Panasonic AG-HMC151

Overview

The AG-HMC151 features highly-acclaimed functions of the popular AG-DVX100 Series of DV-tape based camcorders to tapeless HD recording. Using the cost-saving AVCHD format to record onto SDHC or SD Memory Card media, the AG-HMC151 produces exceptional images and responds to creative production needs. It also features a 28mm (35mm equivalent) wide-angle lens - widest in a professional camera of this class - and a 1/3 type 16:9 progressive CCD. It further enhances image quality by adding a higher-quality PH mode to the clean, extendedtime recording abilities of the AVCHD format. The AG-HMC151 handles full pixel (1920 x 1080/1280 x 720) 24p, 25p, and 30p progressive recording, and includes cinelike gamma and other versatile functions to meet the special needs of creative image production.

Health and Safety Checklist:

Bags - All bags and cases must be stored in a safe location away from any thoroughfares.

Tripod - The tripod must be set up correctly on even ground, ensuring the spreader is locked, the legs are raised evenly and do not slip under pressure.

Mounting the Camera - Make sure that the camera is mounted on the tripod correctly ensuring the plate is fastened securely to both the camera and the tripod.

Stability - Ensure that if the camera is front or back heavy there is a supporting leg taking that weight.

Also – Be aware that when hiring equipment, you are fully responsible for that equipment, take note when unpacking so that when packing away the equipment is stored in the same way. All equipment is packed in a specific way to avoid damage and wearing to the equipment. If it isn’t stored correctly you are liable for a fine.

Induction Check list:

Battery – Battery to be inserted into the back arrow at the bottom, simply push in at the top and slide down in the direction of the arrow on the back of the battery until the “click”

SD Card – Just above the battery you will see the slot for the SD card, pull the opening hatch down and insert SD card label side up until you hear the “click”. Make note that the card door must be closed for you to be able to use the camera to record.

Power Switch – the power switch is located at the back right of the camera on the back of the grip handle, pull down and the white line will be pointing to “on” which will switch the camera on.

Format SD card – Really important that you format your card to make sure that yours is the only footage on there before shooting. After inserting the card located behind the SD card above the viewfinder you will see a MENU button in green, when you press this a CAM MENU screen will appear on the screen. Use the toggle switch central to the menu button to scroll down, keep scrolling to CARD FUNCTIONS, push toggle in, card format will be the first option, press on that then choose yes and yes again until you see “SD CARD FORMAT COMPLETED”

Focus – 2 options here, on the left at the front of the camera under FOCUS you can choose auto or manual focus, if you want full control over your own focus make sure this is on manual and you can control the focus with the first ring on the lens (end of the camera)

ND Filter – Mostly this would be switched to off, but you can test with your lighting or when shooting outside if you wanted to use the ND filters.

Zoom – There are 3 ways to zoom on the 151 1. The focus ring, on the left side at the front of the camera behind the focus switch you will see user 1,2, and 3, below is a switch, to use the manual ring behind the focus ring this switch MUST me on manual not servo. 2. First rocker located on the top of the top handle, go back to that manual/servo switch and make sure this time its on servo, you can use the top rocker to zoom in or out. 3. Second rocker, on the right of the camera above the side handle you will see a larger rocker that you can use again to use this the switch must be set to servo.

Iris – located on the left at the front on the bottom row the button that says IRIS, pushing this will either set it to auto or manual, if manual make sure your camera is letting enough light in, you can scroll up or down to adjust with the dial in front of the IRIS button.

Gain – Gain toggle is towards the front of the camera behind Iris options of L/M/H (low, medium, high) usually this will be set to low, when the gain is set to high it is very difficult to change after. Primarily gain is only used in extreme low light situations.

White Balance – White balance button is located on the left of the camera on the bottom row behind Iris and Gain, set this to B, hold a white piece of paper in front of the camera and then right at the front of the camera below the lens you will see the AWB button, push and hold this until “ABB END” on screen

Shutter – Located next to your screen, along the top from left to right you will see BARS, SHUTTER, SPEED, and SELECT. You can turn this off by pressing shutter until its says “shutter off” on your screen or for standard footage you can set it to 1/60 on this camera, it would usually be 1/50

Record Button – There are two record buttons, one on the top handle in front of the small zoom rocker, the second behind the large rocker on the right, same location as the on/off switch

Thumbnail – Playback function is located just to the left of where the battery is located, it’s the bottom button marked MODE, press that to switch between live feed and playback mode.

Rec Format – Hitting MENU again scrolling you will find REC FORMAT, make sure that if you are shooting standard footage this is set to 1080p/25p or if what your shooting doesn’t require as much quality and you need more space on the SD card 720/25p