So it's been a short while since I fronted the lens issues with the Sony Z7U and Sony's management, and after all of the time spent on the phone, emails, message boards, and whatever else, the issues are being fixed on a hush-hush, if-you-have-the-problem-call-Sony basis. I can't blame them as the issues are somewhat sporadic, as well as some users not worrying about it for some reason or another.

One of my cameras, the one that I had overnighted to Sony a few weeks ago, came back last week and I used it for a fairly high-end wedding this evening. Oh, and while high-end is a loose term, what I mean by that is someone who spends several hundred thousand dollars on the event and a significant investment with me, as well as other finite details. Upon receipt of the camera from Sony, it appeared to be working fine and focusing from left to right seemed corrected. I never did lengthy testing, just some small things here and there, and figured that it'll work great tonight - oh, was I ever wrong.

Well, here's how this camera failed me this evening and how bad it actually failed.

1> I began filming prep about 10am. Everything was fine, and for these (and most filming for that matter), I do practically everything in manual - manual focus, iris, white balance, gain, shutter speed, etc. Things went fine. Filmed on and off from 10am - 1:45pm, noticing some interesting results with regards to sync recordation between the tape and CF. For those that read the CF review I did a few months back, I did have some sync issues, but read on and find out just how bad this was...

2> Ceremony started at 2pm. I had a 5-cam setup, but only one Z7U this time as the others are being used for another project elsewhere. The CF / tape sync was a complete mess, and I soon noticed that the lens was constantly showing a flair of sorts - never saw this before but just imagine a lens flare on the lens when there's no sun - or any relevant lighting. Heck, it was raining most of the day.

3> CH Hour was when the fun began. Sync issues were really screwing me up, and you'll soon find out why...the focusing became insanely bad, so bad that I just couldn't focus.

4> Reception soon followed and filming was absolutely ridiculous. I don't even know words to explain the stress and aggravation I have right now....

...So, here's a nice list of all the wonderful problems this evening and what it has cost me in terms of what was supposed to be done...

1> Auto focus is no longer existent. It was at the beginning of the day, but the lens/camera decided otherwise. While I do manual for most things, filming dancing in manual is very difficult and that's what I had to do the entire time. Why? Well, the ring that goes back and forth between auto and manual basically stopped working. Sure, it moves the way it should but in auto, the numerical distance figure appears but nothing can be focused - the image is just blurry the entire time, no matter what you do with the camera - this shouldn't happen, nor the numerical distance appearing in the first place. In manual, it appears with the manual focus icon and it works fine, but became much more difficult to focus anything. I also had this crazy flare of sorts in the image...sometimes it was there, sometimes it wasn't. Why was this so critical this evening? Well, I was supposed to do an SDE of random dance shots, with the help of an assistant who would offload the footage from the CF and sync it to the tape of another camera for multiple angles between both. Why could I not do this?

Problem #1 - - - - The lens is a piece of crap. I'd use other words but I am so aggravated by this camera that I officially have no confidence or faith in it and don't have a clue what to do with what was recorded.

Problem #2 - - - - The SDE couldn't be done because the footage looks horrendous, and (go to #3)

Problem #3 - - - - I used Transcend 32GB cards - 3 of them over the course of five tapes. The total sync differential between the recorded footage, in length, to that of the cards, was 17 minutes and 12 seconds. So, we couldn't properly sync anything, and, I can't rely on the cards' footage as I'm somehow missing 17+ minutes of footage throughout the day that is on the tapes. This is one of the reasons why I did the CF test a while ago to check sync issues but this is appauling and there is absolutely no reason at all for this to happen. I know that the CF device does need to close the recorded session and properly buffer and record the next segment, but if it's in sync, then the tape and CF card should record and stop simultaneously and not have one start while the other one is still thinking about what to do. I would have been better off just using CF cards and no tapes. Sony has recommended that everyone uses their 306x CF cards, claiming that they are better, but the only thing they do better is transfer the footage to a computer (or similar device) as the bandwidth needed to record to the card, from the camera, is achieved by a 133x card, hence the reason of the minimum requirements. So, for Sony to recommend their product, I think, is a sad excuse.

