p.2 #1 · Issue with the Sony Zeiss 55/1.8 FE or A7
Hmm my first impressions are that this new copy behaves exactly the same. Like I said earlier, Lloyd Chambers also has a copy that shows the same behavior. For some reason the right side shows larger DOF. Decentering is always possible, but multiple copies that are the same? Wouldn't it be a bit too much coincidence? I can't check if it's the camera to blame as this is my only lens for it. Maybe the lens mount isn't exactly parallel to the sensor, but if this was the case wouldn't it also show up when shooting a planar subject wide open?
p.2 #3 · Issue with the Sony Zeiss 55/1.8 FE or A7
I went out to shoot the same photos as I did with the first copy and I can now confirm: the performance is identical. Argh.
A new finding: if I shoot a horizon wide open the left side might be a littlebit softer, but the difference isn't big. However, when I stop down the left side becomes softer until DOF masks it. In those cases the bottom left corner also becomes sharper. It almost looks like some kind of weird focus shift, because wide open the sharpness is more uniform. The fact that both these copies are exactly the same makes me scratch my head. Can this also be a camera problem? Does anyone know? If it is, wouldn't the closer ranges also show problems and wouldn't the wide open horizon test also show it then? I can't test it with other lenses because I don't have any. Thanks.
p.2 #4 · Issue with the Sony Zeiss 55/1.8 FE or A7
Jochenb, will WO till to f8 infinity shot give you any help. I still have my test shot after get it at my hard disk somewhere. Or what exact test condition you want? I can try for you early next week....
Though if it turns out a real design character, I won't be bothered by it.
p.2 #5 · Issue with the Sony Zeiss 55/1.8 FE or A7
after about a year i had consistent decentering of focus with my nex-7. tightening the screws on the mount corrected the issue. perhaps you have a similar camera problem?
p.2 #6 · Issue with the Sony Zeiss 55/1.8 FE or A7
Sebboh, I tried tightening the mount screws... but they're tight already. Like I said, sadly I don't have any other lenses to test if it's the camera.
I notice the following:
When I grab the lens (when mounted on the camera) there's some play. When I push it left and right I hear a faint ticking sound coming from the mount. Can any of you A7(R) + 55/1.8 owners try the same please? When I grab a lens and push it sideways on my E-M1 there's absolutely zero play.
Michael, thanks. Any help is appreciated. Maybe you can check my question before going through your test shots?
p.2 #7 · Issue with the Sony Zeiss 55/1.8 FE or A7
I believe there are no play at the time I first have them but over use, there is a slight now, I feel it is normal.
I will go through this thread carefully to see what I can try to verify.
p.2 #8 · Issue with the Sony Zeiss 55/1.8 FE or A7
zhangyue wrote:
I believe there are no play at the time I first have them but over use, there is a slight now, I feel it is normal.
I will go through this thread carefully to see what I can try to verify.
Thank you. I'll post another example in a moment.
Just to be clear: I don't mean play when turning the lens when it's mounted, but holding it and hearing a ticking sound when you grab the grip and push the camera front - and backwards. With little force ofcourse.
p.2 #9 · Issue with the Sony Zeiss 55/1.8 FE or A7
Jochen, no ticking from mine or movement as you describe, just a bit of rotational play at the mount (my Nikon D600 has a smidge of this, too, with a Nikon lens).
p.2 #10 · Issue with the Sony Zeiss 55/1.8 FE or A7
I visualised the issue.
Shot at F5.6:
Everything above the red line is in sharp focus. Everything below it is out of focus.
Now an example wide open, F1.8:
I painted everything that's in sharp focus over with red (btw, the foreground tree is also in focus). A similar tilt of the focal plane, but also look at the right background!
This exactly the same with 2 copies of this lens. This must be the camera. I'm getting sick and tired of Sony. I've NEVER got a good copy of their cameras the first time (RX1, RX100 and now probably the A7 too).
p.2 #11 · Issue with the Sony Zeiss 55/1.8 FE or A7
Could it be a misaligned sensor plane?
My FE55 has no play the way you describe. Just realized that my copy of the FE35 requires more torque to mount than my FE55 so some variation in the mounts between them. A little radial play in both which I assume is normal.
p.2 #13 · Issue with the Sony Zeiss 55/1.8 FE or A7
BTW, shouldnt you be able to see that using focus peaking on such a motif as above? Instead of a horizontal mesh of patterns moving back and forth, you should get a slightly tilted one.
EDIT
...i.e. when using the super mushy focus ring, not AF
p.2 #14 · Issue with the Sony Zeiss 55/1.8 FE or A7
wfrank wrote:
BTW, shouldnt you be able to see that using focus peaking on such a motif as above? Instead of a horizontal mesh of patterns moving back and forth, you should get a slightly tilted one.
EDIT
...i.e. when using the super mushy focus ring, not AF
Yes, I do see it.
I'll call the store tomorrow for a new A7... or a full refund. This can get messy because they hardly believed my problems and already exchanged the lens. I've never had a faulty mount so I thought it was the lens. Pff.
p.2 #15 · Issue with the Sony Zeiss 55/1.8 FE or A7
Good luck, no envy :-/. Normal answer here would be that the shop says they need to take it to Sony service within the guarantee. And the risk is high that it will come back with the same condition. Hope it ends well and that it wont take too long.
p.2 #19 · Issue with the Sony Zeiss 55/1.8 FE or A7
Sorry to hear of your problems, but I'm not too surprised (see below).
Concerning the slight movement you mentioned: I have a 7r and when the lens is mounted, I can push it sligthly sideways or up and down. Both the FE 35mm and the FE 55mm show the same behaviour, so this is probably normal.
I'm on my second 35mm; the first had double-images on the left edge that didn't go away until f11. New copy arrived yesterday and seems better.
The 55mm has issues near the upper left corner with "hairy" mushy rendering even at f 5,6 and smaller. Waiting for a second copy.
So far I assume the lenses are the issue, but since the problems seem to occur at the left hand side, I can not yet exclude the body.
One wonders how DXO got hold of such a super 55mm sample...
p.2 #20 · Issue with the Sony Zeiss 55/1.8 FE or A7
Jochenb wrote:
We'll see, they're not understanding.
Btw, one thing is still strange though. I don't notice anything when I shoot a planar subject at close range.
Yes that is strange. Guess the lens gurus around here could have an idea about that, possibly relating to element configurations and the effect on various distances and so forth. But it would not mean much.
For the other part it sounds like a weak return policy.
