How do I get or create a lens file? Are there lens files on the XDCAM HD firmware update as someone suggested? Can you create one in the menu by setting the offsets (whatever the hell those are)?

If so, what would be the procedure? And even if so, is this something best left to an expert?

Must you get the file already created and input it via the memory card?

This is a completely new area of knowledge (well, actually "area of ignorance" is more accurate) for me. I am totally in the dark and would love to hear from someone who knows this topic well.

The lens I'm using is the Fujinon XS13x3.3 BRM (boys is this sucker wide).

Tip

The new Sony updater firmware release hopefully has the additional lens files for additional lens. One has to do a proceedure with the lens to get the camera to communicate and then ID it. I will post the proceedure,that I got from Sony. I have NOT as yet updated the camera to the latest firmware, so it has NOT ID'ed the lens. There are several dip switches on the lens that have to be in the correct position and then 2 buttons on the lens have to be pressed to light up a led under the dip switches for the camera to communicate to the lens. I got this working, but since I did not upgrade the camera's firmware the camera did not reconize the lens. Only 2 lens files were included with the original cameras firmware, hopefully the others for the additional Funjions are included.

I will post the proceedure when I get to the office.

The new Sony updater firmware release hopefully has the additional lens files for additional lens. One has to do a proceedure with the lens to get the camera to communicate and then ID it. I will post the proceedure,that I got from Sony. I have NOT as yet updated the camera to the latest firmware, so it has NOT ID'ed the lens. There are several dip switches on the lens that have to be in the correct position and then 2 buttons on the lens have to be pressed to light up a led under the dip switches for the camera to communicate to the lens. I got this working, but since I did not upgrade the camera's firmware the camera did not reconize the lens. Only 2 lens files were included with the original cameras firmware, hopefully the others for the additional Funjions are included.

I will post the proceedure when I get to the office.

I have it, have done the firmware update, and enabled the serial comm from the lens. It will add zoom and focus position readouts to the VF and LCD. It does recognize the lens name and mfgr now. I did not post the procedure because it's worded with warnings about damaging camera and/or lens if the two aren't compatible. After talking with my local Fujinon tech, he indicated that the XDCAM HD cameras are okay to turn this feature on with. Some cameras are incompatible which is why the factory leaves it off by default.

-gb

Greg- with that being said. Why did you do the update for the camera with software not released for US according to Sony US? I have been patiently waiting for US release. I have the Euopean updates but have not done the update, though I must admit, I may still proceed.

Regards
Steve

Greg- with that being said. Why did you do the update for the camera with software not released for US according to Sony US? I have been patiently waiting for US release. I have the Euopean updates but have not done the update, though I must admit, I may still proceed.

Regards
Steve

Hi Steve,

I just added the PDF procedure to my previous message. I did the firmware update because I was going to do a write-up for DVINFO. One of my contacts at Sony gave me the firmware in advance, and a copy of the existing firmware should it be necessary to flash back to the original. Sony US is a bit more cautious about releasing the software because they want to make sure it's solid. They actually gave it to some of their larger customers in late September to give it a good shake-down.

I haven't found anything that should prevent you from doing the update. You should also get the new version of the Proxy Browsing software for Windows to go with it. It fixes the Partial FAM copy bug that I reported back in June.

-gb-

Greg- Thank you, for the PDF. I whished Sony would show one face to the customer, as far as site(s) to download software, now that they are also in the software business.

Greg- do you have instructions to do upgrade, seems like I have no D04 Rom version menu after doing the first part of the upgrade. This is based on a word doc posted here.

Greg- do you have instructions to do upgrade, seems like I have no D04 Rom version menu after doing the first part of the upgrade. This is based on a word doc posted here.

I've seen that word doc and it's accurate. Do you have the files in the correct directory hierarchy on the memory stick? The camera won't find them anywhere else. If so, hold down the front of body REC and push in on the menu knob while powering up the camera. This will initiate the first part. After it's completed, shut down the camera and power it back up in normal fashion. You should now be able to go into the full menu by holding down the menu knob while toggling the menu switch to ON. Go to Diagnostics, and then page 4 where you should see the ROM version.

-gb-

Yes- all the files are there in the correct dir structure, It does the first part of upgrading the firmware just fine, I get a complete message. Then I shutdown and power-up go to diag, but no menu 04 under diag.

now I am wondering if I upgraded to same level of software. can you forward your package files to me?

Ok I found the prolbem I downloaded the existing version..

Reading the Word file posted on this site.
"How to upgrade Software from version PKG-1.06/AT1.21"

It shoud read:

How to upgrade Software from existing version PKG-1.06/AT1.21 to version PKG-1.56/AT1.50

My Mistake... The latest version as of 11-2006 is "PKG-1.56/AT1.50" from Sony's FTP site.

