A little off topic of images but I was in a local camera store and they had a used Batis 40 for sale but the owner recommended I not buy it as they were not working well with the newer cameras (specifically A7RV, and the A7CII models. I have not seen any mention of this - has anyone experienced any issues with those specific bodies with the newest firmware? He mentioned focus noise and accuracy.
jmmaher wrote:
A little off topic of images but I was in a local camera store and they had a used Batis 40 for sale but the owner recommended I not buy it as they were not working well with the newer cameras (specifically A7RV, and the A7CII models. I have not seen any mention of this - has anyone experienced any issues with those specific bodies with the newest firmware? He mentioned focus noise and accuracy.
Hi Jim, I haven’t come across anything that indicates, let alone reports that. But I am not spending a lot of time on the internet, if then mostly only on FM. I sold my Batis 40mm before I bought the A7r V. I used that lens on the A7r II, III and IV without encountering any issues. Would it be possible that the FW of that particular lens hasn’t been updated and caused some malfunctions using the newer cameras? As you know there was a problem with the original FW of that lens. It had close focusing and inaccuracy in focusing issues.
I hope some current owners of this lens that use the current crop of cameras can chime in and enlighten us?
AGeoJO wrote:
. Would it be possible that the FW of that particular lens hasn’t been updated and caused some malfunctions using the newer cameras? As you know there was a problem with the original FW of that lens. It had close focusing and inaccuracy in focusing issues.
Very possible - there are no new updates for the lens (and may not be) and Sony's has made changes in the new bodies and with firmware updates. It's my understanding that the issues are only A7RV forward and does not impact other bodies.
It's really a shame if this turns out to be an ongoing problem as I think the Batis lenses appear to render beautifully. Maybe better than some of the newer choices. -Jim
I've been shooting the Batis 135 more than the 40 and 25, but nothing has jumped out at me. Meanwhile the Loxia are pretty frustrating (for those that have issues) on the newer cameras, and Zeiss is mum.
jmmaher wrote:
Very possible - there are no new updates for the lens (and may not be) and Sony's has made changes in the new bodies and with firmware updates. It's my understanding that the issues are only A7RV forward and does not impact other bodies.
It's really a shame if this turns out to be an ongoing problem as I think the Batis lenses appear to render beautifully. Maybe better than some of the newer choices. -Jim
I thought you were referring to the Batis 40mm only but I came across your other thread about potential issues of Batis lenses on recent Sony cameras in general. At this point, the only Batis lens I have is the Batis 85mm. And that lens works on the A7r V perfectly. As matter of fact I used that lens on the A7r V a lot on a trip to Europe and Morocco in early summer this year.
AGeoJO wrote:
I thought you were referring to the Batis 40mm only but I came across your other thread about potential issues of Batis lenses on recent Sony cameras in general. At this point, the only Batis lens I have is the Batis 85mm. And that lens works on the A7r V perfectly. As matter of fact I used that lens on the A7r V a lot on a trip to Europe and Morocco in early summer this year.
I wanted to compliment you on your wonderful choice of model. You have a great talent for choosing strangers and semi-pros to pose for you. I really like the way the Batis 40 performed for you here, colors and background softness are just perfect! I'm sure your model was impressed with the results. As always, thanks for your inspiring images!
I don't own the a7R5, so hope I am insulated from the potential problems with Batis and Loxia lines on Sony bodies. It would be a terrible shame to have these two great Zeiss lines abandoned from Sony newer models, especially after Zeiss originally helping establish Sony as a top competitor in the full frame photo market. Fortunately, I own a7R4 and a7R2 and seem secure. If I have to stay with a7R4 as my top Sony, I should be good for a long time.
I have an older Batis 25, that I've always loved for it's rendering. I haven't used it in quite some time, spending more time with Sony's newer zooms.
If the clear skies hold out this morning, I may be able to take it out on my A7C R and do some simple focusing tests. What I have in mind is a simple comparison of AF-S, AF-C w tracking and manual focus.
