Jerky Zoom - Sony's reply: That is normal

Mitchell Lewis · January 29th, 2010, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanno Klein

I don´t understand why this issue is not big issue here in the forum.

For my cam i got a final answer from Sony "That is normal, no replacement". From my Dealer: Sorry we can not do anything.

Here is my last example for the jerky zoom. I used the main zoom handle.

I don´t think that this can be normal. But what can i do ? Buy a new one and hope it will be better

Yesterday i had my fingers on one EX1r and what happend, jep this one had the jerky zoom too. Not as bad as mine, but i can reproduce it with the main handle when i do slow zooms. So i believe that is really normal and you need a little bit luck if you buy a EX camera.

Sad story.
-Hanno

Hanno, I'm curious, if you would have used the fixed zoom on the top of the handle, would you have experienced the multiple jerks during the length of your zoom?

Mitchell Lewis · February 21st, 2010, 12:35 AM

Anyone else care to chime in with similar experience?

Marcus Durham · February 21st, 2010, 06:44 AM

There are certainly issues there. Having been using my Z1 the other week I was struck by how much easier it was to slowly ramp zooms on that camera compared to the EX1. Frequently a shot can be ruined by the fact that you are slowly decreasing your zoom speed only for it to come to a sudden halt or slightly judder.

You can work around it, and the top zoom switch gives you smooth zooming, but not with a variable speed.

One thing I have noticed is the problem is far more pronounced in 25p compared to 50i (have never shot 50p).

I'm convinced it is some kind of electrical issue though as others have reported that the problem can be solved with a zoom remote.

Mitchell Lewis · February 21st, 2010, 08:54 AM

Thanks! :)

Has anyone noticed that it's worst when you've just finished zooming out and want to slowly zoom back in again? My zoom is at it's worst when it has to switch directions.

Matt Davis · February 21st, 2010, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Durham

I'm convinced it is some kind of electrical issue though as others have reported that the problem can be solved with a zoom remote.

I wish I could share your optimism. I have a Bebob Zoe-EX, and an EX1 to compare with. The EX1 was faultless in gentle zooms. The EX1-R has been stuttery, with and without the remote, though I do better with the remote. I've got tests using the top zoom rocker which also display stuttering. But all subtlety is lost if doing a gentle creep zoom that ends up like Morse Code in motion.

I felt it was more of a lubrication thing. Stiction, if you will.

Mitchell Lewis · February 21st, 2010, 09:18 AM

So Matt, the zoom stutters even when using the hand-grip zoom?

Matt Davis · February 21st, 2010, 09:38 AM

Mine does. Yes.

Quite happy to be told that I'm ham-fisted and it's my inability to operate a zoom control, but whilst I can (if you can excuse the term) squeeze off a creep on the EX1R, it's a bit of a gamble on the EX1R.

To the extent that I'm thinking of nominating the EX1 as the main camera for talking head shoots until I can get the EX1R 'seen to'. If that is ever a possibility.

Marcus Durham · February 21st, 2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Daviss

I wish I could share your optimism. I have a Bebob Zoe-EX, and an EX1 to compare with. The EX1 was faultless in gentle zooms. The EX1-R has been stuttery, with and without the remote, though I do better with the remote. I've got tests using the top zoom rocker which also display stuttering. But all subtlety is lost if doing a gentle creep zoom that ends up like Morse Code in motion.

I felt it was more of a lubrication thing. Stiction, if you will.

There were reports on here before Christmas of users trying out one of the remotes and finding that it seemed to solve the issue. I've not so I can only report what was on here.

That said, the zoom on the top of the unit will do creeping zooms all day long without stuttering and very low speeds. It's the rocker that has the issue. But obviously the top control has a number of limitations including the fact it cannot vary speed.

If it was sticking I would have expected the very slow zooms from the top button to also give problems.

Andrew Stone · February 22nd, 2010, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Durham

Having been using my Z1 the other week I was struck by how much easier it was to slowly ramp zooms on that camera compared to the EX1.

As a present owner of a Z1 and an EX3, I would agree 100% with your statement

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus

There were reports on here before Christmas of users trying out one of the remotes and finding that it seemed to solve the issue. I've not so I can only report what was on here.

