Anybody using Anton Bauer?

[Joe Sanders]

I'd just be cautious as I've heard from a lot of people that the JVC built in lens is terrible. I've also seen plenty of footage with huge Chromatic Abberations and some definite issues with clarity.

It may be a full manual lens, but that doesn't mean it actually works well. Just so you know, a new lens for the JVC is $12,000. That's the low-end one.

I'm interested in the Panasonic though.  1080p30 is just too incredible to pass up, as is the in-camera slow motion and fast motion.

What are you talking about young man?

There are televisions stations all over the world that use the JVC cameras. My DV500 has no discernable aberrations.

In the first 6 months after JVC introduced the DV500 they sold 25,000 units.

So hearing from a lot of people about that camera would be like maybe, 10,000 or so.

[Tom Wills]

No, I'm talking about the HD100. Let me dig up some links on DVInfoNet for your viewing pleasure.

I really like JVC, but even they have supposedly admitted that this lens is low-quality.

Oh, and almost forgot to mention the SSE issue, which is when in low-light you can see that the 2 halves of the screen are different brightnesses. Definetly not good.

Linkage:
http://www.ideavideo.fi/pic/harakat_hdv.jpg (Note the massive purple CA)

I'll try and pull up more links later. Still trying to fit on my new Treo's case.

[Wade Francom]

And you've used this camera.....Tom?

The lens is not built by JVC

I haven't heard the same bad news you've heard, so I'm interested in those links you have.

And that last link... it's a nice picture....but what does that have to do with it? I see no issues in the pic.

And the lens is not a "built in" lens, and is interchangeable by many, many other lenses, so the lens that's on there is not necessarily the one I will use. All the issues you mention are lens issues, and were probably "first-run" issues, and have probably been solved with the newer units being produced, but I will do some research.

Also, my camera is an XL-1. The JVC will be a definite upgrade, and much more economical than the XL-H1 which is far more expensive, has a proprietary lens system----not to mention that Canon has also had lens issues with that line of camcorders.

Much like the Canon problems, if there are any with the JVC lens that comes with it, it can be worked around fairly easily.

[Tom Wills]

Maybe you're not as sensitive about Chromatic Abberation as I am. If so, then you're fine. I just know that I wouldn't be happy using a camera with such a cheap lens. Also, apparently Fujinon is going to be coming out with a new HD lens soon that should be much better. That'd be quite nice.

As to what's wrong with the picture, look at anywhere where dark and light colors meet. There's a ton of purple in those locations. That shouldn't happen on a good lens.

The SSE issue is the only issue not a lens issue, and that can be worked around just by making sure that you never shoot in too low-light of a situation.

I'm sure you'll be happy with this camera, as it is a really nice one (JVC does have a good reputation for nice, dependable cameras, like the DV500 which I've used many times at my school), and it is a definite upgrade from an XL1. Just don't expect the lens to be high quality. In glass, you often get what you pay for.

[michael stevenson]

Tom,

I'm sorry to say but I just don't see it. Maybe it's your computer or monitor.

Michael

[Tom Wills]

I cropped it to some close-ups so that you could see it better. Look for the purple.

And no, it's not my monitor. It shows up on all of my monitors, including my NTSC monitor.

EDIT - Michael, I just scaled the image down to the same size you posted it at. Nothing's visible at that resolution, because the decrease in resolution is so great that you lose major detail.

[Wade Francom]

I'm interseted in researching this more. I'd like to get my hands on the JVC and run some tests in varying high contrast, extreme color temp settings, along with another camera of similar style/lens setup. The picture almost makes it look like color bleeding on an over-adjusted monitor.

[Tom Wills]

Wade - I know this may not be realistic, but if you can, B&H in New York does exactly this. They have a setup in which there's a small model train and town and a whole circle of professional cameras and NTSC monitors set up. If I get a chance to go up there in the next few weeks, I'll play around and report my findings.

[Wade Francom]

Please do.

I was up there a couple of months ago and stopped by B&H. I messed around their model train setup for a little bit, but was more interested in other things at the time.

I don't know how well the setup they have is going to bring out the faults in the lens, but it's worthresearching.

[Phil Kindred]

OK, guys.  You are way off the battery topic.  If you wish to continue, I would suggest  in another place--perhaps the Think Tank.

[Wade Francom]

Tom, lets continuethis discussion in Think Tank..about the JVC problem

Also, are we thinking of the same camera? JVC GY-HD100U is the one I'm thinking of.

[michael stevenson]

Tom

Hey if I am wrong about this I'd like to know, but  meanwhile post that pic the same size as mine as you say and make the purple go away. It doesn't seen to work for me.

Michael

[Tom Wills]

Michael - I scaled down the full image, not the small cropped versions. It just lost so much detail that the purple disappeared.

[Dave Beaty]

Hi. I'm using the HD100 which has an Anton gold mount adator. I am using a Steadicam Flyer and I was wondering if it would be better to continue using the Anton Dionics on cam or lose the weight with a cable from the sled's lemo DC output? The camera/lens/mic is about 10lbs with camera batt. The balance is slightly top heavy with Dionics on top and on the bottom. It seems like it would be easy to go from the lemo to the anton gold mount input, but I have never seen an anton bauer 2 pin female cable.

That would be easier than constructing a 7.2 DC voltage regulator for the JVC DC input. The Anton Bauer JVC plate has one built in.

We've been using the JVC HD100's since September and are totally commited. We've only experienced very few of the problems trumpeted on other forums and they are really minor compared to most new gear. I think it's mainly a problem of people who want to justify other purchase decisions.

The camera really does produce 16mm telecine like looks with 720p24 or 30p and has more paint box and gamma settings than any broadcast camera I've used in the past 20 years.  Plus SD memory card with 6 presets. The Fujinon lens isn't perfect but it's OK especially with the .8 wide angle adapter. JVC support has been fantastic.

Dave Beaty

[Trevor Crump]

Now this is the type of reporting I want to see, from the horses mouth... Thanks

Now to the battery... I would want to keep the weight low, this in turn raises the lens and P.O.V. higher

just my thoughts...