Fred Miranda wrote:
I tested two copies of this lens and both had inaccurate EyeAF in any light. It rarely focus on the eye.
At first I was also surprised by the initial reports but saw it's definitely an issue.
Did you try it on A7R2 by any chance? I honestly can not reproduce bad eye-AF focus you are showing in a post that compares it to 55mm/1.8. Could it be a problem with lens compatibility with newer software on Mark 3?
When asked by Zeiss to review my purchase experience after registering my copy I really let them know that I was giving them poor rating due to the focusing experience with my copy. Since I registered my copy my warranty extended to 3 years I think. So if there is no fix by April I will open up a service request to them to return the lens and get them to do warranty service. Not the approach I am happy with but at this point I probably have no other choice. So until it is a wait and see.
samosh wrote:
Did you try it on A7R2 by any chance? I honestly can not reproduce bad eye-AF focus you are showing in a post that compares it to 55mm/1.8. Could it be a problem with lens compatibility with newer software on Mark 3?
I am in the same situation here in UK. I still need to try eye AF properly and will provide an opinion in a future post. So far, having bought this lens and aware of the pending FW upgrade, I remain happy with it but obviously now knowing about the bugs, will pursue the available routes to get them fixed . I suppose the problem for Zeiss is that there is now a stigma attached to this lens which because they have not acted quickly enough, might be very difficult to shake off (even if all the bugs are fixed). Zeiss have come across as quite arrogant in their lack of communication.
I asked ZEISS about the Eye-AF problem yesterday, and got this answer today...
Dear Customer,
Thank you for your inquiry to ZEISS.
We are currently developing a software update that will improve the function of the EYE-AF. The update will be available to download for free from the ZEISS website in early 2019.
Bei weiteren Fragen stehen wir Ihnen gerne zur Verfügung/ For further details, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Thanks for posting. It's reassuring that they have acknowledged the problem.
Chaliel wrote:
I asked ZEISS about the Eye-AF problem yesterday, and got this answer today...
Dear Customer,
Thank you for your inquiry to ZEISS.
We are currently developing a software update that will improve the function of the EYE-AF. The update will be available to download for free from the ZEISS website in early 2019.
Bei weiteren Fragen stehen wir Ihnen gerne zur Verfügung/ For further details, please do not hesitate to contact us!
zeitlos wrote:
To avoid this, God invented the 40mm lenses
I will wait for a possible solution since I‘m not in a hurry.
That what I thought so I was one the first people pre-ordering the lens, but then Zeiss failed to deliver. Now I think having two excellent lenses 35&50 isn't better than only one 40, for the same $ amount I pay ;-). I would regret if it's proven that Batis 40 is sharper than Nikon Z 50 1.8S but I doubt it. Of course, both don't work with eye-AF at this moment. I like Batis colors and micro contrast though. Can't wait to see how eye-AF of Nikon Z series and S lenses work, but Sony should be the best.
Excellent review
There are hundreds of excellent pictures with Batis 40mm on a web. I myself took hundreds of pictures with this lens that I love. I don't have a single picture with bad eye-AF nor do I care about stop down at close distance. If you can afford it, you are going to enjoy it. If you are going to complain about something that this lens doesn't do to your satisfaction based on other people reviews, then don't buy it.
samosh wrote:
Excellent review
There are hundreds of excellent pictures with Batis 40mm on a web. I myself took hundreds of pictures with this lens that I love. I don't have a single picture with bad eye-AF nor do I care about stop down at close distance. If you can afford it, you are going to enjoy it. If you are going to complain about something that this lens doesn't do to your satisfaction based on other people reviews, then don't buy it.
So you just wait to finally find a single review confirming your beliefs and then make it sound like a bad thing to read reviews to determine whether you should buy something... Sounds like the internet photography community.
samosh wrote:
Excellent review
There are hundreds of excellent pictures with Batis 40mm on a web. I myself took hundreds of pictures with this lens that I love. I don't have a single picture with bad eye-AF nor do I care about stop down at close distance. If you can afford it, you are going to enjoy it. If you are going to complain about something that this lens doesn't do to your satisfaction based on other people reviews, then don't buy it.
You should call Zeiss and tell them to retract their recognition of issues with Eye AF and aperture behavior near MFD and stop development of firmware immediately. It is a waste of time and money as those who can afford it - who are the only people Zeiss should care about - will enjoy it.
I don't understand your objections to reasonable people with reasonable concerns about the lens general behavior (there are always exceptions and there may be good reason why you and Dustin Abbott don't have Eye AF probs) in specific circumstances. Their concerns don't need to negate your satisfaction with the lens and your satisfaction with the lens doesn't need to negate their concerns.
HERE You can fing great review of this lens from Sony Ambasador
"In photo the AF is fast and totally quiet . It is quite reliable for standard subject but it fails regularly when using the Eye AF (tested on A7RIII with AFC) , which is a pity for a lens that could do superb portraits and as I did not had at all the same issue with the Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 and the Zeiss Batis 135mm F2.8"
damiroz wrote: HERE You can fing great review of this lens from Sony Ambasador
"In photo the AF is fast and totally quiet . It is quite reliable for standard subject but it fails regularly when using the Eye AF (tested on A7RIII with AFC) , which is a pity for a lens that could do superb portraits and as I did not had at all the same issue with the Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 and the Zeiss Batis 135mm F2.8"
Now I understand the problem. Both "out of focus" pictures would look just fine to me if better eyeball focus pictures were not present. Obviously since there is just one plane with exact focus for any lens setting and DOF refers to multiple planes where average observer can not distinguish the difference (generally about 15 line pairs of resolution), most people myself included do not see eye-AF focus problem in pictures they are taking. I guess major problem with a lens is that it does not always pick eyeball plane for eye-AF focus. Well, it does not change my opinion that Batis 40mm is a great lens, but thank you for the link that explains what a problem is.
samosh wrote:
most people myself included do not see eye-AF focus problem in pictures they are taking.
This is incorrect, most people have noticed the problem with the 40/2's auto focus.
samosh wrote:
I guess major problem with a lens is that it does not always pick eyeball plane for eye-AF focus.
No, the major problem is the auto focus doesn't work correctly in certain modes, I don't use Eye AF but I do use AF in magnified view which doesn't work correctly on this lens.
samosh wrote:
Well, it does not change my opinion that Batis 40mm is a great lens, but thank you for the link that explains what a problem is.
No one is trying to change your opinion but I don't understand why you insist on telling us there isn't a problem when it's been confirmed repeatedly, even by Zeiss.
I ordered the Batis as I thought I could live with some of the shortcomings - I'm hoping they will fix the Eye AF, but the bokeh balls when shooting close up drive me crazy.
I'm looking for a great 40mm solution with relatively close focus and AF. I have the E mount CV 40 1.2 and I love it, but there are times I need AF. Is the M Mount CV 40 1.2 with the Techart the solution at this focal length for close focus?
;-). I would regret if it's proven that Batis 40 is sharper than Nikon Z 50 1.8S but I doubt it. Of course, both don't work with eye-AF at this moment. I like Batis colors and micro contrast though. Can't wait to see how eye-AF of Nikon Z series and S lenses work, but Sony should be the best.