That might be the culprit. After it stopped focusing, I noticed that the lens release button was slightly off its complete down position and the lens may have gotten unseated while loading it in the bag. But it took several attempts of re-seating and re-flange testing before it came back. Don't know if checking whether it was sending signals would tell anything, as it did find focus in two modes before losing it.

I've had the same problem on my new EX3 twice this week. When going from MF to AF ring (to use the Shot Transition feature) and then back to MF, the MF ring doesn't move the glass at all. No feedback. Has anyone got to the bottom of this? Off and on resets the lens and solves the problem, but it's hardly a long-term solution!

My problem was resolved by a new cam. Sony Support wasn't able to reproduce the problem but the behaved quite well and believed me. With the new EX3 no problems at all.

Markus

Same issue on a demo unit
 

I dont have my EX3 yet but in August I have visited a Sony retailer in Vienna to try the cam.

Since the cam was new for me it took some time to realize there was something wrong. The manual focus didnt work, I told the technician there who became nervous and had no idea what to do.

Finally I have switched the unit off and back on then it worked. I believed back then that it was the demo unit and somehow people used it rough or inappropriate.

But now it seems to be another of Sony's usual launch gift glitches... I wonder how this going to be solved. Does replacement fix this or the replacement units also carry a time bomb to be activated any time?

Unfortunately it's not only Sony. I ordered different electronic stuff (storage system, mini video camera) and all this stuff had bugs. Concerning the MF problem on the EX3 I am quite sure that if you don't realize the error in the first two hours of filming it won't occur. But despite the small problem I am really happy with the EX3.

Markus

I've had this happen to me a couple of times on a course last week. Tunring it off and then back on seemed to clear it. Was there an actual reason for this happening e.g. mechanical or electronic?

I sent the cam in for a firmware upgrade and this solved my problem. Have not had it happen since. Your firmware for ex3 needs to be at least 1.3.

There is a bug in the older EX3 firmware that cause the focus system to stop working when you are using focus ring forward manual focus with macro turned on and the lens zoomed in. When you try to focus and go into the macro region the focus locks up. Restarting the camera will get things going again. Two ways to stop it happening: Turn macro off or get the firmware updated.

Mine's at 1.02...looks like I'll need to take it in.

Just sent it back to the vendor for return to Sony. Will report back anything useful.

Finally got my EX3 back after 3 weeks. The firmware version is now 1.04.0084. The MxR cards still work so that's a bonus...I haven't had a chance to check but I'm assuming that this fixed my loss of focus problem also...I will only know when I get to start using it again.