So, where does this leave me? That's a heck of a good question. I'll be calling and emailing Sony Monday morning. At this point, whether it's a small claims court case to cover the cost of whatever will happen with this evening's footage with regards to what I did not and still won't be able to provide the client, with a quality product, or a replacement camera - or perhaps an EX1 with some cards, I am overly perturbed. I, again, have to play the single-person-with-a-large-voice versuse the conglomerate, Sony.

We'll see what happens. Anyone want to buy me a drink?

Wow, I am so sorry to hear that. If you were in LA. I'd buy that drink for you.

I've had a shoot go south on me before and man, that is a gut-wrenching feeling....But I have been lucky, and have been able to salvage my material in the past. I have learned though, so now I have back-up gear, for my backup gear.

I have been following the threads on this cam as I will likely be in the market for one this summer. After reading of your experiences....I may go with the "new" Canon XLH1A, in hopes of achieving greater reliability with a more "traditional" design.

glim, been followign your saga on the boards, and I feel for you, but damn son, you put all your eggs in one basket by taking this risk with new unproven gear. Dump those pigs and go back to what works.

Oh, I'm not happy. I could have used other cameras that I had with me, but I didn't for several reasons. Regardless, none of this should have happened in the first place. I can't wait until I start venting Monday morning. Thank g-d I've got patience and persistence!

Here comes round #2 (ding ding ding)

That's awful mate............ so sorry to hear that.

Wow! I shot with mine on Saturday and everything went fine. The footage looked awesome and the camera was perfect. I used a Transcend 32GB card with no tape.

I was finally going to pull the trigger and buy one (Z7) this week, but now...
Sorry Sony, I'm going to have to go with the Canon XLH1A unless you fix these problems for everyone fast. For now this is WAY too big of a gamble to throw a ton of money at. Get it right!

I was finally going to pull the trigger and buy one (Z7) this week, but now...
Sorry Sony, I'm going to have to go with the Canon XLH1A unless you fix these problems for everyone fast. For now this is WAY too big of a gamble to throw a ton of money at. Get it right!


No reason to apologize to Sony...I think that Sony does not read this group--out of site out mind...

I just used mine today to shoot a 6 hour conference on 3 32gb transcend cards. Trying to load the footage using log and transfer in Final Cut pro 6.0.3
each card has 2 hours on it here is what I'm getting.

Card #1 first fifteen seconds log and that is it.
Card #2 first 1 hour and 20 minutes log
Card #3 first 17 minutes log and that's it.

The whole 2 hours for each card shows up when I load them into Mpeg Streamclip, but the conversion/transfer is slower than realtime on my machine.

I was giving serious thought to the Z7. But now I have to reconsider.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. You would figure with a trusted name like Sony that you would have a solid reliable camera. I was seriously considering this camera as well over the EX-1 - I like the tape and card options the Z7U has. Its a bummer you had to learn this for the rest of us. Hopefully Sony will help with a remedy and your able to figure something out and salvage your footage to work the way it was intended.

Wow! I shot with mine on Saturday and everything went fine. The footage looked awesome and the camera was perfect. I used a Transcend 32GB card with no tape.


I used the Z7u at a wedding last weekend I also used Transcend 32gb card no tape Footage looked great heres some raw footage please dowload to view footage I have limited bandwidth

http://www.dvdaction.net/dvdaction_036.htm

I also shot some footage with my EX1 using the compact flash recorder

Jeff I would go with the EX1 OVER Z7. I have not had any issued with my Z7 but I am selling It and Purchasing another EX1. I am starting to do more short films and its easier to match like cams with min. color correction.

--------------

05/12 update (yeah, 2am and I'm still awake....have to be up at 6am, too.

