Can someone please change the title of this thread?

I received a replacement HV20 from BestBuy this morning.
Strangely, this is the first time that I've been asked to sign
on the driver's electronic pad.

Anyway, I immediatey took it out and attached the battery.
(yes, I know I should have charged it first, but I only had
a few minutes before I had to leave the house)

WOW! This HV20 definitely die NOT have any problem
with autofocus. I aimed it at the same objects under
the same light.(all done on a tripod) No problemo!

I guess the first HV20 that I returned must have been
a randon defective unit.... perhaps I should look into
BestBuy's 4-year service plan... :)

Leila, or it just could have been what was explained quite well here...Mike, The default instant auto focus us just that, way fast, in this case calling it instant isn't much of a stretch. If the center of the image is small, like a squirrel, it will hunt if the camera person is shaky with the camera or the squirrel moves, not so with a larger subject or a steady hand. It is a very useful auto foucs feature, you can even simulate a rack focus with it, it snaps to that fast, it is unlike any other auto focus I've used and a great tool. I did change mine to regular ( not instant ) in the menu and it works like any consumer auto focus. I've been using that setting, but when going with manual focus I set back to the instant mode and can go to that or manual quickly that way without the menu. To each his own, but there are no issues with HV20 focus. None at all, now like any auto focus when you get in low light performance of the auto focus degrades, I'd suggest going manual and using the focus assist on the LCD when lighting dims. The HV20 image does do well in lower light, at least in 24p mode, which took me by surprise. I'm in no way saying it is a night vision device, you need light, but it does well in that regard for a basic consumer camera. My plan is to use an external monitor for narrative work, but that is due to the addition of the Brevis35 on front and a Nikon 50mm. In that configuration I will focus using a 720p monitor, not needed for the camera on its own though.
Thanks, Alan

Manual focus/ manual exposure/ ext mic

Has anyone tried any of these features?

I have tried using these features. Manual focus and exposure functions work quite well. It's fun to us Av mode and see how changing the aperture affects depth of field.

Sadly, the Rode Videomic is picking up the whine of the camera, even when I attach it to a bracket off to the side of the camera. The Videomic has a high pass filter switch, but even selecting this does not filter out the noticeable whine of the camera. I can eliminate this by cranking down the mic sensitivity, but I have to lower the input volume too much to do so.

I have tried using these features. Manual focus and exposure functions work quite well. It's fun to us Av mode and see how changing the aperture affects depth of field.


Pat, could you upload an example? I'd be really really interested to see how shallow a depth of field is possible with the HV20. Ideal would be a subject around 10-20ft from the camera.

Dino

I would, but I have an extremely slow land line connection. By the time I uploaded a sample, Canon would be releasing the HV30.

Pat

Sadly, the Rode Videomic is picking up the whine of the camera, even when I attach it to a bracket off to the side of the camera.

Same here... I kept my Rode Videomic when I sold my GL2(and replaced it with XH A1). I planned on using the Videomic for a smaller companion camcorder, which turned out to be the HV20... unfortunately, I experience the same problem... I ordered a Canon DM-50 and it should be here in a couple of day. It's no Videomic, but perhaps it will not pick up as much camera noise, no? :) Worst case scenario, I'll use the big AT stereo shotgun mic that I'm using on my XH A1... althought it will look really, really on on my little HV20. <grin>

Same here... I kept my Rode Videomic when I sold my GL2(and replaced it with XH A1). I planned on using the Videomic for a smaller companion camcorder, which turned out to be the HV20... unfortunately, I experience the same problem... I ordered a Canon DM-50 and it should be here in a couple of day. It's no Videomic, but perhaps it will not pick up as much camera noise, no?

Hi Leila,

How did that DM-50 work out? Getting good audio or are you picking up the motor whine and zoom?

best,
elmer

How did that DM-50 work out? Getting good audio or are you picking up the motor whine and zoom?

I got the DM-50 and am spending the weekend shooting with it. So far, I've taken recordings of a picnic, some nature, and even a trip to Disneyland. I got good audio without any motor/zoom noise at all whatsoever. I had the DM-50 set to Stereo 1 the whole time, btw.

On a side note, I think it's too bad that this thread is continuing to get a large number of hits. It's a very bad representation of a great camcorder IMO. I'm getting the feeling that some people are reading the first post and not continuing to read the fact that the original person solved the problem.