EX3: MF failout

Mike Chandler · September 10th, 2008, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Wilson

Given that removing and replacing the lens seemed to cure the problem, is it due to an iffy contact between the lens and body? If it happens again, it would be worth checking whether the lens is passing any data (eg, focus for the DOF scale, zoom and aperture settings) back to the camera.

Nick

That might be the culprit. After it stopped focusing, I noticed that the lens release button was slightly off its complete down position and the lens may have gotten unseated while loading it in the bag. But it took several attempts of re-seating and re-flange testing before it came back. Don't know if checking whether it was sending signals would tell anything, as it did find focus in two modes before losing it.

Zachary Fink · October 3rd, 2008, 11:23 PM

I've had the same problem on my new EX3 twice this week. When going from MF to AF ring (to use the Shot Transition feature) and then back to MF, the MF ring doesn't move the glass at all. No feedback. Has anyone got to the bottom of this? Off and on resets the lens and solves the problem, but it's hardly a long-term solution!

Markus Bo · October 4th, 2008, 02:14 AM

My problem was resolved by a new cam. Sony Support wasn't able to reproduce the problem but the behaved quite well and believed me. With the new EX3 no problems at all.

Markus

Zsolt Gordos · October 4th, 2008, 05:30 AM

I dont have my EX3 yet but in August I have visited a Sony retailer in Vienna to try the cam.

Since the cam was new for me it took some time to realize there was something wrong. The manual focus didnt work, I told the technician there who became nervous and had no idea what to do.

Finally I have switched the unit off and back on then it worked. I believed back then that it was the demo unit and somehow people used it rough or inappropriate.

But now it seems to be another of Sony's usual launch gift glitches... I wonder how this going to be solved. Does replacement fix this or the replacement units also carry a time bomb to be activated any time?

Markus Bo · October 4th, 2008, 06:16 AM

Unfortunately it's not only Sony. I ordered different electronic stuff (storage system, mini video camera) and all this stuff had bugs. Concerning the MF problem on the EX3 I am quite sure that if you don't realize the error in the first two hours of filming it won't occur. But despite the small problem I am really happy with the EX3.

Markus

Dave Tyrer · September 1st, 2009, 07:46 AM

I've had this happen to me a couple of times on a course last week. Tunring it off and then back on seemed to clear it. Was there an actual reason for this happening e.g. mechanical or electronic?

Mike Chandler · September 2nd, 2009, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Tyrer

I've had this happen to me a couple of times on a course last week. Tunring it off and then back on seemed to clear it. Was there an actual reason for this happening e.g. mechanical or electronic?

I sent the cam in for a firmware upgrade and this solved my problem. Have not had it happen since. Your firmware for ex3 needs to be at least 1.3.

Alister Chapman · September 2nd, 2009, 10:05 AM

There is a bug in the older EX3 firmware that cause the focus system to stop working when you are using focus ring forward manual focus with macro turned on and the lens zoomed in. When you try to focus and go into the macro region the focus locks up. Restarting the camera will get things going again. Two ways to stop it happening: Turn macro off or get the firmware updated.

Dave Tyrer · September 3rd, 2009, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alister Chapman

There is a bug in the older EX3 firmware that cause the focus system to stop working when you are using focus ring forward manual focus with macro turned on and the lens zoomed in. When you try to focus and go into the macro region the focus locks up. Restarting the camera will get things going again. Two ways to stop it happening: Turn macro off or get the firmware updated.

Mine's at 1.02...looks like I'll need to take it in.

Dave Tyrer · September 11th, 2009, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Tyrer

Mine's at 1.02...looks like I'll need to take it in.

Just sent it back to the vendor for return to Sony. Will report back anything useful.

Dave Tyrer · October 1st, 2009, 09:33 AM

Finally got my EX3 back after 3 weeks. The firmware version is now 1.04.0084. The MxR cards still work so that's a bonus...I haven't had a chance to check but I'm assuming that this fixed my loss of focus problem also...I will only know when I get to start using it again.

October 4th, 2008, 02:14 AM	#18
Markus Bo Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Ingelheim (Rheinland-Pfalz) Posts: 140	My problem was resolved by a new cam. Sony Support wasn't able to reproduce the problem but the behaved quite well and believed me. With the new EX3 no problems at all. Markus __________________ Freelance full service reporter www.boehnisch.de

October 4th, 2008, 05:30 AM	#19
Zsolt Gordos Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Budapest, Hungary Posts: 414	Same issue on a demo unit I dont have my EX3 yet but in August I have visited a Sony retailer in Vienna to try the cam. Since the cam was new for me it took some time to realize there was something wrong. The manual focus didnt work, I told the technician there who became nervous and had no idea what to do. Finally I have switched the unit off and back on then it worked. I believed back then that it was the demo unit and somehow people used it rough or inappropriate. But now it seems to be another of Sony's usual launch gift glitches... I wonder how this going to be solved. Does replacement fix this or the replacement units also carry a time bomb to be activated any time? __________________ Sony XDCAM EX1r, Canon 5DMkII, Røde NTG2, Røde NT1000, Røde Stereo Videomic, Sachtler DV6 SB on Gitzo 1325V, Steadicam Merlin, Omnitracker, Hackintosh 3.5Ghz Quad 8Gb RAM

October 4th, 2008, 06:16 AM	#20
Markus Bo Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Ingelheim (Rheinland-Pfalz) Posts: 140	Unfortunately it's not only Sony. I ordered different electronic stuff (storage system, mini video camera) and all this stuff had bugs. Concerning the MF problem on the EX3 I am quite sure that if you don't realize the error in the first two hours of filming it won't occur. But despite the small problem I am really happy with the EX3. Markus __________________ Freelance full service reporter www.boehnisch.de

September 2nd, 2009, 10:05 AM	#23
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	There is a bug in the older EX3 firmware that cause the focus system to stop working when you are using focus ring forward manual focus with macro turned on and the lens zoomed in. When you try to focus and go into the macro region the focus locks up. Restarting the camera will get things going again. Two ways to stop it happening: Turn macro off or get the firmware updated. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

October 3rd, 2008, 11:23 PM	#17
Zachary Fink Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 134	I've had the same problem on my new EX3 twice this week. When going from MF to AF ring (to use the Shot Transition feature) and then back to MF, the MF ring doesn't move the glass at all. No feedback. Has anyone got to the bottom of this? Off and on resets the lens and solves the problem, but it's hardly a long-term solution!

September 1st, 2009, 07:46 AM	#21
Dave Tyrer Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK Posts: 174	I've had this happen to me a couple of times on a course last week. Tunring it off and then back on seemed to clear it. Was there an actual reason for this happening e.g. mechanical or electronic?

October 1st, 2009, 09:33 AM	#26
Dave Tyrer Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK Posts: 174	Finally got my EX3 back after 3 weeks. The firmware version is now 1.04.0084. The MxR cards still work so that's a bonus...I haven't had a chance to check but I'm assuming that this fixed my loss of focus problem also...I will only know when I get to start using it again.