Something else, as if it weren't already enough, I looked at all of the clips recorded to the CF cards. Interestingly, not all of them got recorded as A/V files, in that I have some that are video only. That's certainly a first. One of the 'best' clips is 21 minutes long, a full 4G file, which is the first half of the ceremony - no audio! LUCKILY I have this on tape, which seems fine.

So...I had 1,021 total A/V files, spread out over 3 cards, and out of those 47 of them had no audio. This is completely sporadic and has no continuity at all.

Also, here's a clip of some great shots - who the heck knows what the camera / lens were thinking when this was filmed, but something wasn't right. Some were auto, some were manual. Once I noticed this stupidity I played back and forth between manual and auto to see what would happen.

It's about 55 seconds - http://www.baltimorevideographers.com/memberissues/mll/z7u.wmv

Marshall, I just watched your clip, and it’s rough. I once lost an entire shoot because my lens was out of collimation, but that was on 16mm. I would have hoped Sony and Zeiss could do better. Keep us posted on what Sony has to say.

I agree those shots are brutal. We appreciate the posts, keep it up if possible.

I think that Sony does not read this group--out of site out mind...

Sony certainly do read this forum...

Sorry to hear about all these issues - personally I like the Z7 alot and have had plenty of great reports from other users.

These recent posts about Sony reliability have got me worried. OK, you should never buy a new car in the first 6 months of a production run and maybe we should think the same about complex camcorders. Let the early adopters pay the price (in more ways than one) seems to be a motto to adopt.

Saying that I went out and bought one of the first Z1s to arrive in the UK and haven't had a moment's worry with it. In fact there's little in the way of complaint against the Z1 on these boards, but the background noise is high against the V1, the Z7 and of course the EX1.

tom.

Marshall on the focus ring there is an A and B position. If that ring is pulled towards you it will be in some sort of manual mode that really raises problems with auto and manual focus. Is it possible you have that ring in the A position, pulled towards the back of the camera and this is causing focus issues? I discovered this when I first got the camera. If that ring is pulled back, there is really no way to tell that on the display and it is nearly impossible to focus properly on anything.

As far as the missing 17 minutes on the cf card, have you tried to import using any other method? I posted a problem a few weeks back where a clip did not appear, but I used a different method to bring in footage and it really was there.

Bruce Cleveland

Regarding cards do you format between each use or just delete the clips?

I personally always re-format the CF cards every time I use them.

Regarding cards do you format between each use or just delete the clips?

I personally always re-format the CF cards every time I use them.


Of course! Reformatted all, in camera, beforehand.

Marshall on the focus ring there is an A and B position. If that ring is pulled towards you it will be in some sort of manual mode that really raises problems with auto and manual focus. Is it possible you have that ring in the A position, pulled towards the back of the camera and this is causing focus issues? I discovered this when I first got the camera. If that ring is pulled back, there is really no way to tell that on the display and it is nearly impossible to focus properly on anything.

As far as the missing 17 minutes on the cf card, have you tried to import using any other method? I posted a problem a few weeks back where a clip did not appear, but I used a different method to bring in footage and it really was there.

Bruce Cleveland



Responded on VU as well, but I don't know what happened. I played with the camera last night and it's fair, but I haven't a clue what took place on Saturday. Focusing now is better, interestingly, and the lens clicks every now and then. What I'm afraid of is if I have to play the return game and wait a week or two because that'll leave me with nothing for this weekend. And, since I'm in the process of buying a car this or next week, I can't just go and buy a new camera....you'll see me at your doorstep with a sign of desparation.

When I first got my 32GB Transcend card, I recorded an interview session simultaneously to tape and CF card. On that particular session, the tape capture was fine but the CF card video had a number of problems. I did a slow computer FAT32 reformat using a large 32 kilobyte cluster size (thinking that might be a good option since HDV video is typically a small number of large files). It has been fine ever since

Anyway you might want to try a full FAT32 reformat on your card using the 32 kilobyte cluster size and see if that helps.

