Problems focusing! Soft focus...

wonderwall

wonderwall

Member
Help! I just finished shooting a short on the dvx100. I had a lot of problems with soft focus. I would zoom in all the way, manually focus, (autofocus was off) and zoom back out again, and the image would look soft. This happened randomly, so every once in awhile. Is my camera faulty???
This especially happened when I had to rack focus a few times for each shot, like when the character walked around the room. I had about 5 different focus positions, and sometimes when I zoomed back out, I'd get soft focus. What was I doing wrong?
Anything to do with the macro function?
 
It sounds like your back focus is off. I've read about that many times. And, I've seen it happen with a DVX100a last summer. If it's still under warranty, contact Panasonic - it should be covered. Best of luck
 
G'day, i just came on to post something similar. i am shooting my second short on my dvx100; and i am also having focusing issues.
At first i thought it was just that the LCD on the dvx100 is not good enough to get the focus just right. But not that i think about it, i am also zooming in to get the focus and then zooming back out to my frame, and yes i am also pillaged with soft focus!

Is there another way to set focus?

I have shot on 35mm film before, and it is just a matter of measuring the distance to the object. can that be done with the DVX100?
what do the focus numbers correspond to?

the only solution i can see here is to get a large field monitor, and use that to better see if something is in focus.

Dose anyone have any other suggestions?
thanks - Joel
 
Me agin, i ment to ask. tumbleweed, what do you mean by back focus? i have been flipping through the operating instructions and can find no mention of it. what dose it do?

i did however find what the focus numbers mean.
95+ is infinity
50 is about 1 meter
under 50 is macro
00 is 2 cm.
(all depending on zoom)

so i guess this number dose not help, if you want to measure the distance from camera to object and then set focus for that distance.

has anyone else out there had this issue? or are wonderwall and i all alone

thanks agean . . Joel
 
Joel said:
Is there another way to set focus?

I have shot on 35mm film before, and it is just a matter of measuring the distance to the object. can that be done with the DVX100?
what do the focus numbers correspond to?

thanks - Joel
Click to expand...

Barry Green's book has a focus chart in it and there are a handful of others on the web via Google search query = DVX and "focus chart". I've measured as well when I was dealing with a dark nightclub and was forced into a shallow DoF.

Here's one:

http://www.eric-petersen.com/more/morestuff/dvx100focus.htm

*not sure if the 100 differs at all from the 100A in this respect.
 
wow! that's what i needed!
thanks Shawn, this will be very helpfull. from now on i am allways going to use this to set the focus. i might just check it first to see if the 100 is the same as the 100a.

the LCD is just not quite clear enough to get it spot on.
 
By the way, the 100A also has the EVF DTL "peaking" function that creates a white outline around any item that is in sharp focus, I always use it and it definitely helps!

I also have a 7" LCD that I'm getting ready to mount to the hot shoe on mine, not as good as using a monitor, but much better than the LCD.
 
the EVF DTL "peaking" function sounds really good. but i only have the dvx100. i guess it was a common problem with that camera.

getting a larger LCD sounds like a good idea anyway. i am allways stopping a shoot because everyone wants to review the footage on a TV. too see if what we are doing is working at all!

do they run off camera power battery? of external power? . . . i guess i need to do a little reseach in the matter. to the internet!
 
If you're noticing this problem with an AG-DVX100P and not a AG-DVX100AP, there is a reason.

Panasonic has issued a firmware update to keep the camera from going out of focus when going wide.

The tough part is to perform the upgrade, you need to replace both the Camera PCB and the VTR PCB together which could total to more than $1000.

It may also be an EVR adjustment, which requires an Authorized Service Center but costs very little.

Best regards,

Andrew Hoffman
Senior Operations Manager
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Drive
Smithsburg MD, 21783
1-800-359-1858
www.spec-comm.com
andrewh@spec-comm.com
 
"..you need to replace both the Camera PCB and the VTR PCB together which could total to more than $1000."

That's covered by the warranty right?
 
i got this back focus problem too..too bad i just found out about it after buying the camera.

is there a cheap way to solve this problem? i hve a dvx100.
 
Setting backfocus is a standard operating procedure on most interchangable lens cameras and is usally conducted when changing from one lens to another in the field. For shots at infinity, some operators will double-check using a bowtie test card.

Though you won't find that handy backfocus ring on most 1/3 chip cameras, it does not mean it isn't there or that it shouldn't be checked from time to time.

A Panasonic Authorized Service Center should check your backfocus each year when you have your camera cleaned and serviced.

e
 
Sorry I wasn't able to reply sooner regarding the back focus question. Overland seems to have given a pretty good explaination. The bottom line is you can't adjust the backfocus on the dvx without sending out for service. If you're focus is changing as you zoom in or out, you should have a professional service place check it out. Remember that as long as it's still under warranty, it shouldn't cost you to have it fixed.
 
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