sticky focus ring in cold weather

DM: Note that I was outside for about 5 minutes in 32 deg temperature before I noticed significant stickiness when trying to engage the focus ring.. shouldn't take much to get them gummy.
 
The cameras are in the freezer right now. I already know what the outcome will be, but at least this will be 100% re-assurance as to what is going on with the HVX and HPX focus rings.
 
Ok, just checked the focus rings and not to my surprise, they behaved differently... nothing new here.

The HVX focus ring was stiffer but free moving. Everything is fine here, the focus ring would still be very usable in cold weather for smooth pulls.

The HPX ring was stiff and took way to much force to unstick it to get it to turn. After it was unstuck, the ring turned smoothly, much like the HVX, but it was still thicker feeling.

Starting a smooth focus pull with the HPX in cold weather is tough because of this initial stick. Making small focus adjustments is not possible until the focus ring is unstuck. How no one at Panasonic didn't notice this when I sent my camera in is beyond me. Either that or they are choosing to ignore the problem.

Now the question is if Panasonic is going to keep denying these claims or are they going to try to do something about it other than defending themselves?

They should either call all the members that have been reporting the same findings that I have idiots, or own up to the problem and start working on a way to solve this issue.

Winter is over, but I was defintiely running into this issue all season and I have been biting my tongue and being patient about it, but I can't do that anymore. I know what I am seeing with my HPX, and I know for a fact that the HVX does not have this initial stick. I had both cameras side by side out of the freezer, the HVX ring turned right away, and the HPX ring did not. I'd love for someone from Panasonic to tell me I'm wrong on this...

What more do I have to do to prove that the focus ring on the HPX and HVX behave drastically different? I can't be alone on this!
 
DM: any chance you can whip out a video camera to film the stickiness of the various cameras? like the one link you posted a while ago?
 
booggerg2 said:
DM: any chance you can whip out a video camera to film the stickiness of the various cameras? like the one link you posted a while ago?
Click to expand...

There really is no need for this. I've already posted a video of the HPX focus ring sticking but it seems like the video was ignored... and there's nothing to see with the HVX, because it functions like it should.

Chances are Panasonic wont acknowledge this issue this late in the game, that would be a PR nightmare... The same lines will just be reproduced over and over until the problem is forgotten about. It sucks, but it's the reality of the situation. Maybe I'll switch over to Sony next time I'm looking to buy a new camera...

As someone who shoots outdoors in the winter a lot, this is a very big deal to me. What makes me upset is that the HPX focus ring behaves worse than the HVX focus ring. Being that the HPX is a newer camera, I feel it should behave the same, if not better. Had I known about this, I may have gone with a 200a instead.
 
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DM_rider said:
There really is no need for this. I've already posted a video of the HPX focus ring sticking but it seems like the video was ignored... and there's nothing to see with the HVX, because it functions like it should.

Chances are Panasonic wont acknowledge this issue this late in the game, that would be a PR nightmare... The same lines will just be reproduced over and over until the problem is forgotten about. It sucks, but it's the reality of the situation. Maybe I'll switch over to Sony next time I'm looking to buy a new camera...

As someone who shoots outdoors in the winter a lot, this is a very big deal to me. What makes me upset is that the HPX focus ring behaves worse than the HVX focus ring. Being that the HPX is a newer camera, I feel it should behave the same, if not better. Had I known about this, I may have gone with a 200a instead.
Click to expand...

According to Panasonic, we should know better and use these cameras with acclimation in mind. Otherwise, we should expect to experience such difficulties.

I agree, after this incident, Panasonic is no longer my go-to brand for future camera purchases. I will tread cautiously when dealing with product offerings from this company going on forward. I'll also make sure this issue is popularized to the extend possible across all the video enthusiast forums. Buying into a camera with a large flaw is one thing, but the worst aspect of this experience is the refusal of Panasonic to acknowledge this fundamental deficiency of its product.
 
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As it stands, it seems like Panasonic (thru Jan) is throwing every excuse before taking the blame in either faulty production or bad design. Why can't they admit it as an issue? Probably after the release of an HMC150a, you'll see a "fix" to it. Along with more upgrades ;).

I'm about to purchase an HMC150....but may hold onto the money or buy a canon 5d mark 2 instead.
 
I was told that it behaves the same as any other Panasonic cameras focus ring does. It clearly does not. There is a nasty stick to the hpx focus ring.

