HMC150 and touch focus.

[Bolin Media]

I watched a review for the HMC40 and saw that it has the ability to change focus by tapping another object on the screen that you want to focus on. Now I know that the 150 is supposed to be everything that the 40 is and much more, but I figured I would ask first. This seems like it would be awesome for easy-to-do rack focus that wouldn't need a damn follow-focus adapter.

I was just about to get the hmc40 when I saw how much better the 150 was in lower lighting conditions. It sold me on that. Plus I will be mounting this on a Steadicam as I need moving shots for the horror film that I am currently directing.

It will be replacing the JVC GZHD7 that I currently use alongside a canon T2i.

The HMC150 picture/autofocus/ Low light capability, will be far better than the JVC gz-hd7... Won't it?

Thanks guys. This forum is still the best, even since I sold my ol DVX a while back

[Barry_Green]

The HMC150 isn't "everything the HMC40 is and more", because the HMC150 came out first, I think it was a year or maybe a couple of years before the HMC40 came out. The HMC150 doesn't have a touch screen, for example, so no, it can't do what the HMC40 can do in that way.

Haven't used or seen a GZ-HD7 so I can't answer that one. Near as I can tell it's 3 1/5" CCDs, so I would expect the HMC150's three 1/3" CCDs to deliver a substantially better picture, especially in low light, but that's just a guess.

[Bolin Media]

Thanks for the reply Barry. I wish so bad that the HMC150 had the touchscreen focus. Seems like it would make for a great alternative to follow focus adapters to shift between subjects. At least the lowlight seems to be awesome though. I would love to get the AF100, but I have heard that all lenses for it have a crop factor. Is that true? If I could get the AF100 with a non cropped 18-55 mm lens with a lower F-stop, and auto-focus..... I would be in business. As long as the OIS worked well enough for Steadicam.

[Bolin Media]

Also, what focal length is the HMC150 and HMC40?

[Barry_Green]

No lens has a crop factor. The sensor has a crop factor, but the lenses don't. If you're comparing the AF100 to a full-frame stills camera, its crop factor is 2.0.

And the AF100 doesn't have touch autofocus either. Only the HMC40 has it... I don't remember if the HMC80 has it or not...

Focal length on the HMC150 is 3.9 to 51mm. On the HMC40, it's 4.0 to 48mm. But that's not the same basic range, because the HMC150 has a bigger chip, so ... the HMC150 is a 13x zoom with a wider wide angle, the HMC40 is a 12x zoom with not as wide of a wide angle, but more telephoto.

[ChrisHarding]

Hi Barry

The HMC80 definately doesn't have touch focus as the LCD is in the EVF to start with and it's always been a non touch screen. I guess that's why the 80 has so many controls on the body. It would also be impractical to have to tilt up the eyepiece to touch the LCD inside!!

Chris

[Barry_Green]

Right, roger that, so, yeah, as far as I know the HMC40 is the only model in the lineup that allows for touchscreen operation...

[Bolin Media]

That's why I love this forum... If you don't know something, there are those that do Does anyone know how the low light performance of the HMC150 compares to a dslr with a kit lens? like, say, the T3i (or T4i for that matter)? I have been really tossing around my options, and the T4i has touch to focus as well as auto-focus in video (finally!) But I would prefer a 3ccd sensor as opposed to the cmos due to rolling shutter and other issues with cmos.

After using my T2i for a year or more, when I pulled out the old JVC GZ-HD7, I rememberd how awesome it was to shoot with a video camera as opposed to the tedious setup to use a DSLR and maintain good picture as well as good audio.

Is there a camera with the features of the HMC150 (great low light, great audio, auto-focus, OIS) that also has the touch to focus like the HMC40?

[capt chuck]

All the what camera has the touch screen talk aside, I think you may be expecting too much of a touch focus system to replace a follow focus. I've seen some demo video of this feature for the FS700 and it looks like it might do in a pinch, it sure didn't look like it would be a replacement for a follow focus.

[Bolin Media]

I think you are right. I just saw a couple demos of it and it seems to do that, back n forth focus thing on some of the cameras. seems too fast too. Like you said, in a pinch if its a must. I may just end up getting an HMC150. Unless there is a camera that is better out there.