I have finished building the Focus Wheel and made the Video Tutorial. You can watch them on Youtube:

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgOfBGXHXIU
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNf69mLPIVk

Demo Reel coming soon..

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7345/img1488qm1.jpg

where did you get the lens shade?

43mm fotodiox

where did you get the lens shade?

the wheel is nice!
but I love the lens shade!

where did you get the lens shade?

This guy not only builds this cool focus wheel; solving one of the *major* deficits of the HV20, but he also creates a two part video describing exactly how to build it and where to get the parts and everyone loves the $18 plastic lens hood he bought off the internet somewhere..

Thanks for the video.

Oh, and I just bought one of those cool lens hoods, too ;)

silly question - where'd you find the cork tape?

A link is in the video description http://www.amazon.com/Tape-Plugs-Pyramid-Pro-Cork-Yel/dp/B000BMNODC/ref=sr_1_36/104-7240434-5670318?ie=UTF8&s =sporting-goods&qid=1185669760&sr=8-36

I have never used this before.. yet.. So, it might be the wrong stuff but either way I am pretty sure it will work how I imagine it will. You can use whatever you want to.

im definitely going to try that! looks really cool, thanks! If you ever use auto focus, does that lens shade block the sensor? you dont need the wide angle adapter for that to fit on right?

If you ever use auto focus, does that lens shade block the sensor? Remember there are two kinds of auto focus on this camcorder -- Instant AF and Normal AF -- that lens hood probably blocks the Instant AF sensor, but you still have the option to use Normal AF, so keep in mind you can still use at least one form of auto focus with a wide angle adapter and / or a lens hood or matte box on the front of the camcorder. Hope this helps,

(P.S. -- well done Aaron!)

Kudos! Nice job.

Very nice work, all around.

So when do we get to see some samples of this focus wheel in action?

So when do we get to see some samples of this focus wheel in action?

I'm working on it.. =P I'm meeting with a good friend of mine who said that she will let me film her for a demo. I might be going over there tomorrow. She lives 40 miles from me and I just haven't had the money to drive to go film it.

I do promise though.. It will be worth it!

This guy not only builds this cool focus wheel; solving one of the *major* deficits of the HV20, but he also creates a two part video describing exactly how to build it and where to get the parts and everyone loves the $18 plastic lens hood he bought off the internet somewhere..

Honestly.. I have thought this over a bit. I really think that the target "buyers" of the HV20 are people who are not and I HATE to use this word but “professionals” and therefore either:
- Don't know the difference between AF and MF
- Don't know how much AF sucks
- Don't care about MF because they feel it's just too much work to do while shooting
- Don't know how important MF is
- Feel like they can't build it so it's not worth the trouble (too much work or too complicated)
- It doesn't make the camera look super awesome when it's on
- Feel like the focus dial is enough and it doesn't need to be improved
- That this focus wheel probably doesn't make MF better, easier to control, sturdy, and or spins smoothly enough to keep a steady shot.
- All ready have or going to buy a lens adaptor
- Has caught every single pokemon in the world

The HV20 is a consumer camera and I know that this is the first real camera that a lot of people have gotten to start making their own films and what nots. I support them and their dreams! There are a lot of people who have had a lot of experience with cameras who up/downgraded to the HV20 just because of how amazing the image that it can produce (HDV, 24p, cinegamma mode, 1080i, etc). It is AMAZING! Don't get me wrong.. But it has problems.. MF is a big one. Actually… It’s a very small one -_-

I mean.. WTF? It’s a joke for people who want to use this camera professionally. Why didn’t they just give us a little cylinder shaped bead and make it in a way so it takes like 15 strokes to get it into focus? You couldn’t make it crappier if you tried.

So dammit! I made a focus wheel. I guess next I should make a lens hood.

I'm NOT going to make a lens hood.. =P

btw.. The lens hood is pretty much useless. It helps a "little" with sun glares but rarely. I got this just to protect my filters and lens from scratches as well as suicidal birds who want to make me cry.

I gave everyone the instructions to make the focus wheel and everyone is welcome to use it and screw it…… on the bottom of their camera.. Take it or leave it. I made it, I love it, I share it.

http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/5960/hv20barbiewtfnw4.jpg

You've done well, Aaron!

The curious thing is that Canon's new HG10 -- the HDD equivalent of the HV20 -- doesn't even have the little focus wheel, so manual focus will probably be even more of a challenge, just because it won't be possible to use Aaron's focus wheel thingy with that camcorder. Manual focus is in there somewhere -- it has to be -- it's probably just harder to get to.

Cool Barbie-cam by the way.

You've done well, Aaron!

The curious thing is that Canon's new HG10 -- the HDD equivalent of the HV20 -- doesn't even have the little focus wheel, so manual focus will probably be even more of a challenge, just because it won't be possible to use Aaron's focus wheel thingy with that camcorder. Manual focus is in there somewhere -- it has to be -- it's probably just harder to get to.

