Does anyone know how to lock the focus on the DVX100a?

Yes. I learned not to get near the focus ring. I avoid it like it's hot! :)

I know somebody who has a fix though, but I don't think it's released yet.

Is there a focus lock on the GL2?

If it is a Sony camera, switch to autofocus after you have manually set up.

Most times, the autofocus will do as good a job as you will on setting up relay focus on the groundglass if you take the prime lens off the front first or set it way off focus and set aperture tighter than f5.6 (published P+S Technik method) to get the grain on the groundglass to show.

With AGU35 builds, most will not have control over the end-float of the disk motor, so initial focus should be with the disk stopped and the prime lens off focus and tighter than f5.6.

For a final trim, sharpen the front lens image on the groundglass, spin the groundglass to speed so that the motor centres the armature in the magnetic field, then switch to autofocus again. Most times this should work okay.

As long as you are not pulling focus and if there is not movement through the shot towards or away, the relay focus should hold in auto.

Same goes if using high power teles of 1000mm to 2000mm or zooms via the device with the groundglass removed for aerial image only. (An AGUS with a removeable GG is indeed an handy thing).

Autofocus will even track movement in this circumstance but cannot be trusted to stay away from close flying insects or falling leaves etc which will then trigger a focus crash to the closest object - dust on back of the SLR lens.

I can't speak for other cameras, only Sony VX2000/PD150/VX2100/PD170 and HDRFX1.

Ben? I've emailed you . . Grazie

Grazie, I'll post my answer here because maybe others have misunderstood--

I mean a way to lock the focus ring. At first I was fine with just turning on manual focus but now since Bill is suggesting there is such a thing as locking focus altogether I'm intrigued...

Ben sure, you mean a physical way. No, no actual LOCK. - G

I have just realised, my post above reads like the letter from an irish mother.

I should have prefaced with something like, this is what I do with a Sony and that I expect the DVX100 would behave similarly.

Gaffers tape. Seriously.

On the mini35 there's an awesome shroud thingy, but it's not necessary although it is awesome.

I have a GL2... I also would like to know if theres a way to lock the zoom.

I have just realised, my post above reads like the letter from an irish mother.


Bob? What do you mean? What is the Irish connection?

Graham

Graham.

It seems I sow more confusion each time I open my mouth so to speak. My explanation follows.

I haven't seen them for a while but souvenir shops, gift shops, stationery retailers, newsagents and the like, sometimes display hanging ornaments in the form of china placards or little hanging scrolls.

They have such things printed on them as the "Lords Prayer", "Psalm 23" or "Desidirata", "The Golden Rule" or the more cynical offshoot which goes "Do unto others as they would do unto you - First".

One such had the fictitious text of "A Letter From An Irish Mother". I can't remember it in detail but it went something like "I'm sorry you haven't heard from me in a while. I was going to send you this letter but I had already sealed the envelope" or some such illogical wordstuff.

In my post above, I held forth, knowing all, forgetting that the question had been specifically about the DVX100 only. The illogical text about the Panasonic DVX100 in my first post of course reads "If it is a Sony --- ", which the Panasonic DVX100 is not.

"I'm sorry you haven't heard from me in a while. I was going to send you this letter but I had already sealed the envelope" or some such illogical wordstuff.

Almost-present-day corollary: In the mid-1990's a friend of mine worked at a pager company, the kind where people had to call the company and tell an operator what they wanted to send. The operator would then type the information and send it to the recipient.

Someone sent the message, "Come home. You left your pager here."