Fimi X8 SE 2020 Camera Lens Focus Fix Adjustment

[@TheCablebill]

I thought I had a problem with noise because my latest videos seem to look grainy. Tried bright sunny day with ISO 100 and no joy. Then I checked images at 1-3 feet instead of longer distances and realized it was a focus problem, but I never recalled that before. Speculated that it was temperature related. Then, bam, I find this video! Thank you! I don't want to take my camera apart, so I think I'll wait for the Spring, but this is illuminating. Brilliant work, I'll be watching.

[@helioxheo2586]

Thanks for those positive comments, it's much appreciated. The difference after I adjusted was huge, you will see that. My hope is that I find the sweet spot so that the adjustment does not need redoing in summer for higher temperatures, I have a few ideas to test it beforehand though and will upload it all.

[@hdi4eva-castlesbydrone531]

Really great tutorial. The steps are very easy to follow. And great cinematic drone shots at the end of the video. Well done, my friend.👏👍

[@helioxheo2586]

Thank you for those kind comments, I've just subscribed to your channel too, nice flying over that castle!

[@bobrichards4811]

Thanks for posting this, I have been waiting for someone to take the plunge and dismantle one of these cameras! My X8 2020 has the "not in focus across the whole frame" issue too, it seems pretty common with these very small sensor / lens assemblies. Interesting to see the lens thread is not locked with any compound as that often defeats this kind of fix. Good Job 👍

[@helioxheo2586]

Thanks Bob, bare in mind that you may have to do 2-3 adjustments, I am uploading a video on how best to test this adjustment for optimum clarity, let's just say I am pleased with the results, after full adjustment I spotted a seagull at max zoom 1 km away!

@@helioxheo2586 im waiting for that video :)

[@helioxheo2586]

@ Won't be too long ;-)

[@Roboticdoughbull3k]

I ended up getting a 2nd one after a crash of my 1st on I commented on here before about. I can say for sure sometimes it really is up to a firmware update to cure focus issues, mine was almost perfect to begin with, then the firmware update mucked it up followed by a last update made it almost perfect again. I have a upper left corner blurr spot in this 2nd x8se2020 im now going to move forward with the manual adjustment, just make sure you have the latest firmware before adjusting or else you could end up back where you started if manually adjust and then you update the firmware.Just figured I'd mention as almost rushed the process myself, happy flying all.

[@Roboticdoughbull3k]

Worked great for me also, turned clockwise direction about 2 to 4 millimeters, which seems to be about the best all around amount of adjustment across the board for most people doing this adjustment.

[@rayhsetwo8594]

Glad to hear that Kevin 👍👍

[@Оренбуржьемое]

Thank you, everything worked out perfectly. 10 minutes of all things to do.

[@rayhsetwo8594]

Very glad it worked out, enjoy your flying 👍

[@xamakitho90]

Hi, what is the name of the tool 4:40 ? I need to buy one because I don’t have but I don’t know the name and the size

[@ilyailyushin]

We look forward pre and post video !

[@helioxheo2586]

Thx ilya, coming soon.

[@myungsookim7779]

The video quality has been greatly improved. Thank you for sharing your know-how. I was exchanged for x8 due to the blurring of the right screen, but the right screen is also blurred. The exchange process takes about 40 days, so I cannot wait, so I am very satisfied with trying this method.

[@rayhsetwo8594]

Excellent, thank you for sharing your success.👍

[@helioxheo2586]

Hello Kim, thank you for that response, I am very glad that people are solving a problem. In my next video I show how to maximise the best focus, hope you enjoy.

[@freiermann7]

Great timing! With the snowstorms in Texas I was trying to get some aerial footage of town and it was super blurry. Its about 10deg F outside here. I popped off the lens and gave it about a 2mm CW twist and now the image quality is usable. Thanks for making this tutorial! It only takes a few seconds with an air reflow station set at 100C to soften the lens glue.

[@rayhsetwo8594]

Excellent! Thanks for the feedback and I'm glad it worked for you. Keep an eye out for my video on how best to calibrate it 😉👍

[@panaitealin4936]

woww... great footage!😍

[@rayhsetwo8594]

Thank you for the kind comment.👍

[@JulianLambert]

Really enjoyed the footage - beautiful. Thx for sharing.

[@helioxheo2586]

Thanks Julian, the drone footage is enhanced by your excellent Piano rendition of 'A walk at Strumblehead' so fitting for Strumblehead footage. Thank you.

[@manuelbrandwein2621]

It works! Thanks for your video!

