At full tele and infinity focus issue..

Stevet

Stevet

Veteran
The other day we brought the EX1 and the RED ONE out for some testing.

An odd thing happened with my EX1 that I have never seen with this camera.

At full zoom I focused at near infinity (over 150 ft.). ODDLY, the right side of the screen was out of focus and had really bad CA. I'd say it was at least 1/3 of the frame on the right side.

I noticed this same problem with other similar far focus zoom shots taked that day. The next day I tried recreating this issue. Before testing. I pulled the camera out of manual focus, and then back. (maybe it somehow shifted?). I need to test more, but it did not seem that bad, although it did appear a tad soft at full zoom and near infinity focus. I will post this shot.... It's odd, believe me...

I need to test more.

Update: follow this link to example problem images:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.php?p=1244447&postcount=20
 
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We just received our first Ex1 and while testing it out for the first time I to noticed the same issue on the right side at full zoom while filming ducks and geese. I thought maybe a depth of field thing but it was exactly what you are referencing. What can we do to fix this? Send back to factory? I mean the right side is soft on the edges while the left side seems just fine???

Jim Kinsey
 
My EX1 shows the same issue. Had it at prime support for 4 weeks (no backup cam available!) to fix the problem and got it back today with things almost unchanged: When I turn the zoom to max. tele, I can either focus on the left or the right side of the object. I am really getting annoyed about this ...

Besides the issue with the disappearing paint on the backplate was fixed. But now I have to see, that alomst all paint at the ND-filter button and the costum-keys can be rubbed off easily.

Don't want to wait another couple of weeks with a cam and will discuss with prime support the opportunities to get a well-oiled cam with visible inscriptions.

Rgds, Eva
 
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Hmmm....
This is VERY interesting.

It's odd that it's purely a left to right issue...
What woud cause this?

Also, as I mentioned the right side had absolutely horrible CA.

I am going to post this example of my problem.

I need to test more because the next day it did not seem as bad, but I may not have tested it correctly. We were in a hurry due to some studio audio work.

If this turns out to be an issue, as it looks like it may, I'm REALLY concerned.

The EX1 has been riddled with a lot of ongoing issues.

1. Vignetting issue.

2. Back focus issue.

3. Far zoom with far focus (near or at infinity) cause defocused image weighted to one side. Which also shows massive CA on the defocused image side.... very odd!

4. CA issue.

5. lettering wearing off in three months or less. (mine have started)


This camera has more issues than I have ever witnessed in owning all of my other cameras over the last 25 years.
IMO, this camera was realeased to soon. It seems VERY hard to believe that the proto testers did not pick up on these issues.
If their cameras did not show these problems, then Sony's needs to have a closer look at their QC and testing program.
 
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I am surprised myself. I knew going in there were some issues and that s why I waited this long thinking most could or would be resolved. My EX1 is in Nebraska at the moment on a shoot with another one of my field producers. So upon his return I will look again but this doesn't seem to be a random issue with just my camera. Maybe Sony can fix with a firm update.... But I doubt it. The thing takes good images considering the tele issue on the right side. To me its real soft focus like a FCP vignette filter dialed way down.

JK
 
So Jim,
when you get your hands back on it, do some more testing. I'll do the same.

Using full tele zoom, find at what focus distance the problem becomes notieable.

I did not notice this problem until I checked my footage later. All of my zoom tele "normal" closer focus shots were fine.
 
Stevet, did u sya that the next day you tried to recreate the same effect but it wasn't as bad? any differences in on the two days? light, temperature etc? post shots when u can.
 
Steve,

I will test when I get back from NAB. The EX1 should be back by then. I have a few questions for the Sony reps.... Are you going?

JK
 
Well, after more testing, it appears my camera does have an issue.
The left to right focal point changes a lot sooner than I thought!
The right side is out of focus and displays horrible CA.

I ran tests at full tele zoom and focusing at several distances.
Even focusing at 30 feet, the problem was easily seen.


At shorter focus distances there's less problem.

I'm really puzzled here. This is my second camera. The first one had the vignetting problem.
Any thoughts on what may be causing this?
I'm going to contact Sony support today.

Due to my schedule, I won't make NAB.
 
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Let me know what Sony support does about it. I am sure that all early adopters are paying one way or another. I will have to give them a call as well.

JK
 
Since I am just a "start up" production company and will be doing it part-time until it makes sense to give up my day job, I have been patiently waiting to see if Sony is actually fixing/working on these issues I keep reading about. I want a camera asap but I don't "have" to have it yet. I decided to hold off until NAB (curious what this Red Scarlett is all about, or if Panny will come out with an updated HVX200), but unless Sony adequately addresses all these strange issues with the EX1, I'll have to look at another camera to jump in with. I was really excited about this EX1... it's still my #1 choice but come on, it's been out long enough to where they should do something about this stuff instead of just cranking out more and more.
 
I agree with you Buck.
It may be smart to wait it out.

I can tell you th EX1 does have amazing image quality, but it also is infected with early adopter woes... Actually, way more that I ever could of imagined.
 
Buck,

Checked out your photos... Man those rock. I am sure that when you do get your video camera your footage will reflect your production stills.

JK
 
Hi Buck,

Nice job, I just saw your photos and nice production stills and nice wife :violin:
Congratulation for both ...you look a happy couple
 
Well, it's easy to test.

Take off your adatpter and aim straight on (no angle-very important) at something like a tectured wall from 60 feet way or more. Set your camera to f1.9 to tighten the DOF and focus on the wall. Focus should be even across the image. Just make sure the object you aiming at is at the same focus distance across the field of view. Mine looks good on the left, but get blurry on the right and shows horrible CA on the defocused side.
 
I did this test just a few minutes ago. Aside from copious amounts of CA in the trees against the sky at the top corners, I did not observe uneven focus at f1.9. I ran tests at f1.9, f4 and f5.6, using combinations of shutter and ND1 filter. Curiously, the f1.9 shot has the least CA. All were focused fine.
Next, I zoomed in about 20%. Shots were still focused, though I noted some pincushion distortion near the corners.
 
It sounds like your camera does not have this issue. Thanks Mark.
I'm sure this issue is not wide spread as the other ongoing issues such as vignetting and back focus.

There are two others (here at least) that are reporting this issue. One overseas and the other in the states.
 
Ok,
Here's some images displaying the far focus issue at full tele.

I'd like to thank Maxim from Aerialsfilm for hosting these images.

My wife and step son against a wall ( same focal plane).
f1.9
focus distance 60ft
http://www.aerialsfilm.com/stevet/Images/EX1_far focus_60ft_at full tele_wife_son.jpg

can't remember the exact fstop, but probably between f1.9 - f4.
focus distance ~125ft
http://www.aerialsfilm.com/stevet/Images/EX1_far focus_125ft_at full tele.jpg

can't remember the exact fstop, but probably between f1.9 - f4.
focus distance ~100ft
http://www.aerialsfilm.com/stevet/Images/EX1_far focus_100ft_at full tele_lake_ducks.jpg

f1.9
focus distance 30 ft.
http://www.aerialsfilm.com/stevet/Images/EX1_far focus_30ft_at full tele_ground.jpg
 
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