Hi, I just bought JVC HD200E and I'm testing it now, but after one week I still have a problems with sharpness. During this week I was testing this camcorder by tv reportage. When I looked into viewfinder I was sure that person at the first plan is sharpness and the background a bit blur. But after I check it on tv screen I see, that almost every time this person is a bit blur and background is sharpness. Is it some problem with viewfinder, with some settings or maybe I do something wrong ? Any advise ?

Sounds like your back focus may be out. I suggest you look at the sample from Tim Dashwood's new DVD on this camera:

http://www.dvinfo.net/prohd/Sample2.html

Thank's for information, but yesterday I was setting back focus (maybe not so carrefully), but I'll do it tomorrow once again. I hope it will helps.

hey artur

if you zoom in, and adjust the focus so the subject plane is sharp, and then you zoom out, and the subject plane goes soft, then your back focus is out. It has to be set very precisely. You can also use the focus assist button, which will show you which plane of your image is in focus. And I always keep the Peaking dial turned up to full, as I find that helps as well.

The viewfinder on this camera is a pretty low-quality unit, certainly if you are used to CRT viewfinders in broadcast cameras. It takes a lot of practice to get used to it, and I find without max peaking it is really hard to be sure of the focus. You;ll find a lot of discussion on this board by operators who use HD monitors to check their focus and colour.

The weakest component of the ProHD cameras is probably the viewfinder. If the issue is not backfocus then maybe you just need to either increase or decrease the peaking knob on the left side of the camera. I would set it to the 12 o'clock position for best results. If it is set too high everything might look in-focus, even if it isn't. If it is set too low you will never be able to tell when something is in focus.

Hi Robert,
Before this camcorder, I was using Sony DSR200/250 and there is CRT viewfinder. So, as you say there is a lot of practice before me, now. Thank's a lot for yours help.
Regards,
Artur

Hi,
Thank's for yours help. Today I've set back focus once again and I think it looks better. Also, I have to say, that focus assist helps a lot, especially with this not so good viewfinder. I just hope, I will learn how to work with it. Or maybe one day jvc will make a better one (vf).
Thank's once again,
Artur

that's good to hear, Artur. I think that in almost every other respect you will find this camera a pleasure to work with. And yes, let's hope that one day JVC decide to spend another few hundred dollars on a decent viewfinder! - Even if they have to pass the cost on to the consumer.