Zoom / Focus Display in HD100/200/250

[Uli Mors]

Hi,

with std lens or TH13.x3.5 :

Does the Zoom / Focus Position of the lens show up (optionally?) in the display?

I found it to be a big help with some other cams to KNOW where Focus is without taking my eye of the VF.

ULi

[Liam Hall]

Originally Posted by Uli Mors

Hi,

with std lens or TH13.x3.5 :

Does the Zoom / Focus Position of the lens show up (optionally?) in the display?

I found it to be a big help with some other cams to KNOW where Focus is without taking my eye of the VF.

ULi

Hi Uli,

No it doesn't. That's a feature of fixed-lens cameras like the DVX100.

[Uli Mors]

Thanks!

I used to work with DV5000 + Canon Lens (dont know exact model, 19x6.7?) and the display showed the values...

Anyway, thanks for your answer!

ULI

[Stephan Ahonen]

I've worked with many interchangable lens cameras that show focus and zoom in the viewfinder, mostly of the high end live broadcast variety.

[Uli Mors]

I just read the hd200 manual (pdf) and it seems that the hd200 does not offer that feature...

Unfortunately - I think, working in low light and "remembering" one or two focus distances is really helpful (instead of trying to focus each time).

Since I do weddings as well I´ll miss that feature...
(receiption: getting focus bride/groom, fastly changing to the priest, different focus, fastly changing back to bride reactions etc.)

ULi

[Liam Hall]

Originally Posted by Uli Mors

Thanks!

I used to work with DV5000 + Canon Lens (dont know exact model, 19x6.7?) and the display showed the values...

Anyway, thanks for your answer!

ULI

Uli, I stand corrected (I was brought up in film). You could always try the focus assist, though I'm not convinced by this feature.

[Uli Mors]

Why aren´t you?

To be honest , this feature is one of the PROs I give for the HD100/200 etc.

THough "more serious" cams like the XDCAMS offer 1,5" CRT VF, it seems to be difficult enough to focus (pdw-f330 has 4:3 1,5" , letterboxed with 16:9, pdw-f350 has 16:9 2" CRT).

I just played with a hd100 once and was suprised about the VF , though its not a CRT and VERY SMALL (but magnified).

Anyway, a FOCUS READOUT could be very helpful, especially when focussing back to the same peoples position...

[Bill Ravens]

while the Focus Assist feature does provide some guidance, it is mostly at wide open aperture settings where light isn't a problem. In low light conditions or at apertures below f/4, there is such a broad range of focus settings that "indicate" you're in focus, that FA is relatively useless.

[Stephan Ahonen]

Originally Posted by Bill Ravens

at apertures below f/4, there is such a broad range of focus settings that "indicate" you're in focus, that FA is relatively useless.

If you're at a small aperture where you're able to rack the focus a bit without FA telling you you're out of focus, that's not a bug with FA. It's because your depth of field is large enough that the subject can remain acceptably sharp despite racking your focus around. Best way to find the "optimum" focus point in that kind of situation is find the extreme focus positions where FA goes away, and rack your focus to the midpoint between them.