Machines | PMW-200 Quick Tip: Adjusting Back Focus
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These days a camera is only as good as its last firmware update. Sony recently announced the release of v1.1 firmware for the PMW-200, and one of the most exciting new features is the addition of auto back focus adjustment to the camera. Flange Focal Distance -- the distance from the back element of the lens to the sensor -- needs to stay in tolerance so that the marks on the focus scale can be relied on to be accurate. Since the PMW-200′s lens is built into the body, adjusting the FFD must be done electronically. Though the FFD should generally stay in tolerance, if you travel a lot with your camera this tolerance may need occasional adjustment. You will know the FFD is out if you notice a focus shift while zooming from telephoto to wide angle. If things get fuzzy while zooming out, chances are you need to perform a back focus adjustment. A focus chart is included as part of the free firmware download from Sony, because the camera needs to see a high-contrast chart with lines in order to set back focus. The camera should be ten feet from the chart to perform this operation. Another new feature of the v1.1 firmware is the ability to use WiFi with the PMW-200. Once the firmware is installed, the CBK-WA01 WiFi adaptor can be installed on the camera in order to control it via WiFi. Additional updates in the v1.1 firmware include the ability to save all camera settings to a USB card, the ability to carry over settings from another PMW-200, Steady Shot available as an Assign Button, and the ability to set a 1kHz test signal. You can download the newest firmware from the Sony Service site: https://www.servicesplus.sel.sony.com/sony-software-PMW200.aspx
Comments
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How big need to be the chart?
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Solved my problem -- very well explained and shot. Many, many thanks!
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Thanks for the tip AbelCine, however you did omit to mention that the Zoom control needs to be set to 'servo' as well.
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Hi Ian.
I have one PMW-200 with the 1.01 firmware. In the Sony's Pro page, I’ve found two firmware updates. If I go to the camera page ( http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/cat-broadcastcameras/cat-xdcam/product-PMW200/), in the right side, in the “Download Software”, is the 1.1 firmware. But if I go to ” Microsites>XDCAMS>Resources>XDCAM HD 422 Memory Camcorders and Recorder/Player”, they have the 1.2 firmware. Then I ask you. Why Sony have two firmware updates? Why in the camera page they don’t show the 1.2 update? Should I first update to 1.1 and then to 1.2? Or can I go directly to 1.2? The 1.2 update also have the same focus chart to do adjust or in this update is not necessary? I have dowloaded the two updates, but until now I didn't have the courage to proceed. Tks. -
Did you do this by printing the chart or pointing the camera at a screen with the chart on it?
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Im a novice. I went the converter route, didn't like that. I then Consulted a pro and downloaded Final Pro X. It solved my problems. Im on the learning curve:0 Thank you for the reply, that was nice. Software working great...
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Are you connecting your PMW-200 to your Mac via firewire? If you're using the firewire connection you should be able to use the Livestream for Producers application. Otherwise you can use the Blackmagic input device you mentioned as long as it's one of the devices that's on the Livestream certified list. (Google "Livestream Certified Devices") - Jeff
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Are you having issues downloading footage from your PMW200? Or are you unable to update the firmware? - Jeff
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I bought this one pmw200 I want to connected to my Mac so I can do a live stream from my pmw200 is not working can u help me please what do I need in order to me to connect my pmw200 to my Mac thank u evantech@yanoo.com I even bought blackmajic didn't work for me
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I bought some one Sony p
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I cannot download my PMW 200 on my Imac. What have I gotten myself into? Help..
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I am struggling to get the wifi adapter to be seen by the camera. How did you wire the adapter to the camera exactly?
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HI Karen, Please see the link at the bottom of our video description to the Sony Service site where you can download the PMW-200 firmware. Hope that helps!
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can u please put that link for pmw-200 firmware update?
Cheers!