Possible iris problem on Z1 at DVinfo.net

Ian Briscoe · August 5th, 2006, 09:59 AM

I hired a Z1E (PAL) to complememt my own Z1E for a 2 camera wedding shoot. Camera shows 15x10 operation.

I was finding it really difficult to match exposure on both cameras. When I did some more investigation it became obvious that the hired camera's iris was only working from f5.2 through to f11 - trying to go faster than f5.2 made absolutely no difference. So where I was using gain of 6db at f3.2 on my camera I had to go to gain of 12db on the hired camera at f5.2. Haven't reviewed footage yet - not optimisitc.

Hopefully this is just a one off with this camera.

Ian

Bob Hart · August 5th, 2006, 10:08 AM

I believe there is a menu selection which sets limits for the iris function, maybe personal profiles. I don't know enough about the camera to advise but I have seen this problem or similar published here previously and I think there was a menu selectable option to fix it.

Somebody else in a better know than I am may come along soon who can provide real assistance.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · August 5th, 2006, 10:39 AM

Indeed, in the profile settings, and in menu settings, you can control the iris limitations.
ALWAYS hit status check upon picking up the camera so you can see what setups are in place.

Ian Briscoe · August 5th, 2006, 03:22 PM

I think the PP setting only affects AUTO exposure. I had no PP in effect.

Just on the subject of that PP setting - I interpreted that as the MINIMUM aperture (ie the highest number) the auto exposure would go to before adjusting other settings? reason I think this is that one of the posible settings is F11 - and as that IS the minimum aperture interpreting it the other way means that ths camera would only ever use f11?

Ian

Matt Davis · August 5th, 2006, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Briscoe

Hopefully this is just a one off with this camera.

I'm pretty sure it is, because a colleague's Z1 had exactly the same problem and is currently having its whole front lens assembly replaced (cost £1k, but covered on Silver Warranty). OTOH, mine and other colleagues are doing fine (apart from one where the line feed's dead).

Ian Briscoe · August 5th, 2006, 03:40 PM

Cheers Matt - maybe the UK got a bad batch!!!

Ian

Ian Briscoe · August 6th, 2006, 11:39 AM

Sorry - I didn't make it clear in my original post - when operating the iris the full range of f numbers were displayed - just from a f5.2 and lower (ie wider) made no difference.

Ian

Ian Briscoe · August 11th, 2006, 02:57 PM

The hire company have been in touch - they spoke to Sony UK who confirm they have had a few instances of this happening. Something to keep an eye on maybe.

Ian

Tom Hardwick · August 14th, 2006, 09:08 AM

And the PP settings are there to stop you going to *smaller* apertures than f/5.6 or f/8, so important if you're shooting HDV with tiny 1"/3 chips.

tom.

Ian Briscoe · August 14th, 2006, 11:38 AM

Hi Tom

Yep - and if i had that set I wouldn't have been able to go up or down!

I did a google on "Z1 iris problem" and there was a post on another forum from last year.

Ian

August 5th, 2006, 09:59 AM	#1
Ian Briscoe Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southport - UK Posts: 208	Possible iris problem on Z1 I hired a Z1E (PAL) to complememt my own Z1E for a 2 camera wedding shoot. Camera shows 15x10 operation. I was finding it really difficult to match exposure on both cameras. When I did some more investigation it became obvious that the hired camera's iris was only working from f5.2 through to f11 - trying to go faster than f5.2 made absolutely no difference. So where I was using gain of 6db at f3.2 on my camera I had to go to gain of 12db on the hired camera at f5.2. Haven't reviewed footage yet - not optimisitc. Hopefully this is just a one off with this camera. Ian

August 5th, 2006, 10:39 AM	#3
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	Indeed, in the profile settings, and in menu settings, you can control the iris limitations. ALWAYS hit status check upon picking up the camera so you can see what setups are in place. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

August 5th, 2006, 10:08 AM	#2
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,476	I believe there is a menu selection which sets limits for the iris function, maybe personal profiles. I don't know enough about the camera to advise but I have seen this problem or similar published here previously and I think there was a menu selectable option to fix it. Somebody else in a better know than I am may come along soon who can provide real assistance.

August 5th, 2006, 03:22 PM	#4
Ian Briscoe Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southport - UK Posts: 208	I think the PP setting only affects AUTO exposure. I had no PP in effect. Just on the subject of that PP setting - I interpreted that as the MINIMUM aperture (ie the highest number) the auto exposure would go to before adjusting other settings? reason I think this is that one of the posible settings is F11 - and as that IS the minimum aperture interpreting it the other way means that ths camera would only ever use f11? Ian

August 5th, 2006, 03:40 PM	#6
Ian Briscoe Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southport - UK Posts: 208	Cheers Matt - maybe the UK got a bad batch!!! Ian

August 6th, 2006, 11:39 AM	#7
Ian Briscoe Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southport - UK Posts: 208	Sorry - I didn't make it clear in my original post - when operating the iris the full range of f numbers were displayed - just from a f5.2 and lower (ie wider) made no difference. Ian

August 11th, 2006, 02:57 PM	#8
Ian Briscoe Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southport - UK Posts: 208	The hire company have been in touch - they spoke to Sony UK who confirm they have had a few instances of this happening. Something to keep an eye on maybe. Ian

August 14th, 2006, 09:08 AM	#9
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	And the PP settings are there to stop you going to smaller apertures than f/5.6 or f/8, so important if you're shooting HDV with tiny 1"/3 chips. tom.

August 14th, 2006, 11:38 AM	#10
Ian Briscoe Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southport - UK Posts: 208	Hi Tom Yep - and if i had that set I wouldn't have been able to go up or down! I did a google on "Z1 iris problem" and there was a post on another forum from last year. Ian