Features that don't seem to be on HD camcorders

[brassplyer]

I have a Sony Digital 8 camcorder. One of the most useful features is switchable auto/manual focus. You can use the auto focus and then switch to manual to lock in the focus. I was in Best Buy and didn't see a single HD camcorder with manual focus. I have a hard time believing no one on the design side of these manuf's sees this as a useful feature. I guess you have to go to a high-end camcorder to get this feature?

[smrpix]

My little HD Sony, not high end by a long shot, has manual focus and exposure using the touch screen. So the feature is there. It's just the more you pay (generally) the better the ergonomics.

The best manual focus doesn't involve switches, buttons or screens at all but a manually controllable lens and a high quality viewfinder.

[brassplyer]

My little HD Sony, not high end by a long shot, has manual focus and exposure using the touch screen. So the feature is there. It's just the more you pay (generally) the better the ergonomics.

The best manual focus doesn't involve switches, buttons or screens at all but a manually controllable lens and a high quality viewfinder.

My Sony Dig8 has a focus ring. Manual focus using the touch screen sounds like a PITA and seems like you're limited to whatever the preset "notches" are.

[smrpix]

seems like you're limited to whatever the preset "notches" are.

Not at all. You touch the screen on the part of the scene where you want to focus and it locks in. It's even smart enough to follow your subject despite confusing foreground occlusions. In many ways it's far easier than those slow-reacting relative focus rings.

Would I rather use a "real" lens with predictable absolute focus settings? Of course.

But to address your original question, the capability is there -- just not in the way you're used to it.

[budwzr]

I have a Sony Digital 8 camcorder.

Is that you, Doc?

You might as well go for the Sony upper prosumer models. They have "Focus Peaking" too. Those itty-bitty screens are hard to actually see focus, if not impossible.

And a lot of other goodies, like "Exposure Zebras".

With these two features active, all you need to do is guide the camera.

I shot this last night: http://files.videohelp.com/u/135518/Hunt%20Beach%20Nightlife.avi Sony HDRpj710.