EX1R- Focus Ring mislatches in Full Manual at DVinfo.net

Luka Kito · May 14th, 2010, 08:56 AM

Hello all,

My wife and I are independent video artist ( for the lack of better word) .
After three years of pondering and researching, we finally bit the bullet and purchased EX1r. From the little shooting we have done so far, we can see the images are very clean and we are very pleased with the image quality. However there is one thing I noticed that I wanted to ask the EX1, EX1r owners about your experience, which is about the focus ring.

When pulling the focus ring from AF/MF to Full Manual mode, sometimes focus ring does not seem to latch on correctly. When this happens, I can still rotate focus ring, but there is noticeable difference. Instead of the 'smooth with slight drag' feeling, it gets rather coarse and harder to rotate. It still focuses, but the rotation does not feel right. When it happens, It feels like a cheap plastic lens that lacks ball bearing inside. I am not 100% certain, but I feel I can even hear two pieces of plastic sliding against each other. Is this something I should be concerned about ?? Or, is this something over period of time, it gets 'broken-in' and becomes a non-issue ?? I can't reliably repeat this behavior. It happens every now and then, say about 1 out of 10. Does this sound familiar ???

As this was a pretty expensive purchase for us, I'd like to sort out any issues as soon as possible before the 15 day return/exchange period expires with B&H.

Thank you very much in advance for your replies.

Luka Kito

Dave Morrison · May 15th, 2010, 06:22 PM

I'd move that focus ring back and forth a LOT in the next few days. I'd pay attention to how the ring feels as you heavily exercise this thing. I've never felt that this was a smooth moving part on my EX1. Sometimes it feels like it will take more effort than it should when I try to move it. I too wish that it had a smoother friction "slip/slide" feeling instead of the current notchy/clunky movement that it has. Good luck with it, but I doubt that it will suddenly fix itself. Do you know anybody else near you with an EX1r where you can compare the fit and feel of the focus rings?

Luka Kito · May 17th, 2010, 10:31 AM

Thank you for your reply. I did exactly what you have suggested. Moving the ring back and forth quite a bit for the last couple of days. It seems something got 'fixed' so far that I have not been able to recreate the strange 'coarse' friction feel at all. I will continue to do so to make sure this is now working properly, I am keeping my fingers crossed, as return/exchange is a pain.

thank you

Luka Kito

Dave Morrison · May 17th, 2010, 11:28 AM

Good luck with it and let us all know if it eventually fails.

May 14th, 2010, 08:56 AM	#1
Luka Kito Tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York Posts: 2	EX1R- Focus Ring mislatches in Full Manual Hello all, My wife and I are independent video artist ( for the lack of better word) . After three years of pondering and researching, we finally bit the bullet and purchased EX1r. From the little shooting we have done so far, we can see the images are very clean and we are very pleased with the image quality. However there is one thing I noticed that I wanted to ask the EX1, EX1r owners about your experience, which is about the focus ring. When pulling the focus ring from AF/MF to Full Manual mode, sometimes focus ring does not seem to latch on correctly. When this happens, I can still rotate focus ring, but there is noticeable difference. Instead of the 'smooth with slight drag' feeling, it gets rather coarse and harder to rotate. It still focuses, but the rotation does not feel right. When it happens, It feels like a cheap plastic lens that lacks ball bearing inside. I am not 100% certain, but I feel I can even hear two pieces of plastic sliding against each other. Is this something I should be concerned about ?? Or, is this something over period of time, it gets 'broken-in' and becomes a non-issue ?? I can't reliably repeat this behavior. It happens every now and then, say about 1 out of 10. Does this sound familiar ??? As this was a pretty expensive purchase for us, I'd like to sort out any issues as soon as possible before the 15 day return/exchange period expires with B&H. Thank you very much in advance for your replies. Luka Kito

May 15th, 2010, 06:22 PM	#2
Dave Morrison Major Player Join Date: May 2002 Location: West Central Florida Posts: 762	I'd move that focus ring back and forth a LOT in the next few days. I'd pay attention to how the ring feels as you heavily exercise this thing. I've never felt that this was a smooth moving part on my EX1. Sometimes it feels like it will take more effort than it should when I try to move it. I too wish that it had a smoother friction "slip/slide" feeling instead of the current notchy/clunky movement that it has. Good luck with it, but I doubt that it will suddenly fix itself. Do you know anybody else near you with an EX1r where you can compare the fit and feel of the focus rings? __________________ EX1, Nikon D750 http://www.morrisonphotographics.com http://www.heritagefilm.com

May 17th, 2010, 10:31 AM	#3
Luka Kito Tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York Posts: 2	Seems better now Thank you for your reply. I did exactly what you have suggested. Moving the ring back and forth quite a bit for the last couple of days. It seems something got 'fixed' so far that I have not been able to recreate the strange 'coarse' friction feel at all. I will continue to do so to make sure this is now working properly, I am keeping my fingers crossed, as return/exchange is a pain. thank you Luka Kito

May 17th, 2010, 11:28 AM	#4
Dave Morrison Major Player Join Date: May 2002 Location: West Central Florida Posts: 762	Good luck with it and let us all know if it eventually fails. __________________ EX1, Nikon D750 http://www.morrisonphotographics.com http://www.heritagefilm.com