Correct Andrew.

Just to update me guys, how far does this lens hold f/1.9 - or is it ramping gently as soon as you move away from full wide-angle?

Tom,

Holds F1.9 all the way to full telephoto.

Check out this thread I started a while ago - I think that, despite screen indications to the contrary, the lens ramps at least to a T2.8, if not an actual f/2.8.

http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=109754

Any word on the situation in Australia?

I've been awaiting Danny's return call since late December and have heard nothing.

He assured me that he'd call when he knew.

Serena, Vaughan, have you heard anything?

Nothing yet.

Sent two EX1s back to Sony in Sydney via our dealer on Thursday. Picked the two up from our dealer plus an extra new one yesterday. Checked the work one and it's still not perfect, the vignetting is visible when the camera is static. Didn't get to try the new one. Sony had unpacked this one, they'd packed it back upside down and forgot the extra card.
Just checked my own EX1. It's pretty much gone when the camera is static but now if the OIS kicks in I can get it in the top LH or RH side depending on which way the OIS is moving the image.

Tried to do some other quick and dirty tests, don't really have the space etc at home. Zoom tracking looks OK. Racking focus seems to cause the image to shift sideways. I think I should go over the camera using a big monitor with a centre crosshair, the square marker that the camera provides makes it a bit hit and miss.

I know I bought a $10K camera not a $40K prime but what's acceptable at this kind of price point?

Mine is fixed perfectly. I received a new one from Sony Japan, but it still had the problems top right and left, despite assurances that it was checked at the factory. Rather than try for another new camera, I sent it to Sony Australia in Sydney (who have the equipment to fix it) - and they returned it with the lens correctly aligned.

For those in Australia - I suggest the you contact Sony directly. Their tech support are aware of the problem, and have the equipment and expertise to fix it. I dealt with Anthony Kable (98870422) who was really excellent.

I got my EX1 back from Sony a few days ago and got to test it today. At first, I didn't know whether I was still seeing the problem, but having tried it against a more consistently lit background, it's very much improved. I have one corner that darkens ever so slightly (you have to really look for it) at full wide, but for the rest of the zoom travel from about 7MM up, and through the former 10MM-40MM problem range, things are good. Much better than before.

The test I did with the OIS, though, is a different story. It's pretty much useless, not that I would be inclined to use it anyway. Even after the software patch, when SteadyShot is on the corners and some of the sides will darken and smear if you move the camera around on a monotone surface.

One other note: if you have to send a camera back, keep ALL THE RUBBER covers! Sony didn't return my SDI port cover! *grrr*

Even after the software patch, when SteadyShot is on the corners and some of the sides will darken and smear if you move the camera around on a monotone surface.

Which software patch are you referring too?

regards

Paul

Has anyone noticed how the ND filter mechanism may stay in an in-between position, or how it opens/closes? I wonder if the "optical path alignment" wasn't in fact ND filter mechanism adjustment... My lens never shows any trace of vignetting as described by early adopters, but here is what I spotted today:

OMG! It's the mother of all vignettes returned with a vengeance!!!! ;)

Imagine if Vin Diesel was that big in frame.

Wow Piotr, you're "bad luck to a hunting dog!"

Does this happen everytime you use your ND filters?

I've never seen this...

Has anyone noticed how the ND filter mechanism may stay in an in-between position, or how it opens/closes? I wonder if the "optical path alignment" wasn't in fact ND filter mechanism adjustment... My lens never shows any trace of vignetting as described by early adopters, but here is what I spotted today:

Ive seen this happen on my camera once, but you just flick the ND off/on and its gone. It stays in between the modes and i think that causes it as Piotr says. I sure was afraid that now its broken when it happened!

Wow Piotr, you're "bad luck to a hunting dog!"

Does this happen everytime you use your ND filters?

I've never seen this...

No Steven - fortunately enough, it doesn't happen every time (happened once so far, and then I forcibly re-created it to make sure it was it, and not the Mother Vignette:)). This doesn't change the fact that the ND filter switch is very poorly designed and functioning (just like all the other slider kind of switches on this professional, CineAlta machine:( ).

