AC160 loses focus at DVinfo.net

Alex Moreau · August 4th, 2013, 01:25 AM

Hi all,
I went filming yesterday some nature footage. The camera was in full manual, always is, on a tripod.
I was able to approach some very shy sea birds and noticed the camera was getting out of focus on its own.
Full telephoto and in manual focus, i focus on the bird and instantly the camera goes out of focus.
Tried to put it in auto focus and instantly back to manual but same issue!

I posted a sample on vimeo for you to see, has anyone ever experienced this?

password is focus

This is the 1st gen ac160 and updated to latest firmware 1.23

Thanks

Chris Harding · August 4th, 2013, 03:38 AM

Hi Alex

My AC-130's were also terrible on focus both auto and manual.... I know that Rod Pike had Panasonic look at his camera and they replaced the lens assembly so maybe take it in for a warranty repair?

Chris

Nate Haustein · August 4th, 2013, 08:27 AM

Check to see if the "manual assist" function is turned on. It tries to "help" you by making micro adjustments to your focus when the camera is in manual mode. I've never found it to be of much use, but it looks like this might be what's going on.

Alex Moreau · August 5th, 2013, 01:45 AM

I'll try that, also had OIS on, don't know if this would affect it to.

Thanks for your replies!

August 4th, 2013, 01:25 AM	#1
Alex Moreau New Boot Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Quiberon - France Posts: 22	AC160 loses focus Hi all, I went filming yesterday some nature footage. The camera was in full manual, always is, on a tripod. I was able to approach some very shy sea birds and noticed the camera was getting out of focus on its own. Full telephoto and in manual focus, i focus on the bird and instantly the camera goes out of focus. Tried to put it in auto focus and instantly back to manual but same issue! I posted a sample on vimeo for you to see, has anyone ever experienced this? Private Video on Vimeo password is focus This is the 1st gen ac160 and updated to latest firmware 1.23 Thanks

August 4th, 2013, 03:38 AM	#2
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: AC160 loses focus Hi Alex My AC-130's were also terrible on focus both auto and manual.... I know that Rod Pike had Panasonic look at his camera and they replaced the lens assembly so maybe take it in for a warranty repair? Chris

August 4th, 2013, 08:27 AM	#3
Nate Haustein Trustee Join Date: May 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 1,313	Re: AC160 loses focus Check to see if the "manual assist" function is turned on. It tries to "help" you by making micro adjustments to your focus when the camera is in manual mode. I've never found it to be of much use, but it looks like this might be what's going on. __________________ Nate Haustein PXW-FX9 / FCPX www.flightcreativemedia.com

August 5th, 2013, 01:45 AM	#4
Alex Moreau New Boot Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Quiberon - France Posts: 22	Re: AC160 loses focus I'll try that, also had OIS on, don't know if this would affect it to. Thanks for your replies!