Ok I found the prolbem I downloaded the existing version..

Reading the Word file posted on this site.
"How to upgrade Software from version PKG-1.06/AT1.21"

It shoud read:

How to upgrade Software from existing version PKG-1.06/AT1.21 to version PKG-1.56/AT1.50

My Mistake... The latest version as of 11-2006 is "PKG-1.56/AT1.50" from Sony's FTP site.

Well there ya go! Glad you found the issue. Let us know when you get the firmware totatlly updated. There is also a new version of the owner's manual in PDF format. Hope you were able to grab that as well.

-gb-

Got the camera upgraded- I am having difficulties getting the lens to communicate. Followed the PDF instructions, not sure what menu on the camera should be turned on for this F04 Lens Auto Recall? is on. But after the proceedure The lens information is not being displayed. I have the Fujinon HS16x4.6BERM-M38.. Any ideas?

I have the same lens on the 330, also not communicating. Are there any significant advantages to having the len communicate other than zoom and focus positions?

Sony- NJ Tech support told me that the only thing that the lens comm does is ID the lens in the menu and display the zoom and focus in the VF.. But who knows, as they said that lens was supported as well. Good to hear from someone who also could not get the lens to make the handshake. I will pass it along to Sony.

Okay, since I have mine working, let's make sure you did everything correctly.

One important thing is that you MUST have the camera powered on as you switch the dip-switch 1 and 4 to ON with all others off. Hopefully you'll make a note as to which ones were on beforehand so you can set them back correctly when you're done.

So after setting swtiches while power is ON, hold the quickzoom and return buttons down for about 6 seconds until the little green led comes on below the dip switches. You've just turned on serial comm.

Set the switches back to their original position and power down the camera.

When you power up, go to the lens file page and turn on Auto Recall. What this will do is ID that lens when attached everytime you power up the camera. You will still need to create your own lens file offsets and store them under the F.ID that is supplied from the camera when it recognizes the lens. Once stored, with auto recall on, the camera upon power up will see that it has lens X attached and will look through its lens files for a matching lens X file. If found, it will automatically recall that file on power up.

The other benefit, as mentioned, is that you now get zoom (percent), and focus (meters) displayed in the VF.

The first time I did it, I didn't have power on when I changed the switches so when I subsequently powered up and held the two buttons on the lens, nothing happened.

Good luck,

-gb-

Okay, since I have mine working, let's make sure you did everything correctly.

One important thing is that you MUST have the camera powered on as you switch the dip-switch 1 and 4 to ON with all others off. Hopefully you'll make a note as to which ones were on beforehand so you can set them back correctly when you're done.

So after setting swtiches while power is ON, hold the quickzoom and return buttons down for about 6 seconds until the little green led comes on below the dip switches. You've just turned on serial comm.

Set the switches back to their original position and power down the camera.

When you power up, go to the lens file page and turn on Auto Recall. What this will do is ID that lens when attached everytime you power up the camera. You will still need to create your own lens file offsets and store them under the F.ID that is supplied from the camera when it recognizes the lens. Once stored, with auto recall on, the camera upon power up will see that it has lens X attached and will look through its lens files for a matching lens X file. If found, it will automatically recall that file on power up.

The other benefit, as mentioned, is that you now get zoom (percent), and focus (meters) displayed in the VF.

The first time I did it, I didn't have power on when I changed the switches so when I subsequently powered up and held the two buttons on the lens, nothing happened.

Good luck,

-gb-
Thanks for the info Greg. I followed the procedure on a F350 and it does properly recognize the lenses, in my case, Fujinon 5.5x18 and 3.3x13. I wish however that the firmware would have also included specific settings to optimize the supported lenses. Isn't it the all idea of having lens files?

Thierry.

Isn't it the all idea of having lens files?

Yes it is. However, those final tweaks woud be specific to each lens/body combination which is why you have to create your own. Sony has just made it more convenient by allowing the camera to recognize which lens you have attached, and to automatically recall your specific offsets when the camera is powered up.

BTW, I sent you an email regarding your Fujinon lens. Did you get it? Since I sent it through the forum, it might have wound up in a spam filter.

-gb-

Greg- I will try the power-on when selecting the dip switches... Will try on Monday and report results. Thank you

No luck. followed the instructions to the "T" I do see on power-up, lens info at the top of VF but it disappears. NO lens information under the lens file unknown ID

I do see on power-up, lens info at the top of VF but it disappears. NO lens information under the lens file unknown ID

So Steve are you saying that when you first power on the camera, you see the Zoom and Focus information (which BTW can be shut-off in the VF DISP menus) and then it goes away shortly thereafter?

