first time caller, long time listener...

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Super8er

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Hello all,

As my post title implies, I've been a long time reader of this forum, but (shame on me) I never actually joined. I was always looking for information/answers, but never felt I had anything worthwhile to contribute. I just got a new camera and wanted to be part of the Panasonic community, so here I am...

I've been a longtime Panasonic guy. My first 'pro' camera was an AG-DVC10, which was a great little camera for weddings and short films. I quickly graduated to a DVX100 (the original) and used it for many years along with a DVC30 as a b-cam. I wasn't sold on P2 and the HVX200 so the Canon XH-A1 was my first HD camera. I absolutely loathed it and swore off HDV forever. Professionally I use HPX370/500's, but most of my freelance work involves animation/graphic design, so video isn't a priority for me. I wanted a camera that was good quality and a good value so I just got an HMC40 about a month ago. My purchase was primarily based on B+H reviews and HMC footage that I found on the HMC40 Vimeo page.

So far I am extremely impressed with the camera. I know it's not the newest kid on the block, but it's my first 'prosumer' tapeless HD cam, and extremely affordable to boot, so I didn't know what to expect. Other than the expected issues - primarily low light performance - the capabilities of the camera have floored me. I found auto mode to be pretty poor and limiting, but in manual mode I've managed to get some pretty impressive footage.

I am a big fan of Cavision products, and over the years I've managed to collect enough bit and pieces that I can add support to any of the past cameras I've owned. I am, however, looking for an inexpensive follow-focus to add on. I've looked at the VariZoom VZStealth, but I like that the Ikan f3 could be used on a variety of cameras. Has anyone used the Ikan?

Oh, by the way, my HMC40 cam with the HMC Book, which has been a great resource for information. Even pros can find interesting info in there.

Anyway, I hope I can contribute to the community in some way... I'll try to post a pic of my rig soon.
 
Glad to have you, Super8er! And yes, isn't the HMC40 just crazy good for the money? One of my favorite cameras. Glad you like yours!
 
Super8er says "auto mode pretty poor and limiting" with HMC40. I am new to video and while learning features of recently acquired HMC40 I have been using full auto to capture video I only have one shot at. Basically at this stage I feel I will make more mistakes in manual settings than HMC40 will in full auto--again for shots I have one chance at getting. Certainly will work towards more creativity with all the features the camera has, but in terms of color accuracy and sharp focus the only issue I have noticed with full auto in HMC40 is shifts in color balance as automatic white balance can change during panning shots of scenery. Typically when I use HMC40 it has been good amount of daylight (sunny or overcast). Right now interest is video and not audio captured by HMC40.

What other problems should I watch out for in full auto settings with HMC40 (in terms of color accuracy, poor focus, etc)? By the way, I am now doing manual white balance at start of shooting and then lock white balance.
 
CMcMahon, your short comment sounded like it could easily be translated to "Well, duh." I hope that's not what was meant...:)

I guess I should clarify... in my job, I've been fortunate to have the opportunity to handle, use and test many of the different SD and HD 'prosumer' cams that different companies have offered. I found some of them to have fairly impressive full auto modes... never perfect or even what I would call outstanding, but certainly impressive. I've used some Canon's that had lightening fast and accurate auto-focus. I recall one of the Sony's (V1U or Z5U, I can't recall, not a huge Sony fan) had pretty good auto white and irising.

When I got the HMC40, I was almost immediately blown away by how powerful it is, for its price. One can get pretty amazing images out of it and it has a pretty robust set of manual functions and features. Just an all around great camera that can do a lot - and at a ridiculous price. When I mentioned my disappointment with its auto features, I had competition in mind. 1) Competing cameras in similar price ranges (I'm specifically looking at JVC's HM100 and Sony's A1U) have noticeably more robust auto features, at least from my experience. While I haven't actually used it myself, a colleague reported similar positive experiences with the Canon XA10's auto features. So, my opinion is that the HMC40's auto set is surprisingly weak when put up against similar cameras. 2)I don't know what demographic Panasonic had in mind when they first developed the HMC40, but I would imagine it to be beginning professionals wanting to go 'pro' on a budget... people used to using consumer cameras with lots of auto features - leading me to think a decent set of auto features would be a priority for the camera, but clearly not.