The card reader format is really quick and it obviously is just a "quick format" type format, and if there are problems with the CF card format, this isn't going to be enough.

When I first got my 32GB Transcend card, I recorded an interview session simultaneously to tape and CF card. On that particular session, the tape capture was fine but the CF card video had a number of problems. I did a slow computer FAT32 reformat using a large 32 kilobyte cluster size (thinking that might be a good option since HDV video is typically a small number of large files). It has been fine ever since

Anyway you might want to try a full FAT32 reformat on your card using the 32 kilobyte cluster size and see if that helps.

The card reader format is really quick and it obviously is just a "quick format" type format, and if there are problems with the CF card format, this isn't going to be enough.

I read somewhere though that you never ever want to format a card with any other method than with the camera itself. You should always use the camera to format.

Bruce

Responded on VU as well, but I don't know what happened. I played with the camera last night and it's fair, but I haven't a clue what took place on Saturday. Focusing now is better, interestingly, and the lens clicks every now and then. What I'm afraid of is if I have to play the return game and wait a week or two because that'll leave me with nothing for this weekend. And, since I'm in the process of buying a car this or next week, I can't just go and buy a new camera....you'll see me at your doorstep with a sign of desparation.


Not to beat it to death Marshall and I apologize if I insult your intelligence on this, but that A/B ring on the focus ring that pulls toward you and pushes away from you must be away from you and pushed out, or it will cause you nightmarish problems. Again I am sorry if I am insulting anyones intelligence, but this is crucial and a very small detail that can go unnoticed other than the cameras inability to focus properly in auto and manual focus.

Bruce

Bruce,
We (co worker and I ) tested the Z7 for our Honeywell production unit, and with the ring securely in the auto position, it was slow and hunting. Not good for jib use. Very bad. We have all manner of Sony cameras fom D-55 to PD170s. We have used Sony exclusively for over 15 years. This is a design flaw with either the lens, or camera, and Sony needs to fix this lemon, or suffer the dishonor. We also tested the EX-1 and found it to be much better, so it can be done correctly, although the EX-1 is a battery hog, it's acceptable and a great camera.

Sony needs to address the Z7 issues or pull it from the market. Great features but poor execution will kill their image. We are in process of buying the XL-H1 instead for that area of need.

I'd like to see Sony announce a recall and hear some post recall comments.

Bruce,
We (co worker and I ) tested the Z7 for our Honeywell production unit, and with the ring securely in the auto position, it was slow and hunting. Not good for jib use. Very bad. We have all manner of Sony cameras fom D-55 to PD170s. We have used Sony exclusively for over 15 years. This is a design flaw with either the lens, or camera, and Sony needs to fix this lemon, or suffer the dishonor. We also tested the EX-1 and found it to be much better, so it can be done correctly, although the EX-1 is a battery hog, it's acceptable and a great camera.

Sony needs to address the Z7 issues or pull it from the market. Great features but poor execution will kill their image. We are in process of buying the XL-H1 instead for that area of need.

I'd like to see Sony announce a recall and hear some post recall comments.

Thanks Bob I guess I am in denial about these issues or something. Mabye because I am one of the lucky owners to not have any issues I keep trying to come up with reasons for some of these issues other than the camera being bad. Thanks for your input. BTW, there sure aren't very many owners out there voicing opinions on the z7s they purchased, good or bad, so maybe that is why I feel like I do.

Bruce

After reading the forums I have shelved plans to purchase the Z7. I'd love to purchase this camera for my corporate video department but I can't risk convincing them to spend the money just to have a lemon delivered. You can talk about all the potential a camera has but if it doesn't deliver it's hard to explain to non-tech minded people that it's not your skills at fault.

After reading the forums I have shelved plans to purchase the Z7. I'd love to purchase this camera for my corporate video department but I can't risk convincing them to spend the money just to have a lemon delivered. You can talk about all the potential a camera has but if it doesn't deliver it's hard to explain to non-tech minded people that it's not your skills at fault.

