Not sure why I'm posting this, but why not...

I have 4 Z7U's...
...all of which I've purchased from two separate resellers,
...all of which have the focusing issues,
...all of which cannot be confidently used for filming/producing anything.

While I got decent pricing on these cameras...
...I sold half of my current cameras,
...I need WA lenses which aren't available until June,
...Three cameras are in a permanent time-lapse setup right now and I can only hope and pray that the footage will come out properly.
...One camera was sent to Sony this week for testing/repair

What this has caused me and what it has cost me...
...I had to reschedule two shoots, one of which caused me to rent someone elses cameras as I don't have enough to cover anything right now.
...I had to postpone a music video shoot, for tv, that resulted in cancelling hired help, transportation, a boat, and a helicopter, and I won't even begin to tell you how much that cost.
...I had to refer three interview sessions to another company as I can't do it since I don't have reliable (or any) equipment.

I sincerely hope that Sony rectifies these lens issues as those who are affected really can't use their cameras in any sensible means. I've taken it upon myself to do all of the posts, emails, calls, etc., and while I don't mind any of it, I just want these issues resolved, and hopefully I'll have an answer in the coming days.

Ah, interestingly, I feel better having written that! Now, what do I do about the shoot I have this weekend, since I have no cameras...hmm, good question.

WOW!........... More bad press.

I myself am a fan of the Z7, but admitedly, i haven't used them as much as most on this site and i didn't have a problem with the focus.

At the moment, the Z7 is my primary choice of camera but if the ex1 comes down in price in Australia and the cards (or new 60gb hard drive) become more cost effective then hands down the EX1 would be the camera for me.

Yeah, I'm not trying to negate or talk bad, and so far, they've been fantastic with these issues. It's just really bad given that I've had to turn down and lose a lot of business because of these issues, when they shouldn't be happening in the first place. And, again, the camera is great....but that lens has some serious faults.

Sorry about your problems Marshall,

I thought I saw the Z7 at the Sony booth at NAB with a DigiPrime lens on it (it looked fantastic!). I can't remember if the lenses I saw on the Z7 at NAB had adapters or not, I think some of them did.

Is there a rental house nearby that has 1/3" lens that would fit on the Z7? You probably already thought about this...

Has anyone watched the VASST training video on the Z7U? I bought it at NAB and just finished it. The last chapter talks about low-light. Spot (who rocks) shoots an eagle statue with a candle on each side. He talks about how great the shot is with 0db gain and how well this camera works in low-light. No argument there from me, but while the camera is aimed at the statue, it really does hunt and go in/out of focus. Is that just due to the really low-light? I don't remember my VX2100 doing that in lower light situations.

Marshall, I also feel your pain. We are a small operation that just dropped 12k on two cameras. I'm having to make the best of it and figure out ways around the Z7's issues at this point. Again, with the low-light quality, I am willing to make some exceptions. If I have to many out of focus issues, I might end up Craigslisting (I tried to make it a verb) them.

Later,

Chad

Great points you make Marshall about the problems that a crippled Sony offering makes for someone NEEDING working product and how it kills upcoming shoots and income. Since you just sent one of your Z7U's to Sony, it will certainly be interesting to see what the folks visiting from Japan to review the problems have to say. Or better yet, what they can offer in terms of a fix.

Chad, I just ordered the HVR-Z7U training DVD from VASST. You mention that in the low light shot with the eagle statute that the lens is hunting for focus. I'd be curious to know if Spot used the Z7U to shoot all or just some of the training video with (other than some quick examples). If there is a fair bit of shooting by the Z7U, did you see any of the flaws documented here on the forum?

I can't wait to see the VASST DVD, as I find these training tools a great deal more fun than pouring over the owners manual included with the cameras! :)

Thanks guys . . . let's hope that there is some sort of statement from Sony soon about the issues at hand.

Ian

It's worth noting (and I had to explain this to a lady evaluating the EX1 at NAB), that autofocus is nearly useless in low light and/or low frame rates. The only exception are those cameras that use a hybrid autofocus with an IR beam providing the AF capability in low light.

