I was just about to give up on my Z5 and sell it and upgrade.
I just couldn't justify the money I had tied up in it when after a few shoots it was looking very soft compared to my other less expensive cams.
After reading this thread-
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-hvr-z5-hdr-fx1000/240171-back-focus-problem-z5.html
and having a closer look at mine I decided to get it checked out.
I contacted Ray at Insight -
VA Hire | Service and Repair | Video Camera Hire and Broadcast Equipment Hire (http://www.vahire.com/vahire-service-and-repair.html)
and he felt confident all it needed was a lens calibration.
Took it down today, he had it for just a few hrs, I picked it up and have been playing with it since I got home.
It is like a new cam, wide shots are now super sharp, and the auto focus is a lot snappier, and works better in low light.
Apparently the lens is prone to go 'out' if it gets some knocks or rough treatment over time.
This was tough though because it never seemed broken, or unusable, just not as good as it maybe should be.
Just offering this up for any other Z5 owners, especially ones in Australia.
And Ray was a pleasure to deal with, highly recommended.
cheers guys.

thanks gerald - that's really good to know!!!

Thanks for the info and contact. That will be really useful to know. Just wondering roughly how much the adjustment cost

Hi Andrew
$145.00
Absolute bargain.