[@rayhsetwo8594]

Hi Manuel, glad you liked it and it worked, please subscribe for much more if you haven't already.

[@xamakitho90]

Hi, what is the name of the tool on 4:40 ? I need to buy one because I don’t have but I don’t know the name and the size

[@danielacero5518]

Gracias por compartir, soy de Ecuador y tengo el mismo problema, voy a intentar realizar este procedimiento ojala me de resultados

[@helioxheo2586]

Gracias por ver mi video en Ecuador. Estoy haciendo más videos de este problema que se muestran antes y después de la reparación. Espero que te funcione, gracias amigo, suscríbete. ;-)

[@danielacero5518]

@@helioxheo2586 ya me suscribí a tu canal, sabes ya pedí ayuda a un amigo que sabe de electrónica para que me ayude con la herramienta necesaria para realizar el procedimiento..... de pronto si tengo alguna duda me gustaría escribirte ... mi número de WhatsApp es [phone]

[@helioxheo2586]

@@danielacero5518 buenos dias he respondido whatsapp.

[@SepuGonza]

Hola !, gracias por tu video, es muy sencillo de entender. Como muchos me gustaría revisar un antes/después. Espero podamos ver ese video que estabas preparando pronto. Saludos saludos desde Chile ✌️

[@rayhsetwo8594]

Hola, gracias por ver el video desde Chile! Publicaré el video de seguimiento esta semana.

[@derTommy]

Got my Fimi in December and was shocked seeing that the left side is totally out of focus. I wasnt able to test it in warmer conditions yet. I will try your method if it is not better in warmer weather. What i dont get is why only one side is blurry and why turning the ring should bring one side into focus without bringing the other out of focus.

[@rayhsetwo8594]

There is no definitive answer to that, but here is what makes some sense, if the lens is set in it's placement holder parallel to the holder, but the screw threads are not quite in the right plane, then as it is screwed in one section will always be fractionally closer to the CCD sensor, however we are talking minute measurements and I have found you can find the sweet spot to get rid of the out of focus issue. If you screw too far the right side goes out, you dial it back then.

[@derTommy]

@@rayhsetwo8594 my best guess was that because of the thermals the lens gets a little squeezed and that makes the out of focus at some ares. but i dont know if moving the lets would fix that. I hope I can test the Fimi soon again to see if it is now better when it is warmer. If it is i will try this "fix" definitivly when it is colder again by the end of the year.

[@rayhsetwo8594]

@@derTommy That is a possibility for sure, I think there's a small blob of thread lock applied or external lock, I didn't see it on mine but felt resistance to the initial move, so on that principle it could be doing what you said. However it might be the lens holder itself squeezing it or just an expansion contraction on the lens itself, time will tell I think. What I do know is at 0C I irradicated my blur using the above method.

[@patrickmullinnex8142]

After watching this its clear that I have focus blur. I live in Vermont and I’ve watched my footage slowly blur as the days go by and I’ve been worried. Will this focus blur just go away without having to do this surgery on it as it warms up? I really hope so and thank you, you really made it look easy. Fun to watch!

[@helioxheo2586]

Hi Patrick, thank you for those kind comments, I cannot categorically say yes it will disappear as it gets warmer, but likely it will, and I'd expect it to, however see the explanation I gave to 'kelp and fern' below for some reasoning. Keep an eye out for my other videos coming soon, I am trying to add as much tongue in cheek fun as possible whilst giving some value to the content for the viewer, I'll be trying to explain the focus issue and how best to calibrate it. Thanks again and fair winds!

[@diego_dami]

Hi Ray! I tried this method but it didn't fix the issue: the videos are still very blurry on the sides exactly like before. I rotated the lens clockwise (looking at the drone in "flight position"). Did I have to rotate it counter-clockwise? Or you think I should just rotate it more?

[@helioxheo2586]

Hi Diego, you may have had to rotate it counter clockwise but if I were you I would rotate it more clockwise first. Then if it gets worse then obviously it will need a counter clockwise adjustment instead.

[@diego_dami]

Very well made tutorial, thanks! One question: my Fimi videos by default are very blurry at distances bigger than 5-10 meters and good for subjects closer than 5 meters. If I use this method to improve the focus at long distances, will I lose the right focus for subjects that are closer (like 5 meters of less)?