For simplicity probably f5.6 or f4, and fixed, constant white balance. I'd also like to know whether I need to limit the use of the Batis with the A7RIV.
I don't have any of the other Batis lenses, and Joshua has already verified that the 85 appears to have no focus issue.
Blueshound wrote:
If the clear skies hold out this morning, I may be able to take it out on my A7C R and do some simple focusing tests. What I have in mind is a simple comparison of AF-S, AF-C w tracking and manual focus.
I had the opportunity to take a few shots using the Batis 25 on the Sony A7C R body. I very much wanted to keep this simple, and had a limited amount of time, so nothing fancy here, and no aperture series. My goal was to do a simple test of focus accuracy using AF-S, AF-C with Expand Spot w Tracking and Manual Focus. Manual focus made use of the setting for magnification on moving the focus ring, which I have set to the greater of the two options, in the settings menus. (From memory, I think this was 5.7, but don't hold me to that.)
I used f4 as the aperture, as a compromise between what I would normally choose (e.g. f5.6), and those who would prefer wide open. The camera was hand-held, so please excuse the variations in framing. I also see that I must have taken a slight step back for the shot in Manual Focus, but you'll get the general idea.
The images were each Lossless Compressed RAW, brought into ACR, with absolutely no sharpening applied. I used AUTO for minor adjustments to tone and color on the first image, also the Optics corrections selected by ACR. Exactly the same develop settings were applied to the final two images.
The shot order was as follows:
1. AF-S, with the medium focus spot moved over the center uppermost white sign that reads "Waterlily" (same focus point for all three images).
2. AF-C and Expand Spot with Tracking (I may be mis-remembering Expand Flexible Spot as Expand Spot).
3. Manual focus
I then exported all three from PS to Jpeg, color-converted to sRGB, bit depth converted to 8bit, and at full size. Then posted to a Flick album, where they can be viewed directly, but you need to use the link.
Note the file names in the album, the order may not be the same as my ordering above.
The files are tagged as "Public", so should allow downloads for anyone who's interested.
Please feel free to comment, particularly if you choose to download the files. Right now I don't have access to my 32" 4K monitor, so limited to the display on my 4K laptop. I have my own thoughts, but let's see what others think.
On a personal note, this is the first time I've tried Manual Focus with the A7C R. I found this tricky on the small EVF - I can see myself relying primarily on AF. And I'm not sure that the Manually Focused shot is as good as it could have been.
View my Smugmug page
Post icon p.1 #10 · Batis - Any issues with newer cameras from A7R5 on?
Blueshound wrote:
one who's interested.
Please feel free to comment, particularly if you choose to download the files. Right now I don't have access to my 32" 4K monitor, so limited to the display on my 4K laptop. I have my own thoughts, but let's see what others think.
Thanks for doing this.
Very interesting results- when downloaded I lost track of which was which but the focus in all of them looked good. However one had what I perceived as a much higher level of contrast. This one - 53330738375_920923b5a5_o.jpg
Do the lens focus equally well on AFS and AFC? Any difference you noted?
Sorry to get off track again but just did some quick tests with my Batis 25/2, 40/2, and 85/1.8 on the A7C II with both AF-C an AF-S in low light in my room lit with one lamp and focus for all was pretty quick and good I thought. The 7CII has more focus points than my A7RV and A7CR so I don’t know if that’s helping in any way. Will have to test those two bodies tomorrow.
swldstn wrote:
Sorry to get off track again but just did some quick tests with my Batis 25/2, 40/2, and 85/1.8 on the A7C II with both AF-C an AF-S in low light in my room lit with one lamp and focus for all was pretty quick and good I thought. The 7CII has more focus points than my A7RV and A7CR so I don’t know if that’s helping in any way. Will have to test those two bodies tomorrow.
I've been shooting my 25 and 40 with my new a7cR, they work perfectly, no issues. I'm actually still blown away by the AF on the A7cR.
The 40 is still stunningly good. Reminds me why this was my favorite lens when it came out. Great travel/walkaround length too
