Ideas for the next generation HMC150

James Featherstone · November 8th, 2009, 09:24 PM

The number one thing i'd like on the HMC is an Auto audio setting. I do a lot of running in and out of loud/quiet areas - this would be good to have, like I use to on my XHA1 - other wise i LOVE this thing

Denny Lajeunesse · November 9th, 2009, 02:13 PM

If the GH1 can have a decent LCD, why can't the HMC150?

I also second a dedicated Iris ring. And full raster CCD. 1/2" or 2/3" would be nice. (With the release of all these VDSLR's it could happen).

Simon Zimmer · November 9th, 2009, 03:50 PM

I agree with Denny, the LCD should be much better though I have gotten use to it by now.

And a nice 1" sensor would be worth the money. :)))))

I mean the Canon 5D mark 2 has it so why not Panasonic! :)

Must say STILL love the HMC-150. Great camera for the $$!

Simon

Mark L. Whalen · November 9th, 2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Featherstone

The number one thing i'd like on the HMC is an Auto audio setting. I do a lot of running in and out of loud/quiet areas - this would be good to have, like I use to on my XHA1 - other wise i LOVE this thing

Just a thought, James. You could manually set audio levels separately: one for loud environments and one for quiet areas. You could then select which channel gives the best levels in your NLE and disable the one that doesn't. It's not a perfect solution, but...

Denny Lajeunesse · November 9th, 2009, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark L. Whalen

Just a thought, James. You could manually set audio levels separately: one for loud environments and one for quiet areas. You could then select which channel gives the best levels in your NLE and disable the one that doesn't. It's not a perfect solution, but...

I often do this. Usually for wild sound that may end up being needed in post, but this is a good option and make sure your ALC (limiter) is always ON.

Mark L. Whalen · November 10th, 2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denny Lajeunesse

I often do this. Usually for wild sound that may end up being needed in post, but this is a good option and make sure your ALC (limiter) is always ON.

Agreed. Sorry, forgot to mention that.

Jeff Baker · December 3rd, 2009, 02:10 PM

Easier access to standby and PC modes. Why so much fuss and button pushing to connect a usb cable and transfer files to my computer? Holding the button down for 2 seconds to get it to switch is too much trouble.

Robert Welch · December 4th, 2009, 08:40 AM

We got an HMC40 to test, and have decided that we'll be getting several HMC150s instead of the 40s to upgrade from our VX2100s. The low light just isn't good enough on the 40, but we love it otherwise. The only thing I can see the 150 lacks that we might miss will be the face recognition AF, it actually works pretty well on the 40 and it would be great if the 150 had it. It's not perfect, works better in good light of course, but you know when it's working and when it's not, so you can tell whether to trust it or go to another AF mode. Some might think it's a gimmick, but it can be rather handy.

Robert

Tom Hardwick · December 4th, 2009, 10:22 AM

Face detection is certainly a gimmick and the reason is plain to see - it only works in the full auto mode. Who on earth buys an expensive 3 chip camera and then shoots in auto?

Robert Welch · December 4th, 2009, 01:00 PM

Who's to say if they release face detection feature it in a new camcorder it would only work in full-auto mode? Sure, the AF would have to be in auto mode, but that's the only control that would absolutely have to be in auto, theoretically, right?

Robert

Tom Hardwick · December 4th, 2009, 01:12 PM

It would be nice if the little face detection rectangles (and it cleverly rectangles more than one face if needs be) could be called up at any time on screen, then you could decide to select one of the rectangles, click the camera to auto focus and have it track that face.

As it is the 40 will only bring up the rectangles if the whole camera's in auto (maybe not the audio - I forgot to check). So ok, it locks onto and tracks the face within the frame, but changing backgrounds and foregrounds cause the exposure to fluctuate horribly - because of course the camera's in auto exposure.

Panasonic generally get it right on the facelifted model. The DVX100A was a whole lot better than the 100.

tom.

Denny Lajeunesse · December 4th, 2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Hardwick

It would be nice if the little face detection rectangles (and it cleverly rectangles more than one face if needs be) could be called up at any time on screen, then you could decide to select one of the rectangles, click the camera to auto focus and have it track that face.

So really we need an iCam? Since the iPhone has this capability already? :D

Seriously, if apple made pro cameras, you'd probably have to jailbreak it in order to use any pro features, lol

December 3rd, 2009, 02:10 PM	#22
Jeff Baker Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 184	Easier access to standby and PC modes. Why so much fuss and button pushing to connect a usb cable and transfer files to my computer? Holding the button down for 2 seconds to get it to switch is too much trouble. __________________ Canon C100, 5D3

November 8th, 2009, 09:24 PM	#16
James Featherstone Tourist Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 3	The number one thing i'd like on the HMC is an Auto audio setting. I do a lot of running in and out of loud/quiet areas - this would be good to have, like I use to on my XHA1 - other wise i LOVE this thing

November 9th, 2009, 02:13 PM	#17
Denny Lajeunesse Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Kelowna, BC [Canada, Eh!] Posts: 257	If the GH1 can have a decent LCD, why can't the HMC150? I also second a dedicated Iris ring. And full raster CCD. 1/2" or 2/3" would be nice. (With the release of all these VDSLR's it could happen).

November 9th, 2009, 03:50 PM	#18
Simon Zimmer Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Easton, Maryland Posts: 497	I agree with Denny, the LCD should be much better though I have gotten use to it by now. And a nice 1" sensor would be worth the money. :))))) I mean the Canon 5D mark 2 has it so why not Panasonic! :) Must say STILL love the HMC-150. Great camera for the $$! Simon

December 4th, 2009, 08:40 AM	#23
Robert Welch Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 40	We got an HMC40 to test, and have decided that we'll be getting several HMC150s instead of the 40s to upgrade from our VX2100s. The low light just isn't good enough on the 40, but we love it otherwise. The only thing I can see the 150 lacks that we might miss will be the face recognition AF, it actually works pretty well on the 40 and it would be great if the 150 had it. It's not perfect, works better in good light of course, but you know when it's working and when it's not, so you can tell whether to trust it or go to another AF mode. Some might think it's a gimmick, but it can be rather handy. Robert

December 4th, 2009, 10:22 AM	#24
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Face detection is certainly a gimmick and the reason is plain to see - it only works in the full auto mode. Who on earth buys an expensive 3 chip camera and then shoots in auto?

December 4th, 2009, 01:00 PM	#25
Robert Welch Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 40	Who's to say if they release face detection feature it in a new camcorder it would only work in full-auto mode? Sure, the AF would have to be in auto mode, but that's the only control that would absolutely have to be in auto, theoretically, right? Robert

December 4th, 2009, 01:12 PM	#26
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	It would be nice if the little face detection rectangles (and it cleverly rectangles more than one face if needs be) could be called up at any time on screen, then you could decide to select one of the rectangles, click the camera to auto focus and have it track that face. As it is the 40 will only bring up the rectangles if the whole camera's in auto (maybe not the audio - I forgot to check). So ok, it locks onto and tracks the face within the frame, but changing backgrounds and foregrounds cause the exposure to fluctuate horribly - because of course the camera's in auto exposure. Panasonic generally get it right on the facelifted model. The DVX100A was a whole lot better than the 100. tom.