New HMC40 Owner!

C

CMcMahon

Well-known member
Just had my HMC40 show up yesterday morning, and I'm liking it a lot so far. That being said, it's a big change (with a smaller form factor) from my previous camcorders (VX1000, FX7), and I've got a couple questions...

  1. Is the internal lens shade necessary? About 25% of my shots are with a fisheye, and I've temporarily replaced it with a more solid 43mm UV filter, since Panasonic recommends removing the shade when attaching lenses.
  2. A lot of my shots involve me moving at a pretty good pace, typically from a bicycle, but often times from a longboard. When testing out the camera yesterday, I noticed that the viewfinder audibly jiggles, with it moving just slightly side-to-side. Is this typical?
 
Welcome to the HMC40 club!!! :thumbsup:

(1) The lens shade isn't always used; when I put my WA adapter on, the lens shade has to be removed in order to mount and use the adapter. It's also easier to change filters with the lens shade off. However, for normal shooting, I just leave it on, because it hurts nothing and could block stray light from hitting the lens.

(2) I never film that way, but when I take the camera out and wiggle the viewfinder, yes it does rock some side to side. Now if the noise screws up the shot, go to a hardware store and get the blue painter's tape. (It's not as sticky as regular tape.) The tape might help hold the viewfinder into place while filming, BUT remember, after the shot, remove the tape. The blue painter's tape seems to stick harder after it has been down for a long time.


Be sure to check out the Quick Index Sticky in this forum. It contains links to all sorts of helpful information and even has the link to the HMC40 instruction videos.



Bob Diaz
 
Thanks, Bob.

1. I'll probably just leave the UV filter on, and leave the thread-in lens shade at home. Since so many of my shots are fisheye, it'd be a hassle to keep swapping between the two.

2. It doesn't ruin the shot (it only rattles when I'm doing pre-shot pedaling and pushing), but I figured I should check, since I got it used off B&H (4 hours on the non-existent heads, 9/10 condition).
 
A total steal: $1399 before shipping. I wouldn't have even noticed that I could get it at that price, too, if they hadn't ran out of stock on new ones. Talk about luck, right?
 
u shouldnt notice any noise from the piece that jiggles. mine does the same thing. i film skateboarding alot. and ive never noticed it. or heard anything.

and one other thing your gonna want to use the fisheye alot you get a good view with the hnc40. but nothing like a fisheye. especily if your filming biking or longboarding.
 
I would say that 25% of my shots being fisheye is about 5% too much, but that's just me. The fish is definitely necessary for some situations, but I'll take a good, well-composed long-lens shot over a fisheye shot whenever possible.

Here's some recent examples of my past work, shot with my FX7. The big selling points of the HMC40 for me were the XLR adapter, 720p60 ability, and the smaller form factor/lighter weight.

http://espn.go.com/action/bmx/blog/_/post/4932188
http://vimeo.com/9083041
http://espn.go.com/action/bmx/blog/_/post/4876988
http://vimeo.com/8627840

edit: In retrospect, probably 33-40% of my shots are fisheye, making it 13-20% too much.
 
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