Camera Labs

Rediscovered the comments at dyxum which some mention a problem with auto focus at the wide end. Having just tested mine indoors, my sample appears to be affected. So I'm wondering if other owners here have this too? Should it be considered a fault, or more like a known quirk?

The folding screen really helps with targeting and looking at the focus indicator on the lens at same time With a target approx 3m away, at 16mm the AF mostly locks at infinity or between infinity and the 3m mark. At a tiny amount of zoom (approx 18mm) it tends to lock just below 3m. Increasing past 24mm or so, it locks regularly at 3m. Going down, once I go below 24mm it goes between 3m and infinity again.

I haven't noticed this before since I haven't taken many shots at the wide end, at the problem focus distance reported to be around 1-3m. But reviewing some photos from last Sunday I see the subjects are just slightly blurry whereas the immediate background is sharper. It seems the depth of field was just enough for me not to notice without looking for it.

At this point I'm undecided on returning it for replacement or not...

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

My Zeiss has a similar issue. When focussing at a distance of three metres, it locks at just between 3m and infinity. It doesn't lock all the way at infinity though. When zooming in to 18mm, it locks before 3m, like your lens. This was unkown to me to. I usually don't take photos at this range with a focal length between 16 and 24mm, so it's not that big a problem.

Keep in mind that Sony's repair service isn't very fast. You'll send your lens to them, and maybe after 5 weeks or more you'll get it back (from what I've read on other forums). I won't send it away for that reason (I only have one lens at this moment ).

I read a rumour on Dyxum.com that the Zeiss 16-80mm may actually be replaced with an SSM version. If that would be true, I might go back to the store where I bought my lens and see whether I can get the SSM-version .

Thanks for sharing the info!
- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Blog | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

Really? Im after this lens lol. would it be worth waiting?

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Tobywuk personal website || My Flickr
Gear: Sony a700! || CZ 16-80mm! || Sony 75-300 || bag: Crumpler PB xxxl / Lowepro slingshot 200

I tend to use the mid to long end of the zoom most of the time. So like you, the problem part of the range it isn't too critical for me, but it's not good to have problems like this particularly at the cost.

I got mine from Amazon. I still need to check out their site and conditions more closely, but I think within 30 days of purchase they will do a replacement so I don't have to go through Sony. But the worry is what if the replacement is the same?

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

That would indeed be an issue, because you might be missing the lens for a while and than get a similar, or perhaps even worse copy, returned. I've been thinking of sending it back to, because I just discoverd a dust particle not on the front element, but under it. It's in the lens! There's no way I can remove it (take the lens apart would be stupid, there would only be more dust). I won't send it back though, not yet at least, because I wouldn't be able to take any photos for quite some time, including my holiday.

Toby, I don't think it worth waiting for the CZ16-80mm SSM (or MkII), because I guess that even if the rumour is true, it will take a long while till the lens is actually available. It will probably go through a similar prototype-stage as the CZ24-70mm which will take quite some time too. You'd better get yourself the current CZ16-80mm. A tip is to buy it in a store and ask the salesman whether you can inspect it: is the lens barrel build steadily (does it wobble or not), how is the focussing at 3m at a focal length of 16-24mm (does it lock at 3m or beyond?) and are there any dust parts to be seen inside the lens (ask for something the clean the front element and look very carefully).
It's definitely a lens worth buying though, great IQ!

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Blog | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

I'm 99% sure I'll try returning the current one. At least I wont be totally lensless, with the 50mm prime and soon also a cheapo Tamron 55-200 waiting for me at the post office. It might take a while for me to join in on the G-series equivalent

BTW last time I tried to take apart a lens (ancient Canon from film SLR days), well, suffice to say it never got put back together again

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Damn my overactive mind. Have now decided not to send it back for the moment, and see how it goes later. Bear in mind this is minor to me, as I didn't even notice the problem until I looked for it after reading about it.

Further questions arise. Posts I've seen attribute the focus problem to the lens, but what role does the camera play in this? I assume the lens doesn't have any focusing sensors in it, so it does what it's told from the camera. What differences can there be between different samples of the same lens to cause a difference in behaviour in this region?

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

It would indeed seem likely that the camera is not performing well here, however, would it be kind of strange that all Sony models (including your A350 and my A700) have this issue. And to me it would not make sense why the autofocus of the camera would only make this mistake at 16mm and an object at 3m away. I do believe it's a problem in the lens, just wonder what could cause it?

BTW: Got my salary yesterday, I'm now at 50% of the 70-200mm F2.8G SSM

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Blog | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

Hello peeps and sorry for hijacking this thread and hoping for a sitrep from you peeps.

I am in the market for this lens for my current cameras and since my gf has taken an interest in the NEX-5.

I have read Gordo's review and others with great interest over the last 6 months. The price for the lens has really put the brakes on me making another addition to my setup. But I noticed last week on CL's little java boxes (not working now!) that Jessops has the lens for £399!
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/49126/show.html

This is considerably cheaper than I have found anywhere in the UK. Perhaps one of you beady eyed snappers may correct me or point me in another direction entirely.

That's definitely a decent price at the moment. If you decide to buy from Jessops, if you visit their site via the link on this page then cameralabs gets a small referral fee too. The snag I find with Jessops deals is they don't tend to stick around long so don't wait too long.

In a quick look at other price check sites, I don't see it any cheaper elsewhere.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

I am certainly going to go ahead and Amex the bad boy.

The price is right! I promise to use the link provided to make the purchase.

The dirty deed will be done on Sunday evening so if there are any peeps that think I am wasting credit (lol) on this purchase and think that it is better spent elsewhere please, please post up a NOTAM!

Many regards.

I say go ahead and get it! Though I sold the lens quite some time back, it served me very well for a long time, and I really enjoyed shooting with it!

Fun to read up on some old posts I made here...

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Blog | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux