AC160 AC160 manual focus metr/feet problem

W

wille

Member
When i use manual focus, my AC160 shows the m/mm distance.. when i focus fast like 5m and start shooting, and i don't touch focus ring.. the meter starts to "run", it can go 50m , then 20m.. is that only software bug? if i use scale 0-100 the numbers are ok, but if i focus very fast the m/mm numbers go up and down..
 
Have never seen this but i did find after extensive testing with a tape measure and later on a laser distance measure that my camera overstates distance (i.e. at 55 feet it may report 64) and it seemed to me the reporting error was non-linear in that at 80 feet the camera might report back something like 85.

If you do find here that some owners have managed to rationalize in-camera distance measurements, I will send back my camera for repairs.
 
I ran some tests. With the master auto/manual switch on manual, with the focus switch on manual (not auto, not infinity), I set a focus on a distant object and then did a fast zoom. The distance meter did not change.
 
wille said:
When i use manual focus, my AC160 shows the m/mm distance.. when i focus fast like 5m and start shooting, and i don't touch focus ring.. the meter starts to "run", it can go 50m , then 20m.. is that only software bug? if i use scale 0-100 the numbers are ok, but if i focus very fast the m/mm numbers go up and down..
Click to expand...

I have also run some trials for you on my 160A- As Walter states, the mm counter is rock solid on the distance focussed on, no matter how quick you move it. The settings must be (M)manual focus on the focus switch and the camera set in manual mode on the shooting mode switch. Are you definitely seeing the symbol MF next to the distance readout? If you are it sounds like a technical fault. If not then a setting is wrong.
Cheers!
Rod
 
Hey Rod - How's life in NZ? My ac130's were exactly the same ..deadly accurate in manual but in auto the distance display ran around like an express train! I was filming wedding dancing once about 10' away and the display was running up and down from 2' to infinity ... at the same ceremony in manual it was stable and accurate so obviously it's an AF thing ..One surely wouldn't need a distance display in auto anyway ??
 
Hi Chris, bloody cold this morning! I think the OP is talking about manual mode: He shouldn't be seeing wandering distance scales in manual. And yes we have discussed endlessly here the vagaries of auto focus on these otherwise brilliant cameras. In my line of work I rarely use it but I know in your business it is an essential function.
Cheers!
Rod
 
That looks like "Manual Assist" mode

That looks like "Manual Assist" mode

wille said:
Here you can see the problem: http://ville.pic.fi/kuvat/temp/Video+8.7.2014+16.27.51.mov

I have used hvx200 about 6 years so the camera is not new to me.. but i make some tests and it looks like the focus is ok in video, but for some reason the numbers are "running". I have also upgrade a new firmware.
Click to expand...


I've never used this mode, and don't have my cam in front of me, but it seems that you're set for "Manual Assist" mode where the camera will "fine tune" focus after you set it manually. It can be disabled.... but I don't remember how, offhand. The "MA" next to the focus distance should be "MF" when in manual focus-only mode.
 
wille said:
When i use manual focus, my AC160 shows the m/mm distance.. when i focus fast like 5m and start shooting, and i don't touch focus ring.. the meter starts to "run", it can go 50m , then 20m.. is that only software bug? if i use scale 0-100 the numbers are ok, but if i focus very fast the m/mm numbers go up and down..
Click to expand...
Hi, you have the camera set to "MF assist" mode. In the menus go to SW mode, then on screen 2/4 there is an for "MF ASSIST". Select " off " and your problem is solved.

Cheers
Rod
 
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