First problems...
- Thread starter moldcad
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Jean-Philippe
Well-known member
About the stuck pixel, try the black balance. I was told it can help.
moldcad
Veteran
Before I do that, may I ask those knowledgeable how it is done? If a stuck pixel is "mapped" and its missing info provided by the neighboring ones, it must be happening at the expense of some resolution loss, doesn't it?
If this is the case, I'd prefer Sony see the pixel, and replace the sensor...
If this is the case, I'd prefer Sony see the pixel, and replace the sensor...
Postmaster
Dark Side of the Camera
One pixel a resolution loss? come on, nobody with human eyes can see that.
Put a cap on the lens and hit black balance in your menu and you should be fine.
Frank
Put a cap on the lens and hit black balance in your menu and you should be fine.
Frank
moldcad
Veteran
Haha... Frank, of course I don't mind a 1 pixel resolution loss - but if you admit it actually does occur, I wouldn't like to have to uses Black Balancing to mask a new stuck pixel every month or so 
And while we're on it: why does the manual recommend black balancing after each lens change? This is my first exchangeable glass camera, so forgive me this naive question - I'd understand back focus adjustment, but black balancing? Please explain
And while we're on it: why does the manual recommend black balancing after each lens change? This is my first exchangeable glass camera, so forgive me this naive question - I'd understand back focus adjustment, but black balancing? Please explain
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davidwinters
Active member
This is the nature of CCD and CMOS sensors. All cameras have and accumulate dead pixels, mask and move on. This only becomes an issue when pixels can no longer be masked, as there is a resource limit on how many pixels can be mapped... at which point you can seek a warranty repair or paid servicing.
dustylense
Veteran
Sometimes a stuck pixel is a very fine positive ionic charged piece of dust. If the black balance doesn't work do a wet cleaning of the sensor with a sensor pad and solution.
moldcad
Veteran
Anyone can comment on my last question about the need for black-balancing after each lens change?
Also, FYI, I have found that what seemed to be a battery drain by camera, proved to be a faulty battery in my case. This is a “Zoom” brand, 7500 mAh battery and I used to use this brand successfully back in the old days of my V1 camera.
However, I’m having problems with the unit I got; I noticed it was losing juice very quickly in use, but I thought that perhaps a couple full charges would return it to full performance. Unfortunately, the charger that comes with the FS100 never really completes charging it (the yellow charging light never goes off). After almost 12 hours, I tried to check the status in camera, and it shows 100%. But it still discharges really quickly when recording, and quite considerably even with the camera switched off.
Anyone has experience with the "Zoom" NP-F970 replacements?
Piotr
Also, FYI, I have found that what seemed to be a battery drain by camera, proved to be a faulty battery in my case. This is a “Zoom” brand, 7500 mAh battery and I used to use this brand successfully back in the old days of my V1 camera.
However, I’m having problems with the unit I got; I noticed it was losing juice very quickly in use, but I thought that perhaps a couple full charges would return it to full performance. Unfortunately, the charger that comes with the FS100 never really completes charging it (the yellow charging light never goes off). After almost 12 hours, I tried to check the status in camera, and it shows 100%. But it still discharges really quickly when recording, and quite considerably even with the camera switched off.
Anyone has experience with the "Zoom" NP-F970 replacements?
Piotr
davidwinters
Active member
Black Balance. I've had my FS for 3 months, shooting with PL primes, several lens changes per day and I've never black balanced. My understanding is black balance (for all cameras) is occasionally and to map out hot pixels. Certainly not at every lens change.
Batteries, I don't have direct experience with the Zoom brand , however my general experience with the low cost "generic" batteries is about 1 in 15 purchased does not hold a charge and will only power the camera for a short interval. If this is the case you may want to peruse a warranty replacement.
Whenever the camera is not in use we remove the battery, so I'm not sure if the camera has a small current draw when in the "off" position.
Hope this is helpful.
Batteries, I don't have direct experience with the Zoom brand , however my general experience with the low cost "generic" batteries is about 1 in 15 purchased does not hold a charge and will only power the camera for a short interval. If this is the case you may want to peruse a warranty replacement.
Whenever the camera is not in use we remove the battery, so I'm not sure if the camera has a small current draw when in the "off" position.
Hope this is helpful.
Postmaster
Dark Side of the Camera
Charging with the kit charger can take way more than 12 hrs. Be patient, the light will go out.
I´m looking for a faster charger, because of that.
Frank
I´m looking for a faster charger, because of that.
Frank
speedracerlo
Well-known member
I totally recommend against any kind of 3rd party batteries that are cheaper than the already cheap Genuine NP-F970 for $97 on B&H photo
I only have 1 non-Sony (ikan) brand NP-F970 and it is worse than anything I've used
I have two of the Sony NP-F970 and I can run those two back to back on the FS-100 for 20 hours+
I also have the NP-F770 for backup or use on my TVlogic monitor although I also have three Sony NP-F570 for the monitor so that can run for almost 12 hours
regarding black balance, doesn't the camera do that everytime it turns on
I only have 1 non-Sony (ikan) brand NP-F970 and it is worse than anything I've used
I have two of the Sony NP-F970 and I can run those two back to back on the FS-100 for 20 hours+
I also have the NP-F770 for backup or use on my TVlogic monitor although I also have three Sony NP-F570 for the monitor so that can run for almost 12 hours
regarding black balance, doesn't the camera do that everytime it turns on
moldcad
Veteran
Guys, Thank you for your opinions.
