Focus Problems with PD-170? Fact or Fiction? at DVinfo.net

Jeff Toogood · January 6th, 2005, 12:17 PM

I am selling my Canon GL2 and pursuing getting a PD-170 for superior low light recording.
Anyways I have come across these two posts on another forum

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t52938.html

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t108229.html

I tried a search here and didn't find much, is this a real problem with the PD-170 or an isolated case?

Thanks

Don Bloom · January 6th, 2005, 01:13 PM

I've been using 2 150's for over 3 years now and haven't had any focus problem at all. Extreme light to almost pitch black and back again with no incidents. I have used auto focus and manual focus depending on the situation and haven't experieced anything like it at all.

Seems to me like a freak thing.

Personally I wouldn't worry about it. But thats just me :-)

Don B

Mike Rehmus · January 6th, 2005, 01:26 PM

There was a problem with those two cameras under discussion.

150's don't focus really well in very dim light. The focus will hunt.

Otherwise, there are no 'normal' problems at all with focus on the cameras.

There is a backfocus adjustment. Service department only however. I had Sony knock mine out of adjustment on a trip to the service group. They fixed it and the backfocus is just fine.

Bob Harotunian · January 7th, 2005, 10:14 AM

I've purchased 2 170s in the last 3 months to replace our GL2s. No focus problems that I can detect.

Just tested both cameras in bright light with ND2. Went full zoom and manual focus on distant object. Pulled back to wide, mid-range and back to full zoom shooting at each point with no focus adjustment. Played back tape and all appears normal. I'd say buy from a reputable dealer and don't worry about it.

Bob

Jeff Toogood · January 7th, 2005, 10:32 AM

Bob, how do you like the PD170 compared to the GL2?

I was pretty satisfied with the GL2 except in darker situations like most wedding receptions, then it went to crap.

Do you miss the 20X Zoom?

Bob Harotunian · January 7th, 2005, 10:53 AM

Jeff,
I switched from the GL2 just because of the low-light issue. Seems that more and more wedding facilities are going darker and I was just getting tired of worrying about it.

I've shot just one wedding with the 170 so far and I was impressed since I never had to go over 3dB. I always had to use 12dB with the GL2, not a bad picture but video stills were more grainy and soft compared to the 170. Based on the 1st wedding, I decided to buy the second 170.

I'm sure I'll wish I had the 20x someday, but so far the 1 lux is what I really want. Even the FX1 can't come close to that and if you're shooting weddings, 75% or more of your day might be low-light.
Bob

Shawn Mielke · January 7th, 2005, 01:25 PM

Check out the "Focus Issues" section. I can't verify this with my own experience, but Alan is a smart guy, so his thoughts and findings are worth considering.

http://alanbarker.com/

January 6th, 2005, 12:17 PM	#1
Jeff Toogood Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: St.Thomas, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 428	Focus Problems with PD-170? Fact or Fiction? I am selling my Canon GL2 and pursuing getting a PD-170 for superior low light recording. Anyways I have come across these two posts on another forum http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t52938.html http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t108229.html I tried a search here and didn't find much, is this a real problem with the PD-170 or an isolated case? Thanks __________________ Toogood Studios

January 6th, 2005, 01:26 PM	#3
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	There was a problem with those two cameras under discussion. 150's don't focus really well in very dim light. The focus will hunt. Otherwise, there are no 'normal' problems at all with focus on the cameras. There is a backfocus adjustment. Service department only however. I had Sony knock mine out of adjustment on a trip to the service group. They fixed it and the backfocus is just fine. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

January 7th, 2005, 10:32 AM	#5
Jeff Toogood Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: St.Thomas, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 428	Bob, how do you like the PD170 compared to the GL2? I was pretty satisfied with the GL2 except in darker situations like most wedding receptions, then it went to crap. Do you miss the 20X Zoom? __________________ Toogood Studios

January 7th, 2005, 01:25 PM	#7
Shawn Mielke Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Santa Rosa, California Posts: 745	Check out the "Focus Issues" section. I can't verify this with my own experience, but Alan is a smart guy, so his thoughts and findings are worth considering. http://alanbarker.com/ __________________ Breakthrough In Grey Room

January 6th, 2005, 01:13 PM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	I've been using 2 150's for over 3 years now and haven't had any focus problem at all. Extreme light to almost pitch black and back again with no incidents. I have used auto focus and manual focus depending on the situation and haven't experieced anything like it at all. Seems to me like a freak thing. Personally I wouldn't worry about it. But thats just me :-) Don B

January 7th, 2005, 10:14 AM	#4
Bob Harotunian Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 360	I've purchased 2 170s in the last 3 months to replace our GL2s. No focus problems that I can detect. Just tested both cameras in bright light with ND2. Went full zoom and manual focus on distant object. Pulled back to wide, mid-range and back to full zoom shooting at each point with no focus adjustment. Played back tape and all appears normal. I'd say buy from a reputable dealer and don't worry about it. Bob

January 7th, 2005, 10:53 AM	#6
Bob Harotunian Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 360	Jeff, I switched from the GL2 just because of the low-light issue. Seems that more and more wedding facilities are going darker and I was just getting tired of worrying about it. I've shot just one wedding with the 170 so far and I was impressed since I never had to go over 3dB. I always had to use 12dB with the GL2, not a bad picture but video stills were more grainy and soft compared to the 170. Based on the 1st wedding, I decided to buy the second 170. I'm sure I'll wish I had the 20x someday, but so far the 1 lux is what I really want. Even the FX1 can't come close to that and if you're shooting weddings, 75% or more of your day might be low-light. Bob