HMC150 lens assembly issues?

[rawrdocumentary]

The HPX170 seems to have a lens assembly issue (side-to-side movement) and I'm wondering if this is the same case with the HMC150.

David Shawl posted this in the HPX170 Show Stopper thread.

HPX170 Lens Wiggle (http://vimeo.com/1873268)

I'm trying to decide between the two cameras and this could be a huge issue if the assembly loosens over time. It seemed like Jan alluded to it not being covered by the warranty. But maybe it's just this first batch that will have this issue. Thanks!

[douchebro]

mine does this as well.

it doesn't bother me atm... at least that's what i'm telling myself to believe!

[seven.b]

so douchebro, are you talking about an HMC150 or HPX170?

[I, Filmmaker]

Mine doesnt do it. I guess I got the only functional one lol...

[Ed Kishel]

Thats a potential dust issue that could make the focus ring grind- any hmc150 owners check thiers?

[pggaillard]

I've got about the same amount of wiggle on the HMC we just got. Thanks for pointing this out, I'm hoping it's not something that will get worse with use.

[Barry_Green]

I've got about the same amount of wiggle on the HMC we just got. Thanks for pointing this out, I'm hoping it's not something that will get worse with use.
The wiggle is exactly the same on the HVX200. It's also exactly the same on the DVX100. We've been using the HVX200 for three years, and the DVX for six! Please let's stop this hysteria about a wiggling lens and recognize that it's the same design Panasonic's been using (without complaint, I might add) for the last six years.

I haven't used a production 170, but based on the vimeo video I've seen, both my DVX100B and HVX200 wiggle exactly the same. So it's a time-tested, proven non-issue.

[Ed Kishel]

i just checked all our other cams (sony, panny) and they all have some degree of wiggle if you twist the lens hood- they have to as to allow the rings to twist smoothly I guess. I suppose it would get worse if we keep wiggling it to check for wiggle :huh:

thankyou BG for the voice of reason

[Everts]

To wiggle or not to wiggle,
to purchase or not to purchase the hmc 150.
Hopefully by tomorrow we will know more about this issue or "non issue".
If its a non-issue I think we can all agree that the showstopper thread is one of the most scariest post on dvxuser.And yes folks Im still downloading shriggs footage and that's an issue I will have to take up with my isp.

[douchebro]

I have an HMC not an HPX.

If I get any dust looks like I'll need a service! Simple as that.

[Hidef1080]

My FX-1 does that a little bit too.
I never had a dust issue over 2 years of normal shooting so I'm guessing we should be okay.:thumbup:

[johnnyha]

Mine is fine. Nice and snug. No worries.

[Mike Harvey]

In the other thread, Jan made it pretty clear that it was a shock mount to prevent damage to the lens, not a defect.

[Ming]

I just noticed my DVX100B does this and after years of being perfectly happy with it I'm completely freaking out!! This is outrageous. I'm literallly shaking as I'm shooting with it (while I type this) and I can hardly stand to look at it. But seriously, I don't notice any wiggle at all and I'm still in love with it as the day I got it. No disrespect to anyone on either side of the issue I just felt left out. I can fully understand being freaked after spending 5Gs on a new cam and having the lens flopping around.

[Ed Kishel]

the first thing I did when I unpacked my 150 was twist the lens hood to examine this issue. It was no more loose than our DVC80, or anyother fixed lens prosumer cam we own. If you twist it hard enough you can get the gap I saw in the 170 thread, but that would need abnormally strong force (at least for my cam). And if you do that to check for this issue- you're a goofball :)

BTW, what is the DVC80? Panny's red-headed stepchild- the DVX100 without 24p. A flop for panasonic but we love them :kiss:

[LeftyLarry]

BTW, what is the DVC80? Panny's red-headed stepchild- the DVX100 without 24p. A flop for panasonic but we love them :kiss:

As another proud DVC80 user, I'll have to go check the lens!

(O.K. - on my HVX200, too...http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/images/icons/icon10.gif)

[Mike Harvey]

Jan is now saying in the other thread that this apparently might be an issue, and is asking for PM's with exact model numbers, serial numbers, and countries of origin for folks having the HPX image "wiggle" issue. If any HMC owners are having a similar issue, you might want to do the same

[txsbluesguy]

just un boxed a 150 and its lens has the "wobble" on it a mm or two to each side with a audible rattle .... ive handled extensively many fixed lens cameras and none ever did this

[Ed Kishel]

just un boxed a 150 and its lens has the "wobble" on it a mm or two to each side with a audible rattle .... ive handled extensively many fixed lens cameras and none ever did this

See this thread: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=148822

so lock your cam down on sticks, zoom in full telephoto, switch to manual focus and gently adjust the focus ring back and forth. If your frame does not shift when you tap the ring, you should have nothing to worry about. And this small gap is a standard Panasonic shock mount design... but some 170s have a too large a gap :(

...but if your frame does shift- then you got an issue. The 150 and 170 are very much alike, but I think this issue is isolated to early 170 models.

Mine does not shift, and it has about 1-2mm of gap behind the zoom ring.

[ilauzirika]

mine, HMC151E, doesn't look to have this problem......at least I havn't tried pussing it hard.....