Interestingly, it happened when I was testing the most "exotic" camera setting in the PAL area: recording 24PsF in SP, to the DR60 drive connected via i.LINK. But it must have been a coincidence.

BTW: as a sidenote, did you all notice that in SP mode, the LCD doesn't flicker with its ugly green screens when using Expanded Focus, for instance? It only seems to happen in HQ...

Regarding your "bad luck to a hunting dog" comment, well - I guess I deserve it. Just take a look into the V1 forum archives... Anyway, if I am buying a new camera, it is 100% certain it WILL have serious teething problems;) The good news is that - after all - it all comes to a happy end, though.

Ive seen this happen on my camera once, but you just flick the ND off/on and its gone. It stays in between the modes and i think that causes it as Piotr says. I sure was afraid that now its broken when it happened!

Sami,
We have cameras from the same batch; neither of use has the vignetting issue (in the previous form that haunted others before us); none of the others ever reported the ND filer mechanism jamming half-way...

No, the following crossed my mind: is it pure coincidence, or did Sony fixed the original vignetting issue by some modification to the ND filter that doesn't quite work, either?

Anybody whose ND filter stuck at least once, please report!

I don't think the two are related, If I'm not careful I can drop the filter halfway over the image too, but personally I'm not bothered by it, It's easy so feel when it hasn't engaged properly.

Talking of vignetting, I noticed when reviewing footage from a shoot yesterday that I'm still getting some with the OIS on, and sometimes very slightly with it off. I's nowhere near as bad as the last camera but definitely there.

Maybe I'll send it in one day so see if they can get rid of it altogether, I can't afford to be without it at the moment though.

Do you guys with the newer cams see it with OIS on?

Paul.

No, I am very happy because I haven't spotted any vignetting so far. However, the ND filter is driving me nuts :(

I´ve been lurking in this forum for quite a while now and finally received my EX1 today only to find out that it shows the vignetting issue in the top left corner. I thought Sony fixed this issue by now, but it seems that my camera slipped through QC. I think as they are aware of the issue, this should no longer happen, and I´m a little disappointed. Looks like I will return the camera first thing monday morning.

Otherwise the camera really is great. I was used shooting with big SD broadcast cameras like Digibetas - but this little camera really blew me away. Very impressive little beast. I hope to have it repaired asap. I think I will already miss it ;-)

If Sony reads this - please fix it fast!

Gerald, welcome to the forum! I understand your frustration, but don't worry: at least now we all know for sure it can be fixed, as most units do NOT show vignetting any more. In this respect, you're in a much better situation than those early adopters, who first spotted the issue 3 months ago and - at that time - couldn't even be sure it was fixable!

I'm sure you will have your camera back and fixed soon. Enjoy!

Thanks Piotr.
UPS just picked up the camera and it is now on its way to Sony Prime Support in France. Hope to have it back by the end of week.
I thoroughly tested the camera over the weekend and already like it very much. The vignetting issue showed up on a couple of testshots when aperture was wide open. If it was higher than f5.6 it was completely gone.

regards,
Gerald

Mines going back this week too. I've started noticing it more and more, especially with OIS on and the reports from others who have said it's totally gone means that it's worthwhile getting it looked at.

Just to clarify what I'm seeing, I have attached a small movie file. This is taken while moving the camera slightly with OIS on and zoom at 10mm (fully open iris).

I just hope it doesn't come back any worse!

Paul.

I hear you Paul.

Here's my deal. I'm on my second camera.
My first camera showed vignetting in all four corners (OIS OFF), but more so to the right side. I sent it in for adjustment and it came back with vignetting on all four corners (OIS OFF).

Now after waiting out for a replacement camera.
My second camera (based on the SN#, should be the latest batch) has less, but still shows up in the top two corners.

I'm going to have Sony techs try to fix this one.
This time. I'm sending in "exact" particulars and images of "where" and "how" to display this issue. I have no idea why my first camera came back worse.

Also, I'm going to set up a careful test using a marked grid to determine if the focal length travel is parallel to the optical axis.

