Possible iris problem on Z1
 

I hired a Z1E (PAL) to complememt my own Z1E for a 2 camera wedding shoot. Camera shows 15x10 operation.

I was finding it really difficult to match exposure on both cameras. When I did some more investigation it became obvious that the hired camera's iris was only working from f5.2 through to f11 - trying to go faster than f5.2 made absolutely no difference. So where I was using gain of 6db at f3.2 on my camera I had to go to gain of 12db on the hired camera at f5.2. Haven't reviewed footage yet - not optimisitc.

Hopefully this is just a one off with this camera.

Ian

I believe there is a menu selection which sets limits for the iris function, maybe personal profiles. I don't know enough about the camera to advise but I have seen this problem or similar published here previously and I think there was a menu selectable option to fix it.

Somebody else in a better know than I am may come along soon who can provide real assistance.

Indeed, in the profile settings, and in menu settings, you can control the iris limitations.
ALWAYS hit status check upon picking up the camera so you can see what setups are in place.

I think the PP setting only affects AUTO exposure. I had no PP in effect.

Just on the subject of that PP setting - I interpreted that as the MINIMUM aperture (ie the highest number) the auto exposure would go to before adjusting other settings? reason I think this is that one of the posible settings is F11 - and as that IS the minimum aperture interpreting it the other way means that ths camera would only ever use f11?

Ian

I'm pretty sure it is, because a colleague's Z1 had exactly the same problem and is currently having its whole front lens assembly replaced (cost £1k, but covered on Silver Warranty). OTOH, mine and other colleagues are doing fine (apart from one where the line feed's dead).

Cheers Matt - maybe the UK got a bad batch!!!

Ian

Sorry - I didn't make it clear in my original post - when operating the iris the full range of f numbers were displayed - just from a f5.2 and lower (ie wider) made no difference.

Ian

The hire company have been in touch - they spoke to Sony UK who confirm they have had a few instances of this happening. Something to keep an eye on maybe.

Ian

And the PP settings are there to stop you going to *smaller* apertures than f/5.6 or f/8, so important if you're shooting HDV with tiny 1"/3 chips.

tom.

Hi Tom

Yep - and if i had that set I wouldn't have been able to go up or down!

I did a google on "Z1 iris problem" and there was a post on another forum from last year.

Ian