Marcus, this is the thread you want...

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-xdc...ex3-promo.html

... I have the Libec remote and it does, for all intent and purpose, solve the problem. Really.

Hanno Klein · March 8th, 2010, 05:14 PM

Hi all,

i just want to confirm that i reduce the "jerky zoom" with the Libec Controller.

My first one was an Bebob Zoe. Extrem Jerky Zoom. Bebob said: That is Sony fault

My second one was a Manfrotto. Extrem Jerky Zoom.

My third now is the Libec: And finally. Zoom is OK now. Not perfect but ok.

Charles Newcomb · March 8th, 2010, 06:18 PM

I can't speak for the EX1, but the Varizoom Pro EX I have on my EX3 is butter smooth, and I can dial in any speed I want.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/543232-REG/VariZoom_VZ_PRO_EX_VZ_Pro_EX_Comfort_Grip_Zoom_Controller.html

Ed Kukla · March 9th, 2010, 05:52 AM

It depends on the lens you get. I went through 3 fuji w/a lenses before finding one that would work with the manfrotto, meantime the libec worked fine with all 3 of the fuji lenses. so if you are lucky enough to get one of the finer tuned fuji lenses, then any controller will work. good luck playing that guessing game

Charles Penn · March 11th, 2010, 03:33 PM

Man, this is NOT what I want to read as I prepare to fork over $7,500 of my hard-earned money! Any other issues I need to be aware of? And should I be considering some other brand? Thanks in advance for your input.

Stephen Armour · November 12th, 2010, 08:51 PM

Any later updates to the "jerky zoom" mess?

We just got a new EX1R down for a shoot in Brazil and it's jerky as all get out!

Blast Sony anyway! That burns us bigtime and we will not be burned twice! If Sony does not make right on this, we're done with them. Lots of other nice competition these days...do you hear SONY?

So any new light on this since March?

Les Wilson · November 13th, 2010, 05:06 PM

Here's some ammo.

I have a 2 month old EX1R. I recorded 4 techniques for doing the slowest possible zoom on it. Only the first two (handle and lens controller techniques) result in reliable constant slow zooms. Note that the lens controller is able to eek out a slightly slower zoom than the handle's minimum.

The second two techniques use the rotating handgrip's rocker which illustrates the well known stuttering problem. I think this is because the handgrip is able to attempt a zoom speed below the lens's rated minimum speed. This results in a stutter and uneven zoom. Personally, I never do slow handheld zooms while recording and I'll take the exclusive rotating handgrip and low-light performance of the EX1R over the competition any day. But it would be nice if there was a fix to the handgrip controller as the lens seems to be able to perform a single speed zoom albeit not as slow as some others. <insert standard disclaimer about each camera having plusses and minuses>.

February 21st, 2010, 12:35 AM	#47
Mitchell Lewis Trustee Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 1,124	Anyone else care to chime in with similar experience? __________________ Sony EX3, Canon 5D MkII, Chrosziel Matte Box, Sachtler tripod, Steadicam Flyer, Mac Pro, Apple/Adobe software - 20 years as a local videographer/editor

February 21st, 2010, 06:44 AM	#48
Marcus Durham Major Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 693	There are certainly issues there. Having been using my Z1 the other week I was struck by how much easier it was to slowly ramp zooms on that camera compared to the EX1. Frequently a shot can be ruined by the fact that you are slowly decreasing your zoom speed only for it to come to a sudden halt or slightly judder. You can work around it, and the top zoom switch gives you smooth zooming, but not with a variable speed. One thing I have noticed is the problem is far more pronounced in 25p compared to 50i (have never shot 50p). I'm convinced it is some kind of electrical issue though as others have reported that the problem can be solved with a zoom remote. __________________ Marcus Durham Media2u, Corporate Video Production For Your Business - http://www.media2u.co.uk

February 21st, 2010, 08:54 AM	#49
Mitchell Lewis Trustee Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 1,124	Thanks! :) Has anyone noticed that it's worst when you've just finished zooming out and want to slowly zoom back in again? My zoom is at it's worst when it has to switch directions. __________________ Sony EX3, Canon 5D MkII, Chrosziel Matte Box, Sachtler tripod, Steadicam Flyer, Mac Pro, Apple/Adobe software - 20 years as a local videographer/editor

