James Webb
05-08-2006, 12:48 PM
Okay, this is not an undiscovered issue but allow me to rant a bit.
What I do about 75 % of the time is hand-held, "run & gun" stuff. So a lot of what I shoot is quick focus and rapid on & off recording. I also shoot with a RedRockMicro M2 35mm adapter which makes focus extra difficult and a critical issue. Naturally an external video monitor (e.g., 7" HD) is absolutely necessary.
So anyway, one thing that I've found to be a serious issue to work around is the fact that all pertinent information that is displayed on the HVX200 LED does not transfer (I knew this already but...). I mention this because when the camera is basically sitting on your shoulder (hand-held) next to your ear (example: http://www.zacuto.com/0301.jpg), it's practically impossible to open the HVX200 LED and even harder to look at it. And you HAVE to look at the LED to double-check to be sure you're recording (by looking at the red letters, "rec"). I pushed that record button many times (on the DVX as well) and it didn't start recording. Sometimes you need to push it just right. And the same goes for stopping a recording. Trust me, when you quickly start and stop recording over and over, you can't remember if you're recording or not without looking at the LED (or the little external lights if you can see them).
Another reason you have to able to see the LED is because you won't know if the P2 cards are full otherwise. Although I guess with the Firestore, that would be a non-issue.
Seems like an easy fix for Panasonic to have the info make its way to the video output.
On a side note, I've missed some shots because of the fact my P2 cards were completely full and I didn't know it. All because the only indicator is 2 VERY small flashing "F"s in the top corner of the LED. I'd like to see (in big words) FULL or something like that - filling up the screen. Again when I'm shooting fast, I'm not always looking at the little tiny "F" at the top of the screen. And if I'm not recording what I think I'm recording, believe me I wouldn't mind a reminder obliterating my view.
Anybody share these same obstacles? How can I add these issues to Panasonic's firmware update lists (assuming such a thing exists).
James
What I do about 75 % of the time is hand-held, "run & gun" stuff. So a lot of what I shoot is quick focus and rapid on & off recording. I also shoot with a RedRockMicro M2 35mm adapter which makes focus extra difficult and a critical issue. Naturally an external video monitor (e.g., 7" HD) is absolutely necessary.
So anyway, one thing that I've found to be a serious issue to work around is the fact that all pertinent information that is displayed on the HVX200 LED does not transfer (I knew this already but...). I mention this because when the camera is basically sitting on your shoulder (hand-held) next to your ear (example: http://www.zacuto.com/0301.jpg), it's practically impossible to open the HVX200 LED and even harder to look at it. And you HAVE to look at the LED to double-check to be sure you're recording (by looking at the red letters, "rec"). I pushed that record button many times (on the DVX as well) and it didn't start recording. Sometimes you need to push it just right. And the same goes for stopping a recording. Trust me, when you quickly start and stop recording over and over, you can't remember if you're recording or not without looking at the LED (or the little external lights if you can see them).
Another reason you have to able to see the LED is because you won't know if the P2 cards are full otherwise. Although I guess with the Firestore, that would be a non-issue.
Seems like an easy fix for Panasonic to have the info make its way to the video output.
On a side note, I've missed some shots because of the fact my P2 cards were completely full and I didn't know it. All because the only indicator is 2 VERY small flashing "F"s in the top corner of the LED. I'd like to see (in big words) FULL or something like that - filling up the screen. Again when I'm shooting fast, I'm not always looking at the little tiny "F" at the top of the screen. And if I'm not recording what I think I'm recording, believe me I wouldn't mind a reminder obliterating my view.
Anybody share these same obstacles? How can I add these issues to Panasonic's firmware update lists (assuming such a thing exists).
James