[@rayhsetwo8594]

HI Diego, to be honest I do not know why you would want a good focus that close, 5m or less is a really close subject for a drone? but it's not for me to say that is what you need or not, but what I will say is most fixed focus cameras have a focal length, and within that focal length subjects should be 'in focus', and some focal lengths can be very large, so as an example, from 20m to 200m. So if your subjects past 5-10m are out of focus but within 5m good, then I would guess that adjusting the focus is not going to be detrimental to the close subjects, because it seems your way out of focus anyway at the moment and should see a big improvement. Is it very cold where you are?

[@diego_dami]

@@rayhsetwo8594 Hey Ray, thanks for the reply. Well, it's not that cold here: 0° to 10° C in winter and up to 30-35° C in summer. Sometimes I take pictures of myself with friends or similar subject at close distances (3-5 meters), but yes: 90% of usage of the drone is at long distances. So what matters is to have a good focus at long distances. I will definitely try your method and let you know how it goes!

[@Roboticdoughbull3k]

@@diego_dami Hello there, how did you make out with adjustment?

[@diego_dami]

@@Roboticdoughbull3k Hey Kevin, I tried several times by opening and adjusting and checking the result and I reached a decent result

[@Roboticdoughbull3k]

@@diego_dami great news, I'm getting ready to tackle a 2nd x8se2020 here myself after settling in on all the firmware adjustments. My top left corner on this one, hopefully a small turn ccw will do the trick.

[@jakubj.3954]

As I understood, the lens is mounted on a thread? If You move it clockwise the lens is moving closer to the sensor?

[@helioxheo2586]

Hi Jakub, yes it is on a thread and clockwise is closer.

[@jakubj.3954]

@@helioxheo2586 Thanks. You're doing a good job!

[@MazzifLOL]

Solid instruction.

[@helioxheo2586]

Thanks Mazzif

Hi! Do you have some before and after adjustment photos to compare?

[@helioxheo2586]

HI Tomasz, yes video coming soon, it was too big to do both. Although there is one shot in this video of the green fields, left hand blur.

[@SigiOm]

Hello Which tool did you use for trimming the razor blade? Greetings

[@rayhsetwo8594]

Hi I used a pair of scissors.👍

[@SigiOm]

@@rayhsetwo8594 thanks for quick answer.

[@Roboticdoughbull3k]

iPhone 13pro replacement lenses fit adequate for the Fimi X8se if anyone wants to replace theirs because of scratching, yes I figured out that's a option your welcome Fimi community ✌️. Happy flying and filming.

[@springbowtjeable]

Do you think the glass is coated or something or do you think it's just glass? I would like you replace mine and Found some on AliExpress with the right diameter but I don't know the Original one is coated or something like that.

[@helioxheo2586]

Hi, I would think there is a coating but I am not sure? however, if you replace it there is no problem because you can always put the old one back on. Can you post the part replacement link here? Thanks for watching

[@39RusDanila]

Я снимал защитное стекло после прогрева, присоской от детского пистолета. Очень удобно👍

[@rayhsetwo8594]

Спасибо за ваш комментарий и просмотр, надеюсь, вы подпишетесь на больше видео. Я попробовал присоску, но моя не сработала, добрый друг.

[@mrnngwood]

Its for cold weather right? And what about summer? Tune back?

[@helioxheo2586]

Good question, many have this problem in cold weather, 10C or lower, I am hoping to set a temperature range from 0C to 25C, hopefully no tune back, but I'll only know that for definite in springtime, but what I can say is I am going to test the drone prewarmed several times when the weather improves ;-)

[@jumpofater]

Does this work with the x8 mini (it's lens is sunk, not at same level with the body edge)?

[@rayhsetwo8594]

I do not know I'm sorry. Most camera's work on this principle though unless it's a totally fixed focus at manufacture, which normally means really cheap cameras. You will only be able to tell once lens is off.

[@xamakitho90]

when you install the lens after fix it, did you use glue or something?

[@helioxheo2586]

No glue, if you look in video you will see I take it straight off onto some masking tape, and a few minutes later after the adjustment I put it straight back on. The adhesive once heated comes off with the lens easily, I think its a EDPM butyl type adhesive/gasket. Either way it presses back in no problem, just press in firmly with some soft tissue in a circular motion.

[@CafeGameplay]

NICE VIDEO DUDE, Can i see your previous video?

[@helioxheo2586]

Thanks very much, yes I am just in the middle of finishing the before and after video and will upload it.

[@CafeGameplay]

@@helioxheo2586 good, please upload it asap, because i have the focus issue in the right side

[@helioxheo2586]

@@CafeGameplay no problem, it's coming soon, you WILL be happy ;-)

[@PierfrancescoAstorino]

Hello! Can we a hve a compare video for before and after? Thanks

[@helioxheo2586]

Hi Pier, Thanks for watching and commenting, yes it will be coming soon, the results are very good!