On the other hand, I think when in the hands of an experienced shooter who knows it's capabilities, the HMC40 can easily compete with cameras that cost a thousand dollars more.

Regardless, Panasonic has made an awesome little powerhouse. They must know it, because of all the upcoming cameras on their roster, I haven't seen anything new in the HMC40's price/feature bracket.

One of my favorite features of the camera is its physical flexibility. I can shoot proper interviews with professional audio using the MYA30 adapter, or I can shoot sporting events with just the handle and on-cam audio, or (as I frequently do) I take just the main body in a small bag to shoot scenics and timelapse to incorporate into motion design.

Denniscasey, I'm not typically a 'full auto' guy. I've had the camera about a month now and I only devoted 2 or 3 days to discovering the capabilities or limitations of its full auto mode. If you're new to video, I encourage you to explore the camera with full auto first and then slowly get more comfortable with its various manual settings. With time, I'm sure you'll get comfortable and be able to use the manual features on the fly with ease. I'm still exploring mine, but I'll offer any help I can.
 
Hey guys,

The new guy here again. As promised, here are a few pics of my rig. As I mentioned, I'm a Cavision fan and I've owned most of this gear for some time as I used to use it on my DVX100. Only took about 30 minutes to re-tweak all the adjustments to accommodate the HMC40 and it works great. I use a number of Cokin's graduated ND's and polarizers so the matte box is used for those as well as blocking glare when using the wide angle. There's no threads on the Panasonic wide angle adapter lens, which is frustrating, but the matte box helps.

The mic is an Azden. I also have an Azden shotgun and Sennheiser wireless set to use for the second input.

I also have a the little LCD hood made by Petrol that I use when outdoors. It's a pretty titght fit on the HMC's LCD screen.

The blue ring is a piece of high density foam purchased at a Hobby Lobby. I cut it to create a sort of flange between the Panasonic wide angle adapter (72mm) and the Cavision matte box (85mm). There is a thinner piece of the same foam, in black, in front of the blue piece. The black foam acts as the seal, the blue piece keeps pressure on the black one. There is a roughly 1 1/2mm gap all around the wide angle lens where it enters the matte box, and I didn't want light getting in there and bouncing around, and this $3 solution does the trick nicely.

Still trying to figure out if I want to get the Ikan f3 (because I could use it on different cameras i.e. my DSLR) or the Varizoom Stealth which some posters here seem to like a lot.

Any recommendations?

Kev

KTO_HMC40_01.jpgKTO_HMC40_02.jpg
 
Nice setup! I'm also having trouble finding a sufficient follow focus. I was considering the Cavision RFD15BM, but it kills me that the smallest focus gear ring made is for 49-51mm lenses :( There are adjustable gear rings produced by other companies, but aren't the 0.6 gear type....the Ikan f3 looks interesting though; it's probably a good investment since it relies on friction (rubber wheel) rather than gear rings.
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Thanks! I'm leaning toward the f3 as well. Probably my next purchase. I don't necessarily need the precision of a super high-end follow, and the f3 serves a similar function as most of my Cavision gear - I can use it for multiple cameras. I thought about one of the Varizoom products but I'd only be able to use it on Panasonic cameras.
 
Buy the Varizoom for tripod shots, for hand held go manual focus the closest area of your shot and then zoom in and out will always be in focus,
Assign one of the user button at the one shot auto focus, so when in manual you can have some support if necessary.
Use the outstanding touch screen focus it can be used when in Manual.
Get in use with your fingers holding the ring from the bottom and thinking that closer is to the right and further to the left, if you practice the technique will become intuitive.
 
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