Jan, will the HVX200 have "shot transition"?

[scenedirector]

I was messing around with the Z1 at a rental house and played around with the "shot transition" function. Very creative!
Of course, nothing beats a real follow focus, but this electronic option gives you follow focus abilities for free with the purchase of the camera.
Since the HVX-200 is so geared towards the indie film market, I would certainly expect something like this on the 200.
Can you tell us if it will be on the HVX200?

 

[cre8tive]

It gives you the ability to go from manual to autofocus via a remote control. That would theoretically give you the ability to start a shot focused on an object in the foreground and then switch to autofocusing on an object in the foreground. That's about as close to "shot transition" as I saw.

Cre8tive

 

[stephenvv]

I think these features are very overrated. I hope Panasonic focuses on CCD quality, latitude, resolution, color, lens quality etc. instead of lots of gimmicky features.

You can rack and pull focus on any camera with experience, practice and technique. I even did it with the crappy servo on my old XL1 and find it easy to do with my DVX100a even though I am director, dp and camera operator on my shorts. Sure, it might take a few takes to get it right, but no biggie.

 

[Justin_Kirch]

i agree with stephen. i think follow focuses are overrated. sure they work well and add an extra look to your camera, but it's not really needed unless you absolutely can't get it right with the focus rings on the camera already.

 

[esperman]

I disagree....follow focus is great, especially on a dolly shot when your moving the camera and the operator needs to keep his eye on the framing.

 

[esperman]

I disagree....follow focus is great, especially on a dolly shot when your moving the camera and the operator needs to keep his eye on the framing.

my bad......i misunderstood the above...I was talking about manual follow focus setups....not electronic auto focus switch that a filmmaker would never use!!

 

[stephenvv]

Thanks for clarifying - I was wonder how the electronic focus gimmicks would work on a dolly shot, especially for a moving subject with camera movement (e.g. jib-dolly).

I assume Century Optics will make a follow focus setup for the HVX just like the DVX for those who need pro follow focus.

 

[SergejIvanovits]

i agree with stephen. i think follow focuses are overrated. .

Don't forget we are talking about HD. The most critical point is the focus. If you are out of focus a litle bit with DV, it's ok, but in HD everyone gonna notice it. The follow focus is a more sensitive gear than your lens focusring adjusted by hand. Panasonic should ad an extra focusring to the lens which is suitable to follow focus. It will cost ca. 5,- ekstra in production? The customers pays 100,- for it gladly.

sure they work well and add an extra look to your camera,...

LOL. All those DPs running shooting handheld with a follow focus on a DVX....

 

[Justin_Kirch]

i'm a DP and don't use a follow focus, and i'm proud of my work.

 

[stephenvv]

follow focus is a more sensitive gear than your lens focusring adjusted by hand. Panasonic should ad an extra focusring to the lens which is suitable to follow focus. It will cost ca. 5,- ekstra in production? The customers pays 100,- for it gladly.

We are not talking about professional follow focus gear - we are talking about the electronic focusing presets used in some Sony, Canon's lens etc. that provide focus memories or points.

 

[SergejIvanovits]

Sorry

 

[Flintstone]

Well, if the HVX is like the DVX, it will have focus position markings on the LCD; so achieving good and repeatable rack focus should be just as easy as Sony's or Canon's electronic "auto rack focus" option.