-gb-

Marshall, wow man. reading your post, it sounds like with some of the work you are doing, you may want to consider going the XDCAM F-series route
vs prosumer cameras with small chips. dump those suckers and get yourself
a real setup. Good luck man.

Has anyone watched the VASST training video on the Z7U? I bought it at NAB and just finished it. The last chapter talks about low-light. Spot (who rocks) shoots an eagle statue with a candle on each side. He talks about how great the shot is with 0db gain and how well this camera works in low-light. No argument there from me, but while the camera is aimed at the statue, it really does hunt and go in/out of focus. Is that just due to the really low-light? I don't remember my VX2100 doing that in lower light situations.

Marshall, I also feel your pain. We are a small operation that just dropped 12k on two cameras. I'm having to make the best of it and figure out ways around the Z7's issues at this point. Again, with the low-light quality, I am willing to make some exceptions. If I have to many out of focus issues, I might end up Craigslisting (I tried to make it a verb) them.

Later,

Chad

I have a copy of it. I was hoping it would give me a couple more secrets that I did not already know. Although it is very good and thorough, all he really does is read the manual for you and show you all the settings. Low light auto focus on this camera is not really any worse than my PD170s, which I have always felt was bad. If you need to focus on something in low light, I would always recommend manual focus. Of course this is much harder if the subjects are moving.

Bruce Cleveland

I didn't see any of the issues discussed in here on the VASST video. They first go over the outside of the camera and discuss each button. They then go through the menu system and break down each one. He does discuss black balance and back focus a bit as well as point out a few features new to prosumer cameras. There were a few pieces of information that I picked up from him that I probably wouldn't have known about, although for what we do, I don't think I would have used them. I would like to be one of those people that take full advantage of their camera, but in the wedding business down here, its pretty much run and gun.
Good luck to Marshall, we are all hoping for the best for you.

-Chad

Marshall, wow man. reading your post, it sounds like with some of the work you are doing, you may want to consider going the XDCAM F-series route
vs prosumer cameras with small chips. dump those suckers and get yourself
a real setup. Good luck man.

Yeah, I've thought about it but I do mostly social type events. With some broadcast work I've rented cameras, but it all depends. I'll be getting an EX soon, too, for some client-based broadcast work as well. We'll see what happens.

Marshall ... has Sony said how long it would be before you hear back from them?

Called Sony this afternoon, around 1pm - person I spoke with, who obviously wasn't aware of the existing issues, told me that it'll be 1-2 weeks until I get an answer (typical turnaround, as I figured this issue would be handled differently)...

I then asked if Dominic was available, but left a message for him to call back. As of 4:45pm EST, no phone call.

I spoke with Chris, who talked to Mel and Dominic this morning, and I should get a call/response either today or tomorrow.

So far, things are right on track, so we'll see what happens and I'll post anything I know as soon as I find out.

Here's hoping! :)

I then asked if Dominic was available, but left a message for him to call back. As of 4:45pm EST, no phone call.

I spoke with Chris, who talked to Mel and Dominic this morning, and I should get a call/response either today or tomorrow.

So far, things are right on track, so we'll see what happens and I'll post anything I know as soon as I find out.

Here's hoping! :)

Some of us are waiting with great anticipation as to the news you have to report. Let's hope that it's good!

I sent an email to the national service mgr. (Sony of Canada) about bringing in my two Z7U's to be looked at by one of their chief pro camera techs. I am still waiting to hear from him. I wish to have them reviewed so that either they can fix the issues, or at least see the problems first hand and have them documented.

I'll post should I get any aswers soon too. I do hope that you hear something by tomorrow.

Good luck to you and your Z7Us!

Ian

Just spoke with Dominic (nice guy) and he told me that Sony has confirmed and been able to reproduce the problem with regards to the focusing/zoom issues parallel to the "soup clip" that I posted last week.

So, as it stands, here's what I was told in terms of time frames:

>Tomorrow - will get a call regarding when I'll get my equipment back and follow up with what is going to happen.
>Friday - Should have an answer as far as resolution to these issues.

