Michael Johnston
Forum Replies Created
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I’ll just add that this is a good lesson for all to learn. When you get a new camera, do some test shoots and test EVERYTHING, including your edit software, before going out and shooting anything important.
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The backfocus is going to be off. All that means is if you zoom in to critical, it won’t hold a focus when you pull out. However, there is an expanded focus button beside the zoom rocker and it works great. Push it, focus, push again. Very accurate and quicker than the traditional critical focus method.
All in all, the NX5 is a spectacular camera. I have no regrets buying it and, with my picture profile settings, the image is every bit as good as an EX1 or EX3.
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The reason you have no audio is because the camera’s audio setting is Linear PCM (default setting) which can’t be used in CS4. You need to change the setting in your camera to Dolby Digital.
The first thing I did when I got my NX5 was to shoot a short 2 minute clip, do a mic check, and try loading the test clip. I had the same problem. All I heard was white noise. Unfortunately, if you’ve been shooting all this time in Linear PCM, there is nothing you can do.
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Unless you are editing with FCP, the MPEG2 SD looks great. As for bit rate, 8Mbs is the DVD bit rate for HQ DVD’s so if your final output is to DVD, this format/bit rate should NOT be an issue.
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I’d suggest Hoya filters. You can get them at B&H. As for cinematic shots, there is no specific setting. My profile setting changes depending on the look I’m going for (high contrast, low contrast, greyish, blue, graded, etc). The great thing is you can pretty much dial this camera in for any look, eliminating a lot of time in post.
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Whatever you do, make sure you pay more and get COATED filters. The first UV filter I bought was not coated and any light shining into the lens created a terrible ring effect because of the amount of space between the filter and the glass.
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The back focus issue is not just with earlier cameras as Sony claims. I got mine in April 2011 and it’s slightly off. Never returned it because I learned how to easily compensate and the LCD is pretty darn good so focus is never really an issue.
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Two quick observations/suggestions. First, when operating in hot weather near the cameras limit, the only issue you’ll really have is if you use the touch screen. Avoid using that and you’ll be fine. Just be sure to turn the camera off when not rolling to minimize heat.
On severe cold days, the opposite is true. Keep the camera on to keep the components warm. Another trick is to shoot with a rain cover on or the camera wrapped with a cloth to insulate and keep the heat in that the camera generates. This will allow you to shoot at near 0F. I would not recommend bringing the camera indoors between shoots.
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I can only speak for my NX5U. I got it in April of 2011 and the backfocus is slightly off. Basically, I zoom in, critical focus, zoom out and turn the focus ring ever so slightly clockwise and it’s perfect focus. I’ve dealt with it for a couple of reasons. One, I’ve heard horror stories about how long it takes to get the camera back from Sony and, two, some have gotten their NX5’s back with the backfocus worse than when they originally sent it in.
I have never noticed a focus issue with my NX5 that you documented with your NX70’s.
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Couple of things. First, did you format the new card when putting it in the camera or did you just put it in and start shooting? The FMU128 is preformatted for the NX5 but all cards must be formatted first. Also, if the card had been used in a different camera prior to being used in the NX5, you must perform a MEDIA EMPTY of the card. It’s in the user manual. Finally, what class card is it? Sony claims you can use class 6. However, I’ve had issues with class 6 cards but have had no issues with class 10 and class UI cards. I’m 99% sure it’s a problem with the card and not the camera. One last thing, NX5’s are amazing cameras but doing require regular maintenance, such as MEDIA EMPTY and formatting of cards to work properly and that is something you don’t have to do with other brand/model cameras.
Sad to here you exchanged the NX5 for a HPX170. That was certainly a BIG step backwards.