NX5U: how is it with extremely slow zooms? at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Sony XAVC / XDCAM / NXCAM / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Sony NXCAM / AVCHD Camcorders

Sony NXCAM / AVCHD Camcorders
Sony HXR-NX100, HXR-NX70, NX30, NX5, NX3/1, HXR-MC2500, HDR-AX2000, etc.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old March 17th, 2010, 09:48 PM   #1
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 75
NX5U: how is it with extremely slow zooms?

Today I was in a showroom playing with the EX1-R and was surprised to learn that its ability to zoom very slowly, at a creep, was not possible using the zoom rocker on the wrist ...there was a stuttering problem and it was surprising to see this as a sporadic known issue with the EX1R and EX3 (confirmed by other internet blogs).

I am hoping that for the NX5U that the user reports are more friendly. When you do a talking head interview, there are those moments where you want to zoom in or out in a barely perceptible way. On the $6,000 EX1R this would not be possible using that wrist rocker if you ended up with one of those affected models.

What are user experiences with the NX5U zoom? Both using the rocker and doing it manually?

Can you get a buttery smooth zoom or does it fall a bit short?

Thanks,

John
John Vasey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 18th, 2010, 12:15 AM   #2
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New York, USA
Posts: 111
John

one man's buttery slow zoom is another's jerky zoom... as in, how do you define the zoom you're after?

The NX5 has a mini zoom rocker on the top handle that can be switched from variable to fixed speed -- and the fixed speed can be preset in the menus. The main zoom rocker on the side does not seem to have a fixed-speed option.

I find the variable rocker switches both a bit hard to control in terms of zoom speed (they don't stutter, though) but when the top one is set to fixed, on speed '1', you can get some even slow zooms.

Your mileage may vary. Try it out.

Adam
Adam Welz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 18th, 2010, 06:26 AM   #3
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Karlsruhe Germany
Posts: 42
To slow down the zoom I use on my Z5 the shot trans function and set the transitiontime to 90 sec. This gives me a very smooth and slow zoom!
Dirk PEL(NL)
Dirk Pel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 18th, 2010, 07:29 AM   #4
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,220
You can also use a LANC controller with fixed speed option to get to the lowest speed.

Ron Evans
Ron Evans is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 18th, 2010, 09:14 AM   #5
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Peterhead, Scotland
Posts: 35
The handle zoom on the NX5 can be set to fixed, and provides a moderately slow zoom which is handy. Not sure if the speed can be customised, not something I've looked at yet.

Scotts
Scott Cassie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 29th, 2010, 09:44 AM   #6
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 75
using manual control, can you get a feathered zoom?

I realize that trying to get a zoom with the rocker switch on the NX5U sounds like it is limiting. And people have different definitions of what a smooth zoom is...and what is achievable using third party zoom controllers...though the Libec is getting great reviews.

But back to my point about "manual"....let's say you are shooting an intimate interview...you want to do an extremely slow creep in...can you manually zoom in (not using the rocker switch) and get a feathered zoom? I've been able to do that with the PD150 and can can a smooth transition from beginning to end just using the zoom ring and make it work. Is it possible to do the same with the manual zoom ring on the NX5U?

John
John Vasey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 29th, 2010, 10:18 AM   #7
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New York, USA
Posts: 111
John, why don't you try it? I mean, you seem to be asking a question that no-one but you can really answer! I can't imagine it being worse than a PD-170.

Cheers

Adam
Adam Welz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 29th, 2010, 12:43 PM   #8
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 75
Unfortunately no vendor in LA has the camera out for display because they are sold out and they are backordered...so NAB may be my first opportunity to get a hands-on experience!
John Vasey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 29th, 2010, 07:47 PM   #9
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Orange County, Ca
Posts: 140
In my opinion, the best results or slow steady zooms are
1. a third party rocker zoom. I love my varizoom rocker
2. the onboard rocker
3. manual zoom on the lens.

This is my own opinion and someone else may have a more steady hand to get that manual zoom smooth at a slow speed.
__________________
WWW.BENNYEK.COM
Canon C100 ----Sony FX7----Canon HV20----Canon 60D DSLR---Glidecam---Sliders
Benny Ek is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Sony XAVC / XDCAM / NXCAM / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Sony NXCAM / AVCHD Camcorders

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:08 PM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network