HPX170 Lens Wobble Improved

Dino

Dino

Veteran
I am very sad to say that after some brief test shots with my HPX170 and Letus Ultimate/Nikon primes, I will have to return the camera. There is a horrendous amount of play/slop between the body and zoom ring. When mounting a 35mm DOF adapter, it is exacerbated, causing a huge side to side/up/down shift, especially with a follow focus.

This is certainly more evident with the weight of a 35mm DOF adapter/prime lens, but even a wide angle adapter or matte box could be an issue. I hope this is just this HPX170, but would like to know if anybody else has noticed slop between the body and zoom ring? This is not an issue I had with an HVX200A or EX1.

UPDATE:

The lateral play in the HPX170 lens is quite evident at long focal lengths when trying to manually focus. This is a problem when just trying to use the camera in a normal way. The image shift if very obvious and would ruin any take. Below are some sample clips from forum members:

http://homepage.mac.com/segarza/hpx170/imageshift.movhttp://vimeo.com/1873268
http://itchyhousefilms.com/films/tap.mov
http://www.pitchproductions.com/HPX/...test-small.wmv
 
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Even without a 35mm DOF adapter, but with a follow focus and on-lens matte box, this front
end play could be a big problem. The image shifts from side to side while focusing, really incredible how sloppy this camera is between body and zoom ring. I am in shock.
 
Hm, this could be bad.
I haven't been able to mount my Letus just yet - have to get a step up ring for it.
As soon as I do, I'll test it out - but I'd be interested to hear from anyone else using an adapter.
 
are u saying this is visible in the footage? on the lcd? not sure what u mean....

if it's in the footy, can u post some of it?
 
This can be a problem to a lot of potential users.

But it surprise me, since with the DVX100 (which has the same 72mm size lens) was never a problem.
 
is that because of the single mount point of the letus? I wonder if it will affect SGPRO users like myself.
 
I set my redrock and micro x up on my hpx and had no problems. But, it's a completely different system.

I do notice the movement though now that I look at the camera... eh...
 
I have now put a second support under the Letus Ultimate, this one with a screw into the adapter, whereas I didn't before. I am very happy to say that all is good with the world!
The 170/Ultimate combination is as stable as with a 200A or EX1 now--but that doesn't mean there isn't too much play between the zoom ring and body, it's just that the Letus support is holding it in place as far as side to side or vertical movement.

Anybody with Letus Extreme or Ultimate, please let me know your results with the HPX170.
 
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Unfortunately, yes. I have the same problem and I'm pretty sure every HPX170 will exhibit this problem.

To verify if your lens has this problem, the easiest way to test is:

1) Lock the camera down on a tripod
2) Focus on an object
3) Grab the lens shade with two hands; one on each side and gently rock it right to left; you will see the image shift on the LCD. Then, look at the lens while doing this and you will see the 'slop' Dino is referring to.
4) Try the same thing only up and down; much less movement in this direction.

I can see where this will cause problems with 35mm adapters but possibly negligible with ones that mount like the SGPro or RedRock where they lock solidly to the rails.

I can also see that it will be worse when using a follow focus due to the added torque and less so if manually focusing by hand on the 35mm adapter.

Hmmm, what to do, what to do? I plan on using mine extensively with an adapter and cannot have the image shift AT ALL while racking focus during a shot.

All the HVX200a and EX-1 owners... Are you absolutely sure your lenses don't do the same thing? I'm guessing not since it would have been uncovered fairly quickly just as this was...
 
People who are saying that it's not happening please test his method out. I would think that it might be due to snorkel up on adapters and not having proper bracket/support that's included with the Letus Extreme and Ultimate...

But, if it's inherent to the HPX170 then I think I'm glad I postponed my purchase.
 
Kholi,

I use snorkel up mostly. I hadn't used a screw between the support and the Ultimate. None came with two supports-one that came with the Ultimate, the other with the V2 system. I'd like to get a knurled thumb screw to make it easy to install. Do you use a screw that goes through the support, into the adapter?

I think this issue with the HPX170 is serious and want to know if there are differences between cameras. This is my first palmcorder, I've been using 2/3" cameras for 25 years,
but I find this lack of precision shocking. I had front end slopiness with the Ultimate, but
once I really torqued every allen head, things came good--but I don't know how to fix this
HPX170 issue.
 
Yeah, it honestly sounds very scary. Not something I want to be dealing with but, it could also come from snorkeling up. Although Leo says he gets it without an adapter.

I use, and have always used, a support beneath my Adapters. Extreme or Ultimate, they both had/have a threaded bolt that connects the rod support so that no weight what-so-ever is on the front assembly of my camera. I also always go snorkel down, my reason for sticking with the Redrock setup.

More people chime in on this. I'm a few days off of setting up my order again.
 
i know what you guys are saying, but when my LEX is mounted, with the Z-Rizer (snorkel-up position) it's rock solid, and follow-focus does not mess up the image
 
i haven't tested mine with my ultimate tonight, but will do so tomorrow and report. as far as the support goes, i wouldn't dream of mounting the ultimate with the hvx or hpx without the bracket it came with. in fact, it's the first thing i do as it also clears up any horizon alignment issues from the get go.
 
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