Slowly but surely, but I'm partially happy thus far!

Marshall "Bulldog" Levy !!!!!!

Kudo to you and Bruce! It'll be very interesting to see exactly what Sony will do and what we'll have to do.

Can't wait!

If contrast detection is all these cameras can do, I wish they would offer auto focus zones as well as an edge highlighting system that would show what the camera has focused on. DSLRs can use phase detection, but in Nikon D300 and D3 "Live View Modes", the focus area can be selected.

Well, it's Thursday and no phone calls or emails.

Hmm.

Has the promising excitement worn off? We'll see what happens on Friday.

I have my first job tomorrow with my S270 which has the same lens, the shoot will be used on local news here in the UK over the weekend ( in DVcam) so I will ask the tech guys at ITV to monitor the quality of the pictures. I dont use auto focus and maybe the fault won't be obvious in DV cam mode, but I need to know if there is a problem with this lens. Sony need to sort it out and quick and be honest about what is going on. The main reason I buy Sony cameras is that you know they work the way they are supposed to. If that has changed then their reputation is at stake. To quote a phrase from history " The whole world is watching"!

The shots/footage at hand with this post and others, and what Sony has confirmed, are not based on auto anything - it's all manual, which isn't good!

Testing still going on, will have an update on Monday.

Hmm. Hmm. Hmm.

And to think, that I have so many events coming up, what will I use to film? Concern is slowly increasing!

Sony is sending back my camera and I should have it in the next day or so. I'll test it again to make sure everything is working as it was supposedly fixed.

I'm waiting to find out what everyone else should do, and will hopefully know on Tuesday.

Supposedly, the lens assembly had to be replaced which fixed the issue. Interesting.

I'll post again mid-week.

Sony is sending back my camera and I should have it in the next day or so. I'll test it again to make sure everything is working as it was supposedly fixed.

I'm waiting to find out what everyone else should do, and will hopefully know on Tuesday.

Supposedly, the lens assembly had to be replaced which fixed the issue. Interesting.

I'll post again mid-week.

Thanks Marshall. I was wondering what they were doing. Hopefully we can just send the lens back as opposed to shipping the entire body and lens. But then I'm guessing that's just wishful thinking on my part. Maybe it has to be calibrated to the body.

Yeah, who knows. I'll post as soon as I find out anything.

All I know is that I'm happy it's coming back because I've lost so much work because of this.

But now, I'll be able to outfit it with my new redrock follow focus, rods, zylight, and whole bunch of other nonsense!

Marshall,

You should have drawn a smiley face or something recognizable on the lens to make sure there wasn't a swaparoo (technical term)!

-Chad

oh no worries...they've got serial numbers and stuff to 'em. I'm real particular about sending stuff in to any company for swaps....

Got a camera back and it seems to work fine. I easily noticed a difference in the lens and will be testing it again over the next few days.

Still waiting for a response as to what everyone else should do, but I think one of the problems is that out of all the thousands of posts and countless calls, emails, etc. I've received from owners with the problems, literally no one was active in terms of contacting Sony, or me, with the requested info. It's a shame, really, in that if Sony was/is to do a massive recall of sorts, more than a handful of owners need to make this known.

I'll update again later this week.

This was under coments: Glitches when record short clips on CF card, Autofocus drifts,(MY COMPLAINTS)-- From Sony--Readjust lens assy, reflanged back lens, performed extensive bench tests on unit with customer CF card and our test CF card. Recorded multiple clips on cust card and ours. Tried different memory recording unit. Called customer and advice solution to his problem. Compared side by side customer unit with new unit from box. Unit works properly. The phone conversation--got the glitches on cust card but not on our card. Recommend that I use a 303X CF card instead of 133x transcend. He told me he wouldn't recommend the 133x card. I asked why does Sony say 133x is min speed when he says 303x???? They say that I use only 303x cards. I guess I will buy one and test it. He said he was rewriting software for the lens but I asked him was this for all cameras or just mine?? never did understand his ans. I will test camera on thursday and post here on the focusing.

