blur « Videomaker Community Forums

lisa33
Member

I just bought a canon xl1s off of ebay from a seller with great feedback. When I turn it on and look through the viewfinder it will focus and then out of nowhere not even 5 sec later blur horribly (a pulsating blur, in and out). Is this something that I set wrong on the camera or did this person drop the camera and now it is a mechanical problem???

Posted 5 years ago #
Tom Scratch
Member

Hi,

In automatic focus mode, focus going in and out is not an unusual condition, under certain lighting conditions and certain subjects.

Go to manual focus mode and focus manually. I assume this will fix the problem. If it does not, start raising hell with the seller, because this would be a fundamental flaw.

Also, see my last post to you under General Questions, subject Shutter Speed, where I recommend that you manual focus for the interview.

You need very good luck today, so BEST OF LUCK!

REGARDS ... TOM 8)

Posted 5 years ago #
compusolver
Member

I have never had good luck buying used video cameras on eBay - use the Search function on these forums to find previous posts regarding ebay and how people boost their rating selling cheap stuff, then sell an expensive item that doesn't work.

Unless you are testing in very low light conditions, chances are that this camera needs repair. I know of three good repair places for Canon - one in Ft Worth, one in or near Seattle and one in Illinois. I dealt with Mike in Ft Worth and got great service at low rates. However, I learned that older video cameras are not worth fooling with. The repair on my L2 lasted only a year and it is now not working again. I'm going to sell it for parts and move on.

Posted 5 years ago #
lisa33
Member

It happens in manual mode as well. So It was def dropped or something. However I am getting my money back I spoke with the seller and might I say it was hell!!!! Thank god its all over. Thank you guys for responding back to me I appreciate it!!!

Posted 5 years ago #
compusolver
Member

I just checked out the person who appears to be your seller. True, he had a 100% feedback rating, but only 5 transactions! All five were as buyers. The only one where you can still link to the item shows it was only a $13 item.

You can't trust ebay's feedback system for a $2000 camera. There are too many ways to boost a feedback rating and, unfortunately for some people, it is just too tempting to hoodwink someone for a big profit.

The only good transaction I had off of ebay where I bought an expensive video camera was when I made prior arrangements to drive to the seller's home and check out the camera before paying. By the way - several sellers declined to let me do this! Why would a legitimate seller decline to let you come and checkout the product?

Posted 5 years ago #
videolab
Member

This is a normal problem with the XL-1 series of cameras with the stock lens. Search the web for XL-1 Focus problem and you will find many sites offering workarounds for it.

Posted 5 years ago #
mrwinkey
Member

Lisa,

i too have an XL1s, and have recently been (trying) to film a DVD in a Gym.

Now with the cam set to Auto, and pointed at a low contrast point in low light, the lens pulsates, but is fine when some good contrast is added to the scene.

I think it also does this in Manual. But it does work fine.

HOpe this helps, it would be asham eif you had to take it back as it is a great cam, i love it and cant wait till i know how to use it properly (probably never knowing me, no imagination)

Jay

Posted 5 years ago #