Exactly, I was the advocate for the Z7, I was the one who had it shipped in to test it out. I was thinking "It's got the features. I've shot Sony cameras it'll be just like them only better". Then I held it, shot with it, and compared it side by side. I thought it was another brand the way it hunted. I tried to change up the zone, tried different subjects, checked the ring three times and had to step back and agree with the opposing camera. We marry these things and shoot in dicey places. I've got to know it s gonna hit it when I only get one shot at the event. then there's the card issues...yikes!

I read somewhere though that you never ever want to format a card with any other method than with the camera itself. You should always use the camera to format.

Bruce

Well the camera format is just a quick format. It erases and reformats a few bits at the front, but doesn't actually go through the card bit by bit formatting. If real complete format is a good idea every so often. After that you can do a quick camera format as well just to make sure everything is the way the camera wants it.

Thanks Bob I guess I am in denial about these issues or something. Mabye because I am one of the lucky owners to not have any issues I keep trying to come up with reasons for some of these issues other than the camera being bad. Thanks for your input. BTW, there sure aren't very many owners out there voicing opinions on the z7s they purchased, good or bad, so maybe that is why I feel like I do.

Bruce
Bruce ... I don't have the discerning eye that I'm sure a lot of you true professionals have, so I might be overlooking something.

When the first test of setting the iris was posted I gave it a try here. I had to look a little bit, but I admit that the left side appeared a little softer than the right. I know it shouldn't be that way, but I honestly didn't think it was enough to follow through.

I recently shot a stage event at the high school. Everything was on manual except for focus, which I left in auto. I shot at 0db gain, shutter at 125 and aperture setting usually around 4.5 using the 70% zebra.

I also shot in DV SP on tape and the Transcend 32g card. I have to say that I was very pleased with the final video. I didn't have any auto focus issues, but then for a high school show on stage there's not a whole lot of depth of field.

After reading Marshall's problems it does make me wonder how the camera is going to perform at my wedding at the end of the month. I'm extremely nervous as this is a repeat client and in a circle of friends for whom I've shot a lot of weddings. The day after the wedding I'm doing a dance recital.

I guess what this means is that in about three weeks I'll have a pretty good idea of what's going on. I'll either be a happy camper ... or looking for Sony's phone number.

Really though ... this is all a bit ridiculous. There seems to be a big enough sampling here that Sony should be doing something. Maybe they are and they're not commenting publicly ... but I would think they would at least want to let us know what they're doing as opposed to (seemingly) ignoring the situation.

Bruce ... I don't have the discerning eye that
After reading Marshall's problems it does make me wonder how the camera is going to perform at my wedding at the end of the month. I'm extremely nervous as this is a repeat client and in a circle of friends for whom I've shot a lot of weddings. The day after the wedding I'm doing a dance recital.

I guess what this means is that in about three weeks I'll have a pretty good idea of what's going on. I'll either be a happy camper ... or looking for Sony's phone number.

Really though ... this is all a bit ridiculous. There seems to be a big enough sampling here that Sony should be doing something. Maybe they are and they're not commenting publicly ... but I would think they would at least want to let us know what they're doing as opposed to (seemingly) ignoring the situation.

Thanks for the imput Scott. I wish everyone would post how they like the Z7 so far. I am editing an event I did a couple weeks ago. Called Just Desserts, it was a fund raiser and pretty low light. Other than too much noise on the video because I left the camera on auto, the focus was just fine and auto focus did not hunt at all. I will post the link once I get it finished this week.

Bruce

Sony's looking into this, whatever that means, but I still don't know what to do with a screwed-up camera. I was playing around with it last night and lost zooming capability for a short while.

Odd.

And to think that I need to get a replacement by Friday. Sure, I can use some of my Z1U's and DR60's, but the CF is so much more convenient for SDE's....and yeah, I have another one on Saturday.

Marshall,

Can't you use the CF recorder with a Z1?

