HMC40 Fantastic low light performance

Felipe Henao

Felipe Henao

Well-known member
These are some video clips made with the HMC40, The camera performs great under low light, The dance was with artificial available light , at 1/125 speed and 16 db gain
Compression caused by MP4 doesn't allow to appreciate the full quality of the footage.

 
Do you mean compared to other small chip camcorders, or just in general? The low light performance of the HMC80's I use on a day to day basis disappoint me every time. Have you used a DSLR (or anything else large chip) with fast glass? It would blow your mind if you think the HMC40 is good!

Having said that, I was surprised at how capable it was compared to what I was expecting from such a small sensor. The technology is impressive in that respect.
 
Will Turner said:
Do you mean compared to other small chip camcorders, or just in general? The low light performance of the HMC80's I use on a day to day basis disappoint me every time. Have you used a DSLR (or anything else large chip) with fast glass? It would blow your mind if you think the HMC40 is good!

Having said that, I was surprised at how capable it was compared to what I was expecting from such a small sensor. The technology is impressive in that respect.
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When you touch the 20-22 db gain , which is a lot, then you either light up or switch to a large sensor, However Large sensor at this point in DSLR in my opinion is not an acceptable option.
I do have the Mark II and 7d, Thanks god a large segment of my works is made in still photography, so I have something to do with them, because MOIRE and ALIASING, are always present
in video when we don't need them. GH2 seems to be the best alternative at the moment, but people comments say that low light performance in the GH2 is not good, since at high asa show banding
and in some cases a line. SO yes if you know how to solve situations the HMC40-80 is a great performer in low light. DSLR, HAS BEEN AN EXPERIMENT SUPPORTED BY OUR POCKETS.
You can even go to 24 db, and use Neat video is a noise plugin try it.
When you are at 22 db with HMC40-80 you are working at 1200 asa aprox, with a Leica 1.8 lens which is fast glass , I think.
 
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With respect, I don't agree. Even in recently, in moderate lighting conditions where I have been using both the panasonic GF1 and the HMC80. The HMC80 has exhibited fixed pattern noise that drives me crazy and for me ruins the image.

Another disappointment is that on 25p1080 with a 50th shutter the image still appears jerky, not smooth as with the panasonic 'DSLR'.

The GF1 is about as modest as you can when it comes to 'DSLR' cameras for video, but I still find myself preferring to use it most situations. I would only use the HMC80 for run and gun documenting etc.

The resolution of the image however is astonishing and that can't be debated. I'm sure we can both agree on that? And the audio inputs are brilliant too. And the form factor and ergonomics are great.
 
Will Turner said:
With respect, I don't agree. Even in recently, in moderate lighting conditions where I have been using both the panasonic GF1 and the HMC80. The HMC80 has exhibited fixed pattern noise that drives me crazy and for me ruins the image.

Another disappointment is that on 25p1080 with a 50th shutter the image still appears jerky, not smooth as with the panasonic 'DSLR'.

The GF1 is about as modest as you can when it comes to 'DSLR' cameras for video, but I still find myself preferring to use it most situations. I would only use the HMC80 for run and gun documenting etc.

The resolution of the image however is astonishing and that can't be debated. I'm sure we can both agree on that? And the audio inputs are brilliant too. And the form factor and ergonomics are great.
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Aprox after 20 db gain use Neat video, at least is correctable, not like moire on DSLR that is about uncorrectable, I'm not talking about GH2 which has a very clean image. In fact GH2 is a great complement for the HMC40
despite the fact that has a lot of noise at high asa just as well use neat video.
HMC40-80 Is a very versatile camera ,wave monitor etc, low light noise can be solved. One of the things a like the most with HMC40 is plenty of video control tools.
I'll not use more one or the other depends what do I want to do.
As I said if you have to go over 20-24 db Light up Leds or Lowel lighting, Try neat video http://www.neatvideo.com/

 
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You're honestly fooling yourself if you think the hmc 40 is good in low lighting conditions, and to say it performs better than a dslr with a fast lens is laughable

I own an hmc 40
an hmc 150
a rebel t2i w/1.8 50mm
a pmw 350

The hmc 40 is by far the worst in low light conditions.

The hmc 40 is bad in even normal lighting conditions sometimes

it does produce a good sharp image in natural daylight, but unless what your filming is flooded in lighting then its generally a very poor performer indoors
 
Got to agree with wannabe. I am happy with nearly everything about my HMC80 -- but low light performance is the big exception. There are still a lot of conditions where it produces excellent pictures, and the package is great to carry around. But indoors in available light, it is not my first choice.

- Greg
 
wannabeapilot said:
You're honestly fooling yourself if you think the hmc 40 is good in low lighting conditions, and to say it performs better than a dslr with a fast lens is laughable

I own an hmc 40
an hmc 150
a rebel t2i w/1.8 50mm
a pmw 350

The hmc 40 is by far the worst in low light conditions.

The hmc 40 is bad in even normal lighting conditions sometimes

it does produce a good sharp image in natural daylight, but unless what your filming is flooded in lighting then its generally a very poor performer indoors
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I never said it performs better in low light condition than A DSLR, I said it can perform Fantastic if you know how to work it.
I said She has not the basic problems T2i has like Moire or Aliasing, That are basically a non clean image.
However oftenly in this kind of work is not only the tool, is the person who makes the footage, if you have anything
to show here shot with the HMC40 would be nice to see it .
Actually I own a Canon DSLR, doing the Still photography work, since Video is not clean at all. GH2 is way better than Canon, as far as video goes.
However at high asa soso, Whith the hack improved alot, and even at that point a noise plug in makes a difference.
Again nice to see your footage, don't forget video has a language, is image, the words are lawyer's tool.
 
I agree with that, the canon DSLR's aliasing and moire is disgusting. Bu unfortunately the general viewing public public don't notice these things, they just see nice cinematic clean looking video..
 
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