Focal length long enough on the HVX-200?

filmtovideo

filmtovideo

Well-known member
I'm real close to buying but want to know what people think about the 13x
zoom on the HVX-200 vs. 20x zoom on say Canon HDV cameras, particularly
for film style work. Thanks!


Also do you have any comments on the lens quality?
 
Depends on what you mean by film style work.

Are you looking to film coyote this winter hunting voles on a distant plain or are you thinking about filming a human drama that takes place in the confines of a small room?

If it's the latter then the amount of zoom really doesn't matter. Allot of people get a wide angle adaptor or a 35mm adaptor for film work.

So it really depends on what you want to use it for.
 
I've found that the wide is great. But the zoom distance could be longer. I came over to the HVX from an XL-1 so I'm a bit spoiled on zoom distance.
 
For a stock lens. Its has a very good range from wide to long.

Is it a super long lens, no, but its not terrible either. I rarely find myself wishing I could get in tighter on the zoom alone, and I have been in just about every type of shooting situation with this camera.
 
From what I remember, Panasonic decided to have a wider lens that most, which is a good thing. Of course the drawback is that it's not as long as most, but you can add a longer (add-on) lens or use a 35mm adaptor.
 
It really depends on your style. For me, I actually really love wide lenses. I'm a bit fan of people like John Ford and John Frankenhiemer. Sure I wish I had more of a zoom sometimes but, given the choice, I'd rather be able to go wider than shorter. If I'm shooting a narrative, I can always get my camera closer to the subject but, in a cramped interior, I lack the luxury of being able to knock out a wall just so I can get my shot.
 
Helpful!

Helpful!

I'll be shooting dramatic narratives and not long distance surveillance
of Bald Eagles so maybe the 13x and the extra at the wide end
(when you can't knock out a wall) is the ticket.

I doubt that I'll be using 35mm adaptors often. I've heard that there
are tele-extenders that I think screw on to extend the focal length.

Are these any good or are they cheap glass?

All of your comments are very helpful and appreciated.
 
I use the Century 1.6 extender. it's a big, heavy piece of glass that is very good at what it does. I should have waited and purchased the 2.0 extender... but hind sight is always 20/20.
Jim
 
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