Originally, I was almost OK with my replacement camera (it has less than my first camera), but this problem has been showing up and is obvious. The problem is it was spotted by someone who doesn't know jack about cameras. That bothered me. LOL

Paul,
Do you see the vignette through focal length travel with OIS off?
Mine's there with it off between 8-25mm. Mostly around 15mm.

I can only imagine mine would be real bad if I were to turn on OIS.

If yours does not show with OIS off. I wonder how they would actually fix this? In this case, it's not the telecentricity of the lens.

Paul,
Do you see the vignette through focal length travel with OIS off?

Hi Steven, yes I can see it in the upper corners, but only slightly and nowhere near as badly as the first camera I had. I am nervous about having it messed with, but if they make it worse I'll show them before and after examples and make sure it gets put right.

Just out of interest, do you guys with the newer cameras see this issue at all with the OIS on?

My test was done simply by pointing the camera at a blank wall at 10mm Zoom with the IRIS fully open and the darkened corners were quite obvious on the LCD when moving the camera around.

I wonder when you say 'the darkened corners' Paul if you're seeing simply less exposed corners (which is quite normal at full aperture) or actual black pixels in the corners denoting that the lens is off axis with the chip block

All lenses vignette the image at wide aperture, often as much as 1 ½ stops, which is why various makers supply a neutral spot filters for critical applications.

tom.

Paul,

No, I have no vignetting at all. While this may not comfort you just now, in the long run it means you should insists that your unit is vignette-free, as well. Sincerely, good luck!

Piotr

I've shown a larger version of the clip I posted above to Sony Prime Support and they have said that it's 'working normally'. If however this isn't happening on all cameras I'm not overly happy with that response.

Paul.

I wonder when you say 'the darkened corners' Paul if you're seeing simply less exposed corners (which is quite normal at full aperture)

But if it were that, wouldn't he see the vignette as a constant presence whether he's moving the camera or not?

But if it were that, wouldn't he see the vignette as a constant presence whether he's moving the camera or not?

In this case, since the vignette is visible, the OIS shifts this around.

I've heard of no complaints with vignetting at full wide and max aperture f1.9
The vignetting issue mainly affects 8-25mm range with aperture settings wider than f5.6.
This is known issue that affect some (apparently quite a few) of these cameras.
My replacement camera also has the issue, although, not as bad as my first.
Cameras that have this issue can watch the vignette shift around with OIS on.

Paul, your camera is probaly VERY close to my current camera.
I'm not sure why Sony is claiming your camera is OK, when we all know there are cameras that do not have this issue at all.

I'd like to know the specfics on how they are making this adjustment.

In this case, since the vignette is visible, the OIS shifts this around.

Oh. I understood his post to mean that he saw no vignette until he moved the camera.

I've contacted one of the managers at Sony UK who I met through the video forum in London to find out what he thinks about it. I'll hold out from getting too rattled about it until I've had a chance to talk it through with him first.

My camera only suffers very very slightly with OIS off, and I'm happy with those shots. But I've started using my shoulder rig a lot lately and like to use OIS. If I handle the camera very gently I can get away with it, but any sudden movement brings the darkened corners crashing into the shot.

Watch this space!

Paul,
OIS is usually recommended to be turned off on most cameras when the operator is panning/tilting while on a tripod or movement via steadicam, dolly, etc., due to the OIS fighting the intended movement of the camera operator - which I don't see as as being any different from being rigged on your shoulder unless you are being completely static.

But a problem is a problem and I'd put it back on Sony to fix it.

Just two cents worth - good luck,
Lonnie

Oh. I understood his post to mean that he saw no vignette until he moved the camera.

Pretty much correct, I can see it with OIS off, but it's so slight that it's not a big problem. With OIS on though, the fact that the effect has motion makes it much more apparent.

Look at this clip, http://www.olikai.com/shake.mov it's a very wobbly shot, way too wobbly to use but you can see the effect on the right side of the frame as the camera wobbles.