Call me on Thursday if you get a chance.

email me you phone # reynoldshsd at mbarqmail dot com --Bruce

Marshall - I for one appreciate your and Bruce O's tenacity. What can we normal folks do at this point. As you know, between me and my crew, we own 5 Z7s. Is there a number to call? A Sony rep to email? What can we do?

As of now, do this:

Call Sony at 800-883-6817

I don't remember the shortcuts with the menu, but get through to the service dept. If Lou is available, talk to him as he is well aware of these issues.

For now, you'll have to play the return game, but I would highly suggest you include a copy of these forum postings, as well as any examples of issues and what, specifically, is wrong and how to replicate it.

I'll call again today.

Marshall - I for one appreciate your and Bruce O's tenacity. What can we normal folks do at this point. As you know, between me and my crew, we own 5 Z7s. Is there a number to call? A Sony rep to email? What can we do?

Dave I apologize if I trivialized your focus issues in a previous post. I guess in my view I could not fathom anything Sony produced could be that bad. I sincerely hope you can get your issues resolved with Sony. I did get a chance to put our Z7 through the tests at an event last week where lighting was pretty low and did run into auto focus problems. I can see where this would be a big problem with the camera on a steadicam device in low light. I still concur though that this problem is no worse than it is with our 170s. Please keep us updated on what you find out with Sony.

Bruce

FYI the 8gb Sony CF card which came supplied with my camera is 306x

Marshal and Bruce O - I was considering buying this camera, and joined this forum especially because of your threads tracking the issues. I really appreciate all your hard work, and have now ordered my rig seeing that Sony is being responsive to some substantial issues.

And just for the record, I did notice the autofocus issues in low light with the demo unit in the Sony booth at NAB, and even their engineers from Japan had no answer to give. Granted I had the lens really stopped down with the gain up on purpose just to see what would happen.

There's always the Canon A1 and more light.

I wish Canon would offer 1/2" chips for better low light performance. Otherwise, it's a solid performer and probably just as sharp as a Z7 or even an EX-1. Add an SD memory card recorder and you're set.

This snafu with the Z7 lens reminds me of the early XL1 20x lenses and the various design problems that people complained about.

Marshal and Bruce O - I was considering buying this camera, and joined this forum especially because of your threads tracking the issues. I really appreciate all your hard work, and have now ordered my rig seeing that Sony is being responsive to some substantial issues.

And just for the record, I did notice the autofocus issues in low light with the demo unit in the Sony booth at NAB, and even their engineers from Japan had no answer to give. Granted I had the lens really stopped down with the gain up on purpose just to see what would happen.

Good Move Winston. If I had the money I would probably get another Z7. All in all I really love it.

Bruce

I havent chipped in on this issue yet as I have other problems with my Z7, I can not use the compact flash reader with mac/FCP 6.03 but sony europe are working on this and it was my main reason for chosing this camera over the EX-1, low cost storage and TAPE as a back up recording format.

I find the autofocus on my camera fine and OK. it is not as good as the V1 I just sold but this is a different camera and has to be judged in a different way.

It is what I consider a PRO camera and interchangeable lenses give flexibility in one way but down sides in other ways.

I have worked in film and tv for over 28 years and have worked on location and in post production and have never seen a pro cameraman use autofocus at all.
If anything that option was never available and it is only the recent blurring of pro and consumer gear that has given such an option on these type of cameras. OK low light is another thing but once again just look at just news footage and every camera has a pag light or sun gun on the top to fill in lighting.

I got my Z7 two weeks ago and after working with its limitations after the V1 I now understand its design platform and now run most operational things in manual mode with only auto being used when required and within what I understand to be those limitations.

For me the Z7 is not a consumer point and shoot do it all in auto camcorder but a pro machine which needs a lot more understanding of its design to get the best results.

Yes I agree that the servo can be searching for a focus point at times but I am now aware that if I am in low light and with no fixed point of refence then I need to do a pre focus zoom in check (this goes for exposure too) and then work around that focal point. If I feel the camera wil not perform what I want then I switch to manual and control the focus myself.

