Loosing the ability to focus with Sony EX-3

Andy Wilkinson · December 9th, 2008, 10:29 AM

Yes, just seen these revised figures in the UK on-line press. Bleak indeed. Amongst some of the detail on one website was news that "It will end production at the Dax Technology Centre in France, where it makes tape and other recording equipment" (from The Telegraph).

Anyway, this thread is about loss of focus on EX3s, not the loss of focus on the world economy.... so I guess we should get back to that!

Justin Benn · December 11th, 2008, 10:06 AM

I want to believe that this didn't happen to me this afternoon. But I'm not kidding myself. I'm using a Summer model, with firmware 1.02_0078 IIRC. Is that the lastest?

Jus.

Ned Soltz · December 11th, 2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Benn

I want to believe that this didn't happen to me this afternoon. But I'm not kidding myself. I'm using a Summer model, with firmware 1.02_0078 IIRC. Is that the lastest?

Jus.

So far there is no announced firmware update for the EX3. So what we all have is current.

Ian Planchon · December 11th, 2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Benn

I want to believe that this didn't happen to me this afternoon. But I'm not kidding myself. I'm using a Summer model, with firmware 1.02_0078 IIRC. Is that the lastest?

Jus.

you should try what I mention on page two: turn off manual focus assist in the menu. it seems to have fixed it for me....

Andrew Stone · December 11th, 2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Benn

I want to believe that this didn't happen to me this afternoon. But I'm not kidding myself. I'm using a Summer model, with firmware 1.02_0078 IIRC. Is that the lastest?

Jus.

Where does one find the firmware version in the EX3? Is it in a plain menu screen or do you have to know an undocumented sequenece of button presses to see the version number?

Justin Benn · December 11th, 2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Planchon

you should try what I mention on page two: turn off manual focus assist in the menu. it seems to have fixed it for me....

I would... but mine was already off. My EX3's 'senior moment' occurred after changing between manual and auto focus on the ring. Rebooting restored the function but sheesh... suppose I was in the middle of a shot!

That said, still loving this thing. Haven't quite got around to having an EX3 tattoo on my shoulder but I'm not far off...

Jus.

Justin Benn · December 11th, 2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Stone

Where does one find the firmware version in the EX3? Is it in a plain menu screen or do you have to know an undocumented sequenece of button presses to see the version number?

Hold down the 'Select' and 'Cancel' buttons and while holding them down, click the menu button. A few extra menus appear on the list, the last of which (again IIRC) will list the 'version number' of the firmware. This functionality lasts until the camera is rebooted.

Jus.

Brian Luce · December 11th, 2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Stone

Where does one find the firmware version in the EX3? Is it in a plain menu screen or do you have to know an undocumented sequenece of button presses to see the version number?

I thought I've read somewhere here that there's only ONE version of firmware so far?

Ian Planchon · December 11th, 2008, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Benn

I would... but mine was already off. My EX3's 'senior moment' occurred after changing between manual and auto focus on the ring. Rebooting restored the function but sheesh... suppose I was in the middle of a shot!

my camera was doing exactly what your camera was doing, when you slide the focus ring forward, then everynow and then, when sliding it back, focus would quit.

if you turn off the manual focus assist now, SUPPOSEDLY you wont ever have the problem again. rebooting only fixes it when its happening. this is what I am told at least, and so far, after much testing, I cant get the focus to stop working yet.

Brian Luce · December 11th, 2008, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Planchon

if you turn off the manual focus assist now, SUPPOSEDLY you wont ever have the problem again. rebooting only fixes it when its happening. this is what I am told at least, and so far, after much testing, I cant get the focus to stop working yet.

No, we're having that problem even with FA "off".

Andrew Stone · December 11th, 2008, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Benn

Hold down the 'Select' and 'Cancel' buttons and while holding them down, click the menu button. A few extra menus appear on the list, the last of which (again IIRC) will list the 'version number' of the firmware. This functionality lasts until the camera is rebooted.

Thanks Justin. Works as advertised.

Another question. Assuming the new to be released firmware is sent out into the realm of the unwashed masses (that being us), does anyone know if we would use the existing USB port or is there a mysterious hidden port that only a few anointed ones know about?

Brian Luce · December 11th, 2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Stone

Another question. Assuming the new to be released firmware is sent out into the realm of the unwashed masses (that being us), does anyone know if we would use the existing USB port or is there a mysterious hidden port that only a few anointed ones know about?

Supposedly a small mini usb port with a plastic cover that you have to unscrew.

Andy Wilkinson · December 12th, 2008, 04:29 AM

I may be wrong but I think somewhere on here someone said they had seen this hidden USB port when taking off the shoulder support. I stress this may not be accurate info but I'm sure someone who knows for sure will tells us soon enough!

Justin Benn · December 12th, 2008, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Stone

Thanks Justin. Works as advertised.

Another question. Assuming the new to be released firmware is sent out into the realm of the unwashed masses (that being us), does anyone know if we would use the existing USB port or is there a mysterious hidden port that only a few anointed ones know about?

I imagine that one would use an SxS card, as is the norm for a device using solid state removable media but I may be wrong. I hope we see more information regarding the ability for the end-user to flash their own camera. I have no problem following (correct) instructions and have no problem flashing other high quality digital products such as my Nikon SLR cameras, which are not cheap either.

Jus.

Andrew Stone · December 12th, 2008, 09:27 AM

That makes complete sense Justin and one could hope. The EX1 though has a specific maintenance USB port right beside the user's USB port. One would think the architecture of the EX3 is similar enough that they would have a similar port on the EX3.

I am surprised that no one so far here actually knows the physical process of flashing the EX3. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

December 9th, 2008, 10:29 AM	#31
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Yes, just seen these revised figures in the UK on-line press. Bleak indeed. Amongst some of the detail on one website was news that "It will end production at the Dax Technology Centre in France, where it makes tape and other recording equipment" (from The Telegraph). Anyway, this thread is about loss of focus on EX3s, not the loss of focus on the world economy.... so I guess we should get back to that! __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

December 11th, 2008, 10:06 AM	#32
Justin Benn Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: York, UK. Posts: 224	Please no! I want to believe that this didn't happen to me this afternoon. But I'm not kidding myself. I'm using a Summer model, with firmware 1.02_0078 IIRC. Is that the lastest? Jus.

December 12th, 2008, 04:29 AM	#43
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	I may be wrong but I think somewhere on here someone said they had seen this hidden USB port when taking off the shoulder support. I stress this may not be accurate info but I'm sure someone who knows for sure will tells us soon enough! __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

December 12th, 2008, 09:27 AM	#45
Andrew Stone Major Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 975	That makes complete sense Justin and one could hope. The EX1 though has a specific maintenance USB port right beside the user's USB port. One would think the architecture of the EX3 is similar enough that they would have a similar port on the EX3. I am surprised that no one so far here actually knows the physical process of flashing the EX3. Guess we'll find out soon enough.