I'm planning to buy a Sony VX2100. Is this problem also applicable to this cam?

Regards,

Callan.

I have no idea even if the 2100 had the same lens as the 170 it may be OK. I have used and tested both VE1000 and VE2000 against my x2 170s and can confirm that both are far sharper than the 170s and hold focus through the full zoom range. One would hope that the 2100 would be fine but if in doubt take a tape with you to the dealer when you have a domo of the camera and shoot a test.

We have now returned both our 170s to our dealer as Sony seem unable to make them produce sharp pictures. I have now purchased a Panasonic AG-DVX100AE and confirm that with it's Leica lens the images are a gret deal better than any of the similar range of Sony Cameras we are talking about. It is hard to believe that my 2 Sony 170s are so unsharp compared with the Panasonic. We now have an order in for our second Panasonic.

I regret to inform people that the 170s are now past history and have give us a very hard 6 months during this time we have not been able to trust them on any serious job.

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GWP

Just out of curiosity, how far apart are the serial numbers on the two cameras? I am in the US and have only used my 170 on a couple shoots so far. For the most part, focus is excellent. However, there are a couple clips where focus was not sharp with the lens long (I have digital telephoto disabled, only use the 12X glass zoom). I also notice that this AF system is not aggressive when it comes to refocusing when you move from a near object to a far pbject and vice versa (which in my opinion is better than an automatic focus that is constantly chasing every object in the viewfinder). It seems to only focus on what is dead center in the viefinder. Is this common to this camera?

Gary

Hello GWP and Andy

Did you get the Focus problems sorted out?

I was quite alarmed when i read these posts. You see, i am an independant film maker in India and we are planning on shooting our film using a DV cam. We just changed our mind about the DVX 102 a ( on the basis that there are no remote focus controllers for this camera) and decided to go in for the Sony PD 170 ( the Varizoom focus controller is said to work on this)

But if the kind of problem you are talking about has not been solved by Sony, i am asking myself am i defeating the purpose by going in fr a PD 170 instead of a dvx 102 a??

Please help!!!!

Anu

The two cameras were some of the first in UK late last year and serial nos were less than 10 nos apart.

I regret that as Sony was unable to get them as sharp as our old VE1000 we have now replaced both 170s with two Panasonic DVX100AE Cameras and we are very happy with them and sharpness through the whole zoom range is of a very high standard. Test tape made with the two 170s have now been compared with test tapes of the same subjects with the two Panasonic Cameras and the Panasonic Cameras are a great deal better, they also hold focus through full zoom range at ALL distances. Also the Auto focus is faster and very accurate even in low light.

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GWP

I am having the same focusing problems. I cannot figure out when conditions are causing the camera to have problems focusing at infinity when shhoting at full focal length. I tried the reset button which seems to have improved the camera but it is still unreliable. I have had the camera serviced for audio problems three times. I was told by the service center that the entire lens assembly was replaced to fix the loud zoom motor. I am wondering if when replacing the loud lens assembly to fix the audio problem.

This is one of the early models that I purchased in December. As a consumer, I purchased this camera with trepidation knowing well that early models of a new product can often have bugs but I am very concerned that I may have a defective camera. Unfortunately, Sony fails to realize that consumers who buy a camera shortly after its market debut choose to pay a premium for a brand new product and I am very disappointed with both the cameras performance and poor repair service.

Has anybody had any luck getting their camera replaced through sony? I purchased the camera from B&H who will not take the camera back.

I am a new user of PD170P too (1 month). When I tested my one, it is all OK yet. Tell me please exact method to test this specific problem of the PD170P. May be I have this problem too and do not know to test it. Thnx.
Frankie

Hi Frankie,
Don't worry, if you have the problem you'll know! The picture will be so bad you'll be in no doubt.

I was lucky - my supplier (Video Action) replaced my unit immediately and the replacement is fine - pictures are pin-sharp. The PD 170P is a fantastic camcorder.

Andy

Here is a test that I did on my cam:
While fully zoomed out, I moved the manual focus to infinity. The image produced was soft. Seems that I could obtain a sharp focus only when I moved the ring a little bit away from infinity. When I push the Lock on Infinity button, the Image becomes sharp. Moving the manual focus counterclockwise (towards infinity) blurs the image onece again.

