p.4 #2 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
It looks like there is a production run issue. Someone should alert Sony as they probably are not aware of this.
I've sent an email to their support but this usually does not get to right ears. https://esupport.sony.com/US/p/select-system.pl?DIRECTOR=CONTACT
Perhaps sending this thread's link to the rumors site may help.
p.4 #4 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
Fred Miranda wrote:
It looks like there is a production run issue. Someone should alert Sony as they probably are not aware of this.
I've sent an email to their support but this usually does not get to right ears. https://esupport.sony.com/US/p/select-system.pl?DIRECTOR=CONTACT
Perhaps sending this thread's link to the rumors site may help.
A few in this thread have forwarded the issue to Sony Pro support.
p.4 #5 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
RCicala wrote:
FWIW my testing techs today started testing for this. They found ten of ten 180 SN lenses were fine. One of three 181 SN lenses exhibited the focussing abnormality you all are discussing. I can't give specific SNs I'm afraid.
I refuse to call it focus shift at this point. Focus shift is a pretty specific optical phenomenon caused by spherical aberrations. This is something else. For one thing, a quick test on the lens I have in hand shows even the slightest stop down from f/4 causes more change than I'd see on a Canon 50mm f1.2, and that is a poster child of focus shift in my experience.
I've finished my Sony testing, but I won't write it up until I get to spend a day or two with this particular lens. But even without the focus shift this lens is excellent wide open, but rather weird, and it's stop-down behavior is odd not even considering the focus shift. ...Show more →
One idea that came to mind - is it possible the aperture mechanism/blades are tilted, which wouldn't affect the projection when wide open but would as soon as the blades are stopped down even a little?
Prices...these three lenses perform at a very high level, and together cost less than I paid for a 16-18-21mm WATE lens a few years ago.
Sony has won me over, in spite a few bumps in the road.
PS
I am unmoved by the echo chamber effect of the internet, which repeats and amplifies every minor problem. And I've spent long enough working in digital marketing and social campaigns to recognize coordinated astroturfing/smear campaigns which have become the norm in nearly every product category. [EDIT FOR CLARITY] - Not suggesting that this particular issue is being artificially amplified. I'm commenting more generally on the negativity of internet forums and my belief that you really have to trust your own experience, not the unhappy reports of the (few) people who report problems, which are then endlessly repeated (sometimes by parties with vested interests). Thankfully, FM is a much more level-headed and balanced forum than most others.
Prices...these three lenses perform at a very high level, and together cost less than I paid for a 16-18-21mm WATE lens a few years ago.
Sony has won me over, in spite a few bumps in the road.
PS
I am unmoved by the echo chamber effect of the internet, which repeats and amplifies every minor problem. And I've spent long enough working in digital marketing and social campaigns to recognize coordinated astroturfing/smear campaigns which have become the norm in nearly every product category.
I’m not sure I see a coordinated smear campaign here. We’re all enthusiasts and professionals who spend a lot of money on Sony equipment and want to see Sony’s system succeed.
I personally returned a truly atrocious copy of the 12-24 and several garbage copies of the 16-35GM before getting a good one. That’s tough to stomach when you are spending a lot of money and don’t have time to test and retest lenses and deal with the return process. There are very well documented copy variation issues with the 35/1.4 as well. This thread alone has documented a bad batch of lenses with some really odd behavior. I don’t think that’s all trolling and coordinated astroturfing/smear campaign.
But at the end of the day, Sony is really making some fantastic lenses and the system has really won me over. That being said, they’ve been going through some growing pains in lens production, which is nothing surprising or unexpected.
p.4 #13 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
Somehow, i am unconvinced that i can confidently spend my money on the 24-105 after reading this thread, or the 12-24 after hearing about the sample variations and how wide ends are better in some and the longer end in others or the long thread on the 70-200 GM where we got a definitive answer on its performance.
Glad you have copies that work for you.
I have bought Sony FE zooms and was burnt by that experience none has been positive so far.
FWIW, I am not part of any “coordinated campaigns”, let alone any “smear” campains. If my posting here was OT (i clearly did not think so), I am sorry about that.
PS: I think it is more amusing to sit outside and read up on the “golden copies” than participate in discussions like this here.
MikeEvangelist wrote:
PS
I am unmoved by the echo chamber effect of the internet, which repeats and amplifies every minor problem. And I've spent long enough working in digital marketing and social campaigns to recognize coordinated astroturfing/smear campaigns which have become the norm in nearly every product category.
p.4 #15 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
realVivek wrote:
Somehow, i am unconvinced that i can confidently spend my money on the 24-105 after reading this thread, or the 12-24 after hearing about the sample variations and how wide ends are better in some and the longer end in others or the long thread on the 70-200 GM where we got a definitive answer on its performance.
Glad you have copies that work for you.
I have bought Sony FE zooms and was burnt by that experience none has been positive so far.
FWIW, I am not part of any “coordinated campaigns”, let alone any “smear” campains. If my posting here was OT (i clearly did not think so), I am sorry about that.
PS: I think it is more amusing to sit outside and read up on the “golden copies” than participate in discussions like this here.
With this attitude, you wouldn't buy anything. I have experienced sample variation with every brand. I had to play lens roulette with 4 x Leica M-Lux ASPH's before landing a good one.
p.4 #16 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
realVivek wrote:
FWIW, I am not part of any “coordinated campaigns”, let alone any “smear” campains. If my posting here was OT (i clearly did not think so), I am sorry about that.
Sorry! I wasn't implying that at all. I was speaking more generally to the way bad news always seems to spread more readily that good news.
p.4 #17 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
I always thought that Leica owners find Sony offerings better and of course a bargain. 4X Leica M Lux ASPHs of whatever focal length is clearly out of my monetary reach or photographic needs. I am afraid that I am not isolated in this thinking or attitude.
lambers wrote:
With this attitude, you wouldn't buy anything. I have experienced sample variation with every brand. I had to play lens roulette with 4 x Leica M-Lux ASPH's before landing a good one.
p.4 #18 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
realVivek wrote:
I always thought that Leica owners find Sony offerings better and of course a bargain. 4X Leica M Lux ASPHs of whatever focal length is clearly out of my monetary reach or photographic needs. I am afraid that I am not isolated in this thinking or attitude.
p.4 #20 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
MikeEvangelist wrote:
PS
I am unmoved by the echo chamber effect of the internet, which repeats and amplifies every minor problem. And I've spent long enough working in digital marketing and social campaigns to recognize coordinated astroturfing/smear campaigns which have become the norm in nearly every product category.
I thought Sony "coordinated campaigns"work the other way: "Looky here, Sony lenses are unsurpassed, and have low variability. Buy one and you will surely be in IQ heaven"
