCTION knob.
Area auto iris function
•	
  Automatically adjusts the iris value within an area 
frame selected using the FUNCTION knob. This 
function cannot be set when the FACE DETECT 
function has been set. 
Area luminance display
•	
  Displays an averaged luminance level within an 
area frame selected using the FUNCTION knob.
1 Select the function from the FUNCTION 
KNOB option (page 53) on the settings 
menu SW MODE screen.
FOCUS:    Area focus function and area focus 
bar function (during MENU setting)
IRIS:    Area iris function and area iris meter 
function (during MENU setting)
YGET:  Area luminance display
FOCUS/IRIS:  
    Simultaneous operation of the area 
focus function and area iris function, 
simultaneous operation of the area 
focus bar function/area iris meter 
function (during MENU setting)
FOCUS/YGET: 
    Simultaneous operation of area 
focus function and area luminance 
display, simultaneous operation 
of area focus bar function (during 
MENU setting)
2 Press the FUNCTION knob.
A white frame is displayed.
•	
There is no change in the operation of the 
•	
camera other than the display of the frame.
3 Press the FUNCTION knob again.
The white frame turns yellow.
•	
When the frame is yellow, the FUNCTION 
•	
knob function set via the MENU operates in 
the area inside the frame.
Pressing the FUNCTION knob once more 
•	
returns the yellow frame to the white frame.
Switching AUTO/MANUAL for FOCUS/IRIS 
•	
is normally carried out in the same way.
The central luminance function does not 
•	
operate when the area luminance display is 
operating.
If the FUNCTION knob is held down for more 
•	
than 2 seconds, the frame disappears and 
the area function is switched off.
4 Move the FUNCTION knob up and down, 
and right and left.
The white frame changes position. Move the 
•	
frame to the area you wish to select.
The area function does not operate during face 
•	
detection.
The area function exits when the power switch 
•	
is set to OFF or when the camera is switched 
to playback mode. 
Auto focus and auto iris may not be available 
•	
depending on lens used.
The area luminance, FOCUS BAR, and IRIS 
•	
METER functions are available regardless of 
the lens used. 
						

							11
Shooting
Optical Image Stabilizer
Use the Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) to reduce 
the effects of camera shake when shooting by 
hand.
Press the OIS button to turn the function on and 
off. 
 appears on the viewfinder and the LCD 
monitor when this function is on. Turn the function 
off when using a tripod for more natural images.
POWER
FOCUS.
.
BARS
EVF DTLCH1 SEL
INT(
L )
ON
OFF ON
OFFINPUT1AUDIO
MIC POWER +48V
INPUT1
INPUT2INPUT2 INPUT1
INPUT2CH2 SEL
WFM
COUNTER-RESET/TC SET
ZEBRA
OIS
For lenses that have an OIS button, only the lens 
•	
button is active and the button on the camera is 
deactivated. Also, some lenses do not have an 
OIS function.
This function will not be as effective when the 
•	
vibration is severe or when tracking a moving 
subject.
Adding effects to images
Press the USER button you have allocated to the 
BLACKFADE or WHITEFADE feature to add fading 
effects to your images. The button’s function is 
forcibly canceled during playback or REC CHECK 
and also when thumbnails are displayed.
BLACKFADE:
    Press the button to fade out to black. Audio also 
fades out. Fade-in starts after fade-out, when 
the button is released. 
WHITEFADE:
    Press the button to fade out to white. Audio also 
fades out. Fade-in starts after fade-out, when 
the button is released.
Using the USER buttons 
You can allocate one of thirteen features to each of 
the three USER buttons. 
Use these buttons to change shooting settings 
quickly or add effects to the images you are 
shooting. 
The following features are allocated to the buttons 
at the time of shipping.
 USER1: FA
  USER2: ATW LOCK
  USER3: REC CHECK
For details, see the setup menus, SW MODE 
screen, USER1 SW to USER3 SW. (Page 55)
If you press a USER button to which one of the 
functions has been assigned, and then turn OFF 
the power or change the mode during operation of 
the USER button function, the effect added to the 
image will not be retained.
Backlight compensation
Press the USER button you have allocated to the 
BACKLIGHT feature when shooting subjects lit 
from the back.
BACK appears on the screen. 
Backlight compensation adjusts the iris so the 
subject doesn’t come out dark.
Press the same USER button to turn the feature 
off. (In the manual iris mode, the iris status is 
retained at the corresponding point even when 
backlight compensation is canceled.)
The backlight compensation function does not 
•	
operate with lenses in which AUTO IRIS is not 
functioning.
Color bars
Press the BARS button in the CAM mode to output 
a color bar screen to a television or monitor so you 
can adjust them. Press the button again to turn the 
feature off.While the color bar is displayed, a test tone of   
•	
1 kHz will be output from the headphone terminal 
or the AUDIO OUT terminal. There will be no 
speaker output.
The color bar can be recorded by pressing the 
•	
START/STOP button.
The color bar display is canceled when the power 
•	
is turned off.
  
