OT: JVC HD100/110

goshep wrote on 5/9/2007, 5:01 PM
Does anyone own one or have any experience with them? I'm having a heck of a time finding anyone local who has a demo model available. My closest dealer (I'm in Orangevale, CA) appears to be Calumet photo in San Francisco. They don't have one nor do they seem to have any clue if/when they'll get one. Anyone in Northern California know of a dealer?

Thanks

Comments

Bill Ravens wrote on 5/9/2007, 5:12 PM
Dunno much about finding a dealer. locally. I can tell you, however, that I mail ordered my JVC GY-HD110 last year. I've used it on numerous shoots; and, absolutely love this camera. The images are as good as anything I've seen, better than the XLH1, the ergonomics are a pleasure to use, and I've never had a problem injesting HDV footage to Vegas via Cineform. It is one of the only under $10K cameras that shoots true progressive mode. I can honestly say I hope I never have to go back to interlaced or pseudo-progressive cameras. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this camera to anyone who wants more than a point and shoot. If you want point and shoot, don't buy this camera. It has no autofocus feature and it takes some expertise to set up properly. There's a wealth of "scene files" available on the internet to customize the "look".
One piece of advice I can offer is, talk to whomever you find as a dealer and see if they'll substitute the Fujinon 17x lens for the standard Fujinon 16x. The 16x has a bit of CA, and has some plastic parts. The 17x is much better.
Tech Diver wrote on 5/10/2007, 6:02 AM
Bill, did you succeed in finding a dealer that would substitute the lens? If so, how much more did it cost you if I may ask?
Peter
Bill Ravens wrote on 5/10/2007, 6:17 AM
The 17x lens retails for $3300. The 16x runs $1100. Unfortunately, I didn't learn about the lower quality of the 16x until after I had used it a bit. I beleive Tapeworks of Texas will negotiate on a body plus lens option, but, I can't be sure of that recommendation. The 16x lens isn't a bad lens, simply that the 17x is better, and of course the $10k 18x is really good, but, you get what you pay for. The CA problem on the 16x is only at the very extreme zoom end. As for the plastic outer construction of the 16x, it works OK unless you want to attach a mattebox. Clamping a mattebox to the plastic lens barrel distorts the barrel sufficiently to lock up the focus mechanism.
Tech Diver wrote on 5/10/2007, 10:44 AM
Bill, thanks for the information on the lenses and the vendor.
Peter
Coursedesign wrote on 5/10/2007, 11:58 AM
For the 16x Fujinon lens, you could try using Digital Film Tools' Chromatic Aberration remover (in their 55mm After Effects/Combustion/FCP plug-in). See http://www.digitalfilmtools.com/55mm/chromaticaberration.htm for an example, and download a trial from here: http://www.digitalfilmtools.com/55mm/download.htm.

If you don't have After Effects already, you could buy it on eBay for not much over $300.

After Effects is like Photoshop or the English language: easy to learn enough for daily use, few go beyond that (or feel they have to).

But AE is very handy to have for titles and more. There are tens of thousands of AE Project files (like .veg files) available free for all kinds of things.

Tech Diver wrote on 5/10/2007, 2:38 PM
I noticed that my Boris Red software accepts many AE plugins. I'll download the CA remover and see if it works from within there. Thanks for the tip.
filmy wrote on 5/12/2007, 4:52 PM
I love my 100. I would guess the issue in not finding one is because the newer models have been out for a bit now. I am niot sure about up North but if you want to take a 7 hour drive down South I am pretty sure you can find some. Call Birns & Sawyer and see what they have, I am fairly certian the have at least one of the HD100's. Email Peter and ask: panway [AT] birnsandsawyer [DOT] com