Autofocus issues

[Danny1280]

My HMC150 seems to be more difficult to get in sharp focus from when I first got it. When I used to manual focus (by zooming in all the way, pressing focus assist, and getting the eyelashes super sharp, then re-framing), I'd get really nice sharp images. Now it seems softer when I use the same procedure.

Also, the autofocus seems wonky. For instance, I'll be doing run-n-gun, with someone's face, smack dab in the middle of the frame, filling up a good portion of the frame, and the AF# doesn't seem correct. For instance I'll be about 5 feet from someone's face, and the display reads "AF120ft" or something like that. Sometime the autofocus snaps in nicely, and other times, not so. And I've had enough light in those situations.

Autofocus is my last resort, but in run-n-gun, it's better than losing a shot.

Anyone else had this issue?
Is it time for a Panasonic servicing?

Thanks,

 

[Admir]

I've tried to use the autofocus a couple of times, almost always with no success.. I'm faster than the autofocus since it never gets sharp and keeps searching. But it could be that your camera needs to be re-calibrated or something like that...

 

[Barry_Green]

It may indeed need service. Although rarely, we have had occasions in the past where members have reported that their DVXs or HVXs didn't hold focus throughout a zoom anymore.

Here's the big test -- do the zoom-in, focus, zoom-out routine. Then, while zoomed-out, try to focus it even better. If you can successfully focus the shot even better than the zoom-in focus point, then yeah, your backfocus isn't working properly and it may benefit from a trip to the service center.

 

[Danny1280]

It may indeed need service. Although rarely, we have had occasions in the past where members have reported that their DVXs or HVXs didn't hold focus throughout a zoom anymore.

Here's the big test -- do the zoom-in, focus, zoom-out routine. Then, while zoomed-out, try to focus it even better. If you can successfully focus the shot even better than the zoom-in focus point, then yeah, your backfocus isn't working properly and it may benefit from a trip to the service center.

Thanks, Barry. Much appreciated!