Panasonic PV-DV400 focus issue at DVinfo.net

Richard Longman · December 5th, 2003, 12:36 AM

I own a DV400, and only recently purchased a DV953, after trying the Sony TRV38, which I returned. My older 400 has served me well these last 4 years. I have used the 953 a few times, and noticed the focus works much better. The 400's focus bounces about at times, whether I'm shooting indoors or out. My question is if this is normal or whether there is something faulty. Should I have the DV400 looked at?

Frank Granovski · December 5th, 2003, 02:49 AM

I don't know exactly how to answer you. How bad is the auto focusing? I played around with the 400, 600 and 601 Panasonics way back when and I concluded this was a common problem with many cams---not just Panasonics. However, with newer cams this is less of a problem, or so I've noticed. It's in lower light situations when the auto sensors usually have difficulty. For example, my MX300 works like a dream in good lighting, and even in low lighting, but in really dim light, so dim that it hurts my eyes, the MX300 hunts around all over the place. Solution? Manual focus. So, I don't think your cam needs to get fixed or looked at.

Richard Longman · December 5th, 2003, 05:39 PM

You are probably correct. I only noticed this focus problem when I started using my DV953. I'm still using the DV400 at work.

December 5th, 2003, 12:36 AM	#1
Richard Longman Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sault Ste Marie, Ontario Posts: 17	Panasonic PV-DV400 focus issue I own a DV400, and only recently purchased a DV953, after trying the Sony TRV38, which I returned. My older 400 has served me well these last 4 years. I have used the 953 a few times, and noticed the focus works much better. The 400's focus bounces about at times, whether I'm shooting indoors or out. My question is if this is normal or whether there is something faulty. Should I have the DV400 looked at?

December 5th, 2003, 02:49 AM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	I don't know exactly how to answer you. How bad is the auto focusing? I played around with the 400, 600 and 601 Panasonics way back when and I concluded this was a common problem with many cams---not just Panasonics. However, with newer cams this is less of a problem, or so I've noticed. It's in lower light situations when the auto sensors usually have difficulty. For example, my MX300 works like a dream in good lighting, and even in low lighting, but in really dim light, so dim that it hurts my eyes, the MX300 hunts around all over the place. Solution? Manual focus. So, I don't think your cam needs to get fixed or looked at.

December 5th, 2003, 05:39 PM	#3
Richard Longman Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sault Ste Marie, Ontario Posts: 17	You are probably correct. I only noticed this focus problem when I started using my DV953. I'm still using the DV400 at work.