Quick question on manual/servo zoom at DVinfo.net

Spencer Dickson · January 22nd, 2008, 03:18 PM

I just got my EX1 today. I have a question about the servo zoom/manual zoom. I didn't realize that you have to push a button to switch in between each mode. I thought you could just use it manually and then use the servo without having to push a button. As such, I manually zoomed a few times while the camera was is servo mode. It would zoom, but it was jerky and not smooth. I quickly put it into manually zoom and now know the difference between the two modes, but am worried I damaged something. I doubt it, as it seems to zoom fine in both SZ and MZ. I read the warning instructions before use, and I didn't see any indicators saying using manual zoom in servo zoom mode would hurt the camera. I hope it's just my mind working over time. I'm always like this with new gear. Always afraid one tiny little mistake will bring the device in question to its technological demise. Please, someone assuage my fears.

Spencer Dickson · January 23rd, 2008, 06:52 AM

Anyone? I'm dying here.

Paul Kellett · January 23rd, 2008, 07:02 AM

Spencer,don't worry,think how many people have done this,no-ones been on here yet saying they've broke theirs have they.If it still works ok then id say you haven't broke anything.
Paul.

Spencer Dickson · January 23rd, 2008, 04:23 PM

Okay. When in manual zoom, does the zoom ring on yours feel a little bit "rough"? (Mostly smooth, but feels like there is light grit in the mechanism at points of the rotation?).

Eric Pascarelli · January 23rd, 2008, 04:42 PM

Mine does not have the "grit" feature, though it does have a bit of play and is generally fiddlier than I would like.

Could it be that you are feeling some pulverized internal gear teeth when you turn it? (Just kidding).

Spencer Dickson · January 23rd, 2008, 07:49 PM

Lol. Not likely. Things seem to be fine...it's just not as smooth as I would have expected, and I thought that perhaps it was smoother before the manual operation in servo-mode. When I operated it manually in servo-mode, it did still zoom, just jerkily. I doubt Sony would put an easily breakable lens on their flagship prosumer HD cam, but you never know. At any rate, I do have a 3-year extended warranty, and the company I bought it from is just a few hours away, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem to get it repaired if required.

January 22nd, 2008, 03:18 PM	#1
Spencer Dickson Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 141	Quick question on manual/servo zoom I just got my EX1 today. I have a question about the servo zoom/manual zoom. I didn't realize that you have to push a button to switch in between each mode. I thought you could just use it manually and then use the servo without having to push a button. As such, I manually zoomed a few times while the camera was is servo mode. It would zoom, but it was jerky and not smooth. I quickly put it into manually zoom and now know the difference between the two modes, but am worried I damaged something. I doubt it, as it seems to zoom fine in both SZ and MZ. I read the warning instructions before use, and I didn't see any indicators saying using manual zoom in servo zoom mode would hurt the camera. I hope it's just my mind working over time. I'm always like this with new gear. Always afraid one tiny little mistake will bring the device in question to its technological demise. Please, someone assuage my fears.

January 23rd, 2008, 07:02 AM	#3
Paul Kellett Trustee Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bristol UK Posts: 1,273	Spencer,don't worry,think how many people have done this,no-ones been on here yet saying they've broke theirs have they.If it still works ok then id say you haven't broke anything. Paul. __________________ Round 2 GH5,FZ2000

January 23rd, 2008, 06:52 AM	#2
Spencer Dickson Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 141	Anyone? I'm dying here.

January 23rd, 2008, 04:23 PM	#4
Spencer Dickson Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 141	Okay. When in manual zoom, does the zoom ring on yours feel a little bit "rough"? (Mostly smooth, but feels like there is light grit in the mechanism at points of the rotation?).

January 23rd, 2008, 04:42 PM	#5
Eric Pascarelli Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 498	Mine does not have the "grit" feature, though it does have a bit of play and is generally fiddlier than I would like. Could it be that you are feeling some pulverized internal gear teeth when you turn it? (Just kidding).

January 23rd, 2008, 07:49 PM	#6
Spencer Dickson Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 141	Lol. Not likely. Things seem to be fine...it's just not as smooth as I would have expected, and I thought that perhaps it was smoother before the manual operation in servo-mode. When I operated it manually in servo-mode, it did still zoom, just jerkily. I doubt Sony would put an easily breakable lens on their flagship prosumer HD cam, but you never know. At any rate, I do have a 3-year extended warranty, and the company I bought it from is just a few hours away, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem to get it repaired if required.