Focal Length of the HVR-A1 at DVinfo.net

Darren McNeill · July 28th, 2008, 02:33 AM

Hi,

Is there a way to determine the focal Length of the A1?

We are doing a shoot with two Z1's and two A1's.

We will be shooting using a 50mm focal length on the Z1's and I would like to match up the A1's as well as they will be used for continuity shots in tight locations.

There doesn't seem to be any functions to either set it to 50mm or to show the focal length on the display.

Annie Haycock · July 28th, 2008, 11:24 AM

Just looked at the manual for this - and it looks like you have to guess, but you're somewhere between 41-480mm in widescreen, and 50-590 in 4:3. Perhaps you can calibrate the zoom scales so you know roughly what each notch corresponds to?

David Tamés · July 28th, 2008, 11:34 AM

I've been shooting with an HVR-A1 and mixing shots w/ other Sony cameras that I borrow from time to time and AFAIK there is no way to know exactly what the lens focal length is set to on the A1. My solution to the problem: shoot a different focal length and don't worry about matching, not always an option, I know, however, since the A1 looks so different than the Z1 or V1, for best results use it for alternative shots that are OK if they look different than what you're shooting with other cameras. For critical shot, reverse-shot work, two identical cameras will save you lots of grief in post trying to match cameras.

July 28th, 2008, 02:33 AM	#1
Darren McNeill Tourist Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ireland Posts: 1	Focal Length of the HVR-A1 Hi, Is there a way to determine the focal Length of the A1? We are doing a shoot with two Z1's and two A1's. We will be shooting using a 50mm focal length on the Z1's and I would like to match up the A1's as well as they will be used for continuity shots in tight locations. There doesn't seem to be any functions to either set it to 50mm or to show the focal length on the display.

July 28th, 2008, 11:24 AM	#2
Annie Haycock Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales Posts: 734	Just looked at the manual for this - and it looks like you have to guess, but you're somewhere between 41-480mm in widescreen, and 50-590 in 4:3. Perhaps you can calibrate the zoom scales so you know roughly what each notch corresponds to? __________________ Canon XH A1; Canon XF100; Nikon D800

July 28th, 2008, 11:34 AM	#3
David Tamés Kino-Eye Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 457	I've been shooting with an HVR-A1 and mixing shots w/ other Sony cameras that I borrow from time to time and AFAIK there is no way to know exactly what the lens focal length is set to on the A1. My solution to the problem: shoot a different focal length and don't worry about matching, not always an option, I know, however, since the A1 looks so different than the Z1 or V1, for best results use it for alternative shots that are OK if they look different than what you're shooting with other cameras. For critical shot, reverse-shot work, two identical cameras will save you lots of grief in post trying to match cameras. __________________ David Tames { blog: http://Kino-Eye.com twitter: @cinemakinoeye }