						

							12
Shooting techniques for different targets (continued)
Wave form monitor function
An image wave form can be displayed on the LCD 
monitor by pressing the WFM button while in CAM 
mode.
Press the button again to return to the normal 
display.Switching the wave form display, vector display, 
•	
and wave/vector display is possible from the 
WFM item (page 55) in the SW MODE screen of 
the settings menu. 
Wave forms will not be displayed in the 
•	
viewfinder.
Wave forms cannot be recorded.
•	
While wave forms are displayed, use the 
•	
viewfinder as well because a part of the recording 
screen and screen display will be hidden by wave 
forms.
Adjusting the volume while shooting
MENUSTART/STOP 2 PUSH-ENTER
MODEPOWER
DISP/MO
DE CH KUSER 1
USER 2FUNCTION
FO
CU S
I R ISG AINWHI TE  BA LBPUSH AU TO
ME GAON
O FFO .I.S .
CAM
ON
CH 1
CH2AUDIOLEVEL.
.OFF
PB
+
–AUDIO MONEXEC
APRS TLMHAM¿
Adjusting the volume
AUDIO MON/ADV
If you are monitoring the sound through 
headphones while shooting, you can adjust the 
volume with the AUDIO MON/ADV buttons.
To adjust the recording level. (Page 18)
•	
Volume adjustments will be memorized if the 
•	
power is turned off by moving the POWER switch 
to the OFF position. 
						

							13
Shooting
Shot mark function
The marks attached to the thumbnails of clips 
are called shot marks. On the thumbnail screen 
monitor you can select only those clips with a 
shot mark and display them or play them back.
During recording, when you press the USER 
button to which the SHOT MARK function has 
been allocated, MARK ON appears in the LCD 
monitor or the viewfinder, and a shot mark is set 
for the thumbnail of the clip being recorded. If you 
press the button again, the shot mark is released.
You can also set or release the shot marks by 
performing the thumbnail operations for clips. 
(Page 31)
However, note that you cannot set or release shot 
marks during playback.INVALID appears when you cannot set or release 
•	
shot marks.
Index recording
This function allows you to add an index at a 
certain point of a clip during the recording or 
playback.
Press the USER button allocated to the INDEX 
function during recording to record an index signal 
at this point of the clip. (Pages 11, 55)
Indexes may also be added during playback, and it 
is also possible to select only clips with indexes for 
display or playback. (Pages 34, 35)
Up to 100 indexes can be recorded for one 
•	
clip.
When the number of indexes exceeds 100, 
•	
INVALID is displayed, and no further indexes 
can be added even when the steps for adding 
indexes are taken.
When repeatedly adding indexes, leave a gap 
•	
of at least one second between adding one 
index and the next. If indexes are added with 
a gap of less than one second between them, 
only the first operation will be valid.
 
LAST CLIP function
The most recently recorded clip can be deleted at 
the touch of a button by allocating the LAST CLIP 
function to any of the USER 1 - 3 buttons.
Press the USER button allocated for the LAST 
CLIP function to display YES/NO on the screen.
Select YES to delete the most recently recorded 
clip.Select NO not to delete the clip.
•	
If the camera has been switched to PB mode or 
•	
the recording format has been changed since 
recording was completed, clips cannot be deleted 
even if the button is pressed. Clips also cannot 
be deleted if the power has been switched off 
and back on again.
Clips cannot be deleted even if the button is 
•	
pressed if the memory card has been removed 
and reinserted since recording was completed.
CAPTURE function
If the CAPTURE feature is assigned to any of the 
USER 1 – 3 buttons, still images can be shot.
The number of recorded pixels and quality of 
•	
the still images cannot be changed. 
This function does not operate when a movie 
•	
is being recorded, or when the PRE REC 
mode is in use. 
The SD memory card used for recording is the 
•	
same as that used for video recording. 
						