Paul, I'd like to see this same test with the OIS off. Mainly between 8-25mm.
When you say slight, I'm wondering if mine's worse.

The first frame of that clip is a pretty good indication off how it looks with OIS off as the stabiliser isn't having any effect at that point. All you can see is some slight graduation in the top right corner.

Paul,
my apologies...
Here I am chiming in about reducing intentional operator movement with the OIS activated, blah blah blah and then I saw ois-vignette-1.mov:

Don't short change your self, something is amiss with your camera, send it back for a new one.

Lonnie

Yeah, that's pretty awful. I wouldn't accept that either...

Those of you who sent in their cameras - how long did it take to have it repaired? My camera is away for a week now and I´ve not heard anything about it yet. I´ve sold all my old cameras on ebay and I´m now camera-less...
I called Sony Service today and they did not know anything about the EX1´s status. They did not even know where exactly my camera is! They only know that it arrived last week. I have to say that I´m getting a little impatient now.

thanks and regards,
Gerald

Hi
They had mine 13 days door to door.

Chuck

Hi
They had mine 13 days door to door.

Chuck

Thanks Chuck!
Wow - thats pretty long!!!
Looks like I will have to rent a camera for the next job :-(

Did the test today and I find I have some vignetting. Really very slight in top right corner. Mine was bought late but was an early model so should I insist on an exchange from B&H or just let SONY rebuild it? Have there been any modifications made that make it better to try for a current camera?

Michael,
my camera is a very current camera and still has the same problem...

Yes, but does anyone think a Sony rebuild is as good as or better than taking a chance on a new one?

It seems Sony will make that decision and make it honestly.

As noted in another thread I had an issue with zoom control (slow zoom speeds stepping rather than smooth). Sony told me they first tried to "upgrade" the lens and weren't happy with the results so they send me a new camera.

The vignette issue apparently just involves a re-calibration and my hunch is that's accessed from the mysterious front lens port on the camera. See "Cover of the lens control block" on diagram on page 15 of the manual.

If you have the Vignette issue do send in the camera. I do think a few here have said they were not happy with the results when they got the camera bank and I think in those cases Sony may have then replaced the camera.

Yes, but does anyone think a Sony rebuild is as good as or better than taking a chance on a new one?

Craig,
I'm sure you've heard I sent my first one back and it came back the same (maybe a tad worse).

There was NO information regarding they had an issue adjusting my camera.

My replacement camera is better, but does show vignetting between 8-25mm in the top two corners with OIS off.

I'm thinking about contacting Sony again regarding this issue.
Did Sony replace the camera, or was it done through your dealer?

I'm done bothering my dealer regarding this issue. They worked hard at getting me a replacement camera. I'm going to contact Sony regarding this issue with my replacement camera.

Sony, San Jose replaced it.

When I first called Sony tech support they said to send them the camera rather than bring it back to my dealer.

A few days after sending it I called for an update. I strongly recommend calling for an update rather than simply waiting for the camera to come back.

Just my opinion but I think it's good to let them know you're looking over their shoulder even if it's just by phone.

OK, so I spotted it today - almost four weeks after I had decided "it's not obvious, so even if it's there I'm not gonna look for it", I saw the vignetting in the upper right corner, during a rather fast pan to the right, with OIS on.

I guess all of them have it to some degree, under specific circumstances.

I will certainly be sending mine to Prime Support, but only after all the dust settles down. I have 2 years for that - and before the warranty end, I'd be getting an overhaul, anyway.

Who knows, maybe by then, Sony will have devised some really effective remedies to the most annoying flaws, like:

- the vignetting, however small and unobtrusive it is on a particular unit
- the stupid ND filter switch
- the silly aperture open-up at switching to auto iris, which is there for 1-2 frames only but annoys me more than the CMOS-inherent, partial flashes
- the "abrupt highlights clipping" problem

If they can't fix in existing cameras, I will insist for replacement then. Makes much more sense to me than having it replaced now, with another unit that might turn out worse in some aspects.

None of the above is a show-stopper to me for a while, yet all of them are below the standards I'd expect from a CineAlta badged, professional machine.