HMC40 - First Look

ah,,,, ok, thanks again, so, in progressive mode, the diference is not so huge, the hmc150 have a very similar feature(ex1) at low light?
And about my other question (Guys, what dou you think about using hmc40 as "b" cam in my events(HMC150)? Will i have a huge change between cameras shots? If i use some lights with hmc40, can i compensate the diference in low light conditions? How much light should i use to do a similar shooting? Thanks you all! )
What do you think abaut it bob?
 
Hi Bob, i would like to understand something, i saw some guy doing a interesting
efect with the cameras, as they where flying with the cam,and moving little faster; how they do that effect with the camera? if some one could help me, please let me know, i thank you. i`ll make a wedding here in brazil, and i wish to do the same effect with my hmc150. To see exactly what i`m saying, please see this video http://vimeo.com/4598124 middle to the end. Thanks a lot
 
Hi Bob, i would like to understand something, i saw some guy doing a interesting
efect with the cameras, as they where flying with the cam,and moving little faster; how they do that effect with the camera? if some one could help me, please let me know, i thank you. i`ll make a wedding here in brazil, and i wish to do the same effect with my hmc150. To see exactly what i`m saying, please see this video http://vimeo.com/4598124 middle to the end. Thanks a lot
They have listed all equipment they used. They used Steadicam Pilot.
 
Then I should feel unlucky. I tried the HF100, did not work well.

I think there are many variables. I know my Canon HV20 does horrible for mounted car footage. Sanyo's and Sony's do well. The new ContourHD is amazing. Also you need a really good mount. I will be trying the HMC40 in car on my one mount, but need to get a larger suction one for it.
 
Hi Bob, i would like to understand something, i saw some guy doing a interesting
efect with the cameras, as they where flying with the cam,and moving little faster; how they do that effect with the camera? if some one could help me, please let me know, i thank you. i`ll make a wedding here in brazil, and i wish to do the same effect with my hmc150. To see exactly what i`m saying, please see this video http://vimeo.com/4598124 middle to the end. Thanks a lot

It's called a Steadicam; with larger heaver cameras, one needs something like this:
22%2009%202006steadicam_flyer_1.jpg



However, with the smaller light weight cameras, like the hMC40 or HMC150, one could use the smaller systems like this:
Steadicam_Merlin_Hire.gif



Now a few tips on any Steadicam system. (1) Look at the specifications for any system you chose. The weight of the camera must be within the proper range for the system. (2) The system must be adjusted for the camera, so that it's balanced properly. (3) It takes PRACTICE to be able to use a Steadicam properly. First time users tend to swing the camera all over the place and produce bad videos. (4) In general, using a wide angle gives the best results.


Bob Diaz
 
great.. thanks bob, could you indicate one for me, for both cameras, hmc40 and hmc150... i`m buying this two cameras to start my job...
 
i`m asking couse i live in brazil and i`m buying all my stuff by internet, so i really dont know exactaly what to buy... thanks again
 
Is there any difference between face recognition/tracking and tracking of an arbitrary object? I mean, are these tracking features accessible in manual or semi-manual modes? Do I have to turn face recognition off to track a non-human object? Does face/object tracking work with manual WB, manual shutter, manual aperture, all manual?

I am asking because the SD100 can track a face in full manual mode, even with manual focus. It won't change focal plane, but it will still track the face. The TM300 cannot do this with manual focus. AFAIK, on the TM300 focus tracking works only in full auto.

Also, does the magnified focus assist window stay on after you stop adjusting focus? I don't remember has it been covered, the thread is already 22 pages long :-)
 
Last edited:
I am trying to find "HMC150 - first look" and cannot find it, neither in this subforum, nor in articles. And the forum search engine drives me crazy, it does not like to search on some terms because they are either short or common, yet it locks me out for 60 seconds before I can do another search. Insane.
 
Is there any difference between face recognition/tracking and tracking of an arbitrary object? I mean, are these tracking features accessible in manual or semi-manual modes? Do I have to turn face recognition off to track a non-human object? Does face/object tracking work with manual WB, manual shutter, manual aperture, all manual?

I am asking because the SD100 can track a face in full manual mode, even with manual focus. It won't change focal plane, but it will still track the face. The TM300 cannot do this with manual focus. AFAIK, on the TM300 focus tracking works only in full auto.:-)
I have not actually tried to use the face recognition, but it is only available in full auto mode and is enabled in the SW&DISP SETUP menu. It not only focuses but adjusts exposure for the "primary face" You can still use touch auto focus in full manual mode.
Also, does the magnified focus assist window stay on after you stop adjusting focus? I don't remember has it been covered, the thread is already 22 pages long :-)
The focus assist is enabled with a button on the camera. When you press the button is comes on and stays on until you push the button again. So you can focus with or without the focus assist. If you are in auto mode with Face detection turned on then you cannot expand the focus with the focus assist.
 
Thanks, Rich. Another question: are there any holes/threads for the handle's screws? I mean, do you think whether I can buy a handle like this from Panasonic and use it with another camcorder that has a standard accessory shoe?

Operating manual says that it is possible to switch LCD or viewfinder to B/W. Does peaking switch to B/W too, or you can get color peaking on B/W screen?

Does the camera show "Auto Mode" or "Manual Mode" on the screen when you change modes? It does so on the TM300, infuriating. For two seconds or so you cannot do anything, Panasonic took this idiotic "feature" from JVC. Also, when you adjust say aperture in auto mode, does it tell you to switch to manual?

How chroma is recorded in 1080p30? The manual says that this is not a native progressive mode, it is PsF. The Canons record interlaced chroma in PF30 mode. What about the HMC40?

"Holding down the FOCUS button sets the focal length to infinity" -- good to know. AFAIK, consumer Panasonics do not have infinity option. The Canons do.

Focus Assist bar has a peak hold mark. This should be very handy.

No independent left/right channel mic adjust.

Built-in mic cannot be used together with XLR mics.

No built-in editing. Shame. AFAIK, Sony has it. Not sure about Canon. Not sure about Samsung. Simple cut/join editing would be a huge save, because sometimes I forget to stop recording, and record 10 minutes of worthless crap, but I have to keep the clip because it has valuable 5 seconds in the beginning.

It's a shame that focus indicator cannot display distance in normal units, I mean meters, not some superficial numbers from 0 to 99.

EVF DTL must be selectable through the menu and keep its state when the camera is turned off and then on.

I wish it were possible to shoot 24p or 30p at lower bitrates to ease the load on my Sony Vegas.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top