Yikes! FX7 acting up... at DVinfo.net

Chris Leong · September 23rd, 2007, 10:24 AM

Hi all.
My FX7 suddenly took a dive in the middle of a shoot last week.
In record mode, it worked fine for an hour or so, then in the middle of a tape, it suddenly starting acting like someone was turning it on and off every two seconds.
Very strange.
No problem in playback mode, it works fine.
Turned it off, let it cool down, then back into record mode.
Worked fine for around two or three minutes, then back into that 2 second reset cycle again.
I actually reset it a couple of times, after that. No change.

Anyone else had this problem?

Cheers
Chris

Stelios Christofides · September 24th, 2007, 06:31 AM

Chris the first thing I would check is the battery contacts. Clean them with some spirits and see.

Stelios

Chris Leong · September 24th, 2007, 10:57 PM

Stelios -

Tried the battery contacts first thing, thanks.

However, I've found something else.

Apparently if the heads get even a little dirt in them, too small for scratching, there may be static buildup on/near the heads that causes the machine to reset.

I tried a head cleaner for 10 secs and so far (two tapes later) the problem has gone away and not returned.

I'll post a longer term finding in maybe a week or two.

Sure would be nice to know what was bothering the camera. Hate working with gear I'm not 100% comfortable with...

Sean Seah · September 25th, 2007, 05:45 AM

wow.. that must have been a real scary experience! Wouldnt like that happening in the middle of a wedding!

Stelios Christofides · September 25th, 2007, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Seah

wow.. that must have been a real scary experience! Wouldnt like that happening in the middle of a wedding!

You right that's why a second backup camera is a must.

Stelios

Chris Leong · September 26th, 2007, 02:58 PM

Or at least --- pack a cleaning tape!

FX7 still working well (7 tapes later) ...

Chris

Chris Leong · September 29th, 2007, 10:20 AM

One week and 15 tapes later, no problems.
Guess that was it...

September 23rd, 2007, 10:24 AM	#1
Chris Leong Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Los Angeles CA USA Posts: 507	Yikes! FX7 acting up... Hi all. My FX7 suddenly took a dive in the middle of a shoot last week. In record mode, it worked fine for an hour or so, then in the middle of a tape, it suddenly starting acting like someone was turning it on and off every two seconds. Very strange. No problem in playback mode, it works fine. Turned it off, let it cool down, then back into record mode. Worked fine for around two or three minutes, then back into that 2 second reset cycle again. I actually reset it a couple of times, after that. No change. Anyone else had this problem? Cheers Chris

September 24th, 2007, 06:31 AM	#2
Stelios Christofides Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nicosia, CYPRUS Posts: 1,080	Chris the first thing I would check is the battery contacts. Clean them with some spirits and see. Stelios __________________ My Blog: http://steliosc.blogspot.com "I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free" Nikos Kazantzakis

September 24th, 2007, 10:57 PM	#3
Chris Leong Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Los Angeles CA USA Posts: 507	Stelios - Tried the battery contacts first thing, thanks. However, I've found something else. Apparently if the heads get even a little dirt in them, too small for scratching, there may be static buildup on/near the heads that causes the machine to reset. I tried a head cleaner for 10 secs and so far (two tapes later) the problem has gone away and not returned. I'll post a longer term finding in maybe a week or two. Sure would be nice to know what was bothering the camera. Hate working with gear I'm not 100% comfortable with...

September 25th, 2007, 05:45 AM	#4
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	wow.. that must have been a real scary experience! Wouldnt like that happening in the middle of a wedding!

September 26th, 2007, 02:58 PM	#6
Chris Leong Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Los Angeles CA USA Posts: 507	Or at least --- pack a cleaning tape! FX7 still working well (7 tapes later) ... Chris

September 29th, 2007, 10:20 AM	#7
Chris Leong Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Los Angeles CA USA Posts: 507	One week and 15 tapes later, no problems. Guess that was it...