How hard is focusing with a 2/3" manual camera like the HPX?

K

k2director

Well-known member
I'm thinking of getting an HPX500, but have a question I was hoping someone could help me with.

I currently have an HVX200, and use it for short docs and corporate videos. My shooting consists of talking head interviews (tripod), and then B roll showing things the subject is talking about (for instance, machinery in a lab, horses on a farm, etc) , which I shoot either handheld or on a tripod. For all this, I've largely gotten away with using the camera's auto-focus system, and the built-in LCD screen.

Now I'm thinking of going to the HPX500 (to gain the narrower depth of field for interviews, the better sensitivity, and the shoulder-mount), but I was surprised to learn it doesn't have an auto-focus. Combine that with the fact that the viewfinder is SD and black&white (which I find harder to discern details vs. a color viewfinder), and I'm wondering if I'm going to have a real challenge simply keeping things in focus for quick run-and-gun shots.

I know there's a focus assist, but I guess I'm a little intimidated about constantly having to focus the camera when I'm following a moving object, or pointing the camera in another direction.

So my question is (finally!):

Does manually focusing the camera all the time tend to slow you guys down, or is it something you get used to after while, and don't even think about because it becomes so natural and familiar? I've moved up from prosumer cameras (not down from broadcast cameras) so this idea of no auto-focus is a little daunting.

Anyway I've been thinking about the HPX for a long while, but this is the one issue that scares me. When I think about the Sony EX1, which has a color, super sharp viewfinder (so I can really see what I'm doing), and an auto-focus system for when I need it....well, it makes me think twice.

Any help much appreciated, thanks!
 
This camera, like all B4 shoulder-mount cameras is manual focus. Auto-iris is common on these types of lenses.

You will learn to use your left hand to focus with limited practice. For your interviews, these lenses are great because the focus barrel is much more precise than the servo-assisted focus you get accustomed to on the little 1/3" jobs.

Don't worry, in no time you'll have a good feel for it and the "hunting-for-focus" effect will be something you choose to do instead of something you mistakenly do!

Good shooting.

e
 
Shallow focus doesn't only look good, it makes it way easier to focus accurately...
 
I'm in the third day of a big production with my brand new hpx500. Focus manually works like a charm. I wasn't aware of how much I missed that on my HVX200 since my old AJ-D700 DVCPRO days. The HVX is just a backup camera now. (great for offloads)

Peter
 
Thanks a lot for the feedback, guys. That's all great to hear, and today, I also spent 1.5 hours at Abel Cine in LA, playing with the HPX500 (and 3000) and trying to get a hang for the manual focus.

Basically, I found the HPX500's focus assist to be only marginally useful (at this early stage, at least) but once I started to zoom in on my test subjects, focus was easy to find on the black-and-white SD viewfinder, and then I could simply zoom out again, and ride the focus wheel a little bit if the subject was moving.

So I'm much less concerned about the combination of manual focus with a b&w SD view finder. Having said that, the HPX3000's HD viewfinder was definitely a pleasure to use. I also liked the 3000's focus assist, which sort of created an outline of white pixels around a subject that was in focus.

But I can definitely work with the HPX500's focus, as it is. Now all I have to get used to is the idea of a heavy camera on my shoulder. After 15 minutes at Abel Cine, I was definitely feeling a little tired!

Thanks again for the great feedback...
 
i'd say just try using your manual focus on your HVX. Stop using autofocus and you'll eventually always go manual, and then it will be easier to adjust to a larger camera like the HPX500
 
Oh Geeez, Auto Focus.....

Manual Focus is the ONLY way to go if you want to be a pro. Maybe in the future they will have some magic auto focus system where you never have to focus unless intentional racks are desired, but until then...
 
Any advice on whether manual focus is beter than auto on a servo operated camera like an HVR-Z1U or an XH-A1? I haven't had any problems with auto so far.
 
Auto focus can be a handy tool, and is fine for many talking head-style shoots, or other applications where the subject remains in the middle of the screen. But for action stuff the auto focus begins to "hunt" as soon as the subject moves from the cross-hairs.

Also, HD stuff requires more critical focusing than auto can normally provide, especially when shooting with the aperture opened up and the depth of field narrows dramatically.
 
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