Fixed infinity/focus issue at DVinfo.net

James Huenergardt · September 30th, 2009, 10:43 PM

A buddy of mine has been using one of my EX1s and just noticed a couple of days ago that he couldn't focus on anything over 20-30 feet away.

He tried autofocus, manual focus, etc.

He aimed the camera at a mountain, and could not focus on it.

I told him to try the back focus adjustment in the maintenance menu.

He did it one time, no change. Did it again, no change.

On the third time, the problem was fixed.

I was very happy about that as I had read reports of infinity focus issues and lenses being replaced.

Anyone else have something like this happen?

Jim

Serena Steuart · October 1st, 2009, 12:22 AM

There is a necessary procedure for setting back focus and your post causes me to wonder if that was followed. You can search this forum for that procedure and there is a demo on YouTube.

James Huenergardt · October 1st, 2009, 09:04 AM

We followed a tutorial on Vimeo using a chart.

Patrick Williams · October 1st, 2009, 09:47 PM

I had this same issue last week and Paul Kellett posted the answer. The lens ring is loose. Just take the lens hood off and use your thumbs to tighten the lens ring. It's the ring that filters would screw into. I couldn't focus on infinity after bumping my camera and I was about to take it to the Sony Service Center, but posted my problem here first. It doesn't have to be very loose to mess up the focus. I tightened the lens ring and then did the automatic back focus adjustment and now everything is perfect.

Dave Morrison · October 1st, 2009, 09:53 PM

Patrick, was it loose enough to actually hear the lens element moving around?

Patrick Williams · October 3rd, 2009, 12:07 AM

My lens ring was just slightly loose and it affected the focus. I just barely had to turn the ring and it fixed my problem. I couldn't hear anything rattle. However, in a thread further down, Paul mentions that his did rattle and that gave him a clue to what was wrong.

Kyle Powers · October 4th, 2009, 11:53 AM

Bit of a newbie here. When I am in full manual focus (ring pulled back, switch set to manual) the focus ring has no effect until I am at least 50-60% zoomed in. When zoomed out it appears to still be in auto focus mode. Removed and reinstalled lense and did the FB adjust 2x. Still no response from focus ring when zoomed out.

When 10, 5 or even 2 feet away I am unable to take the subject out and back in focus. In Fact it seems to be auto focussing. I should be able to take the subject out and back into focus at mid to close range, right?

Anybody seen this behavior?

Do I need to go to take it to the sony service center?

September 30th, 2009, 10:43 PM	#1
James Huenergardt Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chehalis, WA Posts: 513	Fixed infinity/focus issue A buddy of mine has been using one of my EX1s and just noticed a couple of days ago that he couldn't focus on anything over 20-30 feet away. He tried autofocus, manual focus, etc. He aimed the camera at a mountain, and could not focus on it. I told him to try the back focus adjustment in the maintenance menu. He did it one time, no change. Did it again, no change. On the third time, the problem was fixed. I was very happy about that as I had read reports of infinity focus issues and lenses being replaced. Anyone else have something like this happen? Jim __________________ Reel Inspirations - www.reelinspirations.com Commercials, Dramas, Image Pieces, Documentaries, Motion Graphics

October 1st, 2009, 09:04 AM	#3
James Huenergardt Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chehalis, WA Posts: 513	We followed a tutorial on Vimeo using a chart. __________________ Reel Inspirations - www.reelinspirations.com Commercials, Dramas, Image Pieces, Documentaries, Motion Graphics

October 1st, 2009, 09:53 PM	#5
Dave Morrison Major Player Join Date: May 2002 Location: West Central Florida Posts: 762	Patrick, was it loose enough to actually hear the lens element moving around? __________________ EX1, Nikon D750 http://www.morrisonphotographics.com http://www.heritagefilm.com

October 4th, 2009, 11:53 AM	#7
Kyle Powers New Boot Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Irvine Posts: 18	Similar issue? Bit of a newbie here. When I am in full manual focus (ring pulled back, switch set to manual) the focus ring has no effect until I am at least 50-60% zoomed in. When zoomed out it appears to still be in auto focus mode. Removed and reinstalled lense and did the FB adjust 2x. Still no response from focus ring when zoomed out. When 10, 5 or even 2 feet away I am unable to take the subject out and back in focus. In Fact it seems to be auto focussing. I should be able to take the subject out and back into focus at mid to close range, right? Anybody seen this behavior? Do I need to go to take it to the sony service center? Last edited by Kyle Powers; October 4th, 2009 at 08:20 PM.

October 1st, 2009, 12:22 AM	#2
Serena Steuart Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Studio Alnitak, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Posts: 640 Images: 3	There is a necessary procedure for setting back focus and your post causes me to wonder if that was followed. You can search this forum for that procedure and there is a demo on YouTube.

October 1st, 2009, 09:47 PM	#4
Patrick Williams Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 52	I had this same issue last week and Paul Kellett posted the answer. The lens ring is loose. Just take the lens hood off and use your thumbs to tighten the lens ring. It's the ring that filters would screw into. I couldn't focus on infinity after bumping my camera and I was about to take it to the Sony Service Center, but posted my problem here first. It doesn't have to be very loose to mess up the focus. I tightened the lens ring and then did the automatic back focus adjustment and now everything is perfect.

October 3rd, 2009, 12:07 AM	#6
Patrick Williams Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 52	My lens ring was just slightly loose and it affected the focus. I just barely had to turn the ring and it fixed my problem. I couldn't hear anything rattle. However, in a thread further down, Paul mentions that his did rattle and that gave him a clue to what was wrong.