Zoom jerk

A

alan b

Active member
(No that's not my nickname)

Apologies if this is covered in a previous thread but I did a search for "zoom" and was told there were no matches, unbelievably.

Anyway, simply my question is this: is it just me, a faulty camera, or is it just next to impossible to begin (or end) a servo zoom smoothly with the DVX? I've been working with mine for a few months now (not every day mind you) and rare is the times I was able to begin a zoom without something of a jerk to it; minor though it may be at times. The times I was able to ease in to a zoom I was being so careful I would usually screw up the timing of zoom and have to reshoot the shot.

This is driving me nuts, making my cinematography, if you will, less than I feel it could be. Is this common? Do I need it fixed? Should I get one of those gadgets for the tripod that controls the zoom ermotely? Should I just practice?

alan b
 
I have the same problem. When I tried the zoom at B&H before I bought the camera, I noticed it, but assumed there was a fault with THAT camera, as its touched by so many people. It really sucks and I wish it was a manufacturer's defect so I could send it back and get it fixed. Maybe it is? One thing I try to do to get around it is start a VERY slow zoom and then ramp up. I really hate cutting into a shot that is already zooming, but its usually slow enough to not be that noticeable.
-Ryan
 
I believe this is simply a limitation with the servo zoom on the DVX.

Either you have to try and pull off the zoom manually (not easy) or cut into or out of a zoom already in progress.

Chris
 
Yeah, as I understand it's the price we have to pay for having a true manual zoom linkage. The DVC30 has a great glassy-smooth zoom, but it's all servo with no true manual control. The DVX has pure manual control, but when using servo there can be that slight hesitation when you start and/or stop...
 
There seems to be a little play in my zoom ring when in manual. I guess that's normal, but maybe that's why there's the jerk in it? I gotta grab my dvx, but maybe it would help to lightly hold that while zooming with the rocker until it kicks in? I'm gonna go try it now, just an idea.
-Ryan
 
Ok, so I just tried my theory and it WORKED!!! It was a quick test, and I'm going to have to try it some more, but basically what I did was rest my thumb and index finger lightly on the zoom ring, just giving the ring the least little bit of resistance at the beginning of the zoom. It makes the start a LOT smoother. Try it for yourself.
-Ryan
 
Thanks. I'll try that. But I just wanted to say, I am grateful to this forum for reassuring me that a) I'm not just some lame-ass who can't operate a camera and b) I didn't spend $3,500 on a faulty camera.

ab
 
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