That definitely doesn't sound right. Make sure that your lens mount ring is secure and that you have the rubber boot down on the lower post pressing against the ring. As you know, this lens communicates with the body through the mount, unlike 2/3 lenses which have a dedicated cable.

Other than that, I would be inclined to call Sony or Fujinon. Perhaps a call to your dealer to see if trying a different lens or body resolves the issue so that you know which one is faulty.

-gb-

Greg- That is right. I briefly see the lens focus and zoom settings in the VF now on power-up.. I will check the lens mount again. When I mounted the lens I did see the pin connections like a digital still cameras lens connection to the body. I will try remounting the lens again, and go through the proceedure again.

Questions:

1. What lens do you have?

2.What positions are your dip switches in (default)

NO luck...

I have the the Fujinon HS16x4.BERM-M38 lens which also has the feature of a Z limit switch so you preset the zoom to 2 different positions for a zoom range. I wonder if this option is limiting this communication.

No, that shouldn't be an issue. BTW, I have the 18x5.5ERD and switches 1,4,5 are on. Very puzzling indeed.

-gb-

1,4,5 are my defaults as well.. I monmentary see the Z50 and 0.0m readouts in the VF on power-up but they disappear in 2 seconds, VF is set to display zoom. LensID Unknown. LensMF Unknown.

What is interesting if I diasable the comm between lens and camera I get no
Z50 and 0.0m readouts on power-up. Fujinon says I have communications, Sony is not displaying it.

1,4,5 are my defaults as well.. I monmentary see the Z50 and 0.0m readouts in the VF on power-up but they disappear in 2 seconds, VF is set to display zoom. LensID Unknown. LensMF Unknown.

What is interesting if I diasable the comm between lens and camera I get no
Z50 and 0.0m readouts on power-up. Fujinon says I have communications, Sony is not displaying it.

Just curious, have you updated your camera's firmware yet?

-gb-

Greg- Yes did that last week from the Sony FTP site listed here

Did Sony ever release US version on their web site?

I'm trying to display the zoom and focus information on my cousins PDW-F335. He is using the Fujinon XS17x5.5BRM lens. Done everything just like the PDF document discribes, but no luck.

In the OPERATION menu from the PDW-F335, on page 14 the DISP ZOOM is set to on, and the DISP FOCUS has a little x that can not be changed. When I try to change it, it says: serial lens is not set! In the MAINTENANCE menu, ZOOM SELECT is set to 2 (Fujinon).

ROM version of his F335.
AT: 1.11
Package: 1.93

Anyone else with the XS17x5.5BRM having succes displaying this info in the viewfinder? I read in this post that the XS13x3.3 and HS18x5.5 work. Hmm, strange!

Any ideas?

Ivan, Check your lens manual but just to the left of the REC button on your lens is a row of covered controls. On my XS17x5.5BRM the bottom dip switch should be to the left (ON) position. You may also have to go back to the XDCAM menu to tweek things but my camera reads my lens just fine.

Thank you very much Rick!!!

It's working. The lowest dip-switch was set to OFF.

I owe you one for this very quick response. :-)

Thanks again!

Outstanding! Glad it worked!

Anyone happen to know if this can work with the Canon KH20x6.4KRS lens?

Thanks.

As far as I know the KH20 does not have the necessary serial data connection needed for this.

Ah well, at least it tells me what the iris is doing.

I always wondered, since the camera menu does have the "show zoom" option available with that lens on, but the "show focus" option is not available... But, I guess not.

Since last firmware update was done, I noticed that in "lens file 1" menu name of my lens Fuji-S13*4.6. "VF DISP 1 " menu is set disp zoom=on, disp focus= --. Is there any hope that my lens is displaying that information? There is no rubber cap left from REC button...

Thanks,
Joseph

Thank you very much Rick!!!

It's working. The lowest dip-switch was set to OFF.

Rick points out an important thing I discovered last summer while setting up new cameras for a broadcaster. The NEWER Fujinon lenses now have a dedicated dip switch for the serial communication as Rick pointed out.

The old method as outlined in the PDF file attached earlier in this thread is not valid on the newer lenses.

-gb-

Rick points out an important thing I discovered last summer while setting up new cameras for a broadcaster. The NEWER Fujinon lenses now have a dedicated dip switch for the serial communication as Rick pointed out.

The old method as outlined in the PDF file attached earlier in this thread is not valid on the newer lenses.

-gb-

Yeah, tell me about it! Lost a whole afternoon with it. Hahaha ;-)

Still thanks for posting that document.

There is no rubber cap left from REC button...

Joseph, brain damage on my part. The rubber cap is at the forward end of the hand grip OPPOSITE the REC button. Remove the rubber cap and move the bottom dip switch to the left (ON).