tomsemiterrific
Member
For the record i've owned the ls300 since April...and have the recent firmware up date--which improves (but does not perfect) canon lens compatibility. I have to say the image on the camera is terrific, but it took some experimentation to get it right. The camera does not help, since the EVF and LCD are both--frankly, terrible. A few days ago the diopter adjustment just froze on the EVF so now it's unusable. I noted it was junky and cheap at the beginning, but I did not expect it would simply break after only four uses.
What JVC has done is make a great camera with a great image, and then put the same cheapo EVF and LCD on it they use for the lower models of the 4k series that cost half as much.
To compound that there is no internal OIS, no waveform, no histogram. The LCD and EVF are so bad they make it impossible to judge image quality. And the terrible lack of means for judging exposure is probably a large part of the problems of the video footage you've seen.
Also, the canon lens compatibility is a nightmare---and even some Panasonic lenses don't work. For instance, I recently purchased at 25mm 1.4 Panasonic, got home, put it on the LS and, voila, no electronics! I had to return it.
The recent firmware upgrade did help with les compatibility, but--as an example, after performing the upgrade I put the EF mount Sigma 1.7 zoom lens on and all the electronics worked---in HD. But as soon as I switched to 4k no electronics.
In contrast, I use the same lens with full electronics in every image setting on my GH4.
Apparently, JVC engineers need to review their school lessons in electronics. That Sigma lens in EF is a "go to" lens--first rate, with a constant aperture zoom that is super useful in lots of instances--and it's for a crop sensor and uses almost all of the LS 35mm sensor. There's no excuse for not considering it when making sure the electronics are compatible. Panasonic does it. Is it too much to ask JVC to get it right?
I haven't tried the Canons yet in 4k that now work in HD, but were, prior to the firmware upgrade, totally incompatible. I would hope they would work in 4k, but with the screwed up lens electronics of this camera I am ready to believe anything. Don't they test this stuff at JVC before they disseminate it--or do they just love wasting our time?
All that said, I finally purchased a lillyput monitor and image quality and exposure improved considerably. Then, I broke down and purchased a Shogun, and the 10 bit recording from it off the ls300 sensor knocked me out! Colors are beautiful, and DR is great.
I only use this camera to record my educational videos for youtube--I run my own business, so these problems I outline don't really affect me all that much--the camera is very usable, with a better image than the GH4 or my previous FS100. I think the 1080p image of the LS is as good as the FS, but different.
The controls and menus of the LS are great--simple but complete is the most critical ways.
Regarding my defective diopter adjustment; calling the factory--and it took me several days to get the information I needed--I find to get the diopter fixed I must send the camera to California, and repair will take 4 to 6 weeks---4 to 6 weeks to repair what should have been made correctly in the first place. I never had this happen on the Sonys I've used for years.
When I complained to the service rep this should have been made correctly to begin with he said, "Yes, sir. I agree."
Look, there are many wonderful things about this camera--but many things that frustrate the Hell out of you--things a more thoughtful roll out by JVC could easily and inexpensively taken care of. Four thousand bucks for a great 4k camera is a terrific thing, but not when it breaks with only 5 months use on an item that was only used and used correctly four times, and not when you have to purchase a couple thousand more to get the analytical tools JVC could easily have provided. I mean, the cheapest consumer cameras often have better LCDs, and histogram, and in camera stabilization. These are not the tools of amateurs--they are valuable additions that make it easier for ANYONE to get good and predictable results. How can a company be so thoughtless?
So, am I being unfair?
What JVC has done is make a great camera with a great image, and then put the same cheapo EVF and LCD on it they use for the lower models of the 4k series that cost half as much.
To compound that there is no internal OIS, no waveform, no histogram. The LCD and EVF are so bad they make it impossible to judge image quality. And the terrible lack of means for judging exposure is probably a large part of the problems of the video footage you've seen.
Also, the canon lens compatibility is a nightmare---and even some Panasonic lenses don't work. For instance, I recently purchased at 25mm 1.4 Panasonic, got home, put it on the LS and, voila, no electronics! I had to return it.
The recent firmware upgrade did help with les compatibility, but--as an example, after performing the upgrade I put the EF mount Sigma 1.7 zoom lens on and all the electronics worked---in HD. But as soon as I switched to 4k no electronics.
In contrast, I use the same lens with full electronics in every image setting on my GH4.
Apparently, JVC engineers need to review their school lessons in electronics. That Sigma lens in EF is a "go to" lens--first rate, with a constant aperture zoom that is super useful in lots of instances--and it's for a crop sensor and uses almost all of the LS 35mm sensor. There's no excuse for not considering it when making sure the electronics are compatible. Panasonic does it. Is it too much to ask JVC to get it right?
I haven't tried the Canons yet in 4k that now work in HD, but were, prior to the firmware upgrade, totally incompatible. I would hope they would work in 4k, but with the screwed up lens electronics of this camera I am ready to believe anything. Don't they test this stuff at JVC before they disseminate it--or do they just love wasting our time?
All that said, I finally purchased a lillyput monitor and image quality and exposure improved considerably. Then, I broke down and purchased a Shogun, and the 10 bit recording from it off the ls300 sensor knocked me out! Colors are beautiful, and DR is great.
I only use this camera to record my educational videos for youtube--I run my own business, so these problems I outline don't really affect me all that much--the camera is very usable, with a better image than the GH4 or my previous FS100. I think the 1080p image of the LS is as good as the FS, but different.
The controls and menus of the LS are great--simple but complete is the most critical ways.
Regarding my defective diopter adjustment; calling the factory--and it took me several days to get the information I needed--I find to get the diopter fixed I must send the camera to California, and repair will take 4 to 6 weeks---4 to 6 weeks to repair what should have been made correctly in the first place. I never had this happen on the Sonys I've used for years.
When I complained to the service rep this should have been made correctly to begin with he said, "Yes, sir. I agree."
Look, there are many wonderful things about this camera--but many things that frustrate the Hell out of you--things a more thoughtful roll out by JVC could easily and inexpensively taken care of. Four thousand bucks for a great 4k camera is a terrific thing, but not when it breaks with only 5 months use on an item that was only used and used correctly four times, and not when you have to purchase a couple thousand more to get the analytical tools JVC could easily have provided. I mean, the cheapest consumer cameras often have better LCDs, and histogram, and in camera stabilization. These are not the tools of amateurs--they are valuable additions that make it easier for ANYONE to get good and predictable results. How can a company be so thoughtless?
So, am I being unfair?
