Upgrade Wishlist (updated with HD200/250 results)

Alex Bowles · February 21st, 2006, 11:39 AM

Thanks David. I'd come across Cineform's codec earlier, and got very excited, as the results are astounding. But as you pointed out, it's only available on two platforms, neither one of which commands major market share. I've already committed to FCP, so I'm hoping that the Cineform guys (who are regulars on this site) will let us know if and when their stuff can work with Apple's NLE.

In the meantime, I'm considering doing a show where I take an uncompressed 720p60 signal from the camera, and capture to a disk array via a Black Magic card. I would be on a stage for this, so the bulk of the setup isn't a worry. I'd be shooting live-action elements against a blue or green screen, with all the backgrounds added in post, possibly using Shake.

If anyone has been going down this path (aside from the 'Spoon' guys, who I'm already following), could you let me know?

Cheers,

Alex

Tom Valens · March 8th, 2006, 11:57 PM

Maybe I'm the only one who would want this, but I do mostly documentary filming and I would LOVE to be able to dial in a white balance adjustment, say in 100 degree increments with the little shutter dial.

I would also like it if the User buttons could be programed to select different whole scene files.

Paul Jefferies · April 7th, 2006, 04:05 AM

Any updates on these suggestions being implemented?

Joel Aaron · April 9th, 2006, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Valens

Maybe I'm the only one who would want this, but I do mostly documentary filming and I would LOVE to be able to dial in a white balance adjustment, say in 100 degree increments with the little shutter dial.

I would also like it if the User buttons could be programed to select different whole scene files.

Ditto.

White Balance by degrees I like that you actually see what degree has been chosen by the white balance but I'd LOVE being able to dial in 100 degree increments. That has to be somewhat easy to program and it's probably my number one "wish".

Zebra Toggle It would be nice to quickly switch Zebra settings. A button push to toggle between two user selected presets like 100% / 70% would be helpful. The HVX has it. Toss in some kind of shadow area zebra too.

Better white balance toggle Right now you have to burn a user button to create a toggle button. The toggle button should be the white balance button when you are in preset WB mode.

Scene file via user button The user buttons are pretty limited IMO. One way to really make this camera run faster is by allowing user buttons to select entire scene files.

Prime lenses (Fuji / Canon) Maybe I'm the only one this makes sense to, but if we had a wide and standard focal length primes that were sharper with less CA this would really be an incredible camera. Drop the price on the 2/3" adapter.

Focus Assist to External monitor

Image Flip A 35mm adapter friendly flip would be awesome even if it was just a preview flip.

Earl Thurston · April 9th, 2006, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joel Aaron

Prime lenses (Fuji / Canon) Maybe I'm the only one this makes sense to...

Not at all -- I've seen a few comments around the boards wishing for this, myself included. JVC is pitching the HD100 as a cinematography camera, and many cinematographers with experience in 16mm/35mm are taking interest in it. Considering the drawbacks of the stock lens, and way-too-high price of the wide-angle zoom, prime lenses would be an ideal addition to the accessory options.

Jeff Morrissette · April 10th, 2006, 09:29 PM

1 Zoom control on the top handle
2 Optional floating lens image stablizer like in the canon.
3 720p60 hdv

K. Forman · April 11th, 2006, 06:55 AM

Let's see... SDI 4:2:2 output? Lenses that don't cost more than the camera itself? A camera that actually will work with other equipment would be nice... Pay attention here Canon! Basicly, I just want something affordable that works the way it is supposed to, right out of the box- not sometime in the unforseen future.

Greg Boston · April 11th, 2006, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Morrissette

1 Zoom control on the top handle
2 Optional floating lens image stablizer like in the canon.
3 720p60 hdv

Two of those three wishes already exist. There is an optional zoom control for the top handle(at least there was). That was the first shortcoming I pointed out after seeing the camera at NAB last year.

720p 60 is available via component output to a dedicated capture card. You just can't pump that much through a firewire pipe. FW is limited to 720p 24 and 30 frame modes.

-gb-

Jeff Morrissette · April 11th, 2006, 09:42 AM

Really, you can order one? Or is mine just missing it for some odd reason?

Jeff Morrissette · April 11th, 2006, 09:44 AM

It would also be sweet if they had a firestore that captured the 4:2:2 output.

no I'm really dreaming.

also maybe a bottle cap opener on the side ;)

Tim Dashwood · April 11th, 2006, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Morrissette

Really, you can order one? Or is mine just missing it for some odd reason?

