sticky focus ring in cold weather - DVXuser.com -- The online community for filmmaking

DM_rider · 11-10-2008, 03:31 PM

Well, I was shooting in 30 degree weather today and the focus ring on the 170 gunks up. It wasn't even that cold! I don't even want to guess what happens when I shoot in 10 degree weather... It was almost impossible to get a smooth pull because the ring sticks when it gets cold and takes a good twist to unstick it and get it turning. Even with a follow focus, I still think it's going to be a problem... I'm not happy right now. It reminded me of a cheap fluid head in cold weather.

This never happened to me with the hvx200 either.

Edit:
Just tested it at 28 degrees outside, the colder it is, the worse it gets.

If it's cold enough outside, other 170 owners need to try this, I can't be the only one.

Kholi · 11-10-2008, 06:30 PM

Whaaaaat? You should record some video and throw it up on Vimeo. I've been outside in some seriously cold weather with the 200 and 200A and never ever had an issue with cold weather sticking.

Anyone else experiencing this?

DM_rider · 11-10-2008, 06:42 PM

It's supposed to be cold again tomorrow so I'll try to get out and get some examples. I'm feeling very discouraged right now and I am tempted to abandon the 170 and try to get a 200a.

put your hpx in the freezer for about 10 minutes and you'll see what I mean, haha.

DM_rider · 11-11-2008, 09:05 AM

I can't be the only one. This is a pretty serious issue, I'm surprised no one else has mentioned it yet.

RJP · 11-12-2008, 02:33 PM

have you tried to duplicate the problem again

Jan_Crittenden · 11-12-2008, 04:19 PM

Hi DM Rider,

Please contact me via PM, I want to see your camera. There is no reason for this experience. So the engineers want to see your camera. I will pay for shipping both ways

Thanks,

Jan

David Shawl · 02-16-2009, 12:03 PM

I was shooting the other day where the temps were only about 50 degrees F and I was getting a sticky focus ring. The ring was still very useable, but it was annoying to have to lightly force the ring from a stuck position each time I checked focus. What is the reason for this as I never experienced this with an HVX and a DVX?

matt s. · 02-17-2009, 11:34 AM

I get it with my HMC150 as well. gets pretty tight and i was in maybe low 30's temps.

monday1313 · 02-17-2009, 12:21 PM

my HPX-170 does it also...luckily i rarely use it without and adapter so it's not been an issue.

...yet...

Gabriel Berube · 02-18-2009, 06:10 AM

I never had any problem with a sticky focus ring with my 170 and I shot a couple of time at -20 and -25 Celsius (dunno how much this is in fahrenheits). I live in Quebec City in Canada and temperature gets quite cold with lots of humidity, especially in January, so I think if all 170s did this, mine would probably have done it too.

11-10-2008, 03:31 PM	#1
DM_rider Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 1,324	sticky focus ring in cold weather Well, I was shooting in 30 degree weather today and the focus ring on the 170 gunks up. It wasn't even that cold! I don't even want to guess what happens when I shoot in 10 degree weather... It was almost impossible to get a smooth pull because the ring sticks when it gets cold and takes a good twist to unstick it and get it turning. Even with a follow focus, I still think it's going to be a problem... I'm not happy right now. It reminded me of a cheap fluid head in cold weather. This never happened to me with the hvx200 either. Edit: Just tested it at 28 degrees outside, the colder it is, the worse it gets. If it's cold enough outside, other 170 owners need to try this, I can't be the only one. Last edited by DM_rider; 11-11-2008 at 06:44 PM.

11-10-2008, 06:30 PM	#2
Kholi One who scribbles Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 12,909	Whaaaaat? You should record some video and throw it up on Vimeo. I've been outside in some seriously cold weather with the 200 and 200A and never ever had an issue with cold weather sticking. Anyone else experiencing this? __________________ \| RED ONE \|

11-12-2008, 04:19 PM	#6
Jan_Crittenden Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: New_Jersey, USA Posts: 2,693	Hi DM Rider, Please contact me via PM, I want to see your camera. There is no reason for this experience. So the engineers want to see your camera. I will pay for shipping both ways Thanks, Jan __________________ Jan Crittenden Livingston Panasonic Broadcast & TV Systems Product Manager, DVCPRO50/25, AG-DVX100B, AG-HVX200

02-16-2009, 12:03 PM	#7
David Shawl Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North Hollywood Posts: 117	I was shooting the other day where the temps were only about 50 degrees F and I was getting a sticky focus ring. The ring was still very useable, but it was annoying to have to lightly force the ring from a stuck position each time I checked focus. What is the reason for this as I never experienced this with an HVX and a DVX? __________________ David Shawl HPX170 & Steadicam Owner / Operator Los Angeles - Boston - Washington DC www.DavidShawl.com

02-17-2009, 11:34 AM	#8
matt s. Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Waynesboro, PA Posts: 1,472	I get it with my HMC150 as well. gets pretty tight and i was in maybe low 30's temps. __________________ www.leachthemovie.com www.brainwrapmovie.com

11-10-2008, 06:42 PM	#3
DM_rider Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 1,324	It's supposed to be cold again tomorrow so I'll try to get out and get some examples. I'm feeling very discouraged right now and I am tempted to abandon the 170 and try to get a 200a. put your hpx in the freezer for about 10 minutes and you'll see what I mean, haha.

11-11-2008, 09:05 AM	#4
DM_rider Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 1,324	I can't be the only one. This is a pretty serious issue, I'm surprised no one else has mentioned it yet.

11-12-2008, 02:33 PM	#5
RJP Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4	have you tried to duplicate the problem again

02-17-2009, 12:21 PM	#9
monday1313 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 95	my HPX-170 does it also...luckily i rarely use it without and adapter so it's not been an issue. ...yet... __________________ Monday Sunnlinn President 7th Level Non-Linear Inc. Zero Point Studios www.7thlevelnonlinear.com my graphic art gallery 2D/3D FX/Animations/Compositing Digital Cinematography Digital Photography Audio Sweetening/ Film Scoring VO Recording Graphic Design Production Consultant

02-18-2009, 06:10 AM	#10
Gabriel Berube Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Quebec city, Canada Posts: 153	I never had any problem with a sticky focus ring with my 170 and I shot a couple of time at -20 and -25 Celsius (dunno how much this is in fahrenheits). I live in Quebec City in Canada and temperature gets quite cold with lots of humidity, especially in January, so I think if all 170s did this, mine would probably have done it too. __________________ Gabe Fotonik Films "We are databanks of insignificant details, of repressed memories. The body is a stubborn writer." - Laurier Veilleux

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