HPX170 Lens Wobble Improved

WGZN, I don't want to sound disrespectful but the OIS option has been covered twice already in this thread.

There is overwhelming evidence that an issue exists, evidence which has been supplied by skilled people who know what they are doing. The video clearly shows and issue that is not movement of the camera and as testified by the people who have done the tests, not the OIS.

It would be good if people who post replies on the forum would read all the replies within a thread in order to 'get up to speed' on what has already been discussed and dis-counted.

No matter how many people want to stick their head in the sand and deny there is an issue won't hide the fact that there is an issue. Even Panasonic have acknowledged it. However, they have said they will rectify it so if they stick to that, there won't be an issue.
 
Segarza said:
Wish it were just a loose screw or something :) or a DIY fix without voiding the warranty, asking too much? hehe
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No, it is not a loosen screw. The lens is firmly boltened. The problem is the slot that allows the lens plays (mainly laterally) because it is rubber mounted.

This issue can be fixed easily: they have only to reduce the slot. They have already put a washer between the lens and tha camera body: they could simply increase its thickness and this should also preserve the shock mount design.

Anyway I don't think I'll send my camera back to Panasonic be serviced: I've found my way to focus gently without image wobbling and normally I focus before shooting, expecially when full telephoto.

Gary
 
Intrepid Media said:
Wait so we can send our wobbly cameras in and panny will fix 'em?
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As far as I know Panasonic has not done or said anything on this yet.
We only know that they are aware of this thread - Jan is bringing it to the attention of the people in Osaka, and we are waiting to hear back.

Unless I missed something, there has been no official info yet.
 
I've got 2 days left on the B&H Photo 15 day instant return policy, so I need to hear something really soon. Read your respective policies. After that runs out I'm at the mercy of the mfg warranty. I don't need to throw any more gas on this fire but 5200 is a lot of money to me right now.
 
WOW! I check this forum every few days. A lot has been posted since I last checked. Like I said I held several 170's, I didn't mean to say the lenses don't move at all, just the ones I've seen are similar to the HVX. If you put too much pressure on the side of my 170 I can see the image shift a little, but my HVX was the same.
 
Gary Senda said:
No, it is not a loosen screw. The lens is firmly boltened. The problem is the slot that allows the lens plays (mainly laterally) because it is rubber mounted.

This issue can be fixed easily: they have only to reduce the slot. They have already put a washer between the lens and tha camera body: they could simply increase its thickness and this should also preserve the shock mount design.

Anyway I don't think I'll send my camera back to Panasonic be serviced: I've found my way to focus gently without image wobbling and normally I focus before shooting, expecially when full telephoto.

Gary
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I'm very grateful to this board for all the excellent information. I've been holding off on purchasing until the first pro reviews come out, and this thread has been a gold mine of great info, and great support.

First, I was only worried about dust, then I didn't think it was a problem, now I'm back to thinking the concerned posters, especially those great enough to post footage really do know what they're talking about, and there is a problem.

My image now is of the internal lens bolted to the body, but I'm not familiar with how it's done in these types of body. Is it possible there are bolts that should be under spec tension, and a batch of early cameras left assembly not tightened to spec, i.e. too loose? That would be a relatively easy warranty repair, I imagine.

Do you know more about this Gary? Anyone?
 
Gary Senda said:
normally I focus before shooting, expecially when full telephoto.
Gary
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I guess you've never shot anything that moved? Or shot a narrative that required a rack focus?

I guess it's just me, but some of these posts are getting tedious.

Today I shot with a Sony HDW-730S HDCAM/Fujinon HA18X7.6 camera package. What a relief, it literally felt good.

I eagerly await Panasonic's official response.
 
Dino said:
I guess you've never shot anything that moved? Or shot a narrative that required a rack focus?

I guess it's just me, but some of these posts are getting tedious.
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Its not just you, the amount of denial from some of "Panasonic Fan Boys" on this site is astounding and scary. At least with the Sony crowd, they are open and do not deny the problems on the first batch the EX1.
 