It is my understanding that, when fully zoomed out, focusing on infinity should keep everything in focus. Am I wrong or should I take the cam for repair? Please reply.

No - that's not strictly true.

Focus while fully zoomed out (wideangle) depends on the same factors as focus at any other focal length (distance to subject, aperture etc) - but at wide angles you have a much greater "depth of field". This means there's a better chance of all your subject matter being in focus - but if you were looking at a close subject, it could have been soft while focus was on infinity.

If you want to do a simple, but unscientific test for the problem being discussed on this thread, set the focus to infinity, make sure you've zoomed right back (to wideangle) and shoot a variety of subjects - near, middle distance and far - preferably using a tripod.

If the near subjects are out of focus, don't worry too much. They may be too close (remember you are focussed on infinity) - but if they're in focus and the background looks awful, you could have a problem. If the close subject is blurry, move on to the middle distance subject. This and the background should be sharp. The far distance sequence should be in focus of course.

Make sure you watch the results of your test on a TV at the normal TV viewing distance - computer screens may not be a true indicator.

I still think you needn't worry yourself about this problem. From what I gather its VERY rare in the 170 - I was unlucky. If your unit has a focus problem it will be very obvious to you so basically, if you've been happy with your results so far, all's fine.

The PD 170P is a truly great camcorder - don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

I agree with what Andy said but the problem we had with our two faulty 170s was: zoom in on object at inf in good light and set focus, then as you zoom back to wide picture goes out of focus! Sony agreed lens was not correctly set up (and said they had now reset to factory standard) and asked me to re test on 2nd return. Regret as reported the camera was still unsharp (but fine on close to medium distant work.)

As Sony did not agree to replace the cameras we sent them back to the dealer who replaced them (as reported above) with 2 Panasonic 100 AEs. We have had only first class service from this UK dealer who also reports that he has now sold hundreds of 170s and we are the only two that have come back with this fault.

We have been using the Panasonic's for a month and they are very much sharper than the faulty 170s.

Sad report but apart from Andy I have only heard good reports from many other 170 users.

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GWP

In addition to my prior post, I have discovered that I cannot get a focus on far objects when I am fully zoomed in and while the iris is fully open. I've never ran into this problem before. The pictures produced are clearly soft and unusable. When the iris is at about 4, I can get a usable focus, but as soon as I open it up to 2.4, everything gets soft. What do you guys think?

This really bugs me because I love to film scenery just before sunset when the light is getting dim and I need the full iris. (I can still focus if I don't use the zoom, but the zoom is no small feature to loose)

I came across this cursed focus problem this June on a recital shoot. I used my own 170, which I bought in December 2003 when it first came out, and rented 2 others (for center, left and right angles). I only found out AFTER the shoot that everything was slightly out of focus. I had deliberately zoomed in, focused, and zoomed out, to achieve the necessary focus, as I usually do with other camcorders.

I am really peeved at this. For the most part I shoot close quarters, so I never really encountered this issue before. Last month, I learned that a production company here in Montreal, tested the PD170, and stated that it had a focus issue… amongst other things. I was both shocked and relieved that the focus issue was not entirely my fault. I’ve been cursing at myself all throughout the editing process for not checking focus more seriously during the shoot.

I'm bringing it in for repair. I hope it's not going to be as long as GWP. In any event, I've been itching to get my hands on a DVX100A for some time. I guess this episode only reinforces my resolve to get one.

I have a vx1000 that have the same problem. I have to turn the power off, and then on, and the focus is right, but if I go on tele (full zoom out) I can't get the focus working on close object, I have to shut down the cam to resolve the problem.

Just an update. We have now been using our 2 (now 3!!!) Panasonic DVX100A Cameras for well over a year now and all three of us in the GWP team are very happy with the results. Pictures are pin sharp even in poor light and we have had NO focus problems!!
I have since heard of other UK users who have had focus problems with the 170.
Anybody wants more info can contact me via my website: www.gwpmultimedia.com

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GWP