Serious backfocus problem on Z-1P (PZ-1P)

vlad59134 · 12-13-2016, 03:38 PM

Hello to the community,

I just bought a a Z-1p in very good shape on the internet.

The only problem that i got with the little baby is that it has a serious backfocus problem (i would evaluate the backfocus at a diffrence of 10 cm when I am at 70cm from subject with the DA 50mm).

It occurs with all of my lenses, so it's definitely a problem coming from the camera itself.

Is there any solution to fix it or is it definitely not usuable with AF ?

Thanks !

**BigMackCam** · 12-13-2016, 03:45 PM

Were your test shots in good daylight or artificial lighting? The type of lighting can make a difference...

**lithedreamer** · 12-13-2016, 03:45 PM

Good question!

...

vlad59134 · 12-13-2016, 03:50 PM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

Were your test shots in good daylight or artificial lighting? The type of lighting can make a difference...

I did'nt shot because I did not wanted to waste film. It was with artificial lighting.

Nevertheless, I got its little brother (z-1) and that one perfectly focus with same conditions.

**BigMackCam** · 12-13-2016, 03:57 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by vlad59134

I did'nt shot because I did not wanted to waste film. It was with artificial lighting.

Nevertheless, I got its little brother (z-1) and that one perfectly focus with same conditions.

OK. Well, I don't have experience of the Z-1P, but many AF film cameras and earlier DSLRs exhibited back-focusing under fluorescent and sometimes incandescent lighting - a limitation of their AF systems and software. I'd suggest doing your tests again in good natural light and see what results you get. This may not be the problem, but I suspect it might be.

vlad59134 · 12-13-2016, 04:05 PM

Well, good to know, thanks.

Even if i don't think that's the origin of the problem, I will definitely try outside to check it.

vlad59134 · 12-14-2016, 02:08 PM

Well i had time to do a little test outside. Definitely out of focus.

I have seen nothing on the user manual to fix it (I was hoping for a function or something like that)....

Do you know if there could be a "mechanical" solution ?

**BigMackCam** · 12-14-2016, 02:32 PM

Hmmm... Well, if it's happening with multiple lenses, the only thing I can think is that the sensor for the AF requires adjustment. I had a quick look online and couldn't find the service manual in the public domain, but there is a website that will sell you a copy for $9.99. If you're set on getting it working, it might be worth getting hold of that manual to see if any AF system adjustments are possible.

Here's the link: PENTAX PZ-1, PZ-1P, Z-1, Z-1P Series Service Manual

**lithedreamer** · 12-14-2016, 02:45 PM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

Hmmm... Well, if it's happening with multiple lenses, the only thing I can think is that the sensor for the AF requires adjustment. I had a quick look online and couldn't find the service manual in the public domain, but there is a website that will sell you a copy for $9.99. If you're set on getting it working, it might be worth getting hold of that manual to see if any AF system adjustments are possible.

Here's the link: PENTAX PZ-1, PZ-1P, Z-1, Z-1P Series Service Manual

I don't know why I bought this, but I did, and it doesn't appear to have the info you need.

vlad59134 · 12-14-2016, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by lithedreamer

I don't know why I bought this, but I did, and it doesn't appear to have the info you need.

Good to know !

Well, have you already heard similar about similar problems (and their fix) on other film cameras ?

**BigMackCam** · 12-14-2016, 03:01 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by vlad59134

Good to know !

Well, have you already heard similar about similar problems (and their fix) on other film cameras ?

Well, any camera with a phase detect AF system - film or digital - has AF sensors and firmware dedicated to the AF process, and the potential issues are the same. At the time of manufacture, the camera's AF sensor position will be adjusted (if in fact it is adjustable) to be as accurate as possible, then small offsets will be applied in firmware to fine tune the AF. Assuming your camera once worked correctly, I can only think that the AF sensor needs physical adjustment (since the values in firmware are non-adjustable).

The only other thing I can possibly think is that the AF sensor needs cleaning. If you can locate where this is (in the bottom of the mirror box, I'm guessing) use a small flashlight and inspect it to see if it is dirty or has dust / hairs on it. You may find cleaning that sensor does the trick. It's worth a try, at least

**lithedreamer** · 12-14-2016, 03:03 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by vlad59134

Good to know !

Well, have you already heard similar about similar problems (and their fix) on other film cameras ?

Not really. Most of the time this comes up, people just live with it or send it in for repair. I did have hopes for you since the the 645NII was technician adjustable to use different numbers of frames, but alas...

vlad59134 · 12-15-2016, 01:24 AM - **1 Like**

Well, i give a try to clean the sensor with alcohol.

The blue one on the bottom ofthe following picture.

And... it's definitely better.

Not perfect but decent for a film camera.
I may try a better clean to achieve a perfect focus.

Thanks, you rules !

**BigMackCam** · 12-15-2016, 01:49 AM

Originally posted by vlad59134

Well, i give a try to clean the sensor with alcohol.

The blue one on the bottom ofthe following picture.

And... it's definitely better.

Not perfect but decent for a film camera.
I may try a better clean to achieve a perfect focus.

Thanks, you rules !

That's excellent news - well done!

