Blackmagic Forum

Apologies if this has already been discussed, but does anyone have exposure and/or focus issues with the Panasonic Lumix 20mm pancake lens? Essentially, my new pocket cam is automatically setting both the exposure and focus without me touching the buttons. For example, it'll automatically set the exposure when I'm going from a dark area to extremely bright area like a window. With the focus, it'll be when I'm focusing on something small, like keyboard keys, and then pull out to focus wide. Again, I'm not touching the iris or focus buttons. I prefer to work manually, but the BMPCC doesn't let you shut it off.

I spoke with BM support and they said it was most likely the lens? It's apparently not supported. This is a pretty commonly used m43 lens so I find that hard to believe. Unfortunately, this is the only lens I have with me at the moment, but I'll try another tomorrow. Regardless kind of frustrating since this is my usual go to (been using with my GH2 forever).

Thanks for your time.

I have the same issue. I guess it's good to know it's the lens and not the camera exactly. Hopefully they'll fully support it soon. It's a great lens otherwise.

Is there a list of officially supported lenses?

that's not good, that is the lens i was planning to use with the pocket. maybe electrical tape on the contacts?

Hi,

This is not normal behaviour.

For your description, it sounds like your Iris and Focus buttons are stuck.

Is the lens running the latest firmware? You should be able to update it from your GH2.

I do not have that lens at hand but I did have a change to test it a while ago and did not see any problems. I remember I was wondering why it is not in supported list as both iris and focus worked as expected.

My Lumix 20 does not exhibit those problems on my BMPCC.

Which version are you using, the H-H020 or the newer "II" series, either H-H020AK or H-H020AS?

I'm using the H-H020 with no issues. BMPCC firmware 1.4.2.

I'm using the original 20mm pancake, H-H020, with the latest lens firmware, 1.1, and the latest BMPCC, 1.4.2. Gave it another try today with the same results. Not sure about the connections, but lens and body seem to be making proper contact.

Kristian Lam wrote:Hi,

This is not normal behaviour.

For your description, it sounds like your Iris and Focus buttons are stuck.

Is the lens running the latest firmware? You should be able to update it from your GH2.

Latest on both. The buttons don't seem stuck. Thank you.

Kristian Lam wrote:Hi,

This is not normal behaviour.

For your description, it sounds like your Iris and Focus buttons are stuck.

Is the lens running the latest firmware? You should be able to update it from your GH2.

Mine don't seem to be stuck either. I can activate auto iris/focus at a button press, but auto iris does activate on its own about 1/3 of the time specifically when I reframe to include an overexposed area. I'm not sure what triggers the unintentional auto focusing.

I have the new Lumix 20mm II, not sure what firmware version I have, but I don't have a GH2. The lens just came out and I don't see any hits for a firmware update on Google.

Another interesting button issue is that if I hold down the power for slightly too long while powering off, the camera turn off when I release the button and then boots back up a couple seconds later.

Giles Sherwood wrote:I have the same issue. I guess it's good to know it's the lens and not the camera exactly. Hopefully they'll fully support it soon. It's a great lens otherwise.

Is there a list of officially supported lenses?

Sorry Giles, forgot to post this earlier. Found this list on the main website>support>pocket FAQs.

http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/support ... 849&os=mac

(attached)

so I'm not having these issues with the panasonic 14-42. Ugh, love my 20mm panny. BM please fix this ASAP!

Mine is the original 20mm version...are you also having the problem with the original version??

ihabali wrote:Mine is the original 20mm version...are you also having the problem with the original version??

yes, I have the original with latest firmware (1.1)

Hi there

I just received my pocket camera today and have the exact same issue. Could anyone from Blackmagic shed any light on this issue, is it being looked into?

Thanks.

mexos wrote:Hi there

I just received my pocket camera today and have the exact same issue. Could anyone from Blackmagic shed any light on this issue, is it being looked into?

Thanks.

Unfortunately, BM said it's not supported at the moment. Some people have had issues, some not. I wouldn't hold my breath. If you want a smaller lens, I know the Olympus 12mm and Panasonic 14mm both work fine.

Giles Sherwood wrote:I have the same issue. I guess it's good to know it's the lens and not the camera exactly. Hopefully they'll fully support it soon. It's a great lens otherwise.

Is there a list of officially supported lenses?

i have the same issue too till now

I have issues with my Lumix 20 f1.7 II, and was told by a support tech at BM that the issues seems to be isolated in the "newer" version, the II version of the lens, and not the older version.

