HVX autofocus

[fed]

I just bought an HVX200, and love it. I do have a problem, though. I cannot seem to get the auto focus to work properly. Before I bring it back for a new one, I was wondering if it was just a setting thing. I am using 720/24PN.

Also, has there been autofocus issues with the HVX?

[Jim Carswell]

Auto focus and high definition don't really play nicely together. This is especially true when shooting 720. The response of the auto focus is very slow when shooting 720 and slightly faster when shooting 1080. There are some users on this forum who acquire tremendous images using auto focus. But the rule most shooters follow is to only use it if shooting standard definition...if even than. If you take the time to focus manually and accurately you will be very pleased with the outcome.
Jim

[Barry_Green]

The frame size doesn't matter as far as autofocus performance goes; it's the frame RATE that's important. 1080/60i is going to show much better autofocus performance than 720/24p will. But, 720/60p will have better autofocus performance than 1080/24p would. It's the 60Hz frame rate that's important, versus the 24Hz frame rate.

The faster the frame rate, the more frequently the autofocus system receives updates and feedback, and the quicker and more accurately it can respond.

[Jim Carswell]

Barry,
Thanks for clarifying. I was being less technical as opposed to relating my own experience. I guess I just didn't do it well. Typically when I shoot 1080 it's either 60i or 30p and on the rare occasion that I shoot 720 it's 24p. So I guess I was sort of saying the same thing only not as clearly. Even than I seldom, if ever, use auto focus preferring instead to have absolute control over the image.
Jim

[fed]

Would 60i be better than 60P?

I will be doing a doc, shooting handheld, following doctors in Panama. Electricity will be an issue, so I was thinking of shooting on tape rather than P2 (and transfer). I was planning on shooting in 480/24PA, for both the film effect as well as better low light sensitivity. Are you saying that for the autofocus to work best, I really need to shoot in 480/60i? I think there is no 480/60p. Is there?

[Barry_Green]

480/60i would have better autofocus performance than 480/24p. But the footage will look like "video" instead of film, and 480/60i doesn't do all that well on an HVX anyway -- it's got aliased stair-steppy edges on any diagonals.