Re: the Zoom 970 replacement: I used two of them with my V1E 4 years ago, and had absolutely no problems with them. Also using the kit charger, they didn't charge much longer than the original Sony, in spite of higher capacity (7500 vs 6600) mAh. So, more than 12 hours charging is something hard to believe... Either I have a bad battery or the Sony kit charger has very low specs (Sony is skimping on things nowadays). I haven't got the old V1 charger any more, so cannot compare...
Re: black balancing, I'd also think it's done automatically at turn on (this is how it works on EX1), but the FS100 manual is quite explicit on that you should perform it at each lens change...
Re: the Zoom 970 replacement: I used two of them with my V1E 4 years ago, and had absolutely no problems with them. Also using the kit charger, they didn't charge much longer than the original Sony, in spite of higher capacity (7500 vs 6600) mAh. So, more than 12 hours charging is something hard to believe... Either I have a bad battery or the Sony kit charger has very low specs (Sony is skimping on things nowadays). I haven't got the old V1 charger any more, so cannot compare...
Re: black balancing, I'd also think it's done automatically at turn on (this is how it works on EX1), but the FS100 manual is quite explicit on that you should perform it at each lens change...
moldcad
Veteran
Frank, I left my Zoom battery on the FS100 charger for another night (sic!!!) - and in the morning, the yellow light was off!
So, it took the charger some 24 hours (with a break) to charge it... Do you seriously think the battery is OK, and the charger a lousy one? If so, which model are you going to buy?
Piotr
MattDavis
Well-known member
Yes Poitr, when charging them and as dawn breaks, it's the Mr Bumble / Oliver moment: it wants *more*???
I've got three of the little Zoom buggers, and have just bought a Sony ACVQ1050D dual-gang charger. At least now I can charge all three overnight (though the ACV is a serial charger, in that it does one battery to full, then does the other).
It's not been a problem as the camera happily shoots and stands by all day on one battery, but the imminent purchase of an EVF and a Ninja (although I want a Zacuto EVF, I may purchase the Cineroid as it shares batts) means that I am very exposed to NP-F batteries and will need a lot of them. Shooting for four days in a remote location, not wishing to set an alarm clock off in the middle of the night to change batteries on the charger (been there, done that, got the drugs to combat that stress) means I want to have a little line of 'dem tings' charging up *together* from beer-o'clock to breakfast time.
Now I come to think of it, maybe I'll go Zacuto and find a dual gang 5D batt charger.
But hey. BPU-60s they are most definitely NOT. :-/
I've got three of the little Zoom buggers, and have just bought a Sony ACVQ1050D dual-gang charger. At least now I can charge all three overnight (though the ACV is a serial charger, in that it does one battery to full, then does the other).
It's not been a problem as the camera happily shoots and stands by all day on one battery, but the imminent purchase of an EVF and a Ninja (although I want a Zacuto EVF, I may purchase the Cineroid as it shares batts) means that I am very exposed to NP-F batteries and will need a lot of them. Shooting for four days in a remote location, not wishing to set an alarm clock off in the middle of the night to change batteries on the charger (been there, done that, got the drugs to combat that stress) means I want to have a little line of 'dem tings' charging up *together* from beer-o'clock to breakfast time.
Now I come to think of it, maybe I'll go Zacuto and find a dual gang 5D batt charger.
But hey. BPU-60s they are most definitely NOT. :-/
moldcad
Veteran
Yeah, a good dual-gang charger is nice...
But can anyone explain in more engineering terms, why 24 h to charge a 7500 mAh battery, if the 4400 mAh 770 (sold with the FS100) only takes a bit over 4 hours, exactly as per the manual info? This means the charger is certainly up to specs!
But can anyone explain in more engineering terms, why 24 h to charge a 7500 mAh battery, if the 4400 mAh 770 (sold with the FS100) only takes a bit over 4 hours, exactly as per the manual info? This means the charger is certainly up to specs!
MattDavis
Well-known member
And I'm sure the Zoom batteries have a pessimistic 'trickle charger' circuit to protect them from more agressive chargers. I guess it's the price I paid to get three batts for the price of one (notwithstanding the lovely prices B&H offer those who reside or have credit cards based in the US of A).
adolgin
DVXuser Sponsor
If the Sony charger cannot authenticate the battery, which would give it an idea of the capacity, state of charge, etc., it switches to the safe “trickle” slow charge. This is most probably what is happening Piotr. As the 3d party battery vendors do not get to study the Sony internal design documents, they have to reverse engineer, which is not the most productive nor exact way of designing things…