Cool Barbie-cam by the way.

Well.. I can't speak much about the HG10 but I can only tell you what I feel inside.. I hate HDD cams! I'm sorry, but backup is a bitch. Granted it's faster; yeah I know.. Never need to switch tapes, fiddle with tapes, look at tapes, worry about tapes, lose tapes, buy tapes, steal tapes, set it to lock on your tapes, label tapes, pry out jammed tapes, organize tapes, and store tapes!

BUT, HDD'S NEED 1.21 GIGAWATTS!

I mean come on. Tapes are the greatest thing invented! First 8-tracks and now "step aside mini-dv! Big bad and hard drive coming through"! If we don't make a stand for mini-dv they might not make it!

NO SIR! GIVE ME YOUR HUNGRY! GIVE ME YOUR NEEDY! AND GIVE ME ONLY 1 HOUR TO RECORD!

But, for real. I have to spend 5 bucks for 1 tape and only having 1 hour of record time; it makes me pick and choose my shots very carefully as well as my crappy actors. I have to be as cheap, strategic, and conservative as possible because I can't afford to spend 5 more bucks. Plus, you have a hard copy of ALL your footage. Oops all your footage on your comp hdd has crashed! Bye bye to everything that you have ever worked on to never be seen again! At least until next season’s episodes…

BTW! HG10 doesn't have a focus ring.. Or even the crappy focus dial like the hv20. Nope! You focus with your joystick.... I know what you are saying to yourself. "That Aaron sure is one funny fellow.."

Barbie Cam 2.0 thanks you

http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/5960/hv20barbiewtfnw4.jpg

dude. i'd totally buy that Barbie cam.

actually i wouldn't mind the focus wheel so much if they had a menu setting to increase/decrease sensitivity like they do for the tele/wide flipper.

I bought the HV20 over other camcorders out there because that's the type of consumer I am. I always buy the nearly-prosumer toys and then I try and squeeze everything I can out of them.

Chris
http://dewde.com

Well, you are in luck my man! I am the creator and designer of the Barbie HIV20!

I might be renting her out..

Aaron, this is by far the greatest video I've ever seen about making a focus wheel for the HV20! I've been thinking of designing a geared down focus drive with a heavy fly wheel control, at least that's my theory. I would assume by using the large wheel to the small focus dial on the HV20 that you are going to be going through the focus range quite quickly, I'm curious how easy it is to find focus.

Wes:

I did a similar one and using a wheel from a kids toy. You will focus through the whole range with less that one revolution, as I recall. My thing was a concept idea based on what Aaron had been discussing: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=98909

Aaron, this is by far the greatest video I've ever seen about making a focus wheel for the HV20! I've been thinking of designing a geared down focus drive with a heavy fly wheel control, at least that's my theory. I would assume by using the large wheel to the small focus dial on the HV20 that you are going to be going through the focus range quite quickly, I'm curious how easy it is to find focus.

Thanks! Actually it isn't that sensitive as you would believe. Freaking canon made that little dial need to spin so much for so little result! Good luck!

Aaron wrote

"But, for real. I have to spend 5 bucks for 1 tape and only having 1 hour of record time; it makes me pick and choose my shots very carefully as well as my crappy actors. I have to be as cheap, strategic, and conservative as possible because I can't afford to spend 5 more bucks"

Cue 'old geezer' voice - Why boy, when I was learnin the trade, we paid 7 bucks for three MINUTES of Super 8 film, not to mention 16 or 35 rates! (And we had to use our focus gears uphill in the snow...)

But seriously, you make a great case for the price of filmstock forcing economy and pre-production. I guess 'cost' is relative though. Five bucks is a lot of money for some people, and for others is couch change.

5 Bucks isn't a lot. But, like smoking it all adds up over time and takes a big goug out of your funds. You're right film was really hard on filmmakers because it was the only real choice they had and the film costs a lot for only a few minutes of film. Then you would have to get it developed which was probably more than what your whole production costs were.

I'm only half serious about the whole thing. I hadn't slept in 48 hours when I wrote that so I might have been talking a whole lot about nothing. But, I personally am not a fan of hdd as a format. It just seems like greater risks to me. You fully rely on a hard drive to keep all of your footage safe and if it fails. You are screwed. I wouldn't buy it for anything more than family stuff as well as some other little (not that important) kind of things no matter how amazing it might be. When it comes to camera equipment and format there really isn't (old and never used anymore) like with a lot of today’s "upgrades" that push the old out to make room for the new. Sure, there were mistakes and crappy formats which were improved upon and still use today. 35mm film was created by Thomas Edison and is STILL the best and unsurpassed format today. But, even Thomas' 35mm that he made had many flaws and wasn't perfect. New formats are always a risk because the technology is still new and haven't had time for others to come by and improve upon the idea and troubleshoot to make the format what it truly can be and needs to be.

