Image jumping in z1 viewfinder/screen
 

Just wondered if anyone knows the reason why the image in my Z1's viewfinder/LCD screen jumps (twitches) up and down slightly every few seconds? I have imported the footage into FCP and it's the same - so it must be recording like this.
Any help would be much appreciated!

Have you cleaned the heads? How many hours are on the hours meter. If cleaning the heads doesn't work it may be time for a service.

Thanks for your reply Brett,
The operation time is 45x10H, drum run 33x10H, tape run 23x10H and threading 64x10.
I cleaned the heads and still no difference - I think maybe its time to take it to Sony then!
Best, Martin.

Before you go to Sony, have you tried resetting the camera.
Also, switch it to PAL then NTSC and back maybe.

Try recording in different formats and standards. NTSC, HD, SD, widescreen, 4:3. ETC how do they all playback. It's surely really unlikely for a digital to recording to show errors as a twitching image.

You might expect digital breakup, blocking, freezes etc, but not what sounds like a traditional analogue TBC problem.

Thanks Duncan, That did the trick! Much appreciated! All is back to normal now...

If it's cured then not to worry - but I wondered if what you were seeing was the OIS block making the image jump. I've heard that working in strong magnetic fields (under power pylons for instance) can play havoc with the OIS and give the 'image blips' you describe. Move away from the electromagnetics and all becomes normal again.

I've also had issues with Sony's OIS when used around strong radio signals such as two way radios and FRS radios.