It's happening with the 170 and not the HVX, it's that simple. You clearly have un-happy customers, so this needs to be addressed. Even if it's just offering A GOOD explanation as to why this is happening.

And what does the ring size matter? it's not an issue of ring size, it's a design flaw, plain and simple.

I'd have no reason to bring this up if it wasn't an issue. Why would I be going through all this trouble if it wasn't happening? I just want an explanation.
 
i have the same problem with my hpx171. the dvx and hvx didnt behave like this.
because the dvx didnt show the sticky focus ring, its not a matter of the ring size.

first the lens wobble (the shock mount, haha), then the tripod plate and now this.
by the way, the xlr inputs are to sensitiv for modern mics.
 
I also want to add that, while what Jan is preaching regarding acclimation, technically speaking is good advise, but it shouldn't be the resolution for this issue. For example, your car obviously performs better when the engine has warmed to operating temperature. However if you drive out on a cold morning without warming the engine up first, you don't expect the car to fail at a fundamental function (like the steering failing or something). The same goes for these cameras - Panasonic and the rest of the industry has already established a baseline of acceptable performance in cold temperature. Measuring these new cams against previous models, they fail to meet the established baselines. That by definition is either deficiencies in production, or design, or a combination of both. Panasonic needs to address this issue and at least fix their cameras under warranty to bring them to a baseline level of acceptable performance.
 
Ya, this issue has nothing to do with acclimation... I slowly cooled the cameras down before I put them into the freezer.
 
Same things happen with my hmc-150. I already talk about this issue on the msgboard and a lot of users experienced the same thing as us. I bought this camera to shoot wintersports so Iam a little bit unhappy. I never used a HVX in cold temperature, so I didnt know at this time if it was normal or not.
 
This effort in the forums is rather pointless. We all need up hit up Panasonic support directly with our issue.. what is the method of contacting them for support?
 
So...

You've never been in the cold before? I've shot at Everest base camp, in the North West Territories, northern Saskatchewan, and in general all over Canada in the wintertime. Most recently 3 weeks ago shooting Ice fishing where daytime temps were -40ºC... Everything moves slowly at those temps! Armies the world over spend billions to design gear that can be used in those super cold situations - and here you are whining because your consumer grade camcorder gets slow and sticky in the cold?

Pfft, give me break.

G.
 
heavyG said:
So...

You've never been in the cold before? I've shot at Everest base camp, in the North West Territories, northern Saskatchewan, and in general all over Canada in the wintertime. Most recently 3 weeks ago shooting Ice fishing where daytime temps were -40ºC... Everything moves slowly at those temps! Armies the world over spend billions to design gear that can be used in those super cold situations - and here you are whining because your consumer grade camcorder gets slow and sticky in the cold?

Pfft, give me break.

G.
Click to expand...

Gimme a break G. If I was shooting ice fishing like in -40C, I wouldn't be complaining about anything other than the crappy gig that has me film ice fishing in -40C.. :)

My focus ring gummed up in +32F (That is 0 C for you northerners) to the point of not able to pull a smooth rack focus. That is troubling!

On top of that, when you can do a direct comparison to previous generation gear, and those gear in the same conditions do not exhibit the same stickiness as these new models, then something is wrong!
 
Okay, I just tested this. I put a DVX100B, HVX200A, and HMC150 in the freezer for about 45 minutes. Then pulled them out and powered 'em on and tried to focus on something.

The HMC150 and HVX200A performed identically. The focus ring was stiff and it took some effort to get it moving initially. Once it was moving, it was perfectly usable. It's slower than when it's warm, but I could hit every focus mark I tried to hit, with no effort.

The DVX100B was totally different, it displayed no stiffness. Its focus ring was easy to turn, about as easy as at room temperature.
 
Barry, so you "warmed it up" by moving it constantly? Just curious. I'd be as bold to say that if that was the case, that's great if it went from cold to a somewhat warmer temp. But if you're outside the whole time (for example being in the freezer while doing the testing) then you still have a sticky focus ring for the duration of the time you're shooting outside.
 
I'm saying that when left alone it gets "stuck" and takes some effort to get it moving. Once it's moving it's usable, it's slower than it is when it's warm, but it's usable. I didn't warm it up, I just got it moving. I'm talking about pulling it out of the freezer and testing for about 5 seconds.

It's like the lubricant settles in when it hasn't been moved for a while. But if you're moving it, it's usable.
 
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