What is the HVX Focus and Iris controls like?

Jonathan Bryant · June 23, 2005

I am from the world of using Betacams and Sony dsr500's with real lens instead of the cameras like the Sony PD150 with its servo focus from hell and its electronic iris that doesn't have a gradual change. I haven't used the dvx100 though I understand it has numbers in the vf that tell you where you are focused at. How does the HVX and DVX lens work?

Matt Irwin CSC · June 23, 2005

Check out this thread from DVInfo.

From what I've read, the focus ring is free spinning, but it is fully calibrated and repeatable. (Don't quite get how that works...) On the DVX, there is an arbitrary 0-100 number scale that can be displayed in the vf. It doesn't represent distance, but it does allow the focus puller to reference those numbers for a pull. (The DVX is also calibrated) The HVX will have that scale AND the option to display feet but not inches (why not?!!!). The focus ring itself is supposed to feel much more like a broadcast lens, and not like a "tonka" lens :-). There's more in the thread, but those are the key facts. Personally, I wish they would just put some witness marks on the barrel and make everyone happy.

[Edit:]

Oh yeah, the iris is controlled by a little dial on the body like the DVX. I'm not sure if it has "steps" or is free spinning.

Edited June 23, 2005 by Matt Irwin