AF-100 manual focus issues

K

Kevin Schaefer

New member
I just received my AF-100 yesterday and I was playing around with it. I have the 14-140 lens on and no Image Stabilization and on manual focus. I know that there will be back focus issues but what is really wild is that I can focus on something close up and then zoom out quickly not touching the focus and the focus numbers change and once the camera settles it pops back to the original number. You can watch it go out of focus then pop back in. Has anyone had this same problem or does anyone have any thoughts
 
I've seen it as well. For me this makes this lens usable as a variable-prime only (a slow one at that). The Birger mount can't come soon enough for me.
 
Skuzzle said:
I've seen it as well. For me this makes this lens usable as a variable-prime only (a slow one at that). The Birger mount can't come soon enough for me.
Click to expand...
Yeah we are stuck with the 14-140 for a while. But with the Varizoom remote, I've actually been able to use it ENG down in Dallas for pre superbowl work.
 
Defocus on zoom

Defocus on zoom

Mine does the same thing. I was going to return the camera the day I got it but decided I'm going to have to live without focus in the zoom action.

It's not the 14-140 lens though (i think). I'm not sure if you guys are saying this or not.

It happens with my 100-300mm as well.

When I put the 14-140mm on my GH2, it doesn't do it - nice clean, clear zoom. With the 100-300mm on the GH2, it only seems to do it when I zoom very fast. Slow or medium zoom is almost perfect.

But there is one issue that does happen with the zoom on all three cameras (GH!, GH2 and AF100).

On "Full Manual" and the aperture on or above the f5.6, the picture gets darker on zoom in. Then readjusts a bit lighter as soon as I stop the zoom. Then when I zoom back, it'll get brighter and then darkens up when I stop the zoom (to a wide). On a slow zoom in, I can see the image shift in brightness/darkness at stepped increments - as I stumble through the tight, sticky zoom.

Sometimes it's subtle and sometime it's blatant. Plus I can here the mechanism as it shifts - it's vary loud on the GH2. Has anyone seen this happen? The aperture doesn't change. Except on the AF100, on zoom, the aperture doesn't stay where I put it all the time - sometimes but not all. Either way it still does it even when the aperture stays.

I called Panasonic on this for the GH2 and they said you can't control that, it's just the way it is.
When I saw that the AF100 did it, I was ready to return it. In the end, I decided to live without zoom and as Skuzzle said, use it "as a variable-prime only"

While I got your ear, there is one more thing. Can anyone hear the Auto Focus in the camera mic. I can (GH2 and AF100)


-----------------

Update:
FYI.
It was said to be true and it is true. I tried my Nikon lens and another Zoom with the Nikon Mount. Yup, all good. Not shifts i light. It was definitely the Lumix lenses (zoom lenses).
 
Last edited:
Jan,

I think everyone understands that these lenses are DSLR lenses that have features for that market. Can you provide us any insight as to Panasonic's plans to bring something else to the micro four-thirds market that better suits the AF-100? Perhaps something will be previewed at NAB?
 
Hi,

The reality is that the AF100 is made by the Broadcast company and the GH2 and lenses are made by the Consumer company. The Consumer company puts its R &D efforts behind projects that will sell to their target customer, Joe Average Consumer, read - thousands of lenses. Our industry is vastly smaller and the feature set we need is a more expensive lens to produce and thus fewer will sell to the "target" customer. Keep in mind that the GH2 is not a high end Nikon Camera of which professionals expect a high level of performance, but rather a high end consumer camera. Consumers balk at $2000 for lenses. They buy $900 lenses at the top end. It is just different.

So I am not looking for higher level features on the upcoming lenses, but am looking for quieter lenses, as I think they can and will do that in the future lenses. CES is their show, NAB is not.

Best,

Jan
 
The nice thing about the 14-140 is that I don't have to adjust focus when changing from a wide to a tight shot...I just have to wait for the lens to "snap" back into place. The lens is slow as a dog and I don't like the variable aperture, but with my Nikon (and presumably Canon, when the birger comes out) zooms the focus is not maintained on any level.

So, you know, there's always that one good thing :)
 
Jan_Crittenden said:
Hi,

The reality is that the AF100 is made by the Broadcast company and the GH2 and lenses are made by the Consumer company. The Consumer company puts its R &D efforts behind projects that will sell to their target customer, Joe Average Consumer, read - thousands of lenses. Our industry is vastly smaller and the feature set we need is a more expensive lens to produce and thus fewer will sell to the "target" customer. Keep in mind that the GH2 is not a high end Nikon Camera of which professionals expect a high level of performance, but rather a high end consumer camera. Consumers balk at $2000 for lenses. They buy $900 lenses at the top end. It is just different.

So I am not looking for higher level features on the upcoming lenses, but am looking for quieter lenses, as I think they can and will do that in the future lenses. CES is their show, NAB is not.

Best,

Jan
Click to expand...

Jan,
I am so glad you finally stated this. I think some people here think that the AF100 is Panasonic's biggest selling product or something judging by all the requests. People have to understand that despite all our passion, this camera is very small in the Panasonic product line. Other than all us here how many average people go out and purchase a $5000 video camera compared to a $1000 still camera? For Panasonic that will be where the major focus goes because that is where the major money comes from.
 
Yeah personally I'm all about primes for this camera. But they ain't cheap. That said if you're willing to learn a lot about manual photography you can do amazing things with EOS and Nikon lenses and an adapter. If you want a versatile run and gun, full auto zoom you should be looking at any of Panasonic's excellent fixed lens offerings such as the 170 or HMC150.