35mm film was created by Thomas EdisonEr ah... actually, like most of his inventions, it was created by people who were working for him.

Er ah... actually, like most of his inventions, it was created by people who were working for him.

I don't believe that has ever been proven true. It might be, but rather he personally invented it or not doesn't really matter. How you see someone and how they might inspire you to do great things is more important than any truth behind the curtain.

Btw.. I am the real creater of the Light Bulb! I sold it on Ebay..

I have finished my demo reel for the focus wheel. It's not a fantastic demo because the irus was open nearly all the way and couldn't get a very good narrow depth of field..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0CuQhk0T7M

Download HQ:
http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=1188

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/6541/brookewalkpe8.jpg

UPDATE:
High Quality Demo Added

Aaron wrote
Cue 'old geezer' voice - Why boy, when I was learnin the trade, we paid 7 bucks for three MINUTES of Super 8 film, not to mention 16 or 35 rates! (And we had to use our focus gears uphill in the snow...)


Darn it, Richard, that was my thought exactly. I love having a whole hour AND 3 minutes to play with. SO I can take the 3 minutes of video I need, plus have another hour for mistakes... :-)

Aaron, the focus wheel is kewl. I may have to do one of these. Since the existing wheel is so hard to use it's been difficult to determine, but with your focus "enhancer" are you finding rack focusing easy to do? (I didn't notice any good examples in your demo.)

Demo 2:
This is my last demo for the focus wheel as well as the last over all thing that I am adding to the project. It works the way that I want it to and does very well. This demo was filmed and edited in about 30 mins so it's not perfect and the focus isn't perfect either. But, it shows how smooth, easy, quiet, and well it works. The focus is off some of the time because it's just impossible at times to tell if I am infocus on the HV20's LCD especially with the sun either glaring in my eyes or on the LCD itself... No BS, no filters, no music, and no planning. Just raw footage and audio from the onboard camera mic.

DOWNLOAD DEMO 2:
720p HD - http://hv20.info/yopu/FWDemo2.wmv

http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/5296/fwdemo2tv1.jpg

Good job, Aaron! Now *thats* the footage I've been waiting to see! Brilliant!

Screw that new footage! I want more footage of Brooke. : )

WOW

Well I wasn't going to be the first to say anything, but now that you mention it, I have to agree...More Brooke!!

Well I wasn't going to be the first to say anything, but now that you mention it, I have to agree...More Brooke!!

lol.. I might actually be doing some shorts and stuff with her so it's prob not the last time you will see her.

That's what I wanted to see.

But, for real. I have to spend 5 bucks for 1 tape

Are you getting special tape? I've bought name brand tapes for less than half that each tape, but I'm just using DV tape, nothing high grade. I really haven't had any problems with it.

lol.. I might actually be doing some shorts and stuff with her so it's prob not the last time you will see her.

NICE!! I think no doubt she'll be the biggest star to hit the DVi forums. Oh, by the way the footage you shot looks really great, what settings did you use, if I may ask? Thanks Aaron.

NICE!! I think no doubt she'll be the biggest star to hit the DVi forums. Oh, by the way the footage you shot looks really great, what settings did you use, if I may ask? Thanks Aaron.

Cinemode and 1/100 Shutter
White Balanced on WHITE
Col. Depth -1
Sharpness -1
Contrast -1
Brightness -1
I used Magic Bullet filters:
Max Contrast
Sharpness

I believe that's all correct.

Brooke is awesome.. We have pretty much the exact same sence of humor and likes which is why we have gotten along so well for the past 10 years that we have known each other.

Thanks Aaron! I'll give those setting a try. Hey check this out, I did a hdv burn of some HV20 footage to DVD-R on my Mac Book Pro, took that disc down to my local Circuit City, put it into a Toshiba HD DVD connected to a Samsung 40'' high gloss high-def TV and.....SWEET!! The picture quality blew me away.

That's cool you and Brooke are great friends, that's what life is all about.
Tell her I think she's awesome too! Now take some of your Brooke footage, burned in high-def on a samsung 40"....I'd probably pass out!!!

I'd love to have this little gadget as part of my toolbox ... I wish I wasn't such a mechanical klutz. :-(

Thanks Aaron! I'll give those setting a try. Hey check this out, I did a hdv burn of some HV20 footage to DVD-R on my Mac Book Pro, took that disc down to my local Circuit City, put it into a Toshiba HD DVD connected to a Samsung 40'' high gloss high-def TV and.....SWEET!! The picture quality blew me away.

That's cool you and Brooke are great friends, that's what life is all about.
Tell her I think she's awesome too! Now take some of your Brooke footage, burned in high-def on a samsung 40"....I'd probably pass out!!!That last line made me lol.