Panasonic HMC150 Manual Focus/Assist
 

Hi All,

Just sent back the JVC GYHM100 with the intent of getting the Panasonic HMC150. One of the things I did like about the JVC was peaking and I know that the 150 does not have that (it has the enlarger and graph).

I have read mixed reports regarding the manual focus and focus assist.

How is the manual focus and focus assist funcation on the 150?

Thanks,

TL

Because HD will show any focus errors, I always check my focus with the Focus Assist, which displays an expanded version of your image, and you can do this while you are filming, so it's easy to perform a quick check.

For a good hands on review of the HMC-150, take a look at this one:

In the Field: Panasonic AG-HMC150 by Mark Von Lanken

the assist works but is not ideal. You can't always reach around to the button and when you do, generally you bump the camera. The LCD and viewfinder are pretty useless so I rely on an external monitor (SmallHD DP1) for critical focus and it's never let me down. I also use a varizoom rock controller so I don't have to touch the camera. Makes it more of a studio setup but I've used it a bunch outdoors run and gun on a tripod too.

The 150 does have peaking. It doesn't have the monochrome image with color peaking like the JVC has, but it does have conventional peaking which draws a white outline around any elements that are in sharp focus.

I've been using the HMC150 for quite a while now, and I don't have any trouble getting good focus off of using the peaking in combination with the magnified focus assist. Having an external monitor (with adequate resolution) is always better, of course, but it's not like focusing is hard without it; the peaking and magnified focus assist work very well to ensure razor-crisp focus.

Coming from a still photography background (film/DSLR, Large Format), I find the HMC-150's focusing aids extremely convenient and very precise. With a little practice, getting good focus is not an issue. Keep EVF DTL on, zoom in and use the Focus Assist function.

Hi Barry,

I now have the HMC150 (love it). Manual focus with expander and histogram is fine. I do not, however, see an option for any sort of peaking. Where is it in the menus or is it always on and I'm just not looking close enough?

Thanks,

TL

The button that says EVF DETAIL. It's right near all the other buttons under the LCD.

Thanks Denny!

TL