How to adapt to XL2 ergonomics and focusing?

Dylan Couper · September 16th, 2004, 08:49 PM

If I'm using the stock 16x lens and not the manual one, I'll use the PUSH AF button unless the situation demands it.
So I'm lazy, sue me! :)

Paul Pelalas · September 17th, 2004, 01:03 AM

Does the LCD have any controls over picture ? If so see if adjusting the contrast or brightness helps in adding a visual contrast as to which you can use as a focus reference.

Marty Hudzik · September 17th, 2004, 06:00 AM

I have the sharpness of the LCD set to its highest.

Stefan Scherperel · September 20th, 2004, 09:30 AM

There is a problem with the "push to focus" solution, however. This affects DVX users as well in that when focusing in 24p, your auto focus and push focus is going to be much slower than in 60i. It is so slow in fact that Panasonic termed it "focus assist". This has nothing to do with a problem in the camera, it is just that the camera is only sampling 24x a second for focusing, instead of 60x. So when using the camera in 60i push to focus should be fine, however, if shooting in 24p, your stuck in manual unless you want to wait around for the camera to search and search for something to focus on.

Barry Goyette · September 20th, 2004, 09:57 AM

Marty...

Besides the zoom-in, focus, zoom-out technique we discussed via email...another thing in your bag of tricks for focusing is to watch for moire's....when your viewfinder starts to moire, it's a dead giveaway that the offending object is in focus.

Personally I've not had a problem focusing this camera, (I detailed in my email how the XL2's 20x lens by nature should be a bit more challenging interms of focus than what you are used to with the 10x DVX) and I find the viewfinder to be a much more accurate in terms of the image than the DVX LCD...which is ultimately more important to me.

Barry

Marty Hudzik · September 20th, 2004, 10:14 AM

Barry,
I find that the color reproduction is not that accurate in the viewfinder. In other words there seems to be much more brilliant colors on the recorded tape than what I was seeing in the viewfinder. I also find that the image isn't as bright as it appears to be in the viewfinder. This is despite the fact that I have only increased the sharpness of the viewfinder and nothing else.

Also....regarding the focus....I love the 20x lens because of the fact that at the longer end your DOF is shallower and therefore requires precise focusing. My concern is that the focus ring is too touchy! I am focused just a little long of the subject....I try to tweak the focus and because of the servo ring it jumps right past and now I am focused too short of the subject....and this goes on until I get it right. Surely others see this focus ring as a little different beast to tame than a real manual ring or even the way other servo's behave.

I am just looking for insight on how to adapt to this and the viewfinder.

thanks!

September 16th, 2004, 08:49 PM	#16
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	If I'm using the stock 16x lens and not the manual one, I'll use the PUSH AF button unless the situation demands it. So I'm lazy, sue me! :) __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

September 17th, 2004, 01:03 AM	#17
Paul Pelalas Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New Jersey USA Posts: 41	Does the LCD have any controls over picture ? If so see if adjusting the contrast or brightness helps in adding a visual contrast as to which you can use as a focus reference.

September 17th, 2004, 06:00 AM	#18
Marty Hudzik Trustee Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 1,771	I have the sharpness of the LCD set to its highest.

September 20th, 2004, 09:30 AM	#19
Stefan Scherperel Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 209	There is a problem with the "push to focus" solution, however. This affects DVX users as well in that when focusing in 24p, your auto focus and push focus is going to be much slower than in 60i. It is so slow in fact that Panasonic termed it "focus assist". This has nothing to do with a problem in the camera, it is just that the camera is only sampling 24x a second for focusing, instead of 60x. So when using the camera in 60i push to focus should be fine, however, if shooting in 24p, your stuck in manual unless you want to wait around for the camera to search and search for something to focus on.

September 20th, 2004, 09:57 AM	#20
Barry Goyette Trustee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: San Luis Obispo CA Posts: 1,195	Marty... Besides the zoom-in, focus, zoom-out technique we discussed via email...another thing in your bag of tricks for focusing is to watch for moire's....when your viewfinder starts to moire, it's a dead giveaway that the offending object is in focus. Personally I've not had a problem focusing this camera, (I detailed in my email how the XL2's 20x lens by nature should be a bit more challenging interms of focus than what you are used to with the 10x DVX) and I find the viewfinder to be a much more accurate in terms of the image than the DVX LCD...which is ultimately more important to me. Barry

September 20th, 2004, 10:14 AM	#21
Marty Hudzik Trustee Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 1,771	Barry, I find that the color reproduction is not that accurate in the viewfinder. In other words there seems to be much more brilliant colors on the recorded tape than what I was seeing in the viewfinder. I also find that the image isn't as bright as it appears to be in the viewfinder. This is despite the fact that I have only increased the sharpness of the viewfinder and nothing else. Also....regarding the focus....I love the 20x lens because of the fact that at the longer end your DOF is shallower and therefore requires precise focusing. My concern is that the focus ring is too touchy! I am focused just a little long of the subject....I try to tweak the focus and because of the servo ring it jumps right past and now I am focused too short of the subject....and this goes on until I get it right. Surely others see this focus ring as a little different beast to tame than a real manual ring or even the way other servo's behave. I am just looking for insight on how to adapt to this and the viewfinder. thanks!