Focus Lock? at DVinfo.net

Sean Michael · January 7th, 2006, 05:24 PM

Does anyone know how to lock the focus on the DVX100a?

Bill Porter · January 7th, 2006, 06:53 PM

Yes. I learned not to get near the focus ring. I avoid it like it's hot! :)

I know somebody who has a fix though, but I don't think it's released yet.

Ben Winter · January 7th, 2006, 07:17 PM

Is there a focus lock on the GL2?

Bob Hart · January 7th, 2006, 09:01 PM

If it is a Sony camera, switch to autofocus after you have manually set up.

Most times, the autofocus will do as good a job as you will on setting up relay focus on the groundglass if you take the prime lens off the front first or set it way off focus and set aperture tighter than f5.6 (published P+S Technik method) to get the grain on the groundglass to show.

With AGU35 builds, most will not have control over the end-float of the disk motor, so initial focus should be with the disk stopped and the prime lens off focus and tighter than f5.6.

For a final trim, sharpen the front lens image on the groundglass, spin the groundglass to speed so that the motor centres the armature in the magnetic field, then switch to autofocus again. Most times this should work okay.

As long as you are not pulling focus and if there is not movement through the shot towards or away, the relay focus should hold in auto.

Same goes if using high power teles of 1000mm to 2000mm or zooms via the device with the groundglass removed for aerial image only. (An AGUS with a removeable GG is indeed an handy thing).

Autofocus will even track movement in this circumstance but cannot be trusted to stay away from close flying insects or falling leaves etc which will then trigger a focus crash to the closest object - dust on back of the SLR lens.

I can't speak for other cameras, only Sony VX2000/PD150/VX2100/PD170 and HDRFX1.

Graham Bernard · January 8th, 2006, 04:56 AM

Ben? I've emailed you . . Grazie

Ben Winter · January 8th, 2006, 07:35 AM

Grazie, I'll post my answer here because maybe others have misunderstood--

I mean a way to lock the focus ring. At first I was fine with just turning on manual focus but now since Bill is suggesting there is such a thing as locking focus altogether I'm intrigued...

Graham Bernard · January 8th, 2006, 08:38 AM

Ben sure, you mean a physical way. No, no actual LOCK. - G

Bob Hart · January 8th, 2006, 09:24 PM

I have just realised, my post above reads like the letter from an irish mother.

I should have prefaced with something like, this is what I do with a Sony and that I expect the DVX100 would behave similarly.

Matthew Wauhkonen · January 8th, 2006, 09:32 PM

Gaffers tape. Seriously.

On the mini35 there's an awesome shroud thingy, but it's not necessary although it is awesome.

Solomon Chase · January 8th, 2006, 09:55 PM

I have a GL2... I also would like to know if theres a way to lock the zoom.

Graham Bernard · January 9th, 2006, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Hart

I have just realised, my post above reads like the letter from an irish mother.

Bob? What do you mean? What is the Irish connection?

Graham

Bob Hart · January 9th, 2006, 03:12 AM

Graham.

It seems I sow more confusion each time I open my mouth so to speak. My explanation follows.

I haven't seen them for a while but souvenir shops, gift shops, stationery retailers, newsagents and the like, sometimes display hanging ornaments in the form of china placards or little hanging scrolls.

They have such things printed on them as the "Lords Prayer", "Psalm 23" or "Desidirata", "The Golden Rule" or the more cynical offshoot which goes "Do unto others as they would do unto you - First".

One such had the fictitious text of "A Letter From An Irish Mother". I can't remember it in detail but it went something like "I'm sorry you haven't heard from me in a while. I was going to send you this letter but I had already sealed the envelope" or some such illogical wordstuff.

In my post above, I held forth, knowing all, forgetting that the question had been specifically about the DVX100 only. The illogical text about the Panasonic DVX100 in my first post of course reads "If it is a Sony --- ", which the Panasonic DVX100 is not.

Bill Porter · January 9th, 2006, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Hart

"I'm sorry you haven't heard from me in a while. I was going to send you this letter but I had already sealed the envelope" or some such illogical wordstuff.

