Another HMC 40 Question-EVF at DVinfo.net

Guy Shaddock · July 8th, 2011, 07:26 PM

I am thinking about buying the HMC 40. I want a camera for shooting outdoors. I shoot airplane stuff like air to air, take offs and landings etc. Having the ability to track a target.....outside in the bright sunshine is my priority. The weight of the camera is also very important because I need the mobility you get from a smaller camera. I have a Canon A1 but find it too heavy for use in the field.

I find the EFV lacking in the smaller cameras that I have been looking at recently. The Canon XA10 looked promising until I took the camera outside and tried to look through the EVF.

Unfortunately there is no HMC 40 demo camera that I can look at around where I live. Can anyone comment on the EVF in the 40?

Chris Harding · July 9th, 2011, 05:56 AM

Hi Guy

Panasonic unfortunately only came to their senses with the HMC80 and put the LCD inside the EVF with a magnifying loupe in front. It's any awesome and huge EVF and I love them. I had HMC70's before and they have the same minute EVF as the 40 and even the 150!! It's like looking down a black tunnel with a tiny picture at the end....not what I would want for tracking tiny specks in the sky!!!

The HMC80 would do an awesome job with the new EVF but it's way too big and heavy for your needs!!!

Guess you will have to just keep looking????

Chris

Guy Shaddock · July 9th, 2011, 09:47 AM

I was all excited to receive my Zacuto eyepiece for my Canon 60D the other day thinking that would be the solution. Looking through the Zacuto was like sitting in a movie theater. However, DSLR's are not suited for this type of shooting either. Manual focus, manual zoom ugh. A camcorder is the only way to go for run and gun.

Adam Haro · July 9th, 2011, 01:21 PM

I have had good luck using my hmc40 outside with an lcd hood. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/651251-REG/Canon_1574V682_2_7_LCD_Hood.html

Tom Bostick · July 9th, 2011, 04:50 PM

the evf is terrible ,the lcd is ok indoors ,but outside its next to worthless unless you get a hood for it

Guy Shaddock · July 9th, 2011, 04:59 PM

Well I either buy the 40 now, put a hood on it, and take a chance it's going to be reasonably satisfactory for what I need..or..wait until the next generation comes out. Hopefully Panasonic listens to users and upgrade EVF and the LCD in the next generation HMC "50".

July 8th, 2011, 07:26 PM	#1
Guy Shaddock Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 131	Another HMC 40 Question-EVF I am thinking about buying the HMC 40. I want a camera for shooting outdoors. I shoot airplane stuff like air to air, take offs and landings etc. Having the ability to track a target.....outside in the bright sunshine is my priority. The weight of the camera is also very important because I need the mobility you get from a smaller camera. I have a Canon A1 but find it too heavy for use in the field. I find the EFV lacking in the smaller cameras that I have been looking at recently. The Canon XA10 looked promising until I took the camera outside and tried to look through the EVF. Unfortunately there is no HMC 40 demo camera that I can look at around where I live. Can anyone comment on the EVF in the 40?

July 9th, 2011, 05:56 AM	#2
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Another HMC 40 Question-EVF Hi Guy Panasonic unfortunately only came to their senses with the HMC80 and put the LCD inside the EVF with a magnifying loupe in front. It's any awesome and huge EVF and I love them. I had HMC70's before and they have the same minute EVF as the 40 and even the 150!! It's like looking down a black tunnel with a tiny picture at the end....not what I would want for tracking tiny specks in the sky!!! The HMC80 would do an awesome job with the new EVF but it's way too big and heavy for your needs!!! Guess you will have to just keep looking???? Chris

July 9th, 2011, 09:47 AM	#3
Guy Shaddock Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 131	Re: Another HMC 40 Question-EVF I was all excited to receive my Zacuto eyepiece for my Canon 60D the other day thinking that would be the solution. Looking through the Zacuto was like sitting in a movie theater. However, DSLR's are not suited for this type of shooting either. Manual focus, manual zoom ugh. A camcorder is the only way to go for run and gun.

July 9th, 2011, 01:21 PM	#4
Adam Haro Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 171	Re: Another HMC 40 Question-EVF I have had good luck using my hmc40 outside with an lcd hood. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/651251-REG/Canon_1574V682_2_7_LCD_Hood.html

July 9th, 2011, 04:50 PM	#5
Tom Bostick Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Austin TX Posts: 292	Re: Another HMC 40 Question-EVF the evf is terrible ,the lcd is ok indoors ,but outside its next to worthless unless you get a hood for it

July 9th, 2011, 04:59 PM	#6
Guy Shaddock Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 131	Re: Another HMC 40 Question-EVF Well I either buy the 40 now, put a hood on it, and take a chance it's going to be reasonably satisfactory for what I need..or..wait until the next generation comes out. Hopefully Panasonic listens to users and upgrade EVF and the LCD in the next generation HMC "50".