It certainly sounds like you have a defective lens. Could you rent or borrow a lens designed for the JVC HD100 to get you through until Sony can sort all of this out?

Marshall,

Can't you use the CF recorder with a Z1?

It certainly sounds like you have a defective lens. Could you rent or borrow a lens designed for the JVC HD100 to get you through until Sony can sort all of this out?

I could use the CF device, actually. Never thought of it - I have DR60's with those cameras, too.

Regarding the lens, I almost wonder if it's more than that because the issues are so all over the place...focusing, zooming, CF writing....who knows, I just hope I get an answer soon.

Regarding the lens, I almost wonder if it's more than that because the issues are so all over the place...focusing, zooming, CF writing....who knows, I just hope I get an answer soon.

Well, if you install another lens and the problems go away (although depending on the lens, you might not have autofocus anyway), at least you've narrowed the problem down to the lens, not the body.

Conversely, if they don't go away after you've tried another lens, then it's probably a problem with the camera body.

Well, if you install another lens and the problems go away (although depending on the lens, you might not have autofocus anyway), at least you've narrowed the problem down to the lens, not the body.

Conversely, if they don't go away after you've tried another lens, then it's probably a problem with the camera body.


If I had another lens available I would have done that. Same thing with the CF recorder. But, the fact that I had both lens and recording issues, I wonder where the issues are coming from. I just hope I know what to do soon as I'm running out of time before Saturday and if I have to lose more income someone will be compensating for it, and it won't be me - again.

If I had another lens available I would have done that. Same thing with the CF recorder. But, the fact that I had both lens and recording issues, I wonder where the issues are coming from.

Is the servo motor in the lens?

It seems like all the optical issues are mechanical defects or miss-adjustments and not firmware. Very likely Sony has sub-contracted the lens, and camera to different companies as that's how Japan Inc. has always done things. None of the companies really build products anymore than Apple builds its computers. In fact, design is done by the suppliers to meet specs.

Sony et al buy a quantity -- a first run may be 10,000 units. These are built in a run that lasts several weeks. By the time Sony sees the units the production run is over. Almost nothing can or will be done to "fix" these already built units.

In the "old days" QC would be done on these parts before packing. To decrease costs, I suspect companies are relying on the QC of their suppliers and not doing a second check on every incoming part. (Just like Apple which flys computers from China and sends them directly to dealers.)

It's simply cheaper to replace a part on the few percent that are bad. In my view, Sony USA has no other way to fix these problems since it is Sony Japan that made the business decision to take the risk. (Although, JVC USA did decide to QC every HD100 coming into the USA after it realized Japan was shipping defective camcorders world-wide.)

The drive for profits in Japan has taken it's toll on quality -- just as it has in the USA and Europe. (My second Panasonic phone system is failing. No doubt built in the same type of Chinese factory as anything you would buy from Walmart.)

PS: I wonder if products that will be sold in Japan still get the full QC process? Why do never read posts from Japan describing problems?

If I had another lens available I would have done that. Same thing with the CF recorder. But, the fact that I had both lens and recording issues, I wonder where the issues are coming from. I just hope I know what to do soon as I'm running out of time before Saturday and if I have to lose more income someone will be compensating for it, and it won't be me - again.

Marshall I'm sorry that you're having bad luck w/ your camera. I just bought a Z7 a couple weeks ago & reading some of your problems have made me cautious about using mine.

I have to say though I highly, highly doubt Sony would EVER pay you for money lost b/c of bad equipment. (I doubt that Ford would pay a taxi driver lost wages if the transmission blew in 10k miles.)

For Saturday, if I was in your shoes, I'd plan to work like I did before I had my Z7, ie shoot w/ my Z1. No CF cards = more time on the NLE, but at least I don't add an extra 10lbs of stress to my life.

The goal is to get a good product at the end of the day, not use the newest equipment.

