DVX100b Focus Ring Not Smooth

O

odarden

Member
I just picked up a dvx100b on eBay that is in like new condition with only 20 hours on the heads. The camera was used exclusively in a television studio - an external switcher and recorder were used so the tape heads were rarely used. Everything seems to be working except the focus ring. The ring is not smooth and is rather hard to turn. It's almost impossible to smoothly manually focus with my thumb or finger. I also see a small gap at the top of the ring and it seems to be slightly loose. The camera came with the VariZoom VZRock-PZFI Rocker Controller so I assume they didn't use the focus ring very much.

Any thoughts or ideas? Can I lubricate the ring somehow?

Thanks so much.
 
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Or is it just me? I shot a documentary for 1 year where I used the Sony EX1R, so maybe I'm use to the smoothness of the Sony. I could do very micro adjustments to the focus ring on the Sony with just the tip of my finger. Is the dvx100 focus ring not as easy / smooth to adjust as other cameras?
 
Yes, it works perfect with the Varizoom - it's not the internal focusing that is the issue, it's when I literally move the focus ring with my hand or finger. It's not smooth or easy to pop focus or turn the ring.

The seller said - "The functionality of the focus ring is as presented and consistent with that style of camera." I currently have a case open with eBay trying to come to some kind of agreement, but I wanted to make sure this wasn't something that is normal with these cameras.

Thanks for the reply.
 
Thanks for the reply David. Any suggestions on where to get it repaired? Google searches are yielding very generic results.
 
A lot of lens assemblies like that aren't really serviceable. Talk to Panasonic. Sometimes it's the whole assembly that gets replaced. Very expensive.
Bill Wojo
 
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