Hiring & Testing the Z7 this weekend
 

HI

I am hiring the Z7 this weekend and want to run a heap of test. What possible tests can you guys recommend i do

What test i will carry out

* shoot SD and then shoot same scene in HD check quality
* Shoot in all the different modes ( progressive,interlaced etc.)
* low light shooting and checking gains
* focusing
* Compact Flash recording
* I will do an intensive test with camera flashes

what else guys

thanks

Robert

Impact resistance is always important.

Do the following:

(1) Set gain to -6db (iris to around f4)
(2) Position camera 2.5 meters from the ground (either stand on chair or climb on table)
(3) Face lens downwards (very important)
(4) Drop camera

Now, you should find that focus has changed a little. Let us know how you get on.

Regards
John

PS: Please post photos/video of the test...

Drop Camera i will give that a go i guess it's coverd by insurance John

I think I might add a fine detail and backfocus test.

Of course, an extreme temperature and vibration test would also be fun.

John - I did your test with my camera as I hadn't tested this aspect yet and I've got a very important shoot tomorrow. I found that the focus changed quite a lot after testing - definitely more than acceptable. On further checking I found that my gain was actually set to 0db and iris was at f8 - do you think this could have affected the test result? Should I do it again with the correct settings?

0db!!!!!???? No no, this might damage the camera.

Try again at -6db. If you have used 0db, you'll need to perform an enhanced reset. This is easy to do. Just increase the height of the drop calibration to around 8 meters. You'll need to find a 3rd floor apartment or even carpark building complex to perform this.

Also, remember to use the special code if hiring the camera and performing this advanced testing procedure. When asked for your full name, use the code "Douglas Spotted Eagle".

John, Mike,
get serious!

How can you perform the impact resistance test without proper calibration/focussing?
I ALWAYS make sure that there is a focusing test chart taped to the horizontal plane
where the impact will occur. Multiple passes might be necessary to 'hit the mark'.

good luck, please share the results,
John

Not sure if I am following this correctly. "Drop the Camera" is this a term used for some technical aspect or do you mean remove your hands from the camera and watch the camera hit the ground.

As for the horizontal test. You are more than welcome to strap the camera to the front of my wifes car when she goes shopping, that wil be a guaranteed impact test.

Gee guys, I always wondered what they meant by "drop time" in my Merlin manual. Now I know.

You are all joking i hope

Joking? never, my wife can wreck anything

No Robert. We're serious.

Robert, as you read this... you are getting very sleepy. Here these words Robert. Obey these commands.

Hire the camera using the name "Douglas Spotted Eagle".

Drop the camera lens first, from 8 meters, onto concrete.

This is no joke Robert. You WILL do this for us. You cannot resist the urge.

Go now Robert, complete this task, and you will become more powerful than you can imagine.

Switch off the PC. Forget you have visited these forums. <snap>

hmm..I wonder how many Roberts visit this forum..

John (fortunately)

So how did your testing go Robert? Did you find the ON/OFF switch ok? ;)

John i didn't do the drop camera test maybe next time other than that camera is great very sharp picture i put it alongside a canon A1 and sony Z1

Z7 has nice rich pictures BUT i just cant get over the rolling shutter issue because i shoot weddings we had to simulate camera flashes going off from different angles. It is not as noticeable during the day but as soon as we turned off the lights to simulate a reception then it really showed.
I dont know how things are done anywhere else in the world but here we shoot bride and grooms preparations with photographers and you come across photographers that use lots of flash which really bothers me so i don't think this camera will do for what i need.

I guess i will buy a Z1 for now then hopefully something will come out next year.

Rob