Extensive HD100 / Mini35 Hands-On Test: Articles, Photos and HD Video

[Charles Papert]

Greg,

Given that you don't have a way to adjust the focus while you shooting with a Steadicam or similar stabilizer, the long DoF of DV is a life-saver. Until you zoom in significantly, you should be able to set a medium distance on the lens and shoot away.

By the way, Steadicam is by no means limited to wide angles only--it's very common to shoot longer lens stuff, and it can look great.

[Luis Reggiardo]

Originally Posted by Greg Corke

I guess what i'm trying to ask is - How important is focus when shooting dv given the fact that dv is always trying to flatten the dof?

Hi Greg, focus is one of the most common errors when shooting, even on big Hollywood films they get some out-of focus shoots, and even some get filered up to the big screen!

On DV the DOP issue is not a factor to justify not having a good monitor or not paying attention. You must always check and double check the focusing before the shot.

If you are on a non-pro (students/indie eg.) production, please encourage your mates watching the monitor to spot out-of-focus problems.

L

[Greg Corke]

Luis, Charles.

Many thanks for your input. Clear and to the point. I love this place much to my wifes consternation. I've been here only a short time but it seems Mr Papert is a pretty big hitter in these parts. This may not be the right place but I believe Charles did a pretty extensive demo on the magicam rig would you say that is the best bang for the buck at the low end?

Cheers (muchos respectas) Greg

[Charles Papert]

Greg:

Yeah, check out the Magiqcam threads for more info on that. I haven't tried the latest version but it looks good. I don't really make recommendations on one rig over the other, although I think the Flyer is the strongest performer in its class, albeit the most expensive.

[Nick Hiltgen]

Coming in a little late in the game, but I'm wondering if since the lenses are interchangable there will be the equivalent of a lens shading feature on the camera. This is available for the 900 and the varicam (I believe) and could well be a neccessity (sp) for any interchangable lens HD camera. Most likely this option would be buried in a menu structure some where.

[Nate Weaver]

Originally Posted by Nick Hiltgen

Coming in a little late in the game, but I'm wondering if since the lenses are interchangable there will be the equivalent of a lens shading feature on the camera. This is available for the 900 and the varicam (I believe) and could well be a neccessity (sp) for any interchangable lens HD camera. Most likely this option would be buried in a menu structure some where.

I've been as deep as the menus go, and never saw a lens shading function.

I think that's a feature that got left behind at this pricepoint.

[Dennis Hingsberg]

Charles,

I am considering going the HD100/mini35 route over other HDV/mini35 options mainly due to ergonomics - before that I had been strongly considering the Z1/FX1 HD by Sony.

Since you have used the HD100 with the series 400 mini35 I was wondering if you could tell me what the highest f-stop you were able to achieve before seeing any ground glass (if any) - or is this "completely" eliminated now with the series 400? When you shot with the DVX100 did the series 400 eliminate all ground glass from appearing when shooting about f5.6?

Many thanks for your answers.

[Michael Maier]

Good question.

[Dennis Hingsberg]

Originally Posted by Michael Maier

Good question.

Yes good question, but apparently somehow I think my message got posted in the wrong thread? Probably because I replied to a sticky at the top of the HD100 forum.

Hopefully Charles Papert will catch this... I'll try the mini35 forum. Sorry for this mix up.

[Charles Papert]

yup, I posted the response over there.

[Chris Hurd]

No worries Dennis, I have peeled your posts off that other thread and merged 'em with this one.

The P+S Technik thread that Charles mentions is located at:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=49410

[Barry Green]

JVC is now linking directly to the article about this footage.

http://pro.jvc.com/prof/Attributes/i...&feature_id=19

[Tim Brown]

So obviously they've seen this thread. Unfortunately no one (from JVC) has taken the time to post any information pertaining to the bugs in the initial release. I hope that means they're working on fixing the issues.

[Charles Papert]

It's listed under their article section as well:

http://pro.jvc.com/prof/Attributes/a...&feature_id=09

[Steve Mullen]

Originally Posted by Stephen van Vuuren

I think you are missing my point. The lens shipping with could have been substantially better for a few thousand more.

We are not missing your point. You simply have no basis for making it except for your claim of what someone else "should have done."

"If you you can buy a better car, buy it."