Hd100's sweet spot?
 

A lot of people say video cams often work best at 5.6. What are findings with the hd100?

f4 - at least with the stock lens.

Brian, great question. That was what I wanted to find out today. As we all know, wide angle with the stock lens just plain sucks in resolution compared to say an XLH1. So I wanted to find the sweet spot of the fuji 16x for myself. In short, I get the sharpest images @ f5.6 and the focus barrel @ 15 feet. At the longer end, the HD100's stock lens just shines (f2.8 to f8.0) except at full telephoto. This is all from my unscientific tests.

Eric's answer may be a lot more accurate than mine.

Eric, you live in Savannah? That's my 2nd favorite city (1st is Charleston). I used to live in S. Carolina!!! Now I'm stuck in the ice box capital of the west. But at least Sundance is here.

2.8-4

at 5.6 there is generally too much DoF unless you want deep DoP

once you go past 8, you start running into pinhole effects from the smaller apeture. I often flip the ND filter on, even when shooting inside to get back to 2.8 1/2

Steve Oakley

Outdoors in the sun I add an ND .6 on top of the ND 2 of the camera to reach the f4.

It's all a bit dependant on taste, I suppose, but FWIW never OPEN (abberation limitations of the lens) and never over f8 (diffraction effects will take the 'wow'-factor out of the HD)

even f/8 is a bit soft. for me f/4-f/5.6

All the way open creates "white shading" where the upper 1/3 of the screen has a magenta cast.

I wish they would fix that in the firmware.

I was under the impression that it was the lens, esp when wide open, that caused this...

Is this not so? Anyone with a wide angle lens out there having this happen?

john
evilgeniusentertainment.com

cameraman
 

I read in one of Mr. Carl Hick' posts (JVC rep) that the white shading has been fixed in the 200 series. I was on the verge of buying the HD 110, and this has put me off it as I was starting a new film which features much long lens shots of the outdoors. Now skys are generally blue, but not all and not always purple!
Can JVC fix this with a firmwear upgrade which i'm sure owners would pay for?

no, it happens when the iris is full open.

seems silly that it would do this. Full open should be possible with no excuses.

They should correct it.

I've never seen the problem with the stock lens mounted, but I have had it with my canon 50mm 1.8 direct mount. I think its more about reflections between the CCD block, the back of the lens, and maybe something shiny in the lens mount area somewhere.


Steve Oakley

I only have the stock lens.

I see it everytime I open up all the way.

Me too. With the stock lens and the 17x as well. Have to close to at least f2.8, better at f4. Sure wish I knew what was causing this.

Gary