							14
Using the SHUTR/F.RATE dial
DIAL SELECT button
SHUTR/F.RATE dial
Press the DIAL SELECT button.The role of the SHUTR/F.RATE dial changes in 
•	
the following order. 
SHUTTER	→	SYNCRO	SCAN	→	FRAME	RATE	
→	DIAL 	LOCK	→	SHUTTER	→
SYNCRO SCAN can be selected when the 
•	
SHUTTER is set to SYNCRO SCAN. FRAME 
RATE can be selected in the FILM CAM mode 
when the REC FORMAT is 1080/24P, 30P, and 
25P. 
To prevent incorrect operation, it is 
recommended that you selecting DIAL LOCK 
using the DIAL SELECT button after setting.
Setting the SHUTTER
1 Select the SHUTTER function with the DIAL 
SELECT button.
2 Press the SHUTR/F.RATE dial.
The shutter will turn ON/OFF.
•	
The shutter speed is changed in the order 
•	
shown on the following page by turning the 
SHUTR/F.RATE dial when the shutter is ON.
Remember that the faster the shutter speed, 
•	
the lower the sensitivity. 
Focusing on the subject would take longer if 
•	
the shutter speed is reduced. It is therefore 
recommended that the unit be secured to a 
tripod, etc. during shooting.  
Under the lighting of electric discharge tubes 
•	
such as fluorescent lamps, horizontal bands 
may appear on the screen. Adjusting the 
shutter speed may improve this condition. 
A subject that quickly crosses the camera may 
•	
appear distorted when shot. This is caused due 
to the signal reading system of the imaging 
element (MOS sensor), and is not a defect. 
At slow shutter speeds (1/2 to 1/15), white, 
•	
red, green, or blue dots may appear on the 
screen. However, this is not a defect. 
Setting the SYNCRO SCAN
1 Select SYNCRO SCAN from the SHUTTER 
settings.
2 Select the SYNCRO SCAN function with the 
DIAL SELECT button.
3 Turn the SHUTR/F.RATE dial.
The SYNCRO SCAN shutter speed can be 
•	
set.
The speed of change increases when turning 
•	
the SHUTR/F.RATE while holding it down.
SYNCRO SCAN can also be set from the 
•	
SYNCRO SCAN item in the SCENE FILE 
screen of MENU settings.
Setting format differs depending on the MENU-
SCENE FILE-OPERATION TYPE.
FILM CAM: angle display (180.0d etc.)
VIDEO CAM: speed display (1/48.0 etc.)
FRAME RATE setting
1 Select the FRAME RATE function with the 
DIAL SELECT button.
2 Press the SHUTR/F.RATE dial.
The camera is in VFR mode.
The FRAME RATE can be set by turning the 
•	
SHUTR/F.RATE dial.
FRAME RATE can also be set from the 
•	
FRAME RATE item in the SCENE FILE 
screen of MENU settings. 
Before using the FRAME_RATE function, it 
•	
is necessary for the MENU-SCENE FILE-
OPERATION TYPE to be set to FILM CAM, 
and the MENU-SCENE FILE-REC FORMAT 
to be set to PH1080/24P or PH1080/30P (or 
PH1080/25P).
The FRAME RATE function cannot be set 
•	
when SDI 24PsF is set to ON in the AV IN/
OUT SETUP screen of MENU settings. 
When the FRAME RATE function is set to 
•	
ON, the camera is automatically set to manual 
focus.
Adjusting the shutter speed 
						

							15
Shooting
When SYSTEM FREQ = 59.94Hz /OPERATION TYPE = FILM CAM
1080/60i, 720/60P
Normal (OFF) 1/60
SYNCRO SCAN1/1001/120 
1/2000 1/10001/5001/250
1080/30P, 720/30P
Normal (OFF) 1/50
SYNCRO SCAN 1/301/601/120
1/2000 1/1000 1/5001/250
1080/24P, 720/24P
Normal (OFF) 1/50
SYNCRO SCAN 1/24 1/120
1/2000 1/1000 1/5001/2501/60
SYSTEM FREQ = 50Hz /OPERATION TYPE = FILM CAM
1080/50i, 720/50P
Normal (OFF) 1/50
SYNCRO SCAN 1/601/120 
1/2000 1/10001/5001/250
1080/25P, 720/25P
Normal (OFF) 1/50
SYNCRO SCAN 1/25 1/120
1/2000 1/1000 1/5001/2501/60
SYSTEM FREQ = 59.94Hz /OPERATION TYPE = VIDEO CAM
1080/60i, 720/60P
Normal (OFF) 1/60
SYNCRO SCAN 1/30 
1/2000 1/10001/5001/250
1/1201/100
1/21/41/81/15
1080/30P, 720/30P
Normal (OFF) 1/50
SYNCRO SCAN 1/30 
1/2000 1/10001/5001/250
1/1201/60
1/21/41/81/15
1080/24P, 720/24P
Normal (OFF) 1/50
SYNCRO SCAN 1/24 
1/2000 1/10001/5001/250
1/1201/60
1/21/31/61/12
SYSTEM FREQ = 50Hz /OPERATION TYPE = VIDEO CAM
1080/50i, 1080/25P, 720/50P, 720/25P
Normal (OFF) 1/50
SYNCRO SCAN 1/25 
1/2000 1/10001/5001/250
1/1201/60
1/21/31/61/12 
						

