Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

Hey Guys,

so I've got a Sony FDR-AX100 and having serious issues doing a slow zoom with that camera. The zoom's movement is jerky plus i can clearly hear a motor sound while using the manual zoom ring.

I've ordered a second FDR-AX100 and have exactly the same issue. So this seems to be by design.

Can anyone confirm this?

Here's a video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKAW...ature=youtu.be

Thanks.

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

This is NOT normal, mine doesn't display that behaviour, also, how are you performing that zoom, I hear that clicking sound, is that the zoom making that noise or are you quickly tapping the zoom button?.

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

Damn, does this mean I've got TWO damaged cameras from Amazon? :(

This behaviour happens to me whenever i use the manual zoom ring and veeeerrrrrryyyyyy slooooowely turn it. As soon as I go faster with the zoom ring the issue disappears. The motor is still somewhat noticeable.

Could you please double check your camera? I've only noticed this after roughly 3 weeks of using the camera by accident.

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

Well, you are right, I never use the manual zoom on the ring, I have assigned it to focus, I always the zoomrocker on top of the camera, I cannot perform a creeping slow zoom as the slowest speed is slow but not very slow but I just tried manually zooming by turning the lens ring very slowly and then I do get the same behaviour as you have!

I think by very slowly turning that ring you are under the minimal speed the motors from that zoom is capable off, once I turn the ring a bit faster it becomes smoother, so yes, it appears to be a design limitation.

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

Thanks for checking! I really appreciate that!
That's a terrible no-go for me :( I find the slowest zoom with the rocker to be way to fast, especially If you're doing weddings or nature shoots. Currently I am using a Canon XH A1 HDV Camcorder which also has a digital servo-motor driven zoom ring. Actually there is a second zoom rocker that works with SIXTEEN different speeds much like the touchscreen one on the AX100. It is capeable of the slowest of zooms without any issues so this behaviour came as a big (and most unpleasent) surprise to me :(

Sorry Sony, both camcorders are going back...

Damn, I was starting to like this camcorder ALOT.

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

Are you sure there are no other option to get very slow zooms? I have not looked into this as I only use the zoom to reframe my shots but maybe some other users have found some hidden features, maybe in the new firmware version? I"m still on the old one. I"d wait to turn the camera back until you get some more response from other ax100 owners.

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

I've tried with both the original firmware plus the new one - same behaviour. Since even the zoomrocker only has 2 or maybe 3 speeds I doubt that this is fixable. Unless sony releases another firmware that somehow enhances the capability of the zoom motor.

My return window closes on the 30th of October. Let's see what other users say :)

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

I wonder if the x70 displays that same behaviour.

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

I have been able to get very slow zooms by setting the handle zoom to it's slowest setting on my other cameras, not sure about the X70.....yet, it's coming today so I can check.

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

when using the sony vct vpr1 panhandle (mounted on a proper tripod/head) zoom toggle set to slow the zooms are nice smooth easy and sloow

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

X70 has same issue. No creep zooms on camera. :( Can't do it even setting handle zoom to 1, still same speed as the slowest rocker zoom. Like Bruce said, probably can do it with zoom controllers.

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

The super-slow zoom on the XH-A1s is something special. The only other camera that I've come across with anything like it is the XF300. Certainly nothing at an "affordable" price. I'm not surprised the X70 / AX100 can't match it.

To get an X70 to zoom as slow as possible, you could try a zoom-remote with selectable fixed speeds, such as the Canon ZR1000 or ZR2000. It might be that if you set one of these to their slowest speed, the Sony will keep to its slowest speed. Mind you, I'm not sure whether those controllers are still available, and they were always rather expensive.

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

Seriously?! I figured that would me more than standard... :(

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

Nope, I have two different remotes and neither will slow zoom the X70. They do on the XA20 but not X70.

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

Disappointing, isn't it? Yet another reason why I'm glad the Sony MRC1 CF-card recorder works so well with the XH-A1s. Each time I've looked at a potential replacement there has been something wrong with it that has made me soldier on with the "old faithful" Canon for a little longer.

Maybe Canon will produce some 4K cameras that combine the best features of the XH, XA and XF cameras with 4k? Given the way that they learned from others' mistakes and then produced significantly better HDV, AVCHD and 4:2:2-50Mbps 1080 cameras, I'm hopeful they'll do the same with UHD/4k. I'd like to see a camera about the size of the XF100/XF200 with the same zoom-control and audio options (perhaps the most effective auto-level control I've worked with at any price) as an XH-A1 or XF300. Roll on next year's exhibition season!

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

the vivitar (ebenk) 8-button 20bucks lanc remote if set at the minimum speed (on the remote) gives a very slow and stable zoom on both the AX100 and X70. for sure more stable than EX1R and manfrotto 521EX

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

I very much hope so too. The Panasonic X1000 certainly looks awesome on paper but from what the sample clips show the image quality is like a bad upscale of a 720p video.

The AX100 really produces awesome video, has a decent autofocus and is quite handy. But the zoom issue breaks it for me :(

If canon would infact give us a decent 4K camcorder for 2000-4000USD i'd be more than happy to give it a try :)

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

Hi Daniel,

Confirming that my FDR-AX-100 exhibits exactly the same behavior that you describe:(

Clicky and jerky.

Rob

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

Thanks for the feedback. good thing i sent it back.

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

Using the handle zoom on my x70 set to its slowest setting takes 20 seconds from wide to x 12 zoom. a total of 27 seconds to zoom up to x24. That's as slow as I have patience for. j

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

I agree - the X70 zoom is definitely slow enough for my needs as well.

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

On the AX-100 I feel that it takes a bit of finesse, but can execute a slow zoom as needed most of the time. The rocker is not as responsive as I'd prefer, but it works.

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

Has anyone tried the zoom using the remote? And you guys shouldn't be doing all that zooming anyway! 😜

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

I must be missing something. Do you really need a zoom slower than 20 seconds zero to x12 tele? j

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

First of all: yes!

Second: The main issue here is, that you cannot start a jerky-free zoom motion. Zoom starts aprubt or jerks around...

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

Hi Daniel, I don't find the zoom on this camera to be an worse than my Sony Z5. Using the handle zoom I get fairly decent zooms. I've got the handle set to FIX and the slowest setting in the menu. JM

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

Hm I guess it all comes down on what you are doing with the camera. For me, I am looking at weddings and stuff like that. That's where I need ultra slow and ultra smooth zoom. With the high 4K resolution the lowest zoom speed the AX100 offers the video can get to 'noisy' in terms of information flow. Too many pixels moving too fast. All in all its a shame - the camera offers top value for its competitive price, the image quality is amazing, as is its low light capability. It all breaks with the zoom for me :(

The Canon XH A1 I own zooms way slower and shows no jerkyness at all, even on the lowest of settings.

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

I did not notice you had the ax-100. I've got the x70. That may be the difference. That and I cant shoot in 4k. j

Re: Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound
 

The v2 firmware upgrade has corrected this issue on my AX100
Denny