Hiring & Testing the Z7 this weekend

Robert Bec · August 18th, 2008, 04:56 PM

HI

I am hiring the Z7 this weekend and want to run a heap of test. What possible tests can you guys recommend i do

What test i will carry out

* shoot SD and then shoot same scene in HD check quality
* Shoot in all the different modes ( progressive,interlaced etc.)
* low light shooting and checking gains
* focusing
* Compact Flash recording
* I will do an intensive test with camera flashes

what else guys

thanks

Robert

John Knight · August 18th, 2008, 07:05 PM

Impact resistance is always important.

Do the following:

(1) Set gain to -6db (iris to around f4)
(2) Position camera 2.5 meters from the ground (either stand on chair or climb on table)
(3) Face lens downwards (very important)
(4) Drop camera

Now, you should find that focus has changed a little. Let us know how you get on.

Regards
John

PS: Please post photos/video of the test...

Robert Bec · August 18th, 2008, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Knight

Impact resistance is always important.

Do the following:

(1) Set gain to -6db (iris to around f4)
(2) Position camera 2.5 meters from the ground (either stand on chair or climb on table)
(3) Face lens downwards (very important)
(4) Drop camera

Now, you should find that focus has changed a little. Let us know how you get on.

Regards
John

PS: Please post photos/video of the test...

Drop Camera i will give that a go i guess it's coverd by insurance John

Marcus Marchesseault · August 19th, 2008, 03:42 AM

I think I might add a fine detail and backfocus test.

Of course, an extreme temperature and vibration test would also be fun.

Mike Paterson · August 19th, 2008, 04:58 PM

John - I did your test with my camera as I hadn't tested this aspect yet and I've got a very important shoot tomorrow. I found that the focus changed quite a lot after testing - definitely more than acceptable. On further checking I found that my gain was actually set to 0db and iris was at f8 - do you think this could have affected the test result? Should I do it again with the correct settings?

John Knight · August 19th, 2008, 07:54 PM

0db!!!!!???? No no, this might damage the camera.

Try again at -6db. If you have used 0db, you'll need to perform an enhanced reset. This is easy to do. Just increase the height of the drop calibration to around 8 meters. You'll need to find a 3rd floor apartment or even carpark building complex to perform this.

Also, remember to use the special code if hiring the camera and performing this advanced testing procedure. When asked for your full name, use the code "Douglas Spotted Eagle".

John Bour · August 20th, 2008, 04:05 AM

John, Mike,
get serious!

How can you perform the impact resistance test without proper calibration/focussing?
I ALWAYS make sure that there is a focusing test chart taped to the horizontal plane
where the impact will occur. Multiple passes might be necessary to 'hit the mark'.

good luck, please share the results,
John

Vincent Oliver · August 21st, 2008, 01:40 AM

Not sure if I am following this correctly. "Drop the Camera" is this a term used for some technical aspect or do you mean remove your hands from the camera and watch the camera hit the ground.

As for the horizontal test. You are more than welcome to strap the camera to the front of my wifes car when she goes shopping, that wil be a guaranteed impact test.

Jim Andrada · August 21st, 2008, 01:51 AM

Gee guys, I always wondered what they meant by "drop time" in my Merlin manual. Now I know.

Robert Bec · August 21st, 2008, 03:57 AM

You are all joking i hope

Vincent Oliver · August 21st, 2008, 04:00 AM

Joking? never, my wife can wreck anything

John Knight · August 21st, 2008, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Bec

You are all joking i hope

No Robert. We're serious.

Robert, as you read this... you are getting very sleepy. Here these words Robert. Obey these commands.

Hire the camera using the name "Douglas Spotted Eagle".

Drop the camera lens first, from 8 meters, onto concrete.

This is no joke Robert. You WILL do this for us. You cannot resist the urge.

Go now Robert, complete this task, and you will become more powerful than you can imagine.

Switch off the PC. Forget you have visited these forums. <snap>

John Bour · August 21st, 2008, 07:40 AM

hmm..I wonder how many Roberts visit this forum..

John (fortunately)

John Knight · August 24th, 2008, 11:49 PM

So how did your testing go Robert? Did you find the ON/OFF switch ok? ;)

Robert Bec · August 25th, 2008, 01:10 AM

John i didn't do the drop camera test maybe next time other than that camera is great very sharp picture i put it alongside a canon A1 and sony Z1

Z7 has nice rich pictures BUT i just cant get over the rolling shutter issue because i shoot weddings we had to simulate camera flashes going off from different angles. It is not as noticeable during the day but as soon as we turned off the lights to simulate a reception then it really showed.
I dont know how things are done anywhere else in the world but here we shoot bride and grooms preparations with photographers and you come across photographers that use lots of flash which really bothers me so i don't think this camera will do for what i need.

