Focusing the HVX-200 ?

bherr said:
DC, what are you using for power? V-mount or XLR to something else?
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For a battery, I recommend something like a Bescor NMH-65A 14.4V NiMH

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=BENMH65A&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=411558

Comes with a nice auto charger to prevent overcharging.

It's surprisingly compact as well - about the height and width of a 1st/2nd gen iPod, but about 2 inches thick. Would clip easily to waist/belt or a clamp and a loop.

Also, get a 4-pin XLR style power extender

 http://www.adorama.com/IDXCA4XLR.html?searchinfo=4-pin%20power%20extender&item_no=7

 The power cable that comes with the monitor is a bit short when you're trying to run AC to the monitor on top of the camera (or in the vicinity) cable.
 
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I find that the Marshall LCD works well for "run n' gun" handheld shooting. Of course, I had to devise a feasible solution to achieve a certain level of useability. You can put something together fairly easily and cheaply.

See below. Sorry for the blurriness - I was in a rush putting this little tutorial together. But I think you get the idea.

[EDIT - Since putting this together, I have modified it by mounting it to the HDV Handle Bracket as opposed to directly to the HVX200's handle. {} http://www.vfgadgets.com/HDVbracket.htm {}

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First you need a 3/8" screw. Then you need a 1/4" to 3/8" bush converter:


Marshall-HVX-Mounting-(1of6).jpg


Then use a mount:


Marshall-HVX-Mounting-(2of6).JPG


See the HVX handle thread:


Marshall-HVX-Mounting-(3of6).JPG


Insert the screw into the thread:


Marshall-HVX-Mounting-(4of6).JPG


Screw the mount on top of the screw that is screwed into the HVX:


Marshall-HVX-Mounting-(5of6).jpg


Then go handheld! It is kind of heavy but holds up really well. Just don't thrash it around too hard!

Then there is my Fig Rig version!

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=81984

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Thanks DC! That's exactly what I was looking for. One question... what type of mount is that?

hotchkiss said:
I can see using a monitor when appropriate for static stuff, but for handheld? Not for me, it's too much of a deficit.
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I can understand that, but if it's required to get good focus then I'm gonna do it. There's nothing more frustrating than shooting all day just to go home and find that everything looks too soft.
 
HowdyDoo said:
Thanks DC! That's exactly what I was looking for. One question... what type of mount is that?
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Sure, no prob. It was like this one:

http://store.yahoo.com/cinemasupplies/bogmanmidbal.html

Anything similar should work. A 482 or 484. The price is right and I know it is by Manfrotto.

HowdyDoo said:
. . . but if it's required to get good focus then I'm gonna do it. There's nothing more frustrating than shooting all day just to go home and find that everything looks too soft.
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Totally. It's a very easy setup, just a little heavier with the added monitor weight. But like I said, it works well and worth the extra effort.
 
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For me the focus ring on the HVX is much to slow! You never know if you are actually focusing when you turn it and if you are in a rush... you could miss the focus! That's why I'm gona wait and see what will be the next generation of the HVX, with a better LCD, no noise in the black, quicker focus ring and of course the FCP Pal support!

First generation users allways pay to find all the problems :)!

http://www.prog-pics.com
 
I'm a regular lurker here but (obviously) don't comment much - the subject of focusing strikes a real nerve when it comes to the HVX. I personally feel that focusing with this camera in 'run & gun' situations is so bad that it's borderline criminal that Panasonic released the camera with such a horrible lcd. I love this camera in so many ways, but when you compare it's lcd to even Sony's FX-1 it's completely pathetic & Panasonic should be ashamed.
 
I am glad I am not the only one that feels this way. I came from an XL2 with the little 2 inch LCD that was even smaller when letterboxed for 16x9. I thought that was bad and when using the DVX felt like the ability to tell focus was night and day.

So I bought the HVX and find that even in SD I am having way more problems focusing than I had on the XL2. I thought just being a 3.5inch LCD would make a difference but again we find it's quality and not quantity that really helps.
 
DC said:
I find that the Marshall LCD is great for run n' gun handheld. You can build a mini-rig easily and cheaply.

