Focus Misalignment, anyone else experience this?

[David N.]

I dropped my hvx200 about 12 inches onto concrete. The battery popped out, and the plastic teeth that hold it in broke out. At first I thought this was all that happened (I've dropped DVXs before and they've been pretty rugged), but not until I noticed something today.

Normally you zoom in, focus, zoom out, and it keeps the same focus. But now, if I zoom in, focus, zoom out, the focus point shifts. The distance readout in the display doesn't change, but the actual focus in the image is shifting as I zoom. So I'm starting to worry I've physically knocked some part of the internal lenses or something out of alignment.

Has anyone else seen this sort of issue? Or perhaps knows if Panny covers this sort of thing with warranty and/or paid-for service?

-David

[Justin Marx]

Sheesh.. Sorry to hear about the "dropping"...

I would get your trusty tape measure, and basically see where your focus falls off.. make sure your on a tripod, and make sure the object that your shooting doesnt move.. Fully zoom in to 55, disengage the motor, and measure from your object, to the front element of the lens. use the focus assist to make sure your dead on.. Now check your display to see if the numbers match..
NEXT
Zoom out to to each hash mark from 55-> 4.2 MEASURING and checking focus each time..

This will narrow it down to either your zoom changing your focus, or your lens might be out of whack..

If you camera shows no evidence of "dropping" then you should be covered under any normal warranty..

Good luck, and let us know..

[David N.]

Lens was outta whack, no question about it.

It's currently in the hands of Panasonic's service center now, I'll relay how it goes.

[David N.]

Thank you Panny laziness. Backfocus issue, lens out of alignment, do they open it up to fix the lens? Nope. Looks like they tried to compensate by messing with the focus-zoom lookup table. Now some zooms work, some don't, never know what to expect!

So, gonna try a local camera place that's been highly recommended, Shock House. They seem to have the equipment and no hang-ups about fixing the mechanical optics first before rebuilding the table values. Cross your fingers!

[Jan_Crittenden]

I would say to take it back to the service center as it would really not be possible to "mess" with the look-up tabes as those are cast in the firmware. To have an un-trained person work on it may well void your warranty.

Show the service guy the problem. If you are having to send it in, document it on a video tape with a voice over.

Good Luck.

Jan