Thinking about a HMC 40

G

GuyS

Active member
I am thinking about purchasing an HMC 40.

I am looking for a camera that is good in daylight. The problem is, I wear glasses. I have been shooting doc's that have aircraft in them and it is important that I be able to track the aircraft well. I need to be able to find the target quickly. Using the flip out LCD just doesn't cut it. This is were a good EVF (electronic view finder) is pretty important. I have a Canon A1 but I find it is too heavy. My DVC 30 was good until I started shooting HD.

Can someone who owns an HMC 40 comment on the viewfinder?
 
I hate to have to say it - but as much as I love the HMC40, the viewfinder is by far the worst thing about it.
It's a great camera for daylight exterior shooting - as far as bang for the buck it's tough to beat.
But if you absolutely must use the viewfinder, I would say it might not be the best choice for you.

And this coming from a guy who is about to sell his HMC40....

(if you're still interested let me know)
:)
 
I agree with Luis - it's unlikely you'll find the HMC40 viewfinder suitable.

I use an HMC40 and a GH2. The GH2 may not suit your needs for other reasons, but it is certainly light, provides very high resolution, and the EVF is 2000% better clarity than the HMC's.
 
Over time and practice, I have been able to reach a co-existence with the HMC40 VF and flip out. Neither is the strong suit of the cam. You have to learn to trust the focus bar. Using the VF, I have found the diopter gets bumped (changed) pretty easy, so it is important to check that often. Despite the cams shortcomings, I still feel that the 40 delivers tremendous bang for the buck. In particular, for a light backpack cam.

Grant
 
GuyS said:
I am thinking about purchasing an HMC 40.

I am looking for a camera that is good in daylight. The problem is, I wear glasses. I have been shooting doc's that have aircraft in them and it is important that I be able to track the aircraft well. I need to be able to find the target quickly. Using the flip out LCD just doesn't cut it. This is were a good EVF (electronic view finder) is pretty important. I have a Canon A1 but I find it is too heavy. My DVC 30 was good until I started shooting HD.

Can someone who owns an HMC 40 comment on the viewfinder?
Click to expand...

I agree with all the other comments about EVF (very poor) and camera itself (very good value). I wear glasses, but remembering Grant's comments to check diopter setting I can use the EVF without my glasses to track at least fast moving cars. If you are tracking just one aircraft I think you could acquire and track the target aircraft. However, in line with Luis's comments, if you are tracking several aircraft and need to distinguish one particularly aircraft it would be difficult (particularly if they are initially far away and similar color). I should add that I am new to using HMC40 and for action shots I have so far left camera on full auto so don't really rely on EVF for anything except acquiring and tracking readily distinguishable objects.
 
I just received my Zucato Pro 3 the other day and put it on my 60D. Looking into that is like looking at the screen in a movie theater, wow! Problem is it is not the solution either. DSLR's are not suitable for run and gun. Manual focus, manual zoom.....forget it. By the way I might be selling the Zucato as I can't see me using it enough to warrant keeping it.
 
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