Help with Auto Focus on used DVX100

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film119

New member
Hi, I just bought a used DVX100 camera the other day with only 50 hours use to it. Ive been spending the past few days testing it out, and everything seems to be in fine working order, but Im having issues setting the focus.

When I recieved the camera, the switch on the side of the camera was in the M position, meaning manual focus I presume. However, no matter what Scene Setting I have the camera set to, when I move the switch to the A position, a message appears on the LCD saying MFonly.

Why will it not let me switch over to auto focus? I need to know asap because I only have 2 days left to return the camera if this is actually a problem.... or I could just be doing it wrong. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
I may be dreaming this, but I seem to remember on the original DVX100 that AF was not available in any of the 24p settings. Switch it to your 60i (Progressive OFF) setting and see if it works.

Truth is, AF is something that really should be avoided in most cases. Once you learn to shoot with one hand on the zoom and focus rings, you'll see how wonderful it is to be free from AF.
 
Hey I just tried that, and it worked. Thanks for the info man. Yeah Im gonna try and learn to shoot with out auto focus, but I was more or less testing all features of the camera since I got it used and wanted to make sure this wasnt a flaw in my camera. But I tried what you said and it worked.

And I know this is off subject, but should I always leave progressive ON when shooting in 24p?
 
film119 said:
And I know this is off subject, but should I always leave progressive ON when shooting in 24p?
Click to expand...

They are one and the same (though 30p is in there, too). You cannot shoot 24p with Progressive OFF.

Progressive ON is 24p/30p. Progressive OFF is 60i. If you have Progressive ON, you can then choose your flavor (30p, 24p or 24pA). Use 24pA if you are editing with software that can remove pull down and edit at 23.976. Use 30p if you are shooting for Internet distribution and would prefer the motion and look of regular video.
 
Ok. And I hope Im not annoying you with questions, but I swear this is the last one I have for now..lol. But Ive only had the camera for 2 days. Tested it all throughout the house. The footage looks great so far. But today, for the first time I took it outside and everything looked so bright white. Is that normal?
 
film119 said:
Ok. And I hope Im not annoying you with questions, but I swear this is the last one I have for now..lol. But Ive only had the camera for 2 days. Tested it all throughout the house. The footage looks great so far. But today, for the first time I took it outside and everything looked so bright white. Is that normal?
Click to expand...

Did you readjust your exposure and white balance?
 
No...I figured that was the issue but I wasnt sure. To clarify things with you, my last camera was the Sony VX2000. So I've been so used to that thing that when I got this one I felt like I was a bit over my head with it haha. I got a lot of learning to do.
 
When you go from low-level, household lighting to bright, outdoor sunlight, you have to completely readjust your exposure (unless you have it on auto-exposure, which is also something to learn to live without). You'll have to drop the iris down, probably use the camera's ND filters, and set your white balance.
 
Barry Green's dvx book will help you out a lot with the more advanced features of the camera. Shouldn't be too hard to find one used.
 
Thanks so much for all the help. This forum rules. Everyones really nice and there appears to be a wealth of information on here.
 
yup when u go outside. u'll see the ND swtich on the side of the camera. u can switch it to get 2 levels of ND. And u can also adjust ur iris (close it down/stop down). Then white balance again. Whne u come back inside everything with be dark....so undo those settings and re white balance. White balance every time u go into a different lighting scenario.

Definately get Barry Greens DVX book. it will REALLY help u.
 
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