[@PierfrancescoAstorino]

@@helioxheo2586 waiting with so much interest 😊😊😊👍

[@Lordlugworm]

Excellent Video - Keep them coming - Dropped mine in a river - got any tips for that....

[@helioxheo2586]

My best tip would be try and keep it in the sky or buy a submarine ha ha I've done the same don't worry. Sometimes if you recover them quick enough, remove battery immediately, rinse in fresh water, use hair dryer and bake on low heat in oven they can be rescued, but not often. Don't use wd40 etc on the motors because this becomes sticky and collects dust and grit.

[@Lordlugworm]

@@helioxheo2586 What would you think about using carbon on the motors? Like pencil carbon?

[@helioxheo2586]

@@Lordlugworm You can actually buy graphite lube powder, I would not overdo it and I'd use it on all motors not just one squeaky one, personally I don't use it, I change motors out or replace bearings and balance props, I also look at vibrations per motor on software (not done on X8 yet). But with moderation I cannot see any harm using it sparingly in general.

[@xamakitho90]

Hi everybody, who knows the name of the tool 4:40 ? I need to buy one because I don’t have but I don’t know the name and the size

[@rayhsetwo8594]

Hi, they are a pair of 'needle nose tweezers'......but you could use a thin screwdriver, or probably a cocktail stick etc, I used those as I have them in my toolkit.

[@xamakitho90]

@@rayhsetwo8594 thanks dude. Yesterday I removed the glass but apparently the lens of the camera is glued because I see 2 stops and the other 2 are glued or something :/… I was so happy when I took off the glass …

[@rayhsetwo8594]

@@xamakitho90 yes there's a dab of glue but it breaks free easily, providing they've not changed the glue. 👍

[@FedericoLivi]

Im trying this but I can't figure out how much I need to rotate the lens because I'm in the point that if I rotate it clockwise the right part is fixed but the left part starts to have the same issue. I don't understend if there's a safe spot where everything is balanced perfectly :(

[@rayhsetwo8594]

Federico, thanks for watching and please subscribe too. The best thing is to go to an altitude of at least 50m or more, take video and then enter SAR mode, once in SAR mode use the zoom function X3, then look carefully at the picture, ? assessment of it? Then make your adjustment to the lens, in small amounts, then fly the video a second, third, fourth time etc repeating the Zoom function on same subjects, you will in the zoom video that the pixels are 'grainy' 'blurred', so the key to success is to balance the blur during zoom function uniformly across the whole picture, then once you're happy you have done this you should have good results when in standard mode not Zoomed in, because you will have optimised the lens correction. Hope that explains the best way.👍

[@FedericoLivi]

@@rayhsetwo8594 but why in zoom mode? Is this because zooming in you can have a clearer view of the issue?

[@rayhsetwo8594]

@@FedericoLivi you can try adjustment in normal mode, small increments, but if it is difficult then Zooming in will magnify the errors so they become more visible, for instance if you looked at something through a normal camera you would see a slight wobble from your hands, if you zoom in then the wobble would look exaggerated, (because you magnify the errors too). so by using zoom mode you can adjust to the optimum view, when you then switch back to normal view you know that is the best you have adjusted it to. So the key to success is to try and get a uniform picture in normal mode by small adjustments one way or other, but if the problem keeps persistent try doing it in zoom. If that makes sense now?

[@FedericoLivi]

@@rayhsetwo8594 perfect thanks! So, there must be a point where both sides are on focus right? My fear was that because for now I cannot find the balance point.. but I'll try more!

[@supinac17]

strange thing is - Why is it blurry just on half side of the image. I have it like that - left side is blurry and right side is OK. If the problem is focal lenght the image should be completely blurry, not just part of it . Does it make sense ?

[@helioxheo2586]

Hi Ondrej. Normally yes you would expect focal length to be affected across full image, however it seems in this case that there is an exception. Your image was just like mine, left side blurry, right side o.k. There have been several owners the same, and after adjusting the focal length using my method to access the lens the problem has been improved or eliminated. It definitely improves it. So one can only come to a few conclusions from this? like these below: 1. defective lenses? (But Sony have good quality control). 2. the lens is very very small and the screw thread is plastic, if the thread is such that the lens face is not perfectly parallel to the CMOS sensor then the lens face will have variable focal plane at points across the lens. Adjusting this will find an optimum tolerance allowing acceptable vision. 3. Low Temperature seems to be the biggest factor in this problem showing itself, so if the lenses are not perfectly parallel to the CMOS sensor and they are set in the factory at X deg. C to an acceptable resolution of focal length, then if there is a lowering of temperature it seems the range of focal length drops out of optimum resolution because of expansion and contraction of the lens body, plastic and glass affected by temperature. This low temperature could also be distorting the lens itself. 4. a combination of unknown factors affected by low temperature. So all told, even without knowing the exact cause, adjusting the focal length is improving resolution even when the initial problem only affects one side.

