V1U and Backfocus at DVinfo.net

Will Boggs · April 2nd, 2008, 08:05 AM

I once owned a PD150 and didn't like that it seemed to have a backfocus problem. I could zoom into a person, focus then zoom out and the person's face would be slightly out of focus and the background was sharp. I have seen this many times on TV programs over the years, knowing that it was shot with a PD150 or other Sony cam.

I am wondering if the V1U has this problem. I need a small HDV cam and the V1U fits the bill nicely.

BTW: I sent my PD150 in for service and had them check the backfocus. It came back with the same issue. I sold it and bought a Panasonic DVX100, then a DVX100A. Haven't seen the problem since.

Is anyone else seeing this?

Lee Berger · April 2nd, 2008, 10:23 AM

Will,
I had back focus problems twice with my V1U. Here is a link to the most recent thread. BTW, Sony did fix it both times. So far no issues to date.

Lee

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=106877
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=108511

Seth Bloombaum · April 2nd, 2008, 10:53 AM

One thing to be aware of on the V1 is that the macro setting will slightly shift the backfocus. You only need to get caught out on this once...

Stephen Armour · April 25th, 2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Berger

Will,
I had back focus problems twice with my V1U. Here is a link to the most recent thread. BTW, Sony did fix it both times. So far no issues to date.

Lee

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=106877
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=108511

We just discovered the backfocus probs of the V1 and are not happy. We had begun to suspect something was wrong in the field, but when doing greenscreen work today, we proved that it is indeed a serious prob. Unfortunately, we live and work in Brazil and a fix is very difficult.

Not very happy with Sony and with our V1 now. Anybody know of some manuals we can download and DIY? I'd be willing to try, just to salvage this V1.

Looks like we'll be looking for a new EX3 in July when they come out...or maybe a non-Sony solution...

Oh yes, and just so no one suggests it...the reset button doesn't help...

Alan Dunlop-Walters · April 26th, 2008, 04:49 PM

A lens which retains the same focus point both zoomed out and zoomed in is known as parfocal. I know my FX7E lens is NOT parfocal, and therefore doubt also whether the V1 is. It is not a fault, merely a feature of the lens. I believe that most long zooms are NOT parfocal.

Stephan Stryhanyn · April 27th, 2008, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Dunlop-Walters

I know my FX7E lens is NOT parfocal, and therefore doubt also whether the V1 is. It is not a fault, merely a feature of the lens.

Then why does the FX7E manual state (p.31, Adjusting the focus manually): "Tips for focusing manually: It is easier to focus on the subject when you use the zoom function. Move the power zoom lever towards T (telephoto) to adjust the focus, and then, towards W (wide angle) to adjust the zoom for recording"?

But I too have doubts on whether this really performs as specified.

Jon Shohet · April 27th, 2008, 09:14 AM

Just my own humble experience - as soon as I found out about the macro setting issue and turned it off, I have not experienced any focus shift when zooming in to focus and then zooming out again to recompose.

cheers.

Lee Berger · April 27th, 2008, 09:47 AM

I had this problem twice and it's been fixed twice by Sony under warranty. The last time was in the Fall of '07. Since then it's worked properly. Zoom in, get your focus and then zoom out to frame the shot. I verified this two weeks ago on a shoot. No focus problems.

April 2nd, 2008, 08:05 AM	#1
Will Boggs Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ada, Oklahoma Posts: 92	V1U and Backfocus I once owned a PD150 and didn't like that it seemed to have a backfocus problem. I could zoom into a person, focus then zoom out and the person's face would be slightly out of focus and the background was sharp. I have seen this many times on TV programs over the years, knowing that it was shot with a PD150 or other Sony cam. I am wondering if the V1U has this problem. I need a small HDV cam and the V1U fits the bill nicely. BTW: I sent my PD150 in for service and had them check the backfocus. It came back with the same issue. I sold it and bought a Panasonic DVX100, then a DVX100A. Haven't seen the problem since. Is anyone else seeing this?

April 2nd, 2008, 10:23 AM	#2
Lee Berger Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 326	Will, I had back focus problems twice with my V1U. Here is a link to the most recent thread. BTW, Sony did fix it both times. So far no issues to date. Lee http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=106877 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=108511 __________________ www.leebergermedia.com

April 26th, 2008, 04:49 PM	#5
Alan Dunlop-Walters New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Newbury, UK Posts: 20	Not parfocal A lens which retains the same focus point both zoomed out and zoomed in is known as parfocal. I know my FX7E lens is NOT parfocal, and therefore doubt also whether the V1 is. It is not a fault, merely a feature of the lens. I believe that most long zooms are NOT parfocal.

April 27th, 2008, 09:47 AM	#8
Lee Berger Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 326	I had this problem twice and it's been fixed twice by Sony under warranty. The last time was in the Fall of '07. Since then it's worked properly. Zoom in, get your focus and then zoom out to frame the shot. I verified this two weeks ago on a shoot. No focus problems. __________________ www.leebergermedia.com

April 2nd, 2008, 10:53 AM	#3
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	One thing to be aware of on the V1 is that the macro setting will slightly shift the backfocus. You only need to get caught out on this once...

April 27th, 2008, 09:14 AM	#7
Jon Shohet Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: London, UK Posts: 277	Just my own humble experience - as soon as I found out about the macro setting issue and turned it off, I have not experienced any focus shift when zooming in to focus and then zooming out again to recompose. cheers.