Dxmetal said:
Its not just you, the amount of denial from some of "Panasonic Fan Boys" on this site is astounding and scary. At least with the Sony crowd, they are open and do not deny the problems on the first batch the EX1.
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Yes, I'm used to CML, where the members are all working professionals. Having said that, I've certainly learned from some bright members here. Of course, one has to slog through some not so useful posts.

I thought Red User had the corner on the fan boy market, I guess there's always room for more!
 
10s said:
I will not buy one of these cameras until this quality issue is completely resolved.
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I know what you mean. I was thinking the same thing.
But I'm beginning to think it's not as much of a quality issue; that it has been mistaken as such, but is really supposed to be a feature beneficial to us.

e.i., the lens is protected if we smack it against something
 
DanHD said:
I know what you mean. I was thinking the same thing.
But I'm beginning to think it's not as much of a quality issue; that it has been mistaken as such, but is really supposed to be a feature beneficial to us.

e.i., the lens is protected if we smack it against something
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I have been convinced that it is in fact a FEATURE.
However, I believe it is a feature that has been over done or done improperly.
From the posts it is clear there are some that are done the "right" way and some that are defective.

Right now buying one of these cameras is basically gambling that you will get one that is not defective.
 
I hope Jan can get to the bottom of this soon because this camera has so much to offer us, but I can't see spending money to have it compromise my creative efforts (it's tough enough just getting the right shot w/o the camera giving you another curve ball) and then just the thought of going through the delays and hassles of repairs; that's too much!

I want a new camera, not a new lemon.

I'm confident Panasonic will resolve this issue and make us happy campers, the big question is when will they get around to it.
 
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i'm not convinced it's a feature at all. i can't name another major optics player (cooke, zeiss, fujinon, nikon, canon, etc.) that builds play as a protective feature into their lenses, many of which cost ten times as much as this camera. the crazy appeal of the hpx170 is that it's a dvcpro hd 4:2:2, variable framerate camera in a 4 and a half pound package... seriously, i don't need the shock mount lens. i like my lensbaby, but, in general, i prefer my lenses to stay still.

10s said:
I hope Jan can get to the bottom of this soon because this camera has so much to offer us
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agreed.
 
Let's keep the comments on topic - as I mentioned earlier we know that Panasonic reps are aware of this thread and presumably paying attention to it. If you don't have something constructive to add to this discussion I would ask that you please keep the noise level down. The more focused and constructive our comments are, the more likely we will have a solution sooner rather than later.

This wasn't directed at anyone in particular - its just that the last couple of pages of posts have generally started getting a bit "noisy."

Trust me, I'd like to hear an official response about this as much as everyone - if you look back on my posts I uploaded an example from my own HPX170.

I'm just saying let's keep this constructive and focused on facts.

As a quick side note I'd like to say that I'm still amazed at the number of feature from our original request list Panasonic actually incorporated into the HPX170. It is clear to me, as it should be to all members here, that they are listening to their customers and take our feedback seriously.
I don't see why this case would be any different.

Let's try to keep that in mind.
 
I find it hard to believe it's a built in shock absorber, it could be that a large surface gasket is missing in the assembly. The lens already has a good image stabilizer inside and the idea of having an additional horizontal shock absorber design is very odd; it would be more effective to have a shock abosrber that controls vertical jolts which are far more likely to occur.

A solid outer shell is what a camera needs to fend off initial shocks. A shock unit, if employed, would be housed interally inside a solid outer shell, it would not be exposed. As we know, the camera already has this internal Image Stabilizer (AKA, shock absorber)...

So, to me this appears to be either a design flaw or an assembly flaw. Just the differences in the delivered production models is a real red flag concern. There is too much +/-variation in the assembly of this vital area of the product.

Where is the well known Japanese Kaizen? C'mon Jan, help em out! :)
 
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