							16
Synchro scan
The syncro scan shutter speed used when 
shooting screens such as a TV screen or computer 
monitor is set using the SHUTR/F RATE dial (page 
14) or the SYNCRO SCAN option on the settings 
menu SCENE FILE screen. (page 51)Adjust the shutter speed to match the frequency 
•	
of the television or computer monitor to minimize 
the horizontal noise that appears when shooting 
such subjects.
By switching to progressive mode you can also 
•	
shoot PAL system television screens.
If the set value of the SYNCRO SCAN item of 
•	
settings menu is displayed in gray, it cannot 
be used with the current recording format. This 
function will only operate for preset values for 
each recording format, as listed below.
  60i/60P mode:  1/60
  30P mode:  1/30
You can change the progressive mode in the 
setup menu with REC FORMAT in the SCENE 
FILE screen. (Page 51)
Adjusting the shutter speed (continued) 
						

							17
Shooting
During shooting, you can record up to two 
channels of sound. You can also switch the input 
sound to be recorded on each of the channels to 
the built-in microphones, external microphones or 
audio equipment connected to camera. 
POWER
FOCUS.
.
BARS
EVF DTLCH1 SEL
INT(
L )
ON
OFF ON
OFFINPUT1AUDIO
MIC POWER +48V
INPUT1
INPUT2INPUT2 INPUT1
INPUT2CH2 SEL
WFM
COUNTER-RESET/TC SET
ZEBRA
OIS
CH1 SELECT switch
CH2 SELECT switch
INPUT 1/2 
(MIC POWER +48V) 
switches
INPUT 1 switch  INPUT 2 switch
INPUT 1 terminal INPUT 2 terminal
Switching Audio Input
Using the built-in microphone
1 Switch the CH1 SELECT switch to INT (L).
Audio from the built-in microphone Lch is 
•	
recorded to audio channel 1.
2 Switch the CH2 SELECT switch to INT (R).
Audio from the built-in microphone Rch is 
•	
recorded to audio channel 2.
Using an external microphone and 
audio equipment
1 Connect an external microphone or audio 
equipment to the INPUT 1/2 (XLR 3-pin) 
terminals. (Page 41)
2 Use the INPUT 1/2 switches to switch the 
audio input.
LINE: (audio equipment is connected)
  Input level is 0 dBu.
MIC: (an external microphone is connected)
    Input level is -50 dBu.  
You can change the input level to -60 dBu 
in the setup menus, RECORDING SETUP 
screen MIC GAIN1 and MIC GAIN2. (Page 56)
 
Be aware that sensitivity will be higher if 
you choose -60 dBu so you will record more 
noise.
3  When using the phantom microphone 
(which requires + 48V power supply),
set the INPUT 1/2 (MIC POWER +48V) 
switches to ON.
ON: (When using the phantom microphone)
    +48V power supply to INPUT 1/2 terminals.
OFF:   (When a phantom microphone is not 
connected)
  No power supply for INPUT 1/2 terminals.
The battery will discharge faster if you use a 
•	
phantom microphone.
Set to OFF if you connect equipment not 
•	
compatible with +48V. You can damage such 
equipment if you leave the setting at ON.
When using the AG-MC200G (optional), set 
•	
the MIC GAIN item to -50 dBu. 
						

							18
Adjusting the recording level
AUDIO control knobs
Use the AUDIO control knobs to adjust the 
recording level of the built-in microphone or of 
audio signals input through the INPUT 1/2 (XLR 
3-pin) terminals. 
To adjust the volume of the sound for monitoring. 
(Page 12)
To adjust the recording level of the audio signals, 
turn the AUDIO control knobs while referring to 
the audio level meter at the bottom left of the 
viewfinder and LCD monitor, regardless of the MIC 
ALC option setting (Page 56) on the RECORDING 
SETUP screen of the setting menu.
Check the recording volume level prior to 
•	
shooting.
The recording level of this camera is set 
•	
approximately 8 dB higher than Panasonic 
broadcasting camera recorders (AJ series 
products).
Switching Audio Input (continued)
4 Use the CH1 SELECT switch to select the 
input signal to be recorded to audio channel 1.
INT (L):
    Audio from the built-in microphone Lch is 
recorded to audio channel 1.
INPUT 1:
    Audio from a device connected to INPUT 1 
terminal is recorded to channel 1.
INPUT 2:
    Audio from a device connected to INPUT 2 
terminal is recorded to channel 1.
5 Use the CH2 SELECT switch to select the 
input signal to be recorded to audio channel 2.
INT (R):
   Audio from the built-in microphone Rch is 
recorded to audio channel 2.
INPUT 2:
    Audio from a device connected to INPUT 2 
terminal is recorded to channel 2.
When inputting the microphone signal to 
•	
channels 1 and 2, connect the microphone to 
INPUT 2 and switch both CH1 SELECT and 
CH2 SELECT to INPUT 2.