February 21st, 2010, 09:18 AM	#51
Mitchell Lewis Trustee Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 1,124	So Matt, the zoom stutters even when using the hand-grip zoom? __________________ Sony EX3, Canon 5D MkII, Chrosziel Matte Box, Sachtler tripod, Steadicam Flyer, Mac Pro, Apple/Adobe software - 20 years as a local videographer/editor

February 21st, 2010, 09:38 AM	#52
Matt Davis Trustee Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Berkshire, UK Posts: 1,562	Mine does. Yes. Quite happy to be told that I'm ham-fisted and it's my inability to operate a zoom control, but whilst I can (if you can excuse the term) squeeze off a creep on the EX1R, it's a bit of a gamble on the EX1R. To the extent that I'm thinking of nominating the EX1 as the main camera for talking head shoots until I can get the EX1R 'seen to'. If that is ever a possibility. __________________ Director/Editor - MDMA Ltd: Write, Shoot, Edit, Publish - mattdavis.pro EX1 x2, C100 --> FCPX & PPro6

March 8th, 2010, 05:14 PM	#55
Hanno Klein New Boot Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cologne Posts: 19	Hi all, i just want to confirm that i reduce the "jerky zoom" with the Libec Controller. My first one was an Bebob Zoe. Extrem Jerky Zoom. Bebob said: That is Sony fault My second one was a Manfrotto. Extrem Jerky Zoom. My third now is the Libec: And finally. Zoom is OK now. Not perfect but ok.

March 8th, 2010, 06:18 PM	#56
Charles Newcomb Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Salida, Colorado Posts: 561	I can't speak for the EX1, but the Varizoom Pro EX I have on my EX3 is butter smooth, and I can dial in any speed I want. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/543232-REG/VariZoom_VZ_PRO_EX_VZ_Pro_EX_Comfort_Grip_Zoom_Controller.html

March 9th, 2010, 05:52 AM	#57
Ed Kukla Major Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: All over, USA Posts: 512	It depends on the lens you get. I went through 3 fuji w/a lenses before finding one that would work with the manfrotto, meantime the libec worked fine with all 3 of the fuji lenses. so if you are lucky enough to get one of the finer tuned fuji lenses, then any controller will work. good luck playing that guessing game

March 11th, 2010, 03:33 PM	#58
Charles Penn Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Port St. Lucie, Florida Posts: 103	Man, this is NOT what I want to read as I prepare to fork over $7,500 of my hard-earned money! Any other issues I need to be aware of? And should I be considering some other brand? Thanks in advance for your input.

November 12th, 2010, 08:51 PM	#59
Stephen Armour Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Natal, RN, Brasil Posts: 900	Any later updates to the "jerky zoom" mess? We just got a new EX1R down for a shoot in Brazil and it's jerky as all get out! Blast Sony anyway! That burns us bigtime and we will not be burned twice! If Sony does not make right on this, we're done with them. Lots of other nice competition these days...do you hear SONY? So any new light on this since March? __________________ http://lightinaction.org "All in the view of the LION"

November 13th, 2010, 05:06 PM	#60
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Here's some ammo. I have a 2 month old EX1R. I recorded 4 techniques for doing the slowest possible zoom on it. Only the first two (handle and lens controller techniques) result in reliable constant slow zooms. Note that the lens controller is able to eek out a slightly slower zoom than the handle's minimum. The second two techniques use the rotating handgrip's rocker which illustrates the well known stuttering problem. I think this is because the handgrip is able to attempt a zoom speed below the lens's rated minimum speed. This results in a stutter and uneven zoom. Personally, I never do slow handheld zooms while recording and I'll take the exclusive rotating handgrip and low-light performance of the EX1R over the competition any day. But it would be nice if there was a fix to the handgrip controller as the lens seems to be able to perform a single speed zoom albeit not as slow as some others. <insert standard disclaimer about each camera having plusses and minuses>. Getting the slowest possible zoom with the EX1R on Vimeo