I guess i will buy a Z1 for now then hopefully something will come out next year.

Rob

August 18th, 2008, 04:56 PM	#1
Robert Bec Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 181	Hiring & Testing the Z7 this weekend HI I am hiring the Z7 this weekend and want to run a heap of test. What possible tests can you guys recommend i do What test i will carry out * shoot SD and then shoot same scene in HD check quality * Shoot in all the different modes ( progressive,interlaced etc.) * low light shooting and checking gains * focusing * Compact Flash recording * I will do an intensive test with camera flashes what else guys thanks Robert

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August 18th, 2008, 07:05 PM	#2
John Knight Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 152	Impact resistance is always important. Do the following: (1) Set gain to -6db (iris to around f4) (2) Position camera 2.5 meters from the ground (either stand on chair or climb on table) (3) Face lens downwards (very important) (4) Drop camera Now, you should find that focus has changed a little. Let us know how you get on. Regards John PS: Please post photos/video of the test...

August 19th, 2008, 03:42 AM	#4
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,635	I think I might add a fine detail and backfocus test. Of course, an extreme temperature and vibration test would also be fun.

August 19th, 2008, 04:58 PM	#5
Mike Paterson Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 50	John - I did your test with my camera as I hadn't tested this aspect yet and I've got a very important shoot tomorrow. I found that the focus changed quite a lot after testing - definitely more than acceptable. On further checking I found that my gain was actually set to 0db and iris was at f8 - do you think this could have affected the test result? Should I do it again with the correct settings?

August 19th, 2008, 07:54 PM	#6
John Knight Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 152	0db!!!!!???? No no, this might damage the camera. Try again at -6db. If you have used 0db, you'll need to perform an enhanced reset. This is easy to do. Just increase the height of the drop calibration to around 8 meters. You'll need to find a 3rd floor apartment or even carpark building complex to perform this. Also, remember to use the special code if hiring the camera and performing this advanced testing procedure. When asked for your full name, use the code "Douglas Spotted Eagle".

August 20th, 2008, 04:05 AM	#7
John Bour New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Eidfjord, Norway Posts: 17	John, Mike, get serious! How can you perform the impact resistance test without proper calibration/focussing? I ALWAYS make sure that there is a focusing test chart taped to the horizontal plane where the impact will occur. Multiple passes might be necessary to 'hit the mark'. good luck, please share the results, John

August 21st, 2008, 01:40 AM	#8
Vincent Oliver Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 192	Not sure if I am following this correctly. "Drop the Camera" is this a term used for some technical aspect or do you mean remove your hands from the camera and watch the camera hit the ground. As for the horizontal test. You are more than welcome to strap the camera to the front of my wifes car when she goes shopping, that wil be a guaranteed impact test.

August 21st, 2008, 01:51 AM	#9
Jim Andrada Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 721	Gee guys, I always wondered what they meant by "drop time" in my Merlin manual. Now I know.

August 21st, 2008, 03:57 AM	#10
Robert Bec Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 181	You are all joking i hope

August 21st, 2008, 04:00 AM	#11
Vincent Oliver Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 192	Joking? never, my wife can wreck anything

August 21st, 2008, 07:40 AM	#13
John Bour New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Eidfjord, Norway Posts: 17	hmm..I wonder how many Roberts visit this forum.. John (fortunately)

August 24th, 2008, 11:49 PM	#14
John Knight Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 152	So how did your testing go Robert? Did you find the ON/OFF switch ok? ;)

August 25th, 2008, 01:10 AM	#15
Robert Bec Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 181	John i didn't do the drop camera test maybe next time other than that camera is great very sharp picture i put it alongside a canon A1 and sony Z1 Z7 has nice rich pictures BUT i just cant get over the rolling shutter issue because i shoot weddings we had to simulate camera flashes going off from different angles. It is not as noticeable during the day but as soon as we turned off the lights to simulate a reception then it really showed. I dont know how things are done anywhere else in the world but here we shoot bride and grooms preparations with photographers and you come across photographers that use lots of flash which really bothers me so i don't think this camera will do for what i need. I guess i will buy a Z1 for now then hopefully something will come out next year. Rob