AGeoJO wrote:
Zeiss will take over that "task" with its new Batis 135mm f/2.4, I am afraid. Sony will introduce a fast, f/1.8 or f/2 GM version of that FL in the future according to my crystal ball .
No, they won't. The Zeiss Batis 135 (and it's f/2.8, not 2.4, isn't it?) is really expensive.
I replaced the Batis 85mm f/1.8 with this lens. I won't say the Sony is sharper, but I prefer it. The fact that the Sony is substantially cheaper is a bonus.
I might hope for a 135mm Sony some day, but in the meantime I've indulged in the new 100mm APO - that should keep me amused for quite a while.
Has anyone received a poor (soft wide open/decentered) copy of this lens? I just placed my order and am wondering how others copies have been so far. Early reviews all seem positive so hopefully this is a step up from some of Sony's other "notorious" lenses (35mm f1.4, 24-70mm f4, 16-70mm f4 etc)
Jochenb wrote:
I returned my decentered copy and tried another one. Again decentered.
Again not just very mild decentering, but very pronounced.
BTW, I also tried the 24-70 GM again and yes, you can already guess it. Same story. Badly decentered at most focal lengths.
It's certainly not my camera, because my lenses that are fine were also fine on my previous A7 series.
I'm REALLY losing my patience with Sony. Their lack of quality control is a disgrace.
I envy the people here that hardly ever get faulty gear.
I quite like the FE 85/1.8, but for now I went for a refund.
Are you getting them shipped to you? Could be an issue with transit.
Personal anecdote, take with grain of salt. But I noticed that the Zeiss Batis lens we received was extremely well-packaged with TONS of packaging foam, large bubble wrap, and the lens was nested tightly in a shaped foam in the box. Our Batis 85 lens has been impeccable. We even got a (presumably) custom MTF chart of our copy of the lens.
Meanwhile every Sony lens we've received has been loosely packed with only a very thin layer of bubble wrap, and the lens has tons of space to rattle inside the box. We've gotten a few decentered/problematic Sony lenses. They really need better packaging and protection for their lenses. They do a great job keeping the bodies well-protected with formed cardbox boxes ensuring rigidity, but no such protection for their lenses!
Interesting. The Batis packing looks superb. I'd also guess the Batis has higher QC standards (than the 85mm) but perhaps not.
What retailer have you found provides the best external packing job (regardless of manufacturer)?
RoseandCharles wrote:
Are you getting them shipped to you? Could be an issue with transit.
Personal anecdote, take with grain of salt. But I noticed that the Zeiss Batis lens we received was extremely well-packaged with TONS of packaging foam, large bubble wrap, and the lens was nested tightly in a shaped foam in the box. Our Batis 85 lens has been impeccable. We even got a (presumably) custom MTF chart of our copy of the lens.
Meanwhile every Sony lens we've received has been loosely packed with only a very thin layer of bubble wrap, and the lens has tons of space to rattle inside the box. We've gotten a few decentered/problematic Sony lenses. They really need better packaging and protection for their lenses. They do a great job keeping the bodies well-protected with formed cardbox boxes ensuring rigidity, but no such protection for their lenses!...Show more →
I don't believe this happens during delivery. It mostly likely happens during lens production. Any slight tilt in one or more elements will translate to ill effects on our high MP sensors at 1:1 magnification.
I've tried two FE 85/1.8 lenses. One was from @GMPhotography, which was perfectly centered and another brand new which was severely decentered (element tilt). So, the odds for me were 50/50.
Since I have had better luck with Zeiss lenses (Not Zeiss/Sony), I gave an used Batis 85/1.8 (~$800) a try and got very lucky.
I agree it is probably during production. Crossing my fingers for a good copy when it comes in next week.
This may be a topic that warrants its own thread but what is everyone here's experience with copy variation pertaining to certain retailers? I've heard rumors that some retailers (maybe all?) simply "refurbish" and resell lenses as new that were returned as poor copies. Does anyone have insider insight on this? I'm wondering if it's more prevalent in larger companies like B&H with a higher influx of returns and lenient return policies. Thoughts?
A friend of mine swears he was sold a used Rokinon 14mm f2.8 from B&H but it was good and cheap enough that he just kept it. He said there was a fairly significant amount of dust in the lens and a hairline crack of some sort in the body but neither seemed to affect performance.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I don't believe this happens during delivery. It mostly likely happens during lens production. Any slight tilt in one or more elements will translate to ill effects on our high MP sensors at 1:1 magnification.
I've tried two FE 85/1.8 lenses. One was from @GMPhotography@, which was perfectly centered and another brand new which was severely decentered (element tilt). So, the odds for me were 50/50.
Since I have had better luck with Zeiss lenses (Not Zeiss/Sony), I gave an used Batis 85/1.8 (~$800) a try and got very lucky.
RoseandCharles wrote:
Meanwhile every Sony lens we've received has been loosely packed with only a very thin layer of bubble wrap, and the lens has tons of space to rattle inside the box. We've gotten a few decentered/problematic Sony lenses. They really need better packaging and protection for their lenses. They do a great job keeping the bodies well-protected with formed cardbox boxes ensuring rigidity, but no such protection for their lenses!
Totally agree. Batis packaging assumes the retailer is going to throw the bare product into a cardboard box and park it on the shipping dock—B&H is certainly guilty in this regard. Sony needs to be similarly proactive, especially with the high-end optics. My 100 STF GM was shipped inside the included lens case, but 4mm of bubble wrap won't protect the precious content if the orange Sony box takes a hit. They can probably afford some vacuum-formed insulation with a $1500 lens!
Jimi3 wrote:
How's the af on this lens? Trying to decide between it, a tamron 85, and an ef 85 1.8. Would like native for eye af but focus speed is more important.
If you want fast and reliable AF, you might as well rule out the Tamron and Canon lenses - unless you plan to use them on a Canon body...
The native FE mount lens is always going to be faster focusing on a Sony body, and considerably so in low-light conditions.
Totally agree. As much as I liked the flat field, close focus performance, bokeh, and manual focus feel of the Tamron, it cannot compete with the FE 85/1.8 in terms of both focus speed and accuracy. When you factor in Eye AF, there is no good reason to prefer the Tamron. The EF may focus slightly faster than the Tammy but as molson pointed out the native lens is going to focus faster. The FE 85/1.8 provides real value for money.
molson wrote:
If you want fast and reliable AF, you might as well rule out the Tamron and Canon lenses - unless you plan to use them on a Canon body...
The native FE mount lens is always going to be faster focusing on a Sony body, and considerably so in low-light conditions.
molson wrote:
If you want fast and reliable AF, you might as well rule out the Tamron and Canon lenses - unless you plan to use them on a Canon body...
The native FE mount lens is always going to be faster focusing on a Sony body, and considerably so in low-light conditions.
Right. Stupid question I guess here's another - anybody compare af speed on the Sony with the Batis? (Since the Batis used isn't that much more).
molson wrote:
If you want fast and reliable AF, you might as well rule out the Tamron and Canon lenses - unless you plan to use them on a Canon body...
Not true. I shoot Canon lenses on my A7R2 (with MB IV) and I have very fast and reliable AF, including in lower light. AF is only slow in the super-telephoto range, and this is especially true when you add super low light with a f/5.6 lens.
Used mine at a volleyball game yesterday - mostly for static candids and some pre-focused action shots. Have not digested them yet, but hopefully I can share a few later on today.
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