The very first HD100s I received back in August of 2005 DID NOT have a zoom control on the top handle. Their serial numbers started with "12"
I then swapped both units a couple of weeks later because of split-screen calibration issues, and the new ones had the zoom rocker on the top handle. These new units started with serial numbers "13."

I'm not sure if any of the early European models have zoom controls on the top handle, since they were released months before Canada or the U.S.

Jeff Morrissette · April 11th, 2006, 04:37 PM

Do you think they will upgrade me.....?

Is it built into the handle or strapped on?

no pun intended.

Greg Boston · April 11th, 2006, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Dashwood

The very first HD100s I received back in August of 2005 DID NOT have a zoom control on the top handle. Their serial numbers started with "12"
I then swapped both units a couple of weeks later because of split-screen calibration issues, and the new ones had the zoom rocker on the top handle. These new units started with serial numbers "13."

I'm not sure if any of the early European models have zoom controls on the top handle, since they were released months before Canada or the U.S.

FWIW, the HD-100 on loan for our Texas Shootout did not have the top handle zoom control. It did have the A mod in it though.

If you look back at some of Chris' pictures from NAB 2005 in the photo gallery, you can see the optional zoom rocker attached.

-gb-

Jeff Morrissette · April 11th, 2006, 04:42 PM

Do you think they will upgrade me.....?

Is it built into the handle or strapped on?

no pun intended.

Tim Dashwood · April 11th, 2006, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Morrissette

Do you think they will upgrade me.....?

Is it built into the handle or strapped on?

no pun intended.

It is built into the plate with the Focus Assist and REC buttons.

Frankly, I wouldn't worry too much about it. It is a very "consumer-like" feature and I have never personally had a need for it. In fact, I hardly ever engage the servo.

March 8th, 2006, 11:57 PM	#47
Tom Valens Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 28	White Balance adjustment Maybe I'm the only one who would want this, but I do mostly documentary filming and I would LOVE to be able to dial in a white balance adjustment, say in 100 degree increments with the little shutter dial. I would also like it if the User buttons could be programed to select different whole scene files.

April 11th, 2006, 06:55 AM	#52
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Let's see... SDI 4:2:2 output? Lenses that don't cost more than the camera itself? A camera that actually will work with other equipment would be nice... Pay attention here Canon! Basicly, I just want something affordable that works the way it is supposed to, right out of the box- not sometime in the unforseen future. __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

February 21st, 2006, 11:39 AM	#46
Alex Bowles Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 49	Thanks David. I'd come across Cineform's codec earlier, and got very excited, as the results are astounding. But as you pointed out, it's only available on two platforms, neither one of which commands major market share. I've already committed to FCP, so I'm hoping that the Cineform guys (who are regulars on this site) will let us know if and when their stuff can work with Apple's NLE. In the meantime, I'm considering doing a show where I take an uncompressed 720p60 signal from the camera, and capture to a disk array via a Black Magic card. I would be on a stage for this, so the bulk of the setup isn't a worry. I'd be shooting live-action elements against a blue or green screen, with all the backgrounds added in post, possibly using Shake. If anyone has been going down this path (aside from the 'Spoon' guys, who I'm already following), could you let me know? Cheers, Alex

April 7th, 2006, 04:05 AM	#48
Paul Jefferies Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Croydon, England Posts: 277	Any updates on these suggestions being implemented?

April 10th, 2006, 09:29 PM	#51
Jeff Morrissette Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: venice, ca Posts: 83	1 Zoom control on the top handle 2 Optional floating lens image stablizer like in the canon. 3 720p60 hdv

April 11th, 2006, 09:42 AM	#54
Jeff Morrissette Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: venice, ca Posts: 83	Really, you can order one? Or is mine just missing it for some odd reason?

April 11th, 2006, 09:44 AM	#55
Jeff Morrissette Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: venice, ca Posts: 83	It would also be sweet if they had a firestore that captured the 4:2:2 output. no I'm really dreaming. also maybe a bottle cap opener on the side ;)

April 11th, 2006, 04:37 PM	#57
Jeff Morrissette Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: venice, ca Posts: 83	Do you think they will upgrade me.....? Is it built into the handle or strapped on? no pun intended.

April 11th, 2006, 04:42 PM	#59
Jeff Morrissette Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: venice, ca Posts: 83	Do you think they will upgrade me.....? Is it built into the handle or strapped on? no pun intended.