The AF100 is one of those cameras that will get you amazing results if you take the time to learn the tools. It's not a pick up and go in one day cam, especially with the consumery zoom lenses meant for the GH2. If you use just that you're basically ignoring the chief strength of this camera- i.e. adaptability to just about any type of manual lens. Not too mention the MFT zooms are mostly slow and soft, owing to their consumer ambitions/pricing as Jan notes. (+1 for continued, refreshing honesty there!)

I'd also love to see some more MFT OIS primes. The 45mm F2.8 Leica OIS is a solid enough lens but it's just one piece in a prime lens arsenal. These days in MFT the 20mm pancake is about the best value there is. We just need more in between. :)

Noah
 
Greetings Jan,

Questions for you:

On the zoom/focus issue, why does the lens work better on the GH2.
What's happening with the brightness shifting/compensation on the zoom in/out with these Lenses/cameras?
I know your saying it's just a consumer lens, but should it not act the same way no matter what the camera?
IS IT the lens and I should expect this to go away if I put my Nikon lens on it (once I get my mount)?
So are you saying the AF100 is a pro camera aimed for the consumer market and there is no equation to provide a lens for this camera?
Is there any plans for an ENG lens (wishful thinking)?

Thank you for your time.
 
aidan_x said:
Greetings Jan,
On the zoom/focus issue, why does the lens work better on the GH2.
Click to expand...

Probably slightly different software in the GH2.

What's happening with the brightness shifting/compensation on the zoom in/out with these Lenses/cameras?
Click to expand...

It is all about the way the zoom works, it grabs the iris on its way in.

I know your saying it's just a consumer lens, but should it not act the same way no matter what the camera?
Click to expand...

Well seeing that the camera really starts to diverge from the consumer design the minute we map the chip set differently. So it is just different.

IS IT the lens and I should expect this to go away if I put my Nikon lens on it (once I get my mount)?
Click to expand...

Your Nikons do not have an electronic relationship with the camera. So it will behave like a manual lens.
So are you saying the AF100 is a pro camera aimed for the consumer market and there is no equation to provide a lens for this camera?
Click to expand...

No the AF100 is a pro camera aimed for a Pro customer. there are literally hundreds of lenses for this camera.
Is there any plans for an ENG lens (wishful thinking)?
Click to expand...

Take a look at AbleCineTech, they came up with something. Also when I was SXSW last week Alan Barnwell from Omega showed me another setup for using 2/3" zoom lenses.

Best,

Jan
 
aidan_x said:
What's happening with the brightness shifting/compensation on the zoom in/out with these Lenses/cameras?
Click to expand...
Panasonic and Olympus electronic auto-focus zooms are not built like vintage manual lenses, which were designed to maintain mechanically stable f-stop and focus settings while zooming. Lumix lenses are designed to be compact and lightweight, and as a result the aperture, iris, and zoom mechanisms all interact and affect each other. To perform as intended, these lenses are utterly dependent on the camera to actively monitor and dynamically readjust their internal iris and focus mechanisms whenever the lens is zoomed.

If you turn the zoom ring too quickly, the camera will be unable to respond rapidly enough, and you'll see the electronic focus and/or aperture adjustments catch up after you stop zooming. Lens responsiveness may vary among camera models depending on how much processing load the camera's CPU is handling at the time.
 
If the zoom grabs the iris on it's way, why doesn't the number change as it's doing it and as it readjusts? Well, I guess it doesn't really matter, it is what is is. I'm just that kind of guy that likes to know the details.

AbleCineTech, isn't that like $8K without the lens?
Did Alan Barnwell from Omega have a more attractive solution?
BTW, I live in Austin. :)
 
Sorry lpowell, I didn't see your reply before I replied. This makes a lot of sense. Thanks
I can't wait to try my Nikon lens. :)

Anyone want some Lumix lenses?
 
Last edited:
aidan_x said:
If the zoom grabs the iris on it's way, why doesn't the number change as it's doing it and as it readjusts?
Click to expand...
The camera is dynamically readjusting the internal iris mechanism in order to maintain the external appearance of a stable aperture setting.
 
I'd also love to see some more MFT OIS primes. The 45mm F2.8 Leica OIS is a solid enough lens but it's just one piece in a prime lens arsenal. These days in MFT the 20mm pancake is about the best value there is. We just need more in between. :)[/QUOTE]

I am dreaming, but I would love a couple inexpensive M4/3 primes, especially if they were MF with OIS (ideally a 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm)... don't really care about AF, and would prefer to get rid of that feature to save a couple $$. I really love my nikon glass, but I find myself often missing OIS having gotten use to having it over the past years.
 
Guys I bought a Olympus M.Zuiko 14-42 F3.5 to 5.6 Micro Four Thirds Lens, ya it makes noise and it also gets dark when I zoom in on somthing. I expected it to be like that. I mounted my Nikon zooms and use them in manual mode like a cinema camera operator I really don't really have a problem very little light transmission shift. I love this camera just put the right glass on it. The Olympus lens I bought to use more as a fixed wide angle. What can I say yes the lens has problems and I knew it would have them going in but it was "cheap".
The AF 100 takes a different mind set when shooting you have to put on your cinema camera operator hat on and stop thinking like a video guy.
As for glass it might be time to invest in glass based on "T numbers" rather than "F Numbers" T stands for transmission of light.
Do plan on getting out the check book when you by cinema glass.
The camera is fine it just you have to develop a skill set that can do the AF 100 justice.
Easy no, worth while yes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top