Almost-present-day corollary: In the mid-1990's a friend of mine worked at a pager company, the kind where people had to call the company and tell an operator what they wanted to send. The operator would then type the information and send it to the recipient.

Someone sent the message, "Come home. You left your pager here."

January 7th, 2006, 05:24 PM	#1
Sean Michael Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 49	Focus Lock? Does anyone know how to lock the focus on the DVX100a?

January 7th, 2006, 07:17 PM	#3
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	Is there a focus lock on the GL2? __________________ BenWinter.com

January 8th, 2006, 07:35 AM	#6
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	Grazie, I'll post my answer here because maybe others have misunderstood-- I mean a way to lock the focus ring. At first I was fine with just turning on manual focus but now since Bill is suggesting there is such a thing as locking focus altogether I'm intrigued... __________________ BenWinter.com

January 7th, 2006, 06:53 PM	#2
Bill Porter Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ventura, California, USA Posts: 751	Yes. I learned not to get near the focus ring. I avoid it like it's hot! :) I know somebody who has a fix though, but I don't think it's released yet.

January 7th, 2006, 09:01 PM	#4
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,476	If it is a Sony camera, switch to autofocus after you have manually set up. Most times, the autofocus will do as good a job as you will on setting up relay focus on the groundglass if you take the prime lens off the front first or set it way off focus and set aperture tighter than f5.6 (published P+S Technik method) to get the grain on the groundglass to show. With AGU35 builds, most will not have control over the end-float of the disk motor, so initial focus should be with the disk stopped and the prime lens off focus and tighter than f5.6. For a final trim, sharpen the front lens image on the groundglass, spin the groundglass to speed so that the motor centres the armature in the magnetic field, then switch to autofocus again. Most times this should work okay. As long as you are not pulling focus and if there is not movement through the shot towards or away, the relay focus should hold in auto. Same goes if using high power teles of 1000mm to 2000mm or zooms via the device with the groundglass removed for aerial image only. (An AGUS with a removeable GG is indeed an handy thing). Autofocus will even track movement in this circumstance but cannot be trusted to stay away from close flying insects or falling leaves etc which will then trigger a focus crash to the closest object - dust on back of the SLR lens. I can't speak for other cameras, only Sony VX2000/PD150/VX2100/PD170 and HDRFX1.

January 8th, 2006, 04:56 AM	#5
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Ben? I've emailed you . . Grazie

January 8th, 2006, 08:38 AM	#7
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Ben sure, you mean a physical way. No, no actual LOCK. - G

January 8th, 2006, 09:24 PM	#8
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,476	I have just realised, my post above reads like the letter from an irish mother. I should have prefaced with something like, this is what I do with a Sony and that I expect the DVX100 would behave similarly.

January 8th, 2006, 09:32 PM	#9
Matthew Wauhkonen Major Player Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 285	Gaffers tape. Seriously. On the mini35 there's an awesome shroud thingy, but it's not necessary although it is awesome.

January 8th, 2006, 09:55 PM	#10
Solomon Chase Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Woodstock, Georgia Posts: 154	I have a GL2... I also would like to know if theres a way to lock the zoom.

January 9th, 2006, 03:12 AM	#12
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,476	Graham. It seems I sow more confusion each time I open my mouth so to speak. My explanation follows. I haven't seen them for a while but souvenir shops, gift shops, stationery retailers, newsagents and the like, sometimes display hanging ornaments in the form of china placards or little hanging scrolls. They have such things printed on them as the "Lords Prayer", "Psalm 23" or "Desidirata", "The Golden Rule" or the more cynical offshoot which goes "Do unto others as they would do unto you - First". One such had the fictitious text of "A Letter From An Irish Mother". I can't remember it in detail but it went something like "I'm sorry you haven't heard from me in a while. I was going to send you this letter but I had already sealed the envelope" or some such illogical wordstuff. In my post above, I held forth, knowing all, forgetting that the question had been specifically about the DVX100 only. The illogical text about the Panasonic DVX100 in my first post of course reads "If it is a Sony --- ", which the Panasonic DVX100 is not.