...It is kind of heavy but holds up really well. Just don't thrash it around too hard!
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DC, You must have arms of steel :-).
 
shamer said:
I'm a regular lurker here but (obviously) don't comment much - the subject of focusing strikes a real nerve when it comes to the HVX. I personally feel that focusing with this camera in 'run & gun' situations is so bad that it's borderline criminal that Panasonic released the camera with such a horrible lcd. I love this camera in so many ways, but when you compare it's lcd to even Sony's FX-1 it's completely pathetic & Panasonic should be ashamed.
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How does the viewfinder stack up to the 100A ? Is it useable for focusing ? If so, I can work around the LCD.
 
Some final thoughts on focusing . . .

I don't really use the viewfinder so I have no real comment on that. The LCD isn't the greatest. I have a Marshall which is bigger and sharper. I haven't had a problem focusing in any situation yet. It seems to be a matter of preference.

Noise has also been a non-issue for me. It tends to subtley creep in below 30 IRE. And it makes a big difference what display you use when viewing footage. Comparitively, when I went to see "An American Haunting" the other night, I noticed a whole lot of "noise" in the FILM.

I'm very happy with how the HVX performs and produces - 1st gen or not. And that's one reporter's opinion. :)
 
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I think from our experience the viewfinder is also not such a big help.
Like i said, even in sd it causes problems to find the right focus, i would also say that this was even better on the 100.

I am really sorry about that, caus e we definitly love the cam and the picture quality.
Ive never seen a picture like that "out of the box" without cc in post.
But the focus is definitly the biggest manco with the 200.

I fear that this will have to be changed in a an "a" modell, but probably wount help us, the ones who already paid a lot of bucks..!(i think u cant fix in in an software firmware update..!)
 
DC, can the Marshall on your HVX be positioned in such a way that it can be viewed with the camera on a shoulder mount? Something like the spiderbrace? It seems like it might be too high mounted on top of the camera.
 
workaholic said:
DC, can the Marshall on your HVX be positioned in such a way that it can be viewed with the camera on a shoulder mount? Something like the spiderbrace? It seems like it might be too high mounted on top of the camera.
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Good question. Never tried it with a shoulder mount of any kind. I've only used it with a tripod, Fig Rig and old-skool handheld.

I don't think you can really lower the monitor any, at least not with how I have mine configured on the camera. However, that Manfrotto mount allows you to tilt/turn the monitor. So, you can tilt the monitor down a bit for a better viewing experience. :)
 
hvx_germanboy said:
I think from our experience the viewfinder is also not such a big help.
Like i said, even in sd it causes problems to find the right focus, i would also say that this was even better on the 100.

I am really sorry about that, caus e we definitly love the cam and the picture quality.
Ive never seen a picture like that "out of the box" without cc in post.
But the focus is definitly the biggest manco with the 200.

I fear that this will have to be changed in a an "a" modell, but probably wount help us, the ones who already paid a lot of bucks..!(i think u cant fix in in an software firmware update..!)
Click to expand...

Did you use a shoulder support for the documentary work? How did you focus the streetshots, with the viewfinder? Handling the -almost- 3 kg HVX with extra monitor and other stuff is almost impossible without elbow troubles in the long run.
 
I find my HVX200's auto focus just plain sucks and is totally worthless. I manually focus everything now. And if I want to do a slow zoom in, forget it! The Autofocus actually pulls me out of focus! Panny better beef up the autofocus. The servo zoom is also MUCH slower than the DVX100a I wish I was still using...

Just my 2 cents.

Besides, once you mount that LCD monitor, how do you mount the FS-100? It uses the same screw hole!
 
Hi XRAY,
we didnt use a shoulder support, the cameragirl did everything from the hand, or she tried to find something to put the cam on.
We jused both, from time to time vf or lcd screen.
But both makes it hard to find the right focus.
like benb said, the autofocus is just too slow and sometimes does even the opposite.

I am just wondering that the whole focusing thing wasnt a bigge topic before, i mean in the 3 month before the european modell was released i heard a lot of stuff on the forum, but no serious concerns on the focus(as fare as i remember).

Works the focus maybe different(a little better) in the ntsc modell?I dont thonk so, but i am trying to find out why not more people talk about it..!
 
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