HMC 40/41: questions to owners

[Erich Gabbe]

Viewfinder: the Pana leaflet states 113,000 Px. The 100 and 300/350 series from which the 40/41 is derived are equipped with a 183,000 Px viewfinder. Is the leaflet in error?

There is a picture in the leaflet (page 03) which suggests that iris/focus might be operated by the big ring surrounding the lens. The explicit explanation of the rings and buttons for manual operation (page 09) shows only a very little ring protruding out of the left side of the cam for iris/focus adjustment. There is no mention of a function of the bigger lens ring. So, has the lens ring a function to operate or not?

I hope I placed my questions the right place and answers based on the technical data in the manual are almost welcome. BTW, anyone found the manual of the 40/41 for download in the net?

Erich

still on HDC-SD100 (300K Px Monitor, 183K Px viewfinder), looking out for better

[Rich Ryan]

Originally Posted by Erich Gabbe

Viewfinder: the Pana leaflet states 113,000 Px. The 100 and 300/350 series from which the 40/41 is derived are equipped with a 183,000 Px viewfinder. Is the leaflet in error?

I think that is accurate. The viewfinder works fine for framing, you can read the text of on screen displays, and works adequately to focus with the use of focus assist. It would be nice if it were higher resolution, but it does seem to work ok.

Originally Posted by Erich Gabbe

There is a picture in the leaflet (page 03) which suggests that iris/focus might be operated by the big ring surrounding the lens. The explicit explanation of the rings and buttons for manual operation (page 09) shows only a very little ring protruding out of the left side of the cam for iris/focus adjustment. There is no mention of a function of the bigger lens ring. So, has the lens ring a function to operate or not?

The lens ring can be used to control focus, zoom or iris (aperture). It's normal mode is to control focus and zoom (switchable) and use the iris ring to control the iris. But there is a menu choice to use the lens ring to control focus and iris (switchable). I like the default since the iris ring works really nicely.

Originally Posted by Erich Gabbe

BTW, anyone found the manual of the 40/41 for download in the net?

It's available from the panasonic website. Just go panasonic.com/avccam -- go to the HMC40 page and its under resources (may not work out of North America).

[Erich Gabbe]

thanks a lot, Rich for your detailed answers. Indeed, the manual is not directly accessible from Germany, but I got an indirect link from another forum, so now I can read the whole story.

Erich

still on SD100, looking out for better