TZ5 video focus - I talked to Panasonic yesterday...

I had contacted panasonic Canada by email in late April and they asked me to send in the camera. Now that I see there is newer firmware (1.13), I called them, got a prepaid weighbill from them and am sending it in today. They did not offer on the phone that they would update the firmware, but they did indicate in their internal file that that is what I was asking for.

Anyone get their's back yet?

I haven't check it with my PC yet but now when I hold the down E.zoom and press the down arrow (macro) button, it show "Ver 1.1".

It's cloudy outside so I cannot verify about the brightness stepping and streaking issues but C-AF seems better. The clip stay in focus most of the time except during zoom and panning.

LuvToRide said:

I had contacted panasonic Canada by email in late April and they
asked me to send in the camera. Now that I see there is newer
firmware (1.13)....

Click to expand...

I contacted Panasonic USA by email a couple of weeks ago and recently received the following response:

"Thank you for your inquiry. Panasonic has provided information to our
factory engineers regarding customer complaints regarding CAF. We are
expecting information from the factory within the next two weeks."

I found this both encouraging and bizarre. Encouraging in the sense that they are clearly aware of the issue, have escalated it, and will likely provide some sort of fix. But bizarre in the sense that the firmware on the newer production units, apparently, already addresses and ameliorates the issue. I hope this "information from the factory" is nothing more than instructions on how to upload the .bin file to the Panasonic web site so customers with older firmware versions can download it and do the flash (if they do desire).

Lets hope theyll make it downloadable...

I'm standing by to see if they have REALLY fixed this problem and learn how they did it. Otherwise, this seems to be a really super camera that would fit my needs almost perfectly.

did a few tests and to my disappointment, I do not notice any significant improvement on C-AF and brightness stepping with firmware 1.13. CCD Smear is still there as expected. It may have some improvements as I can get good result in outdoor environment. I will try again tomorrow.

Now hopefully Panasonic USA will have better answer from Japan in the next two weeks.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=28173093

AndyHWC said:

I haven't check it with my PC yet but now when I hold the down E.zoom
and press the down arrow (macro) button, it show "Ver 1.1".

It's cloudy outside so I cannot verify about the brightness stepping
and streaking issues but C-AF seems better. The clip stay in focus
most of the time except during zoom and panning.

Click to expand...

AndyHWC said:

I haven't check it with my PC yet but now when I hold the down E.zoom
and press the down arrow (macro) button, it show "Ver 1.1".

Click to expand...

I get the same thing yet PhotoMe shows it as 1.1.3. Perhaps the camera cannot show the third digit.

The camera is likely to be current since I picked it up at B&H last week.

AndyHWC said:

did a few tests and to my disappointment, I do not notice any
significant improvement on C-AF and brightness stepping with firmware
1.13. CCD Smear is still there as expected. It may have some
improvements as I can get good result in outdoor environment. I will
try again tomorrow.

Now hopefully Panasonic USA will have better answer from Japan in the
next two weeks.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=28173093

Click to expand...

I'm sorry if you are right. If so, we should find out if Pany did some hardware changes with the FN8 DB series, which may result in different behavior regarding CAF in video.

--
no see (resp. ][.Kerusker)
we don't see that we don't see (eye's blind spot)



my albums: http://picasaweb.google.de/Kerusker

Hard to sayis at the moment. I will try some more tests, it is frustrating because my camera is now passed the 30 days exchange/return period. I should be using the camera for pictures and movies, not testing :-(

I saw focus hunting in KylieFan's examples too, maybe it's just my tests.

no see said:

AndyHWC said:

did a few tests and to my disappointment, I do not notice any
significant improvement on C-AF and brightness stepping with firmware
1.13. CCD Smear is still there as expected. It may have some
improvements as I can get good result in outdoor environment. I will
try again tomorrow.

Now hopefully Panasonic USA will have better answer from Japan in the
next two weeks.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=28173093

Click to expand...

I'm sorry if you are right. If so, we should find out if Pany did
some hardware changes with the FN8 DB series, which may result in
different behavior regarding CAF in video.

--
no see (resp. ][.Kerusker)
we don't see that we don't see (eye's blind spot)



my albums: http://picasaweb.google.de/Kerusker

Click to expand...

I also called Panasonic Canada regarding the video focusing problem. they are going to send me the pre-paid envelop so I can send back my TZ5 for firmware update. I also asked them if they're going to release a public firmware update, the answer is depressing: NO!!! What are you thinking Panasonic!?@?!? WTF...

Guys, just call them up and send it back as quick as you can (Canada)!!!

Let me know if 1.13 help you. I got mine back and dpressingly, I did not noticed any significant improvement in C-AF.

ymlccc said:

I also called Panasonic Canada regarding the video focusing problem.
they are going to send me the pre-paid envelop so I can send back my
TZ5 for firmware update. I also asked them if they're going to
release a public firmware update, the answer is depressing: NO!!!
What are you thinking Panasonic!?@?!? WTF...

Guys, just call them up and send it back as quick as you can (Canada)!!!

Click to expand...

ymlccc said:

I also called Panasonic Canada regarding the video focusing problem.
they are going to send me the pre-paid envelop so I can send back my
TZ5 for firmware update.

Click to expand...

When you send in the camera make sure you enclose a copy of your receipt. Panasonic did NOT ask me to include it (they asked the the date and where it was purchased and the serial number) but I received an email from the repair depot (NOT Panasonic Canada I guess they outsource the repair center) saying they would not proceed with any repair work until they received a copy of the bill. Since I don't have a fax on hand I asked the store where I bought it if they could do it for me and they faxed it right away.