Has anyone upgraded the HPX viewfinder?

Don't even get me started on the HVX viewfinder... I complained about the finder on the XL H1 for a year, and the HVX is no better...
 
All I can say is that we all know focusing with HD is much more critical than with SD. Why, then, would you put a crap vf - or have a low-res output to the vf - on an HD camera...ESPECIALLY one such as the HPX where it will more than likely be used for broadcast work?

Sure, we can all try an justify it by saying it is built to a price...but this is worse than my 4 year old Sony DVCAM. And it was bad.

My opinion is that, as well as the vf, the SIGNAL going to the vf is crappy low res. Because my upgrade to the 2.0" vf didn't help much.

I am very disappointed.
 
David See said:
In 2008 we now have to use Laser Pointers. To Focus. What a joke.
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I back you completey David, what a joke.
I really want a explanation BTW what the reason is why focussing on the HPX is a disaster. Lovely camera, but never knew that a viewfinder can limit such a almost perfect camera like the 500, so much.
So many professionals who are choosing the 500 for its professionalism and capabilities and then having problems what is one of the most important things with filming, focussing!!
I mean I can except the greenisch WB preset problem because in worst case you can WB on A or B, that's correctable. The only thing with filming what is not possible to correct in post is Focus!!!
 
It is a mystery to me why Sony can build a perfectly good, usable LCD on the low cost EX1/EX3, yet Panny cannot on any of their sub-$20k cameras. Jan mentioned that on the HVX200/HPX170, it had to do with SD playback, but I would gladly give up SD on my HPX170 to have the Sony quality LCD.

Dan
 
puredrifting said:
It is a mystery to me why Sony can build a perfectly good, usable LCD on the low cost EX1/EX3, yet Panny cannot on any of their sub-$20k cameras. Jan mentioned that on the HVX200/HPX170, it had to do with SD playback, but I would gladly give up SD on my HPX170 to have the Sony quality LCD.

Dan
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the XH-A1 has SD playback and the LCD is much nicer than the Panny ones. I do like the size of the Panasonic though and having it letterboxed in the LCD keeps menu items off the actual image. Resolution could be much better though.
 
So....this is 2009
I'm on the fence about the HPX300 or the HPX500
I really need 2/3 chips and global shutter, but the VF is killing me from what i'm hearing on this forum.

Will there be any improvements for the HPX500!!! Jan?????????
 
Everyone has said that they finally hit a home run of the VF and LCD on the HPX300. Hopefully we will see that same LCoS technology spread throughout the entire P2 line bottom up to top.

I agree, although the new focusing aids on the 170 make it very usable to shoot HD, the VF is still a bit like staring at an Impressionist painting.

Dan
 
Anyone else have a problem with not being able to slide the viewfinder enough to the left? I don't think I have a wide head, but sliding the VF all the way to the left does not work for me. I have to loosen the catch screw and slide the VF further left (beyond the stop) and then tighten it down.

Is this an okay solution? Is there an extender?
 
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For the love of god Panasonic!!!!!
Just put alittle R&D into the VF of the HPX500...
Jan, can you throw us a bone......will there be any R&D or improvements for the 500???

Thanks, Paul

PS, This will be my 1st Panisonic.
 
Hi,

I do not see any changes forthcoming on the HPX500.

Sorry, you will have to use the focusing tools that are in the Camera, peaking, and the histogram. Many others have. Or you can upgrade to one of the other higer resolution VFs, they are still SD but they are better.

Best,

Jan
 
Jan_Crittenden said:
Hi,

I do not see any changes forthcoming on the HPX500.

Sorry, you will have to use the focusing tools that are in the Camera, peaking, and the histogram. Many others have. Or you can upgrade to one of the other higer resolution VFs, they are still SD but they are better.

Best,

Jan
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Ok....thanks Jan
and with that i think i'll buy one soon.
thanks again, Paul
 
Jan_Crittenden said:
Hi,

I do not see any changes forthcoming on the HPX500.

Sorry, you will have to use the focusing tools that are in the Camera, peaking, and the histogram. Many others have. Or you can upgrade to one of the other higer resolution VFs, they are still SD but they are better.

Best,

Jan
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Hey Jan,

is there at least the possibility that they might be able to make the peaking actually work? It's wierd, I bought the vf20wb (from the sdx900) and the peaking on the hpx500 is nowhere near as sharp as it is on the sdx. same viewfinder, so it must be the hpx. Is there some way to fix it eventually, wither with a board swap or e=prom, or whatever?
 
NewYorkLion said:
Hey Jan,

is there at least the possibility that they might be able to make the peaking actually work? It's wierd, I bought the vf20wb (from the sdx900) and the peaking on the hpx500 is nowhere near as sharp as it is on the sdx. same viewfinder, so it must be the hpx. Is there some way to fix it eventually, wither with a board swap or e=prom, or whatever?
Click to expand...

Is there anyone out there?........echoooo......echoooo
maybe we should use a measuring tape and the VF that comes with the HPX500
 
NewYorkLion said:
Hey Jan,

is there at least the possibility that they might be able to make the peaking actually work? It's wierd, I bought the vf20wb (from the sdx900) and the peaking on the hpx500 is nowhere near as sharp as it is on the sdx. same viewfinder, so it must be the hpx. Is there some way to fix it eventually, wither with a board swap or e=prom, or whatever?
Click to expand...

I second that!

As time passes , more and more people are coming out of the woodwork complaining that this vf is not acceptable. Honestly, it is nothing more than crap. I was VERY disappointed after my Sony DSR-570, which I thought had a poor vf but at least was better than the 500's.

I have the 2.0" vf on mine ($3000 here in Aust, thank you very much) and it was *marginally* better (hmmmmm, *maybe* slightly sharper) but yes, the peaking is NOWHERE - repeat - NOWHERE near as good as on my mates 900 with the same vf.

I conclude that the resolution to the vf out of the camera is poor, almost unacceptable - especially for an HD camera. So, no matter what vf you put on it, the image will always be soft and the peaking will always be low.

Lift your game, Panasonic...this is an HD camera and should have a suitable vf and/or signal to the vf..

I think a board swap or some other kind of upgrade is definitely warranted.
 
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To answer Jeff's query about not having enough room for your head even with the VF slid all the way over to the left. I have the same problem, but I haven't tried moving past the stop. I don't think it would make any difference or hurt anything, except maybe break it, in which case that would give you the excuse to upgrade. We must both be really smart though with our extra big heads.

As for relying on the VF for focus, I've always used my Carrion monitor when possible. However, I learned to use all the funtcions as Jan mentioned when I shot my first short movie in a three day shoot in Puerto Rico last fall. I shipped all my "extra" equipment and carried my cameras and tripods. Of course, everything showed up but the monitor and follow focus. So here I am with 13 people I don't know that are all looking to me to shoot this great movie they have worked on for a year to develop. We ended up shooting as many as 45 shots a day. As I look back on the focus issues, it pains me to remember struggling to get a lock on each scene. I knew it wasn't going to be perfect (kind of like a first date) but still managed to get the story. I'm sure the director got tired of me telling him to wait while I got focus, though...
 
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