On Sat, 22 Feb 2003 10:44:12 -0800, "Mike Rehmus" <mike@no-spam-byvideo.com> wrote:

>> For the most part, I just leave the camera in full-auto mode. The only

>> thing you'll have to do differently with the VX2000 is switch the neutral

>> density filters in and out (and the camera tells you when to do that).

>>

>> I will, occasionally, turn off auto-focus depending on what I'm shooting,

>> but I had to do that with my TRV20, as well. I haven't yet hit any

>> situations in which full auto didn't produce a well-exposed, completely

>> satisfying image. The VX2000 even has a couple of useful auto features

>that

>> you won't find on consumer camcorders. For example, in additional to the

>> relatively common "back light" button, which is useful for dark subjects

>in

>> front of bright backgrounds, there is a "spot light" button for bright

>> subjects in front of dark backgrounds, e.g. stage performes in spotlights,

>> etc.

>Leaving the auto focus on the 1000, 2000 or PD150 is just asking for the

>focus to

>'hunt' when the camera is not moving. These camcorders will all do that.

>To get auto mode without the hunt, place the focus switch in manual and

>press the focus button until the image is in focus. Release the button and

>the camera is now locked focus until you move the ring or change the switch

>settings.

?????????????

You have obviously not used the VX2000/PD150...

Its AF does not hunt, even under low-light conditions.

The only things that I've seen "trick" it is shooting with

long-lens a subject with low contrast against a background

that is brighter and with more contrast, and when shooting

in low light and zooming - otherwise the VX2000/PD150

AF looks more like smooth-but-accurate manual-focus (and

in any case, I have not seen it "hunt" for focus...)

Time was when AF hunted every once in a while to "check

focus", even if on a tripod with a stationary subject,

but this went away with the first Sony DV cameras...