Slow Zoom with FDR-AX100 impossible - image jerky as hell + motor sound

[Anthony Lelli]

Originally Posted by Tim Akin

Nope, I have two different remotes and neither will slow zoom the X70. They do on the XA20 but not X70.

the vivitar (ebenk) 8-button 20bucks lanc remote if set at the minimum speed (on the remote) gives a very slow and stable zoom on both the AX100 and X70. for sure more stable than EX1R and manfrotto 521EX

[Daniel Raebiger]

I very much hope so too. The Panasonic X1000 certainly looks awesome on paper but from what the sample clips show the image quality is like a bad upscale of a 720p video.

The AX100 really produces awesome video, has a decent autofocus and is quite handy. But the zoom issue breaks it for me :(

If canon would infact give us a decent 4K camcorder for 2000-4000USD i'd be more than happy to give it a try :)

[Robert Garvey]

Hi Daniel,

Confirming that my FDR-AX-100 exhibits exactly the same behavior that you describe:(

Clicky and jerky.

Rob

Originally Posted by Daniel Raebiger

Hey Guys,

so I've got a Sony FDR-AX100 and having serious issues doing a slow zoom with that camera. The zoom's movement is jerky plus i can clearly hear a motor sound while using the manual zoom ring.

I've ordered a second FDR-AX100 and have exactly the same issue. So this seems to be by design.

Can anyone confirm this?

Here's a video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKAW...ature=youtu.be

Thanks.

[Daniel Raebiger]

Thanks for the feedback. good thing i sent it back.

[John Murphy]

Using the handle zoom on my x70 set to its slowest setting takes 20 seconds from wide to x 12 zoom. a total of 27 seconds to zoom up to x24. That's as slow as I have patience for. j

[David Dixon]

I agree - the X70 zoom is definitely slow enough for my needs as well.

[Jeff Harper]

On the AX-100 I feel that it takes a bit of finesse, but can execute a slow zoom as needed most of the time. The rocker is not as responsive as I'd prefer, but it works.

[Len Imbery]

Has anyone tried the zoom using the remote? And you guys shouldn't be doing all that zooming anyway! 😜

[John Murphy]

I must be missing something. Do you really need a zoom slower than 20 seconds zero to x12 tele? j

[Daniel Raebiger]

Originally Posted by John Murphy

I must be missing something. Do you really need a zoom slower than 20 seconds zero to x12 tele? j

First of all: yes!

Second: The main issue here is, that you cannot start a jerky-free zoom motion. Zoom starts aprubt or jerks around...

[John Murphy]

Hi Daniel, I don't find the zoom on this camera to be an worse than my Sony Z5. Using the handle zoom I get fairly decent zooms. I've got the handle set to FIX and the slowest setting in the menu. JM

[Daniel Raebiger]

Originally Posted by John Murphy

Hi Daniel, I don't find the zoom on this camera to be an worse than my Sony Z5. Using the handle zoom I get fairly decent zooms. I've got the handle set to FIX and the slowest setting in the menu. JM

Hm I guess it all comes down on what you are doing with the camera. For me, I am looking at weddings and stuff like that. That's where I need ultra slow and ultra smooth zoom. With the high 4K resolution the lowest zoom speed the AX100 offers the video can get to 'noisy' in terms of information flow. Too many pixels moving too fast. All in all its a shame - the camera offers top value for its competitive price, the image quality is amazing, as is its low light capability. It all breaks with the zoom for me :(

The Canon XH A1 I own zooms way slower and shows no jerkyness at all, even on the lowest of settings.

[John Murphy]

I did not notice you had the ax-100. I've got the x70. That may be the difference. That and I cant shoot in 4k. j

[Dennis Freeman]

The v2 firmware upgrade has corrected this issue on my AX100
Denny