ALL: 130/160 owners, can you test the auto focus of the camera.

I am very curious to hear from Barry or some higher ups about the slow hunting auto focus on the 130/160. First, try the test I did and compare it against a hmc150. So my question is, why the difference if they are set at the same focal length in the test, is the ac130 taking longer to focus. And is Panasonic looking into this and can it be fixed? and if it can, is it firmware or hardware.
Is it better to wait for a batch of 130/160 cameras coming out in the Spring to fix the problem.
I am not the only one that did this test, try it out yourself.
 
I want to get the ac160 but autofocus issue is scaring me wouldnt be good on a wedding or reception shoots in dark environment, would like to know if penny is doing something about it.
 
im waiting too, i want to get the ac160 , but i want there to be a fix or atleast new firmware to fix it or somthing
 
sonuxxx said:
I want to get the ac160 but autofocus issue is scaring me wouldnt be good on a wedding or reception shoots in dark environment, would like to know if penny is doing something about it.
Click to expand...

With my 160 auto focus does a good job in dark at a dance floor even with dj lights, Just church where they have stain glass windows and spot lights or on city street where they have lamp poles and cars going by it will throw it off.
The lens are not leica lens any more on all my panasonic camera from 100 a to hmc 150 are leica lens.
To my eye on wide angle is little soft is it because of the lens?
 
Last edited:
Keep in mind that Deer Film had to return his camcorder for a replacement, as it stopped working after several hours of use and just gave him a card door open error.

He may thus have simply had a defective product. I would wait and see if he can duplicate his issues with the new replacement that he gets.
 
Hi LanceOregon, I agree with you. Like I said in my posts, do your own tests people, don't take my word for your buying decision. Hopefully we can get some more 130/160 owners to try auto focus tests and then post the links here.

Also, it would be nice to see a "face detection" test. Going from one person to the next and also to see what happens when you switch from one object to another using face detection. The little tests I did, face detection was right on. Not sure what would happen if the subject turns their head, because I think face detection looks for eyes, mouth, nose in the focus program. I could be wrong.

In this article from the "1080 60p cometh" http://panasonicprovideo.tumblr.com/post/12865225944/3-brothers-update
He talks about people having trouble with the camera hunting, and at the tele end. I did tests at all focal length, and still had the problem. And the HMC150 was at the same focal length and did a great job.
He also mentions using the "Push Auto button" . That's great if it works, but that is one step away from being "Autofocus" .
 
I have to do way more tests on the auto focus. I am still skeptical on using this camera in Auto mode, when I have to capture a production for clients. I shot a production with it the other night and here is what I did. Manual white balance, Manual Iris set to min 3.4 so that when you zoom in you avoid the iris from closing, set the manual focus up for center of the stage and avoid full zoom so that you have a greater depth of field. Worked well, but still looking for a way to set up this in Auto and capture some decent footage without the worry.
 
Yesterday i did 2 camera shoot with the ac 130-160 i made test and ac 130 which my friend shoot was on auto focus all day. I look at the footage it did prety good on auto focus some scene fool it,
The ac 160 i did the test shoots on auto same as the ac 130 but rest of the day was manual. Ac 160 i have a Tiffen lens protection the ac 130 did not have one. The result i think the ac 130 was better in auto focus.


More clips on the ac 130 auto focus on


I just watch most of the 130 footage all shot in auto focus and i like what i see it not as bad as 160.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top