"Decent" is a good result with AF film cameras. We have much higher expectations these days

12-13-2016, 03:38 PM	#1
vlad59134 New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 9	Serious backfocus problem on Z-1P (PZ-1P) Hello to the community, I just bought a a Z-1p in very good shape on the internet. The only problem that i got with the little baby is that it has a serious backfocus problem (i would evaluate the backfocus at a diffrence of 10 cm when I am at 70cm from subject with the DA 50mm). It occurs with all of my lenses, so it's definitely a problem coming from the camera itself. Is there any solution to fix it or is it definitely not usuable with AF ? Thanks !

12-14-2016, 03:01 PM - 1 Like	#11
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,672	Originally posted by vlad59134 Good to know ! Well, have you already heard similar about similar problems (and their fix) on other film cameras ? Well, any camera with a phase detect AF system - film or digital - has AF sensors and firmware dedicated to the AF process, and the potential issues are the same. At the time of manufacture, the camera's AF sensor position will be adjusted (if in fact it is adjustable) to be as accurate as possible, then small offsets will be applied in firmware to fine tune the AF. Assuming your camera once worked correctly, I can only think that the AF sensor needs physical adjustment (since the values in firmware are non-adjustable). The only other thing I can possibly think is that the AF sensor needs cleaning. If you can locate where this is (in the bottom of the mirror box, I'm guessing) use a small flashlight and inspect it to see if it is dirty or has dust / hairs on it. You may find cleaning that sensor does the trick. It's worth a try, at least Last edited by BigMackCam; 12-14-2016 at 03:29 PM.

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12-13-2016, 03:45 PM	#2
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,672	Were your test shots in good daylight or artificial lighting? The type of lighting can make a difference...

12-13-2016, 03:45 PM	#3
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799	Good question! ...

12-13-2016, 03:50 PM	#4
vlad59134 New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 9 Original Poster	Originally posted by BigMackCam Were your test shots in good daylight or artificial lighting? The type of lighting can make a difference... I did'nt shot because I did not wanted to waste film. It was with artificial lighting. Nevertheless, I got its little brother (z-1) and that one perfectly focus with same conditions.

12-13-2016, 03:57 PM - 2 Likes	#5
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,672	Originally posted by vlad59134 I did'nt shot because I did not wanted to waste film. It was with artificial lighting. Nevertheless, I got its little brother (z-1) and that one perfectly focus with same conditions. OK. Well, I don't have experience of the Z-1P, but many AF film cameras and earlier DSLRs exhibited back-focusing under fluorescent and sometimes incandescent lighting - a limitation of their AF systems and software. I'd suggest doing your tests again in good natural light and see what results you get. This may not be the problem, but I suspect it might be.

12-13-2016, 04:05 PM	#6
vlad59134 New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 9 Original Poster	Well, good to know, thanks. Even if i don't think that's the origin of the problem, I will definitely try outside to check it.

12-14-2016, 02:08 PM	#7
vlad59134 New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 9 Original Poster	Well i had time to do a little test outside. Definitely out of focus. I have seen nothing on the user manual to fix it (I was hoping for a function or something like that).... Do you know if there could be a "mechanical" solution ?

12-14-2016, 02:32 PM	#8
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,672	Hmmm... Well, if it's happening with multiple lenses, the only thing I can think is that the sensor for the AF requires adjustment. I had a quick look online and couldn't find the service manual in the public domain, but there is a website that will sell you a copy for $9.99. If you're set on getting it working, it might be worth getting hold of that manual to see if any AF system adjustments are possible. Here's the link: PENTAX PZ-1, PZ-1P, Z-1, Z-1P Series Service Manual

12-14-2016, 02:45 PM	#9
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799	Originally posted by BigMackCam Hmmm... Well, if it's happening with multiple lenses, the only thing I can think is that the sensor for the AF requires adjustment. I had a quick look online and couldn't find the service manual in the public domain, but there is a website that will sell you a copy for $9.99. If you're set on getting it working, it might be worth getting hold of that manual to see if any AF system adjustments are possible. Here's the link: PENTAX PZ-1, PZ-1P, Z-1, Z-1P Series Service Manual I don't know why I bought this, but I did, and it doesn't appear to have the info you need.

12-14-2016, 02:51 PM	#10
vlad59134 New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 9 Original Poster	Originally posted by lithedreamer I don't know why I bought this, but I did, and it doesn't appear to have the info you need. Good to know ! Well, have you already heard similar about similar problems (and their fix) on other film cameras ?

12-14-2016, 03:03 PM - 1 Like	#12
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799	Originally posted by vlad59134 Good to know ! Well, have you already heard similar about similar problems (and their fix) on other film cameras ? Not really. Most of the time this comes up, people just live with it or send it in for repair. I did have hopes for you since the the 645NII was technician adjustable to use different numbers of frames, but alas...

12-15-2016, 01:24 AM - 1 Like	#13
vlad59134 New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 9 Original Poster	Well, i give a try to clean the sensor with alcohol. The blue one on the bottom ofthe following picture. And... it's definitely better. Not perfect but decent for a film camera. I may try a better clean to achieve a perfect focus. Thanks, you rules !

12-15-2016, 01:49 AM	#14
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,672	Originally posted by vlad59134 Well, i give a try to clean the sensor with alcohol. The blue one on the bottom ofthe following picture. And... it's definitely better. Not perfect but decent for a film camera. I may try a better clean to achieve a perfect focus. Thanks, you rules ! That's excellent news - well done! "Decent" is a good result with AF film cameras. We have much higher expectations these days