HVX Zoom Jump

M

MagicCat

Well-known member
HI All

I own 2 HVX Camcorders. I have noticed over the past year that both of them have a Jump in the zoom when I first hold down the button. There seems to be no way to NOT have this happen when operating direct off the camera. Slow, smooth zoom startups going to a wide or tight shot are nearly impossible to do. Also, the zoom/servos can be rather slow while Im ranting here.


I have been shooting on full sized shoulder cams my entire career. I am used to the wonderful silky smooth zooms of Broadcast lenses. This is rather frustrating to me. Are there any work-arounds or will an external controller fix this?




Magic Cat

KUDO's: I should also mention, Outside of the lack of a real focus ring and a usable LCD that will allow me to focus HD content correctly, it is perhaps my only serious complaint with this camera, period.

I'm in love with This 6000 dollar wondercam. 10 years ago, when a reference quality-only playback adapter for my Sony Betacam ran 3 grand alone, (just so I could see what I shot in color, out in the field) or when a small collection dockable decks for my D30 camera head would total over 40 grand used, who could have even imagined any sized 3 chip Camera that shoots in 5 distinctly-different formats with essentially, two VCR's right on the darn camera, would cost less than a fair collection of Anton Bauer Bricks with Chargers!

Let me say it again, DARN!
 
I've only noticed this on the first servo zoom operation after switching back from manual. It's definitely there then. Ditto on the zoom speed and feathering comment, but I don't expect much from a $5500 lump...

e
 
The only way I can slightly overcome this issue is to use a remote.

I have a Manfrotto remote with a pressure sensitive rocker control, and it does give an improved performance over the camera's controls, although it's still not perfect - the "graduality" of the zoom from stationary to active still requires careful application of the rocker switch - and the max speed is still nothing like what it should be (but I guess that's ultimately down to the servo-motor speed)

The only other solution I can offer is when you're editing. Just cut after the zoom begins - at least the jerky start will be eliminated from the scene.
 
HI

I guess that is what I thought. I have to agree, what do ya want for under 6 grand?. I cant even buy a good, cheap lens for a shoulder cam for that price. let alone something with a camera attached to the back side of the lens right out of the box.

I guess its time to hit the project bench and make something for it. After all, it does have manual zoom that is like nothing else in its class. It would not be unthink-able to fabricate something that attaches externally to the zoom ring. Maybe some toothy parts from a follow focus and an zippy little Radio Control Car Servo are in line here... Hint hint


MagicCat

"As an editor, you go to post with the shots you got, not the shots you want"
 
Since I started using the HVX I've always thought I would get an external servo and a microforce or similar control just like from my film days but the cost is rather high...now if some of you engineer types would fabricate somethiing...a servo and gear that would use my existing varizoom rocker...that would be sweet!

RJS
 
The DVX 100A does the same thing regarding a jerky start up to zoom in or out. To avoid it I always "pre-load" the zoom, meaning if I'm going to zoom in I touch the zoom control very lightly, just enough to get rid of the jerk and then it zooms in or out smoothly. I don't think the cost of the camera should be an excuse for Panasonic though. I've used a Sony PD100A ($2,500 new) and a Sony Z1HDV camera and they both have smooth zooms with no jerking on zoom in or out. The whole Sony lens assembly is made very well with no slop in the works. Otherwise I agree, the HVX200 is an incredible camera and I like the look of it better than any Sony camera, which I think is the most important thing.
Bob
 
I've always considered this one of the biggest problems with the HVX (I agree with the viewfinder comment too) which in all honesty is pretty amazing if this is the worst thing about the camera.

For the most part, I don't zoom much in shot as a stylistic choice, but if I am in a situation where it is necessary and where it must be a smooth slow zoom, I will usually switch into a higher resolution mode (I shoot 99% at 720pn) and do the zoom in post.


Not the greatest solution, but a very manageable work around. Somewhere around here I have an old zoom dampener from my Aaton. The microforce idea has inspired me to try hooking it up to the zoom gear to see if it will help. Hmmmmm..... more to play with!

-David
 
So you find the manual zoom ring difficult to work with? Is is just because you've got rails and other stuff attached to the front?
I really like having that kind of precision and control.
 
ProfessorU said:
So you find the manual zoom ring difficult to work with? Is is just because you've got rails and other stuff attached to the front?
I really like having that kind of precision and control.
Click to expand...

HI, the manual zoom is wonderful, it is my hands that suck. If I were a surgeon, I would probably be in court for patient decapitation during a tonsil removal.


I have thought of using something to ride the zoom ring with in order to smooth it out. Kinda like having a Fluid head ron my zoom ring. A really heavily packed (packed with grease to make it harder to move and fluid) car bearing would probably be a good, cheap solution for testers.

MagicCat
 
I find the manual zoom amazing. It's a bit hard to be super smooth without practice, but it's still much better than the servo zoom.

I suppose you could always rig up a follow focus to the zoom ring instead of the focus ring, and just use that...
 
I have recently purchase the beebop external zoom controller for my HVX - in the instructions it has two version with a small dip switch to select it either to panasonic or to the rest of the world. In the rest of the world set of instruction it offer focus control and the all important zoom speed pfreselecter - so you want a slow zoom then wind down the speed with the thumbwhee and then toggle away slow and smoothly - bad news for the panasonic side of things - this zoom wheel and everything does not function! Good one! does anyone know if there is a device that does vary the overal zoom speed (apart from the toggle?
 
Well, not to dig up an old thread, but I thought I would post this. My HVX Zoom control has gotten more and more jerky, to the point of making my fancy fluid head tripod, well, useless. So all summer shooting in very dusty conditions, I did nothing about it, afraid of damaging my only cam with no way to replace it. So today, I had enough, and I pulled off the plate on top of the lens, which also covers the zoom rocker, the tape eject button, and the rec review button. I took out maybe 10 screws, then I was able to pull off this cover. Then I saw the rocker switch circuit board. I pulled out two silver screws, then removed the board, and gently pulled the white ribbon cable to disconnect the board from the camera. I then blew vigorously on the rocker switch, and removed the black rocking control on the top, and blew from the top and bottom. I replaced the switch, buttoned the camera back up, and Voila! No more jerky servo! It cost me nothing, and about 5 minutes. I can't take responsibility for damage to anyone else's camera, but I'm seriously furious at myself for not doing this before my eventful summer, 3 months of shooting with this crappy jerky control! FYI.
 
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