Mitch Ives
Forum Replies Created
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I’d give it more than a couple of days. As I rule, I try to avoid developing any opinions on anything until at least a couple of months of serious use is under my belt. I think you’ll feel differently once you’ve used it more. And, as with any tool, the secret is for you to adapt to it… not the other way around.
The PD100a is solid? It is the “ersatz” profesional version of their consumer camera (the 900). It never felt solid to me at all. The PD150 was their more solid camera. The Panasonic 100 felt much more solid than the 150, and the 200 feels even more so. That plastic is covering a titanium frame… the 200 is the camera equivalent of the “Terminator”.
As for the slow auto-focus… thank god! The Sony’s auto-focus and auto-iris hunt like a puppy on crack. Like most pro’s, I never used auto focus, but with the slower auto-focus and auto-iris of the 200, we’re actually developing uses for it. The iris is so slow and smooth that it looks like a very accomplished camera operator performing a manual iris operation.
As for focusing, you just got your first lesson in HD. Shooting in HD requires an external hi-res monitor. None of the current 8.4″ monitors provide 720 vertical resolution, so the big boys tend to prefer something large… I’ve seen 20″ moniotrs in use in the field. We use the Panasonmic 17″ LCD in the field and in the studio. Of course, once the new 26″ shipps, we’ll be using it in the studio and the 17″ in the field.
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.comApple Certified Trainer: Final Cut Pro 5
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[Ron] “I’m successfully running the Mackie MCU. No issues at all with all latest Kona, FCP, and OS updates. Any questions, feel free to ask. I’ve been using the MCU since FCP started supporting control surfaces!”
Which Kona?
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.comApple Certified Trainer: Final Cut Pro 5
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[Marc Rolph] “I’m using a 1082 with a Kona 2 without issues. So, I know it does work. All transport buttons work, and the shuttle button works. “
Very curious… it definitely doesn’t like the Kona LH. Pull the Kona, remove all the software and the 1082 worked fine…
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.comApple Certified Trainer: Final Cut Pro 5
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[Bob] “He felt the zoom speed wasn’t slow enough, and had noticeable “bumps” at start/stops, even at the slowest speed. I’ve also heard comments describing the difficulties focusing this and other cameras in it’s class (HD resolutions w/ SD focus tools).”
I read that too. Adam and I generally agree, but I have to disagree on that assessment. I have two HVX’s, and a full set of Bebob controls on both. I echo Gary’s comments about no problems. First, the Bebob controllers are in a class by themselves. I did plenty of rack focus work using them on sticks in that music video that Panasonic was playing in their booth at NAB.
The zoom start and stops are greatly improved in the 200 over the 100, and with the Bebob, it’s all usable. Some have complained that the zoom is too slow. I disagree, in fact I like it better that way. If I need a really fast zoom, I’ll disengage the servo and snap it myself.
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.comApple Certified Trainer: Final Cut Pro 5
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[Noah Kadner] “This is HD- you need an external monitor or a tape measure. The onboard viewfinder and LCF simply don’t cut it for critical focusing.”
Well said… and this applies to all the cameras… Noah isn’t singling out the HVX.
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.comApple Certified Trainer: Final Cut pro 5
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What Barry is describing here is the standard (time honored) way of focusing a camera… not just with the HVX. This is always how pros do it and have for as long as I can remember.
The thing I love about the HVX200 is that it is finally going to get rid of the “shoe clerks” as the saying goes. With HD, you have to actually know how to light, know how to focus, know how to expose properly… and you have to pay attention all the time. HD has a way of humbling experienced shooters, which in the end will force us all to step up our game… we all got a little lazy with DV…
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.comApple Certified Trainer: Final Cut pro 5
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Jan,
Are there any plans for a P2 Viewer for the Mac?
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.comApple Certified Trainer: Final Cut pro 5
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[gary adcock] “AJA’s Kona 2 and LH cards are still very much in use for PCIX customers.”
Yes, and the LH is an amazing bargain at $1600 street… HD and SD analog
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.comApple Certified Trainer: Final Cut pro 5
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It’s not a P2 store… it’s a 2-slot version of their 5-slot reader. They gave no price when I asked… but perhaps they can now?
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.comApple Certified Trainer: Final Cut pro 5
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[Bill Marcellus] “OK, I’ll bite. Why wouldn’t you recommend capturing directly to a laptop? More chance of dropped frames due to other CPU processes going on?”
Because anything using the FW codec (especially twice) has the potential to have an unhappy ending. Some of us have been doing direct to laptop recording long before the HVX and it is generally only a matter of time until you have an issue. Where’s your backup for the lost footage? Correct, you have none… it’s lost.
P2 recording doesn’t involve the FW codec chips, which is why so many of us are interested in seeing the Cineporter.
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.comApple Certified Trainer: Final Cut pro 5