[@supinac17]

Heliox HeO2 thanks for your expression of the problem. Im gonna try it too even its still under warranty. I dont expect Fimi to solve it somehow. I hope it help me too. Im really curious what happen in higher temperatures during spring and summer.

[@helioxheo2586]

@@supinac17 Yes, Spring and summer will be a test to see if the adjustment needs redoing, I'll be posting more video.

[@davider6n]

I had the same problem with my x8 and after contacting Fimi they replace the whole gimbal and give me a free battery. Now the drone is on the way back from china to Italy. I hope the new lens didn't have the same problem 😁

[@supinac17]

@@helioxheo2586 I would like to also ask you one more thing. Can you clarify how many millimeters did you turn the lens about ? From the video it looks to me about 3mm.

[@Dorotka280]

I have whole image out of focus in cold weather. When i came home and left drone for a while sharpness came back! What a horibble issue. The sensor can not be used in minus degrees temperatures.

[@helioxheo2586]

Hi Ola, yes very frustrating, how cold is your location?

[@Dorotka280]

@@helioxheo2586 I am from Poland. I tried to record something in -5 degrees but today we have less than -10 but I am waiting for better weather now.

[@mustafadurmaz331]

How can I send message to u

[@helioxheo2586]

Hi Mustafa, I have added contact details in the 'About' section here: kzbin.info/door/I7GTlFtpW5vkrEbLlyXtbQabout

[@mustafadurmaz331]

@@helioxheo2586 about section is empty

[@helioxheo2586]

@@mustafadurmaz331 can you see box where it says 'view email address'? is that working?

[@mustafadurmaz331]

@@helioxheo2586 I can't see, tomarrow I'll try to look from desktop, I'm on phone rn. it's midnight here now

[@helioxheo2586]

@@mustafadurmaz331 here for you ;-) [e-mail] what country are you in?

[@supinac17]

I did it three times and it is still worse then before. It didnt help me.

[@karburator2778]

if you dont use two video to compare is usless

[@jamd9553]

This is very risky. Depending on where did you buy your drone, the best solution is to return it, get a refund and buy a new one. I returned mine to Banggood for this same problem, I got my money back in less than 24 hours once I sent them the tracking number

[@helioxheo2586]

Hi Jamd, thanks for your experience, that's helpful. Several owners have done this fix, it is not an untested method. I agree with you there is risk, but in my case it is a calculated risk, Banggood agreed I could return for a refund or replacement, however, they have not had them available for sale to UK since before Xmas, I believe that is to do with Brexit and tariffs and new paperwork. However I also waited for 5 mths for one drone to arrive during covid, so there maybe a lot of demand right now. So clearly I would not get a replacement, and a refund was not my preferred option. I've built a few drones and I also have 30yrs experience in Engineering and this kind of thing for me is easy, however, it is a basic focus adjustment, a basic heating of the adhesive and actually very simple for anyone to do. The camera inside is a Sony pcb camera that is more or less a standard format in many sports cameras. I'll be listing my before and after video soon and you will see how the repair works very well. many thanks keep watching .

[@davider6n]

I contacted Fimi for a repair and in the meanwhile contact Bangood for have a partial refund. Bangood gave me 80€, and Fimi replace the gimbal and give me a free battery. Now I just have to hope the Italian post wouldn't lose the package.

[@helioxheo2586]

@@davider6n Excellent Davide, good result, I know what you mean about the Post, I ordered two X8 Se 2020 last march, I didn't get them until July-August, then I ordered a third one in November and had it in less than a week from Spain! Problem now is not only Covid but Brexit, Banggood are not supplying from Spain to UK now, so Post is slow if you need to use them quickly. But I must say in my experience Banggood are always quick to resolve problems and fairly, I find them a good company to deal with. Thanks very much for watching and commenting, I hope you will enjoy the surprises I got coming in more videos.

[@jamd9553]

@@davider6n Well, that's an option, but now you can not claim for anything else to Banggood, maybe you have lost your warranty and finally you are going to be for a longtime without your drone. That's why a prefer full refund and get a new one.