Manual focus is excellent on the AX700, and when you spin to infinity, its accurate at infinity focus. It's the sole reason why I have kept this camcorder.
Interesting. The camera mentioned above that I have does sometimes do a blue spotty thing around subjects when I was trying to manually focus. I thought it was some some sort of weird bug. I'm going to have to take it outside sometime & do some tests...Warren Faidley said:With peaking, a blue (or other selected color) haze or highlight glows around the subject when it's in focus. This makes it easy to focus though the rear screen without looking though the viewfinder.
I have done the same thing but if you are off focus even a little you can tell. Do you use the yellow highlights to zoom in focus?I usually leave the 100 on manual focus though, the auto-focus is good, but I like to have control over my focus and not trust the auto-focus.
I know this is an old thread but figured I'd post an update. After having the A7RIII for a year, I picked up another recently as the footage it shoots was leagues above my AX53 and AX100, I even briefly had the AX700 and returned it as well after a couple days (sold both my AX53 and AX100). When using the A7RIII combined with G-Master glass (24-70mm F/2.8 or 24mm F/1.4), its almost unstoppable. Even the native audio without my shotgun mic is leagues above the results I got from my AX (700/100) series cameras. So 2021 will be the first year I no longer own a "dedicated video camera". I think the time for the dedicated video camera is slowly coming to an end, just like the DSLR is slowly phasing out in favor of full frame mirorrless devices, which are extremely tough to beat.I have the AX100 and the AX53, the AX100 is my go-to camcorder for weather events. I just purchased an A7RIII and waiting on it to arrive, so curious to see how this stacks up against my AX100. I usually leave the 100 on manual focus though, the auto-focus is good, but I like to have control over my focus and not trust the auto-focus. My only advice is to get an external microphone, the on-board mic is decent, but I've noticed an external microphone makes a huge difference in audio quality. I don't use the AX53 that much, the image stabilization I've noticed is better on the AX53 than the 100, that is really my only observation on that.
Ethan, thanks for your update. Sadly, the information on this "old thread" is still relevant since not much has changed in the world of camcorders in over a year. I still like the camcorder form factor as I'll set on up on a tripod, hit infinity focus, record and then shoot stills with a DSLR. I assume the issues with focusing past infinity is the same on the A7RIII as with any other camera. On my DSLR, I have to find a focusing point, then "lock." Sort of a pain on the fly. That would be even more difficult with a mounted dashcam. I use a Canon HV20 and can easily hit infinity when I want to focus while driving.I know this is an old thread but figured I'd post an update. After having the A7RIII for a year, I picked up another recently as the footage it shoots was leagues above my AX53 and AX100, I even briefly had the AX700 and returned it as well after a couple days (sold both my AX53 and AX100). When using the A7RIII combined with G-Master glass (24-70mm F/2.8 or 24mm F/1.4), its almost unstoppable. Even the native audio without my shotgun mic is leagues above the results I got from my AX (700/100) series cameras. So 2021 will be the first year I no longer own a "dedicated video camera". I think the time for the dedicated video camera is slowly coming to an end, just like the DSLR is slowly phasing out in favor of full frame mirorrless devices, which are extremely tough to beat.
The nice thing about the A7R/A9/A7S cameras, you don't focus using your lens totally like with the DSLR cameras. You can switch to manual focus and then when you turn it, the touch screen zooms into a distant detail of your choosing and you can turn it to infinity until everything is in focus to your liking. Pretty cool. I find this especially useful when shooting at night when its dark and I can't see much without a flashlight. But yes the deal about mounting on the dash is still something I'm hashing out. I'm going to have to purchase a larger mount as the weight of my A7RIII + 24-70mm GM is significantly heavier than any of the AX series cameras I've had and I'm afraid of it falling down and jamming the lens up. I think as of right now, the A7SIII is the best stills+video camera on the market as far as mirorrless goes, but I opted for more resolution as I like my stills more and the A7RIII offers more than enough for me video-wise.Ethan, thanks for your update. Sadly, the information on this "old thread" is still relevant since not much has changed in the world of camcorders in over a year. I still like the camcorder form factor as I'll set on up on a tripod, hit infinity focus, record and then shoot stills with a DSLR. I assume the issues with focusing past infinity is the same on the A7RIII as with any other camera. On my DSLR, I have to find a focusing point, then "lock." Sort of a pain on the fly. That would be even more difficult with a mounted dashcam. I use a Canon HV20 and can easily hit infinity when I want to focus while driving.
I was never terribly big into video captures during chases due to the slower-evolving nature of the even exciting elements I like to capture. Unless you're within a mile or two of a tornado or are capturing a massive hail fall, there tends not to be a big reason to take video...stills often times give you better quality documentation. That said, I did more videoing during the early part of my chasing career and have largely abandoned it since about 2016 or so. However, I have found my D750 has impressive video capabilities, so in a pinch I can use that. Of course, it restricts me from shooting stills at the time. So...obvious solution...get a second camera!Happy to read any and all new experiences with video gear. Since starting this thread almost two years ago, I've gone through probably 3 or 4 short phases of being determined to buy some sort of replacement for my crappy camcorder, but always end up exasperated and back at square one. It is just laughable how quickly the market for high-end consumer/prosumer camcorders dried up, leaving only options with such a poor cost-performance ratio that I can't entertain them purely on principle. But all is well in the world, since the new $1200 iPhone improved the sharpness of ass-shaking TikToks by 3% over the previous model! I guess I'll continue mulling over some kind of mirrorless option for 2021, although I just can't see mechanical zoom or limited zoom range on a per-lens basis meshing with my chasing style, where I focus my attention on stills and usually let the video roll unattended.