A few HC3 clips
 

Only had my HC3 a few days now, still getting to grips with it. All of these shot handheld as I don't have a tripod yet....

Not 100% happy with the convert to WMV, but I've played with various settings and still can't come close to the source M2T files..... More experimentation required I think....

Probably won't stream that well, so best to download....

http://www.bis96gw.f2s.com/video/lick.wmv

http://www.bis96gw.f2s.com/video/sun.wmv

http://www.bis96gw.f2s.com/video/saab.wmv

http://www.bis96gw.f2s.com/video/smell.wmv

Were these shot in cinema mode?

No, but it is a European HC3 - so it will be shooting at 1080i/50 if that explains the frame rate....

HC3 Questions
 

I know the info is out there somewhere but I seem to be having difficulty finding it.

(1) Does the HC3 have manual focus? No matter it doesn't have a focus ring I just want to make sure that once I set the focus that it will stay where I set it.

(2) Does the HC3 have manual exposure or is it strictly automatic?

Thanks in advance,

Danny Fye
www.dannyfye.com

You can do nearly everything manual.
Control goes over the touch screen, which is very good to operate and gives you personalized menue settings if you want.
Exception: shutter - you can turn it to manual, then it is fixed to 50 (on the PAL version), I guess 60 is standard in US. But it´s cine shutter and it is o.k.
Exposure: via Menue or Dial, Iris down from XX to 1.8 & when turning lower Gain comes up. No seperate gain control.
Bad: You can´t see Iris and gain values while taping, just on playing back. Thanks sony.
It is o.k. for doing serious work, but you can´t pull focus or iris - the dial is to small and e.g. exposure changes in steps.
The touch screen is great and sharp and also perfect in bright sunlight, when the sun shines on the screen (reflexion brightens the Image).
Viewfinder is awful.

HC3 Clip: World's largest mirrorball
 

Took this clip earlier in the week of the world's largest mirrorball :)

50mb, WMV-HD format, PAL 25fps

http://www.bis96gw.f2s.com/video/mirror.wmv

Nice pictures. Has this been realised within an NLE?

It was edited using Ulead Videostudio 10.....

HC3 Filter Kit
 

I just got my HC3 and the Sony 30mm filter kit VF-30CPKS (Polar and protector filter). The filters are specified as a fit for all 30mm Sony cams. I didn't unpack the filters because they look rather "thick" and if needed I want to send them back. Can sombody confirm there will be no vignetting?

i'm sure that it will be fine.
- there's no way Sony would make 30mm filter-kit that would cause vignetting on one of their own cameras. If it DID vignette, it'd occur first in the stills 'memory' mode.

I'd open the pack with confidence.

Thx Stu. Filters are OK. No vignetting.

HC3 as playback deck for FX1/Z1u
 

What about a cheap used or greymarket hc3 you can probably find on ebay as a playback deck for your more expensive Sony rigs. Also hc3 as your hdv vcr for your big HD plasma TV with HDMI connectors. These are just a couple of more uses for the cheaper hc3. HVR-M10u for about 3 grand or a thousand dollar hc3 with hdmi and even it`s own lcd screen.

Well, it's the cheapest HDV playback device at present. However, I'm not so sure how many miles you get that way. The decks should have larger and more robust parts, which wear longer. The unit should also have heat dissapating qualities as well.

In the field, many folks may just opt to use their primary cams as temporary decks anyway.

Just remember, when trying to trim cost and cut corners, you get what you pay for.

I agree--cameras weren't made for rewinding and fast-forwarding like a deck. Plus, the M10 and other Sony HDV deck(s) support 60i and 50i, something I'm sure the HC3 doesn't do. But the camera will make a pretty darn good B camera or behind-the-scenes camera if you do have a Z1 or FX1.

heath

HC3 HDV clip
 

Just some footage of a garden, about 36seconds long, in HDV.

http://www.filefactory.com/?5b6f31

Sorry about the host, it is a bit annoying but i don't have the space to host this file.