I had heard of the XCD 38mm f/2.5 rearward focus shift that forces the focus rearward to make autofocus useless. I received my copy yesterday and it took only took minutes to see that for my kind of work (closeup photography), using the XCD 38mm f/2.5 means giving up autofocus or using it to get in the vicinity, and in every shot having to manual focus to take a shot.
That aside (which is huge), I like the color and style of this lens. I may keep it and use it as if it were an old View or Large Format camera. I wonder how other users find this lens. Please comment.
I use a macro lens for copy work and have used the 90v stopped down to make contact sheets, but haven’t used the 38v for near work, other than a few flowers. Why would an autofocus lens miss focus within normal shooting distances? I ask this question already assuming that the photographer is seeing the green focus verification in the viewfinder.
bwcolor wrote:
I use a macro lens for copy work and have used the 90v stopped down to make contact sheets, but haven’t used the 38v for near work, other than a few flowers. Why would an autofocus lens miss focus within normal shooting distances? I ask this question already assuming that the photographer is seeing the green focus verification in the viewfinder.
Yes, I see the GREEN focus verification. It is baked into the lens, rearward focus shift, which means I focus on a spot until it goes Green, press the shutter button, but when I look at the image, it is out of focus, but an area farther away is in focus. Check it out. All you have to do is what I did above and then look at the result. There it is. I have been a photographer since 1956, so this is not my first rodeo.
I am finding that adding the Hasselblad 9mm extension tube works very well indeed. I am still working with the problem or rearward focus shift, and I am magnifying each shot to make sure it is in focus. Here is a two-shot stack at f/5.6 using the 9mm tube and even up to f/16 I get good results.
MichaelErlewine wrote:
I am finding that adding the Hasselblad 9mm extension tube works very well indeed. I am still working with the problem or rearward focus shift, and I am magnifying each shot to make sure it is in focus. Here is a two-shot stack at f/5.6 using the 9mm tube and even up to f/16 I get good results.
At f/16 the camera might struggle to focus stopped down though. Maybe try f/4 - f/5.6 and then stop down manually after focusing.
Imo Nikon's approach to autofocus on mirrorless makes the most sense: camera stops down up to f/5.6 for focusing, which practically eliminates all issues with focus shift, and will then stop down further for taking the shot (only if set to smaller aperture of course). You can also set it to focus wide-open, but it's not really necessary for most use cases and introduces the potential issue of focus shift.
I was very happy with my 38v. Focus shift never showed up as an issue for me - flare was the main optical issue I ran into with the lens (and it was quite bad, even uncontrolled reflexions - so no direct light sources - into the frame would result in botched areas).
That being said, I replaced it with a 30 + 45, and I’m much happier with the overall output of those “older” lenses.
nazdravanul wrote:
I was very happy with my 38v. Focus shift never showed up as an issue for me - flare was the main optical issue I ran into with the lens (and it was quite bad, even uncontrolled reflexions - so no direct light sources - into the frame would result in botched areas).
That being said, I replaced it with a 30 + 45, and I’m much happier with the overall output of those “older” lenses.
Yes, both the 45P/45 and the 30, while older are very sharp. I like and keep the XCD 38mm for it's 'closer up' ability, ability to use continuous focus, and lightweight package, and quietness. What I need is a modern macro lens that goes to 1:1, and is lightweight and not bulky. Now that it is winter here in Michigan, it does not matter so much because I will be in the studio most of the time. Yet, I don't use the XCD 120mm outdoors except around the yard because it is too heavy, bulky, and clunky, but great.
MichaelErlewine wrote:
Yes, both the 45P/45 and the 30, while older are very sharp. I like and keep the XCD 38mm for it's 'closer up' ability, ability to use continuous focus, and lightweight package, and quietness. What I need is a modern macro lens that goes to 1:1, and is lightweight and not bulky. Now that it is winter here in Michigan, it does not matter so much because I will be in the studio most of the time. Yet, I don't use the XCD 120mm outdoors except around the yard because it is too heavy, bulky, and clunky, but great.
I resorted to the HC 120mm macro II, but only manual focus. It is an excellent, but a large and heavy lens. This is certainly one hole in the Hasselblad lineup.
nazdravanul wrote:
I was very happy with my 38v. Focus shift never showed up as an issue for me - flare was the main optical issue I ran into with the lens (and it was quite bad, even uncontrolled reflexions - so no direct light sources - into the frame would result in botched areas).
That being said, I replaced it with a 30 + 45, and I’m much happier with the overall output of those “older” lenses.
I agree - ghosting / reflections is the real weak point of this lens, which is otherwise excellent. I can usually work around it, but I think they should really improve this in the future.
