p.9 #4 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
One thing I immediately noticed on my new good copy was the absence of longitudinal track marks on the telescoping portion of the barrel. I just assumed my focus-shift copy had them from being more used, but I have yet to see them develop on the new copy and I've been moving the barrel back and forth a lot. This probably has nothing to do with the focus-shift issue but if others with both good and bad copies can see if their's has it too and report back. Here's what it looks like on my focus-shift copy:
p.9 #6 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
Continuing photographic test. While measuring the relative light transmission and DOF between the two lenses to verify the apertures close to the same size (they do), I discovered a framing difference between the lenses at all focal lengths. At first I just thought this was due to micro-movement of the tripod between switching lenses or slight focus breathing from small focus differences but I was able to repeat it several times. Here are the results:
p.9 #8 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
snapsy wrote:
Continuing photographic test. While measuring the relative light transmission and DOF between the two lenses to verify the apertures close to the same size (they do), I discovered a framing difference between the lenses at all focal lengths. At first I just thought this was due to micro-movement of the tripod between switching lenses or slight focus breathing from small focus differences but I was able to repeat it several times. Here are the results:
I've never compared two copies of a lens so closely regarding framing, so this may just be expected/normal copy variation....Show more →
It would be much easier to just measure the entrance pupil diameter directly. Take a good, low distortion, well behaved lens and take a picture of the limiting aperture of the 24-105mm. You may want to stop it down to, say, f/8 to focus on the aperture first. Once that is done, without touching the image capturing camera setup put a ruler in the same place and take a picture of that. Use the ruler to figure out what size one pixel is, then you can use that to compute the entrance pupil's size. Combine that with a measure of the focal length, and voila - you have the true F/#.
p.9 #9 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
I purchased my 24-105 end November with Serial number S01-1800704-6. I have not experienced any problems but carried out a hand held test yesterday and everything seems OK. I will do an extended test over the weekend to make absolutely sure but it looks like I have one of the unaffected serial numbers. I can fully appreciate the scale of frustration for those who have received one of the faulty units. I was waiting for this native FE focal length lens to be released for over 12 months (I had been using a Minolta 24-105 D F3.5-4.5 on a LA 4 adaptor and found this focal length perfect for travel albeit this older lens had it's flaws), so when we finally get any new lens we rightly expect it to be perfect (we like photography so are naturally always seeking perfection), especially in this price range. I am loving this lens, although even though it is the lightest in it's class, for me it is borderline whether a battery grip is required especially for extended periods of shooting. I would definitely recommend a battery grip with this lens if used in conjunction with an attached flash.
p.9 #10 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
My rental copy arrives today. If it's a good copy and in decent shape, I'll by it. Otherwise, it will be good to get some experience with the lens while the search continues. I figure it should be a good way to get a good copy without the focus issue.
p.9 #11 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
rji2goleez wrote:
My rental copy arrives today. If it's a good copy and in decent shape, I'll by it.
At least two of the good lenses in the list came from Lens Rental (via Sony Pro Support); my first one and guy's first one. So there's a chance you end up with one of those.
p.9 #13 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
MikeEvangelist wrote:
At least two of the good lenses in the list came from Lens Rental (via Sony Pro Support); my first one and guy's first one. So there's a chance you end up with one of those.
Well, that and the fact we checked them all for this. . . . .
I'll tell on myself, because I just got Karma'd. Right after I posted this, I found out 3 lenses got shipped before the testing protocol got put in place, one to an FM member and sure enough it was bad. Every time I decide I to brag . . . .
p.9 #14 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
emailed Sony and mentioned DP Review and FM review. They asked me take Camera and Lens back to Sony ( in Pencoed Wales UK) I did this today. Await reply !!
p.9 #15 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
I can't believe this, my lens is unusable at 105mm f8 ! it only focuses in AF-C
how are the testing the lenses before leaving the factory if they make a test at all...
I've been using Sony lenses/cameras for about 4 years (before was pentax, canon, olympus), this is the first time I see something like this.
p.9 #17 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
It's amazing to me that they had such a distinct point where the failures began to occur. At this point, not a single bad one in the 180 range, and about 50% in the 181 range.
I'm especially looking forward to seeing what the "good news" is next week that Mike alluded to in a post on the previous page.
I hope, for the sake of Sony and also for all the 181 range owners sanity, that this is an issue of a firmware resolution so that we all don't have to send our lenses in for repairs/replacement.
Of course, Sony doesn't exactly make updated to FW easily done, either, for that matter, but at least we won't be fixated on whether our 181 range lenses have a part that is going to fail just after the warranty expires or something similar to that.
p.9 #18 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
mjm6 wrote:
I'm especially looking forward to seeing what the "good news" is next week that Mike alluded to in a post on the previous page.
Me too! I'm dying to know what causes this and what solution there will be. I'm confident there will be a solution; it's just a question of how much/little hassle might be involved.
p.9 #20 · 24-105mm FOCUS SHIFT survey - FINAL RESULTS
Just done a further thorough test on 1800704 using a tripod and it's sharp all the way from F4 to F22. No consolation for those receiving the dud versions I know and I would imagine that with a near 50/50 failure rate for the 181's, this has dented the confidence of potential buyers who are researching the lens and coming across these posts. Just hope Sony is not in denial. About 6 years ago I sent my NEX-5N back to Sony to have the video clicking sound repaired. Whilst they sorted it there was never any acknowledgement that there was an inherent problem when I made initial enquiries and I remember how annoyed I was about their lack of honesty and openness at the time despite the numerous posts on the internet at the time.
if they make a test at all...