I have done a lot of film work in the 80's when it took forever to set-up lighting and do anything and it is unfair on any product to expect to be able to point and shoot and have every single frame as a good take. I love my Z7 and I am finding new features that are very useful every day.

I agree that auto focus is not a necessity. I've been shooting film & large format video for over 15 years. Plenty of run & gun documentary style work. VERY few complaints about focus. You learn how to judge focus by eye, how to anticipate where the subject is moving to keep them in focus and you learn how to zone focus. This is especially easy with 1/3" chips with significant depth of field compared to large format cameras.
I never use auto focus, even when it is available. I can do a better job than a piece of electronics on a $5000 camera. What do you do when the subject moves out of the auto focus view? The camera will hunt for something in the deep background. Then the subject moves back in & they are out of focus until the electronics has a chance to work. Unacceptable to me.

Same thing with auto iris. I never use it. Bad crutch.

Thank you so much Gary for your positive post. I agree completely. The more I use this camera the more I realize it is not a camera to use in auto mode. It is so great to hear from someone that doesn't have complaints about this camera. I feel like all I have been doing since I got the camera is reading about new issues almost daily. I have never had a real chance to feel good about my purchase. Your post makes me feel a bit better, so thanks for pointing out some obvious facts.

Bruce

Thank you so much Gary for your positive post. I agree completely. The more I use this camera the more I realize it is not a camera to use in auto mode. It is so great to hear from someone that doesn't have complaints about this camera. I feel like all I have been doing since I got the camera is reading about new issues almost daily. I have never had a real chance to feel good about my purchase. Your post makes me feel a bit better, so thanks for pointing out some obvious facts.

Bruce

I think this is a major issue for event videographers who need the assistance of auto focus and stabilizers because so much of their work is documentary style one-take moments.

As of now, do this:

Call Sony at 800-883-6817

I don't remember the shortcuts with the menu, but get through to the service dept. If Lou is available, talk to him as he is well aware of these issues.

For now, you'll have to play the return game, but I would highly suggest you include a copy of these forum postings, as well as any examples of issues and what, specifically, is wrong and how to replicate it.

I'll call again today.

Marshall,

Just thought I would check in and see if Sony had provided any more information about the situation.

Also ... have you had the opportunity to run it completely through its paces yet. If so ... would you say this completely took care of the issues you had?

Thanks

I think this is a major issue for event videographers who need the assistance of auto focus and stabilizers because so much of their work is documentary style one-take moments.

I totally agree, anyone who owns a FX1/Z1 will tell you that the auto focus on these cameras are perfect, yet Sony has messed up with the auto focus on the Z7 and Sony can't even admit it.

If you do Event Videography, stay away from the Z7 until the auto focus issue is resolved. I just feel sorry for those that bought the Z7...

Regards.

I totally agree, anyone who owns a FX1/Z1 will tell you that the auto focus on these cameras are perfect, yet Sony has messed up with the auto focus on the Z7 and Sony can't even admit it.

Likewise for the V1-FX7. Even in very low light, e.g., a night market in Asia panning from something 2 feet away to a face 8 feet away and back down to the close object.

Likewise for the V1-FX7. Even in very low light, e.g., a night market in Asia panning from something 2 feet away to a face 8 feet away and back down to the close object.

Its good, but IME not THAT good...the auto-focus on the Z1 seems a bit slow. It does get it in focus perfectly after it finishes searching, though.

The overall answers, after literally hundreds of emails, phone calls, and countless amounts of time, the response is a hush-hush one, where if someone has a problem, they send the camera into Sony. If they don't, or they're not sure they have a problem, that's the way it is.

I'm kind of surprised, because I really thought they would have done more, but who knows. I tried!

Marshall how is your camera that you sent in? Is everything satisfactory?

Bruce

I just got my "repaired" camera in and just tested it. No more blurring on the right side, but now when the focus chart is on the left the blacks are black and when it is on the right the blacks are grey..... Very Bad.....

It seems to be working fine, but we'll see what happens when actually filming. I'm out now about to film and have a huge event this weekend. I'll report back, hopefully with positive remarks!