I used to have to use a Lectrosonics wireless set which only worked about 60% of the time. A wireless lav is a handy thing to have, but when I heard the first hint of a bad signal setting up I could swap the lectro for a hard wire in the drop of a hat.

If you're being paid to shoot a wedding, shoot a wedding. If you're being paid to shoot w/ a Z7u, then shoot w/ the Z7u & don't think about the picture quality.

I completely agree, but what upsets me is how some companies are in terms of their warranties.

For instance, I bought a Microboards GX2 printer about a year ago. It stopped working after a few days. I called Microboards, we went through some troubleshooting, and they sent me a new printer, and I then sent the bad one back to them. Canon did the same thing with a printer, flash, and even a lens. Awesome ability to do this, and I know many other companies do the same thing. All they've done is temporarily charge my credit card in case I decide to keep / not return the newer unit / replacement. As for Sony, who knows...I've asked numerous times and haven't gotten any responses so I don't know what to do with this camera (aka piece of garbage).

Ooh, I'm partially excited! It's been approved to have a new camera sent to me pending I send the current one back. Awesome. I can actually get some work filmed! I should have it Friday and, as of now, am thrilled of the outcome thus far.

That's great news, now don't forget to give us an update for the new camcorder. Remember, test, test ,test, test etc... before you use it for an important function.

P.S. You should now ask Sony to compensate for all the headache pills you took during the course of this "Dilemma".

I'd be sure to bring your Z1's to your shoot Saturday, just in case.....

I actually have a corp client that has to have filming done Thurs and Fri, so I'll be using a Z1 w/ DR60 since they need all the footage the day of, and hopefully the new Z7 for Fri or at least Sat. It seems like everything will work out in the end, and I'm very happy about the outcome thus far. I had my doubts, and my guesses, but I'm glad that they've pulled through and stood by the customer....or perhaps because I'm such a pest, they wanted to get rid of me :)

What I want to hear is that the camera they send you (loaner or owned) is fixed. That it works as it should.

Best wishes
bl

Anyway you might want to try a full FAT32 reformat on your card using the 32 kilobyte cluster size and see if that helps.

The card reader format is really quick and it obviously is just a "quick format" type format, and if there are problems with the CF card format, this isn't going to be enough.

Thanks for posting this the tip Laurence, I'm going to give this a try and I'll post my results after the weekend.

Sorry to hear your problems with the camera, other people have also had the focusing problems and I still can not use my CF recorder with final cut pro.

I did a corporate video shoot on Tues and I must admit I love this camera, it is much more pro than the V1 it replaced and the pictures are superb.

I have had the auto focus searching problem but this went after I did the auto flange focal length adjustment and after changing the a/e window to type 2.

It still hunts a little in very low light but so did my V1 so I am not concerned about that I just switch to manual.

Once the CF reading problem is solved this will be a superb combo with my final cut edit and M35 video deck. With the import into FCP at pro res I can then go to digi beta and HDcam easily via the SD/HD-SDI output on the M35.

I also have the mike tapa nikon lens adaptor so look forward to shooting some very long lens stuff soon.

Well, I just got a new camera in the mail - 8:15am delivery, too which is crazy. Great timing, though, as I have a shoot this afternoon, which is due the same day, and tomorrow, which has a SDE.

I checked the lens and it seems perfect, and interestingly, while I don't rely on auto focus too much, it seems significantly more responsive than the other camera.

Filming will be tested later and hopefully I'll have time before my shoot today.

Thus far, the camera is without a doubt 'better' than the other one so perhaps I had one of the crazy ones that slipped by, who knows.

In the end, I'm very happy with the outcome. I think Sony really stood by their customer in this case, particularly given the circumstances, and I think that's great.

That's great news, Marshall... looking forward to hearing how your shoots go.

Do we need to consider changing the title of this thread?

GARY>>I have had the auto focus searching problem but this went after I did the auto flange focal length adjustment and after changing the a/e window to type 2.<<

What is the "auto flange focal length adjustment"?