How is auto focus on the HM100? at DVinfo.net

Rich Perry · April 6th, 2010, 08:52 AM

I recently purchased a refub HM100 and am trying to figure out the auto focus on these cameras is just plain awful or if my particular camera is bad. When set to full auto or even manual with white balancing setting exposure etc and with AF enabled the camera is on the hunt constantly and will not really focus correctly on anything. Available light does not seem to make any difference as this occurs in daylight and indoors with good lighting. When it does get some kind of focus it's very soft. It's worse than any consumer model I have tried including HV20 /30 and even cheaper low end cameras beat the HM100 auto focus function.

This was bought as a B-Roll camera to complement a HD200, I never run auto or AF on any camera myself (ever) but sometimes I will need other non camera folks to be able to use this camera in certain fast paced situations. Any insight would be appreciated!

Charles Wannop · April 6th, 2010, 04:42 PM

Sounds like that bit was not refurbished very well :-)
My AF does sometimes annoy, but mostly for focussing on something I didn't want it to (like the grass rather than the animal behind the grass) my fault not the AF. The only hunting I have experienced was when being bathed in dust by a passing rally car, again I can't blame the AF for this, as I couldn't see a damn thing either.

Charles

Rich Perry · April 7th, 2010, 04:49 AM

Thanks for the feedback Charles, it sounds like the refurb was probably not a great idea although it came from a Authorized JVC dealer with 1 year warranty. Will have to be sent back for repair.

Rich Perry · April 7th, 2010, 05:41 AM

Another issue I noticed today, I have made sure Tele Macro is off, but the indicator image which I believe should show on the LCD under [M] for manual focus does not show either when in tele marcro mode or not. It makes no difference if I am in manual or auto or if I assign Tele macro to a user button or change in the menu, I still cant get the indicator to display on the LCD.

April 6th, 2010, 08:52 AM	#1
Rich Perry Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Nashua NH Posts: 278	How is auto focus on the HM100? I recently purchased a refub HM100 and am trying to figure out the auto focus on these cameras is just plain awful or if my particular camera is bad. When set to full auto or even manual with white balancing setting exposure etc and with AF enabled the camera is on the hunt constantly and will not really focus correctly on anything. Available light does not seem to make any difference as this occurs in daylight and indoors with good lighting. When it does get some kind of focus it's very soft. It's worse than any consumer model I have tried including HV20 /30 and even cheaper low end cameras beat the HM100 auto focus function. This was bought as a B-Roll camera to complement a HD200, I never run auto or AF on any camera myself (ever) but sometimes I will need other non camera folks to be able to use this camera in certain fast paced situations. Any insight would be appreciated!

April 6th, 2010, 04:42 PM	#2
Charles Wannop Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canberra - North Side Posts: 28	Sounds like that bit was not refurbished very well :-) My AF does sometimes annoy, but mostly for focussing on something I didn't want it to (like the grass rather than the animal behind the grass) my fault not the AF. The only hunting I have experienced was when being bathed in dust by a passing rally car, again I can't blame the AF for this, as I couldn't see a damn thing either. Charles

April 7th, 2010, 04:49 AM	#3
Rich Perry Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Nashua NH Posts: 278	Thanks for the feedback Charles, it sounds like the refurb was probably not a great idea although it came from a Authorized JVC dealer with 1 year warranty. Will have to be sent back for repair.

April 7th, 2010, 05:41 AM	#4
Rich Perry Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Nashua NH Posts: 278	Another issue I noticed today, I have made sure Tele Macro is off, but the indicator image which I believe should show on the LCD under [M] for manual focus does not show either when in tele marcro mode or not. It makes no difference if I am in manual or auto or if I assign Tele macro to a user button or change in the menu, I still cant get the indicator to display on the LCD.