HMC40 - First Look

[Cranky]

Not really when you consider most ENG situations call for a separate sound op....

I guess that is the point. In rally, there is a driver and a co-pilot who reads the legend. But if there was a reliable system based, say, on GPS, maps and current data, that could read the legend as good as the co-pilot then why would you need one?

I guess it is assumed that an owner of a handheld camcorder will more likely be one man's band than a shoulder cam operator. Still, with prices falling, now there are some who shoot alone with a shoulder cam. I am surprised that the V1 has no built-in mic, but inclusion of the stereo mic on the 560 shows that Sony does its homework.

 

[ravencr]

I'm wanting to put a second handle on my Matthews M25 tripod, and I want to control my zoom on one of the arms. Is this possible with some sort of adapter that controls the zoom for the HMC40?

Chris

 

[dan.carter]

Chris,

You might find what you're looking for here: http://varizoom.com/controlsindex.html#panasonic

This is listed by Panasonic as an HMC40 accessory. I have a similar device for a Sony camcorder that I really like.

Good luck.

 

[ravencr]

Cool, thanks.

Chris

 

[shphotovideo]

I'm wanting to put a second handle on my Matthews M25 tripod, and I want to control my zoom on one of the arms. Is this possible with some sort of adapter that controls the zoom for the HMC40?

Chris

I have this and it works fine http://www.libecsales.com/products/z_controls/z_controlsl.html#dv

 

[ATL Media Group]

I am surprised that the V1 has no built-in mic, but inclusion of the stereo mic on the 560 shows that Sony does its homework.

I'm surprised at the V1 also... it's a handheld cam... Have a built in mono mic if you want it to sound professional.

Sony didn't "do it's homework" for our benefit... They simply want news people that spend tens of thousands on cameras to pony up a grand for their overpriced stereo shotgun because of the proprietary 5 pin XLR on the front of the 350.

That's the first ENG cam I have ever seen with a stereo mic! It's Weird! There is a reason mono sound is used for ENG. I believe it's centering of the voice to the image. Not some wide stereo distant sound. Mono brings it front and center.

 

[ggrantly]

Hello Listers,

Now that this cam has been out for a little bit, could anyone offer opinions about the quality of the viewfinder, LCD, and the touchscreen.

Adam Wilt reviewed the MC-40 and he was none to impressed by these features, how is it working for you in the real world?

Thanks in Advance,
Grant

 

[ravencr]

works great for me...no problems at all thus far.

 

[Cranky]

Adam Wilt reviewed the HMC-40...

Now this is a good review, thanks for the heads up!

 

[ggrantly]

ravencr,

Can you effectively manual focus through the viewfinder and or flipout? I am thinking back to all the past gripes about Panny viewfinders and flipouts. Call it Pannyvision....oh I'm sorry I said that.

Grant

 

[dan.carter]

ggrantly,

I had the same concerns before I purchased the HMC40. I received only a few comments on the same question regarding the EVF. The EVF and LCD are acceptable, but not great. However, due to the many focus assist modes of the HMC40, neither has been the slightest bit limiting for me.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[ggrantly]

Dan, thanks for the response. By the way, I appreciate all the clips you have posted.

Grant

 

[ravencr]

Hey Grant,

I really haven't found a need to manually adjust the focus for what I shoot...sorry I can't help you more. I don't use the eyepiece, because I wear glasses, so everything I look at is on the viewfinder.

Chris

 

[ravencr]

Hey guys

Here's a quick vid I put together of my bachelor party weekend, mainly just to show you guys what 1080/24p looks like out of the camera. I shot it entirely in auto, and it picked a 1/50th shutter speed I believe most of the time. Keep in mind it's a home video, not edited much at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO-sg5UTzPQ

Chris

 

[monkeyking]

Looks amazingly good. thx for sharing.

 

[ravencr]

I think the camera does great personally. This was shot with the panasonic wide angle lens, which to me should be what the camera is from the factory.

Chris

 

[accelv]

I am considering this camcorder for corporate and event work. Most of the corporate stuff is talking heads and some is medical interiors and manufacturing. So I need a camcorder that is relatively good in low light, but it's not critical. I'm not going to be making films, so 24P is rarely used. Being able to edit .mov files without conversion in FCP is a plus, but not a deal-breaker. Image quality is most important.

Is there a comparison among the 40, 150, and JVC's HM100 out there on the net, with low-light and other footage?

 

[Denwa]

I'd go with the HMC150 if you want low light. The 40 doesn't do well in this regard. You also do not have to add an XLR adapter as they are bulit in.

 

[Barry_Green]

I don't think the HMC40 hits on many of your points. It's not very good in low light, you'd need to buy the XLR adapter separately, and FCP requires the files to be converted.

 

[accelv]

So, if conversion is an issue I should disregard the 150 as well?

This is a bit off topic, but I need to get a time-code burn-in from AVCHD footage onto a .wmv. With DV, I'd play back raw footage via SVHS with the data code display on using a Canon HV20 to a DSR30. Then I'd capture from my DSR30 to Windows Media Encoder, so that gave me a .wmv with burned-in time code. How would it work with AVCHD footage? Thanks!