MikeMeagher wrote:I have issues with my Lumix 20 f1.7 II, and was told by a support tech at BM that the issues seems to be isolated in the "newer" version, the II version of the lens, and not the older version.

I can confirm that's not the case, I have the older version of the lens.

I'm getting the same issue.

Lumix 20mm f1.7 ii (version 2)

- randomly auto adjusts iris without touching any buttons.

This needs to be rectified promptly please.

Is there anybody thats not having the problem with the new 20/1.7 mk2?

Hi,

Thanks for reporting this. We will look into it.

Kristian Lam wrote:Hi,

Thanks for reporting this. We will look into it.

thank you.

this lens is truly superb, and very good for the pocket, and not being able to use it is a major downer.

I have received the 20/1.7 version2 and have been shooting for one day. So far so good.
I'l let you know if there is any hick ups in the coming weeks.

any more updates on this issue? Still having the camera automatically adjusting the iris during recording.

also, upon turning the camera on, the iris sometimes auto adjusts from f1.7 to f16 and vice versa.

Richard_Gale wrote:any more updates on this issue? Still having the camera automatically adjusting the iris during recording.

also, upon turning the camera on, the iris sometimes auto adjusts from f1.7 to f16 and vice versa.

ive been using the lens for about a week now. It has never auto adjusted during recording so Im happy with it.
I have the new version (silver).

Simply amazing.. I have the 20mm f1.7 II Black, the newer verison, and I have a gltch on occasion when used with my Pocket Cinema camera. IF doing a manual focus pull on occasion the lens to go wide open aperature and focus on infinity. Seems to only have once in a while.. but always when least wanted it seems. Kind of frustrating to have the lens focused on a subject, wide open at say f1.7 then "zip-zip" it resets itself. I am beginning to wonder if there is a connection issue with the contacts to the camera.

Kristian Lam wrote:Hi,

Thanks for reporting this. We will look into it.

Hi Kristian
I too have this problem with my 20mm lumix (the original, not V2)
Its not my main lens, but, it makes it very frustrating to work with...
Should I sell it, or is there a possibility of a fix for that issue via software update?

Received my 20mm 1.7 II Black today, no issues with BMPCC. Works well, tried everything...

Very very sharp, I am impressed...

MikeMeagher wrote: I am beginning to wonder if there is a connection issue with the contacts to the camera.

you have a very good point. it appears to be during handling the lens that the issue occurs. maybe the camera needs harder springs on the pin connectors...

if it is an issue with the connections being unsound, I think it might benefit from 'tinning' the connections on the back of the lens. a thin layer of solder deposited nice and flat on the terminals will probably be enough to fill the gap and stop the connection problem. obviously applying solder to the terminals will reduce the resale value of the lens, but with skill you can de-solder if required.

Probably contact spray may be an easy way to test it.

Quick update. I recently sent in my BMPCC to get the mount adjusted (a little loose) and they sent me back a brand new version with latest firmware (1.5.1). Granted, I haven't really did any field tests yet, but I'm not experiencing the auto exposure or focusing issues with the 20mm 1.7. Again, I only did a quick test, but, dare I say, I think it works now. I'll try a more thorough test soon and let you know how it goes.

The Lumix 20mm pancake seems like the perfect lens between 14mm 2.5 and oly 45mm 1.8

I also have this problem, and wonder if anyone has managed to fix it yet. Very frustrating as the lens is giving me exactly the results I want apart from fairly regularly deciding to reset.

I can emulate what is happening by pressing the lens release button in, so is it possibly a contacts issue as mentioned ?

It would be nice to know if the Blackmagic team are aware of this, or acknowledge that it is a problem for many users. Do they read these forums ?

Thanks

Danny

Hi!

Do you guys have any news regarding this issue? I have this same lens (version II) and the focus issue is very annoying

Please let me know if you guys got any other response from Blackmagic besides the one mentioned some months ago. Maybe if we start opening tickets for support regarding this issue they will address via firmware update...

Cheers,

Tom

Hmm, exactly my problem with the Panasonic 20mm 1.7. I see the original post is from about a year ago. Should this not have been fixed by now?

I've just got a reply from Blackmagic. I was told that they havent tested yet this lens in their labs and that they will try to do it in the future. I believe the more requests they recrive about this lens compatibility issue the more are the chances that they will analyse and provide a fix.

Cheers

The problem at my and was that the lens although it seems to fit quite well to the BMPC did not make electronically contact with the camera to enable the focus function. When i pulled the lens release button at the right of the lens it began working. Sometimes it loses connection but when i push and pull the lens release button it makes contact again. So its a contact problem due to the release button that seems to prevent correct communication with the camera.