EX1: ND filter switch revisited!
 

Last year I mentioned in several threads how hard it is on my EX1 to engage ND1 from ND0 (ND off); some of other owners confirmed it can be tricky, as the switch lacks proper lever to facilitate precise snapping into the middle position. However, my impression was it's not a real problem for most of them.

In the meantime, my camera has undergone an overhaul by the Prime Support engineers; before sending it in I communicated my frustration with the ND switch. When I got the camera back, the ND assembly was said to have been replaced - but the problems persists. What's more, it's even more pronounced now - so much so that when I need to go from ND off to ND1, I need to first go all the way up to ND2, and only then back down to the middle position of ND1.

Can anyone confirm this? The thing is my warranty will be expiring soon, so if anything CAN be done to improve it, I'd like to have it improved. On the other hand, I don't want to send my camera away if this is how it has to be by design!

Comment welcome.

Mine's not like that.

Paul.

Mine is not like that either, it's just easy to skip nd1 and to go straight to nd2 if you push too hard, but I don't have to go that way to have nd1 on, you should be able to go one step from nd off to nd1, this is a malfunction of the nd switch and it has to be replaced

I have no problem with mine either.

Never had a real problem.
The switch positions are not as definitive as on the PD 170, or Z1, so I am a little more careful to confirm the final setting, but not a big deal.

Mine have always been sweet.

Thank you all for responding. It looks I'm alone with this. But if Sony *indeed* did replace the ND filter assembly while servicing my unit, I am extremely unlucky to have the switch sticking in two of them in a row... This doesn't seem to be very probable, so I'll ask for more opinion at the same time mitigating my last statement above:

"so much so that when I need to go from ND off to ND1, I need to first go all the way up to ND2, and only then back down to the middle position of ND1."

Well, it isn't THAT bad really; I only described the way I'd have to use to always hit the ND1 position without being particularly careful. In real fact, I *am* able to engage ND1 straight from ND0, but - the switch missing any lever and being recessed - the force I need to apply in order to move it up can sometimes be too big and - instead of snapping into ND1 - it goes higher, and only stops in-between the ND1 and ND2 positions. I can see the filter holder (or other opaque part) in my VF then, partially obscuring the view (see the right hand side screen grab here: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/821965-post105.html) ...

When it happens, it's enough to touch the switch and it will snap into ND2 position.

Really never happens with yours? I hate to be sending my camera in again...

No, I've never had trouble. I did once fail to index the ND filter correctly (concentrating on other things) and of course I got vignetting. Have you read Help is needed EX3 owner takes apart EX3 body and has too many bits left over. - The Digital Video Information Network The photos might be of interest.

Thanks Serena - in fact, that other thread made me post again my doubts about my own ND switch malfunctioning...

Piotr
On my camera, the switch absolutely does not detent on ND1 with a resounding thud like it did on the PD 170. I have overshot ND1 if not attentive. My ND switch is sort of like the EX power switch in that it is easy to slide past Off and turn the cam back on to the other mode. I've just learned to double check both of those switches and accepted that they are not as good as they could be.
From your latest description I'm thinking that your camera may be typical.

Although I do not have a mechanical ND filter issue like yours in my EX3, my V1 camera's ND filter system has a much better mechanical feel to it. The filter engage very neatly with great feedback on the switch. Nonetheless, my EX3 does not have any problems with engaging the filters, it is just a lot 'looser' in its engaging points that the V1.

Hope you have your issue sorted out properly.

Best wishes

Piotr.


This may sound like a stupid suggestion but here goes, just don't laugh too loudly.

For style and possibly an intention to avoid impact damage to the lever, the ND control is harder to grip hold of as it does not poke out as much as older cameras.

Try working the control with your writing hand from over the top of the camera, not from underneath. Also try to pinch the little lever or what little there is of it between thumb and finger - better fine control that way. Works for me but I am also mano-sinistra.