Shooting on the fly with VX2100 and PD170... How is the focus? at DVinfo.net

Dave Glardon · July 17th, 2005, 05:53 PM

How is the suto focus on these two cams for shooting on the fly for such things as news events or fast point and shoot. Are they good?

I have a VX1000 and a GL2, so far the GL2 seems to work well for this but was curious about these 2 cams before I make the purchase.

From what I read everywhere the only difference overall between the 2 cams is the audio and the 170 has some more options to tweak your image? Is this correct?

Thanks!
Dave

Mike Rehmus · July 17th, 2005, 08:08 PM

depends on what is moving and what end of the zoom range you are on. Wide and you probably have no problems. Zoom in and it can take a while to settle. Add motion or a low-contrast target and it may be impossible. Low-contrast includes very low light where the camera will hunt focus forever.

That said, I use my PD150 on ride-alongs with the police without many problems. I do tend to use manual focus as much as possible.

You will be disappointed in the footage if you use autofocus in situationw where you need to pick an object out of a crowd or if someone walks in front of you. The footage will sort of scream, "Amateur!" Unfortunately, these cameras don't handle very fast in comparison to the pro cameras with separate lenses.

Dave Glardon · July 17th, 2005, 08:49 PM

Do you find the B&W viewfinder makes it much easier to focus in manual when your shooting in the type os settings you in?

Mike Rehmus · July 17th, 2005, 09:10 PM

Your sentence is a bit garbled but the b&w viewfinder just barely allows a critical focus, something the color finders don't do. Still not anything like one of the pro finders but it works even if it worries me from time to time. I can never get a good critical focus with the lcd screen.

Dave Glardon · July 17th, 2005, 09:37 PM

Thanks! :-)

Sorry about that last post. Sometimes my fingers have a mind of their own.

July 17th, 2005, 05:53 PM	#1
Dave Glardon New Boot Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 11	Shooting on the fly with VX2100 and PD170... How is the focus? How is the suto focus on these two cams for shooting on the fly for such things as news events or fast point and shoot. Are they good? I have a VX1000 and a GL2, so far the GL2 seems to work well for this but was curious about these 2 cams before I make the purchase. From what I read everywhere the only difference overall between the 2 cams is the audio and the 170 has some more options to tweak your image? Is this correct? Thanks! Dave

July 17th, 2005, 08:08 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	depends on what is moving and what end of the zoom range you are on. Wide and you probably have no problems. Zoom in and it can take a while to settle. Add motion or a low-contrast target and it may be impossible. Low-contrast includes very low light where the camera will hunt focus forever. That said, I use my PD150 on ride-alongs with the police without many problems. I do tend to use manual focus as much as possible. You will be disappointed in the footage if you use autofocus in situationw where you need to pick an object out of a crowd or if someone walks in front of you. The footage will sort of scream, "Amateur!" Unfortunately, these cameras don't handle very fast in comparison to the pro cameras with separate lenses. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

July 17th, 2005, 09:10 PM	#4
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Your sentence is a bit garbled but the b&w viewfinder just barely allows a critical focus, something the color finders don't do. Still not anything like one of the pro finders but it works even if it worries me from time to time. I can never get a good critical focus with the lcd screen. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

July 17th, 2005, 08:49 PM	#3
Dave Glardon New Boot Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 11	Do you find the B&W viewfinder makes it much easier to focus in manual when your shooting in the type os settings you in?

July 17th, 2005, 09:37 PM	#5
Dave Glardon New Boot Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 11	Thanks! :-) Sorry about that last post. Sometimes my fingers have a mind of their own.