CW-35
Well-known member
Would love to know this too as my camera is there right now.
I know its fast, but what has been the turn around for the wobble fix?
Thanks.
HPX170 Lens Wobble Improved
- Thread starter Dino
- Start date
Would love to know this too as my camera is there right now.
I know its fast, but what has been the turn around for the wobble fix?
Thanks.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Someone from Panasonic service in NJ CALLED me today!!!! They said if they received it tomorrow, it was being shipped out repaired tomorrow!!! I am still trying to get over the fact that someone actually called me, that is unprecedented.
This is excellent service, someone high up in the corporation said to make us all happy and make this issue go away. It's a nice response. Thanks Jan for your part in this.
Dan
Last edited:
Dino
Veteran
Okay, I've tested the camera not that it's back from Panasonic, here are my findings:
1. No documentation from Panasonic in any form--don't know what they did and didn't do, as I had requested they check for excessive noise and bring down preamp gains.
2. Lens wobble is improved when focusing while zoomed in all the way. It is still possible to push the lens so that the image shifts laterally while focusing. There is still lots of play in the lens, due to the shock mount feature, will have to compare it to a 200A again, but I'm not a fan of lens play.
3. Camera looks the same noise wise, sensitivity is the same as it was.
Panasonic called again today and left a voice mail wanting to talk about my request. Kind of late now that the camera just came back from a 6000 mile round trip. I guess I will change the thread title to "HPX170 Lens Wobble Improved".
On Edit: I can't change the thread title.
1. No documentation from Panasonic in any form--don't know what they did and didn't do, as I had requested they check for excessive noise and bring down preamp gains.
2. Lens wobble is improved when focusing while zoomed in all the way. It is still possible to push the lens so that the image shifts laterally while focusing. There is still lots of play in the lens, due to the shock mount feature, will have to compare it to a 200A again, but I'm not a fan of lens play.
3. Camera looks the same noise wise, sensitivity is the same as it was.
Panasonic called again today and left a voice mail wanting to talk about my request. Kind of late now that the camera just came back from a 6000 mile round trip. I guess I will change the thread title to "HPX170 Lens Wobble Improved".
On Edit: I can't change the thread title.
Would it make sense for Panasonic to consider mounting the lens with three points of contact with the body instead of two to eliminate the possibility of lateral movement? I am considering buying a 170, but am holding off till this is settled. I am encouraged by the speed of Osaka's response, but wonder at the wisdom of designing a swing & tilt lens mount.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
I would have been surprised if they actually touched the gain, that is a whole other issue than the lens wobble. Let us know what you hear on that from them.
As far as the wobble, the question is, "is it fixed? Can you live with it or are you still unhappy?"
As long as you can focus without the image shifting, I personally find that to be acceptable.
Thanks
Dan
As far as the wobble, the question is, "is it fixed? Can you live with it or are you still unhappy?"
As long as you can focus without the image shifting, I personally find that to be acceptable.
Thanks
Dan
puredrifting
Major Contributor
To do this would require re-tooling and re-design. I seriously doubt that this is viable on an already shipped product. As Jan has stated, it is the same basic design shared in the DVX100 and the HVX200. Up until now, nobody but repair techs even knew that this mounting mechanism existed.
Dan
Jan_Crittenden
Veteran
Hi Jeff,
They implemented the modification and that is all they did, because you put in your request that you needed the camera back quickly. To have analyzed the camera for the other issue, would have required them to send the camera over to the service center and it would have probably added about a week on to its stay in sunny NJ. So they decided to keep to the request that you needed your camera back quickly.
And FYI, there are not rows of little potentiaometers in these cameras as there are in larger cameras. It is all programmed in.
When your camera has the time, like a week or so, most likely a week and a half to you, we would like to have your camera back for analysis of the other issue.
Best regards,
Jan
Dino
Veteran
Thanks for the info Jan. I checked the email I sent to Panasonic service and I did not request a quick turnaround, my request stated that I wanted to send it in as soon as the parts were available and I asked what the turnaround was, which I was never told.
Where is the other service center? LA?
I figured the camera wouldn't have serviceable pots like I'm used to with 2/3" cameras, but
if gain values are programmed in, does that mean that a bit of new code and a new firmware version could alter the gains(theoretically, without committing Panasonic)?
It is my opinion that you could take any HPX170 and compare it to a 200A--obviously more sample 170's would be better--but it seems like Panasonic could do this test with 170's that are in-house without tying up customer cameras, just as the majority of 170's and 171's have the lens wobble, this is probably pretty widespread, as they are programed not manually tweaked.
Where is the other service center? LA?
I figured the camera wouldn't have serviceable pots like I'm used to with 2/3" cameras, but
if gain values are programmed in, does that mean that a bit of new code and a new firmware version could alter the gains(theoretically, without committing Panasonic)?
It is my opinion that you could take any HPX170 and compare it to a 200A--obviously more sample 170's would be better--but it seems like Panasonic could do this test with 170's that are in-house without tying up customer cameras, just as the majority of 170's and 171's have the lens wobble, this is probably pretty widespread, as they are programed not manually tweaked.
DC
Cinematographiliac
Dan, I agree. Panasonic has been excellent in its response. I even had one particular tech at Panasonic call me (about my camera's "wobble" issue) - from his own cell phone while he was out of the office! I can't be 100% certain it was his own cell phone but I highly speculate it was. Regardless, Panasonic has tackled this issue with grace.
The funny thing is that the Lens Wobble didn't even bother me. I was lucky enough to have to wait for the camera and Spec-Comm threw in the lens fix before shipping.
What has me on ragged edge is the noise. I know it's hard to believe that the 200A was that much cleaner but you really just have to see it to see what I'm talking about. The HPX170 is, without a doubt, not the same image. It's close! Closer than the original 200 but it is not the 200A's clean image.
And, I can't find a 200A in LA =(
I may try to make a trip to AVS/EVS (Can't remember which one) today to sort of end this all. Must contact them.
I guess I should rephrase lens wobble to image shifting. Because that has definitely bee an issue for me. But, once I get the fix I'll be happy. Hopefully there is an easy solution for the noise gain as well.
Jay Rodriguez
Coffee Member
Kholi, get off your arse and do the test dude.... I've been waiting big homie! :beer: The noise is really bothering me too to be honest.... I can't get anything clean. Noise will be always be around on these lil cameras but none of my footy looks clean/good to me when shown at full rez.....
Barry_Green
Moderator
Guys, check out "Cold Calls" and tell me if you're seeing objectionable noise. I just don't see it.
Barry_Green
Moderator
TwilightFest.