HMC40 in Low Light at DVinfo.net

Bruce Balmer · June 29th, 2010, 02:51 PM

How is the AG-HMC40 in low light conditions? The new HMC80 appears to use the same 3MOS chips as the HMC40, and I'm trying to figure out how good the HMC80 is going to be for legal video given the performance of the HMC40.

In defining low light, I'm typically shooting in an office with reduced lighting. I'm not trying to shoot at night, but in a less than brightly lit room.

I carry two 500W lights with me at all times, but it's nice to be able to not set them up every time we shoot.

Any thoughts will be appreciated!

Tom Bostick · June 29th, 2010, 04:31 PM

hmc 150 would definitely be better
mark von lanken posted a comparison ,and the diference in light with the 150 to the 40 is insane

Barry Green · July 2nd, 2010, 09:10 PM

Well, it depends on what you're comparing against. The HMC40 is about 50 ISO at 0dB gain. You can push it to 6dB easily, and 12dB is about the limit that I'm comfortable pushing it to. It gets a little grainy at 12dB, but it's pretty acceptable.

At 12dB, it's equiv. to about 200 ISO. So, what would you be comparing it to? What are you using now?

Mark Von Lanken · July 3rd, 2010, 01:20 PM

Hi Bruce,

You will probably have to use some gain. The HMC 40 will go up to 24dB gain, but it starts getty pretty noisy at 18db. Depending on your requirements 12-15 may be acceptable.

My primary camera is the HMC150 and the HMC40 is not nearly as light sensitive as the HMC150. I did a review of the HMC40 for EventDV Magazine. I also did an online shootout between the HMC150, HMC40 and JVC HD100. You can see the review here.
EventDV.net: The Event Videographer's Resource

Clayton Moore · July 26th, 2010, 01:07 PM

Thanks for posting that information. I have a Canon T2i but of course its not an event practical camera.
Ive shot some family weddings and stuff for my web site with my HV20 and 30 cameras. They are amazing in daylight but of course crap out in "mood lighting" situations. Im sure the HMC 40 would do better for me there. I also like the form factor of the HMC80 camera as well...............but now at the same price point of the 40, along comes SONY who is said to start delivering the NEX-VG10 in September. To get the same low light capability as my HDDSLR with the long contiguous recording capability of a standard video camera is very attractive. Problem of course is DOF, where you cannot necessarily just stick a camera like that on a tripod and walk away for an hour or two without making sure the subject is not moving in and out of focus.....a major concern in low light with the lens is wide open. I like the 150 but Im watching every penny these days.

Sooooo Ill just be doing the old wait and see for while before I make my jump.
Thanks again,

CM

June 29th, 2010, 02:51 PM	#1
Bruce Balmer New Boot Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 12	HMC40 in Low Light How is the AG-HMC40 in low light conditions? The new HMC80 appears to use the same 3MOS chips as the HMC40, and I'm trying to figure out how good the HMC80 is going to be for legal video given the performance of the HMC40. In defining low light, I'm typically shooting in an office with reduced lighting. I'm not trying to shoot at night, but in a less than brightly lit room. I carry two 500W lights with me at all times, but it's nice to be able to not set them up every time we shoot. Any thoughts will be appreciated!

July 3rd, 2010, 01:20 PM	#4
Mark Von Lanken Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 910	Hi Bruce, You will probably have to use some gain. The HMC 40 will go up to 24dB gain, but it starts getty pretty noisy at 18db. Depending on your requirements 12-15 may be acceptable. My primary camera is the HMC150 and the HMC40 is not nearly as light sensitive as the HMC150. I did a review of the HMC40 for EventDV Magazine. I also did an online shootout between the HMC150, HMC40 and JVC HD100. You can see the review here. EventDV.net: The Event Videographer's Resource __________________ Mark Von Lanken www.VonWeddingFilms.com

July 26th, 2010, 01:07 PM	#5
Clayton Moore Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Sacramento, Ca. Posts: 70	Mark Thanks for posting that information. I have a Canon T2i but of course its not an event practical camera. Ive shot some family weddings and stuff for my web site with my HV20 and 30 cameras. They are amazing in daylight but of course crap out in "mood lighting" situations. Im sure the HMC 40 would do better for me there. I also like the form factor of the HMC80 camera as well...............but now at the same price point of the 40, along comes SONY who is said to start delivering the NEX-VG10 in September. To get the same low light capability as my HDDSLR with the long contiguous recording capability of a standard video camera is very attractive. Problem of course is DOF, where you cannot necessarily just stick a camera like that on a tripod and walk away for an hour or two without making sure the subject is not moving in and out of focus.....a major concern in low light with the lens is wide open. I like the 150 but Im watching every penny these days. Sooooo Ill just be doing the old wait and see for while before I make my jump. Thanks again, CM

June 29th, 2010, 04:31 PM	#2
Tom Bostick Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Austin TX Posts: 292	hmc 150 would definitely be better mark von lanken posted a comparison ,and the diference in light with the 150 to the 40 is insane

July 2nd, 2010, 09:10 PM	#3
Barry Green Barry Wan Kenobi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,863	Well, it depends on what you're comparing against. The HMC40 is about 50 ISO at 0dB gain. You can push it to 6dB easily, and 12dB is about the limit that I'm comfortable pushing it to. It gets a little grainy at 12dB, but it's pretty acceptable. At 12dB, it's equiv. to about 200 ISO. So, what would you be comparing it to? What are you using now?