captivatingphotography wrote:
The only way to tell for sure is to carry out a very specific series of tests, in good light, from precise distances with many lenses. Unfortunately, for most of us, it's finding the time and a willing volunteer!
You shouldn't need this, as I've said repeatedly it's also occurring when using AF with a magnified view so just try that on a static subject.
I don't think you'll get very far testing distance though, once you reduce the aperture or increase the distance DOF will be big enough to hide the issue from f/2 onward.
Glad that Zeiss is looking into this. Thanks to everyone for raising the issue. Have kept my pre-order active for now.
Jonathan Brady wrote:
We take the feedback from our valued customers very seriously. In the last days, we got the feedback from a few photographers who already use the brand new Batis 2/40 that the eye-AF function of some Sony E-mount camera bodies will not always lead to a perfectly focused image result. At the moment, we are intensively evaluating the issue to reproduce this reported effect under certain conditions in practical use.
Steve Spencer wrote:
Interesting Bernhard, that does not sound like the same problem that Simon had. His problem seems to be about accuracy (the lens focussed to the same spot every time, but it was the wrong spot), whereas yours seems to be about precision (it doesn't focus to the same spot every time). That may suggest that different lenses have different problems. Your lens is likely to benefit from shooting it on the A9 which has greater precision than the A7 third generation cameras. His would be unlikely to benefit from that change.
I already tested it also on the A9 - same on this camera. But it was mostly out of focus. Sometimes (maybe I or the model moved a bit) it was in focus. It was really strange.
I'd say it reminds me a bit of the Pentax FA43 1.9 I once had. Not because they are similar in terms of rendering (maybe they are?) but because you have to know it well so you know what works and where you will encounter difficulties. It can produce "harsh" bokeh sometimes depending on the background. But I definitely like it's character (which wasn't really love at first sight). As I said, it's got character. I like lenses that are special. This seems to be one of those lenses. However, ZEISS has to do its homework first.
I've been reading this thread with great interest over the last 12 pages since I have one on pre-order but it won't arrive for at least another week or two. So I have two questions from those using Eye-AF on any lens. While I've shot with Eye-AF and AF-S on occasion I really prefer Eye-AF and AF-C so that they eye is tracked while the subject is moving. Is this how people are testing and finding it miss focus? Have to admit I never get 100% accuracy with Eye-AF on any of my three bodies I am very happy with the results. Also what is the range of the subjects from the camera people are testing? I'm curious how prominant in the frame is they eye being focused on. I've assumed, rightly or not that people are testing at about -2 EV @ f/2 or are the exposures much brighter?
I guess I have decided, based on this thread, to still get my copy and compare it agains the 55/1.8 and 50/1.4 I already have and test it for myself. I feel confident with that decision since I have ordered it from B&H and know I can return it if I I think there is a problem. I have had no other issue with the other 4 Batis lenses I currently own so I am willing to take a chance since I really want something smaller to carry a lot and there.
Is any of my thinking flawed? Should I hold off until all doubts have been addressed?
swldstn wrote:
Is any of my thinking flawed? Should I hold off until all doubts have been addressed?
Your thinking is right on the money. Test that lens thoroughly and report back to this forum so that all of the fence sitters, me included, can decide.
KarmaKramer wrote:
I cant deal with that hoarder feeling I get,if I have a 35,40 & 50mm lens. Somethin's gotta go.
I’m horrible at this. If it sits a few weeks it’s outta here. I hope folks don’t think I sell so often because of bad lenses. It’s never the case it’s more about use and keep me from falling asleep at the wheel. Nothing is sacred in my bag. Too many years I like to keep fresh more why so much GAS. I’m really not crazy.
Looks there is really a lot to like in this lens, in some ways it reminds me the RX1's lens in terms of overall rendering, close-up performance and corner to corner sharpness already at F2.
Now if not for that nonagonal bokeh and the Eye-AF hiccups.. Damn it..
Tirpitz666 wrote:
Now if not for that nonagonal bokeh and the Eye-AF hiccups.. Damn it..
I really didn't have a problem with the bokeh despite all the complaints and the Eye AF issue feels like something they can fix in firmware so fingers crossed...
I wonder if they could "fix" even the nonagonal bokeh if they would like via a dedicated FW update, at the end it should boil down if one wants that the lens stops down a bit to "retain maximum performance" (as Zeiss is telling us) or remain wide open at the expense maybe of some sharpness loss and/or heavy vignetting (but perfercly circular bokeh).
Don't know if if would be feasible and anyway not likely to happen at all even if it would be..
Anyway, regardless of this, I really like how the lens renders, so I'm definitely keeping it on my radar and see if at least the Eye-AF fiasco can be sorted out
This Batis 40 f2 got finally announced for Japan market, will be released on 11/22.
Street price including tax is currently 139,490 yen e.g. at Map Camera. According to Google currency conversion it's about 1225 USD. Not a bad price, I was afraid it could be a bit more as the 2 most recent Batis relases (135/2.8 and 18/2.8) were more expensive here than I had expected in comparison to U.S. prices.
I still haven't made up my mind about pre-booking, still on the fence. Would be nice to see some conclusion to the eye AF issues etc. but I wonder if first shipments will be sold out quickly.
