Back focus on Sony NXCAM NX5U? at DVinfo.net

Shufiyan Shukur · March 29th, 2010, 11:09 AM

I was browsing YouTube and came across this:

YouTube - Sony NX5U Back Focus Issue

Is this a rare fault in fixed lens cameras?

Mark Von Lanken · April 2nd, 2010, 02:28 PM

Hi Shuf,

I posted that video. The NX5U that I had was defective. A properly functioning NX5U should not respond this way. At this point I think it is the case of a few isolated cameras. Two other videographers have contacted me about the same problem.

Sony is going to send me another NX5U for me to review after NAB.

Heath McKnight · April 3rd, 2010, 11:56 AM

I had no issues with the NX5U I used for a week, but it was just a week. I've heard two people now have similar lens/focus issues (half the shot is sharp, other half is blurry) with the Sony V1U...

heath

Shufiyan Shukur · April 3rd, 2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Von Lanken

Hi Shuf,

I posted that video. The NX5U that I had was defective. A properly functioning NX5U should not respond this way. At this point I think it is the case of a few isolated cameras. Two other videographers have contacted me about the same problem.

Sony is going to send me another NX5U for me to review after NAB.

Thanks Mark for posting the video ... looked really scary if one were to be landed by a faulty camera like that ...

Tom Roper · April 3rd, 2010, 03:34 PM

The problem is the lens has a servo controlled rear focusing element, making it varfocal. When you move the zoom it would go out of focus, so to compensate for this it goes to a lookup table that adjusts the rear focus element as the zoom is moved to keep it in constant focus. When units leave the factory without getting the proper calibration, this is a problem because they hide the flangeback calibration routine in the service menu where most people can't find it. This was the exact same problem we had with the EX1, including mine. The calibration routine is incredibly simple and foolproof, why it has to be hidden I don't understand. On my newest cam, the PMW350K, the flangeback calibration routine is found not only in the regular menu, but also accessible from a button underneath the lens.

March 29th, 2010, 11:09 AM	#1
Shufiyan Shukur Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Malaysia Posts: 91	Back focus on Sony NXCAM NX5U? I was browsing YouTube and came across this: YouTube - Sony NX5U Back Focus Issue Is this a rare fault in fixed lens cameras? __________________ Shuf www.malaysiakini.tv

April 2nd, 2010, 02:28 PM	#2
Mark Von Lanken Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 910	Hi Shuf, I posted that video. The NX5U that I had was defective. A properly functioning NX5U should not respond this way. At this point I think it is the case of a few isolated cameras. Two other videographers have contacted me about the same problem. Sony is going to send me another NX5U for me to review after NAB. __________________ Mark Von Lanken www.VonWeddingFilms.com

April 3rd, 2010, 11:56 AM	#3
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	I had no issues with the NX5U I used for a week, but it was just a week. I've heard two people now have similar lens/focus issues (half the shot is sharp, other half is blurry) with the Sony V1U... heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

April 3rd, 2010, 03:34 PM	#5
Tom Roper Trustee Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 1,891	The problem is the lens has a servo controlled rear focusing element, making it varfocal. When you move the zoom it would go out of focus, so to compensate for this it goes to a lookup table that adjusts the rear focus element as the zoom is moved to keep it in constant focus. When units leave the factory without getting the proper calibration, this is a problem because they hide the flangeback calibration routine in the service menu where most people can't find it. This was the exact same problem we had with the EX1, including mine. The calibration routine is incredibly simple and foolproof, why it has to be hidden I don't understand. On my newest cam, the PMW350K, the flangeback calibration routine is found not only in the regular menu, but also accessible from a button underneath the lens.