p.1 #1 · Unusual sound when powering the Z 800mm PF up/down
Just received a used 800mm Z PF from B&H, in wonderful cosmetic condition. It is making an unusual sound when powered up/down that I have not heard from an other Z lens - as if a stepper motor inside is moving from to/from a home position. It is clearly audible.
p.1 #2 · Unusual sound when powering the Z 800mm PF up/down
There is a setting in the camera (Setup menu / Save focus position) which allows the camera to remember the last focus position when you turn it off and return the lens to that position when the camera is powered up again. I believe Z AF lenses normally go to infinity focus for storage when the camera is powered off. This movement to previously stored position is probably what you are noticing.
p.1 #3 · Unusual sound when powering the Z 800mm PF up/down
ilkka_nissila wrote:
There is a setting in the camera (Setup menu / Save focus position) which allows the camera to remember the last focus position when you turn it off and return the lens to that position when the camera is powered up again. I believe Z AF lenses normally go to infinity focus for storage when the camera is powered off. This movement to previously stored position is probably what you are noticing.
That is quite possible, but I am surprised by how audible the sound is. Every other Z lens I own, 14-24, 14-30, 24-100, 24-200, 100-400, and 180-600 make no noticeable sound. The 800 may require beefier motors to move heavier elements around which is what I may be hearing.
p.1 #4 · Unusual sound when powering the Z 800mm PF up/down
It seems like the 800PF uses the same stepping motor for AF as the 600PF. When the 600PF racks the full range of focus from the near to far limit, it makes a pretty audible whine and then more of a "whirr" sound when it racks back to where it thinks focus should be. If the save focus position setting is what's causing the AF motor to move on startup, that's probably a normal amount of noise that you're hearing. You could try forcing the lens to rack focus from near to far and see if it makes a similar noise.
p.1 #6 · Unusual sound when powering the Z 800mm PF up/down
GroovyGeek wrote:
Just received a used 800mm Z PF from B&H, in wonderful cosmetic condition. It is making an unusual sound when powered up/down that I have not heard from an other Z lens - as if a stepper motor inside is moving from to/from a home position. It is clearly audible.
Is that normal?
Not normal. My Z 800mm PF doesn't make any sounds on startup (nor does my Z 600mm PF).
p.1 #7 · Unusual sound when powering the Z 800mm PF up/down
That is exactly what I hear. A steady stepper motor like noise at startup, with the same loudness and tone when the lens racks from near to far focus.
Wezre wrote:
It seems like the 800PF uses the same stepping motor for AF as the 600PF. When the 600PF racks the full range of focus from the near to far limit, it makes a pretty audible whine and then more of a "whirr" sound when it racks back to where it thinks focus should be. If the save focus position setting is what's causing the AF motor to move on startup, that's probably a normal amount of noise that you're hearing. You could try forcing the lens to rack focus from near to far and see if it makes a similar noise....Show more →
p.1 #8 · Unusual sound when powering the Z 800mm PF up/down
GroovyGeek wrote:
That is exactly what I hear. A steady stepper motor like noise at startup, with the same loudness and tone when the lens racks from near to far focus.
It sounds like it's probably ok then. Did you look at the save focus position setting to see if it was on, and if so, if turning it off "fixes" the issue?
p.1 #9 · Unusual sound when powering the Z 800mm PF up/down
Wezre wrote:
It sounds like it's probably ok then. Did you look at the save focus position setting to see if it was on, and if so, if turning it off "fixes" the issue?
That is not relevant, I think. When I rack the lens from near focus to infinity I hear the exact same noise. As other forum members have noted, there is difference in opinion on whether there is any noise produced by this lens. This seems to be a not infrequent discussion for the 800 PF https://www.dpreview.com/forums/threads/nikon-z-800mm-focus-sound.4797878/
And just like here, there are people who claim that their lens makes no noise. There are currently two of these lenses listed on the B&S forum. One of the sellers, @A.+Winslow was kind enough to run a test on his copy. His observation is
If I hold it close up to my ear you can hear the motor. At distance with camera to the eye and normal shooting I cannot hear the lens motor.
Perhaps there is a range of possible behaviors, and some lenses are mildly noisier than others, or perhaps I am just being too paranoid given the price of the purchase. In any case, since B&H does not distinguish grey from "white" gear in their used section, and the divergence of opinion on what is "normal", I have chosen to return my lens to B&H while I am still in the return window, and buy a known Nikon USA lens from this forum.
I agree that with optical elements as massive as on an 800mm lens it is possible, even probable that the noise is normal and when I get the one from this forum it sounds the same. Heck, the AFS motors on the exotic primes are much more noisier. I don't like returning stuff if it can be avoided, it costs retailers a lot of money particularly on bulky items like this lens. B&H has always treated me right and I want to do the same with them. But in this case I have to be better safe than sorry. Will report back when I get the "new" lens of whether I see a difference to document my observations for posterity.
p.1 #10 · Unusual sound when powering the Z 800mm PF up/down
GroovyGeek wrote:
That is not relevant, I think. When I rack the lens from near focus to infinity I hear the exact same noise. As other forum members have noted, there is difference in opinion on whether there is any noise produced by this lens. This seems to be a not infrequent discussion for the 800 PF https://www.dpreview.com/forums/threads/nikon-z-800mm-focus-sound.4797878/
And just like here, there are people who claim that their lens makes no noise. There are currently two of these lenses listed on the B&S forum. One of the sellers, @A.+Winslow was kind enough to run a test on his copy. His observation is
Perhaps there is a range of possible behaviors, and some lenses are mildly noisier than others, or perhaps I am just being too paranoid given the price of the purchase. In any case, since B&H does not distinguish grey from "white" gear in their used section, and the divergence of opinion on what is "normal", I have chosen to return my lens to B&H while I am still in the return window, and buy a known Nikon USA lens from this forum.
I agree that with optical elements as massive as on an 800mm lens it is possible, even probable that the noise is normal and when I get the one from this forum it sounds the same. Heck, the AFS motors on the exotic primes are much more noisier. I don't like returning stuff if it can be avoided, it costs retailers a lot of money particularly on bulky items like this lens. B&H has always treated me right and I want to do the same with them. But in this case I have to be better safe than sorry. Will report back when I get the "new" lens of whether I see a difference to document my observations for posterity....Show more →
It's not only the size of the elements but the distance they have to travel which is much longer in a long focal length lens than a shorter lens.
I think observer variability (i.e. human hearing threshold and what kind of a sound people notice are bothered by) is likely to be much greater than lens sample variability. The human ears lose hearing of certain frequencies if exposed to too loud sounds (which many are) and furthermore to identify a sound the brain has to process the signals from the ear to be able to make sense of our environments, and we all have different processing in our brains, depending on what sounds we have been exposed to, in what environments we have lived in, and what has been expected of us.
p.1 #11 · Unusual sound when powering the Z 800mm PF up/down
GroovyGeek wrote:
...snip...
I have chosen to return my lens to B&H while I am still in the return window, and buy a known Nikon USA lens from this forum.
I agree that with optical elements as massive as on an 800mm lens it is possible, even probable that the noise is normal and when I get the one from this forum it sounds the same. Heck, the AFS motors on the exotic primes are much more noisier. I don't like returning stuff if it can be avoided, it costs retailers a lot of money particularly on bulky items like this lens. B&H has always treated me right and I want to do the same with them. But in this case I have to be better safe than sorry. Will report back when I get the "new" lens of whether I see a difference to document my observations for posterity....Show more →
Hi GroovyGeek,
Any chance of providing an audio/video clip "for posterity" of what you're experiencing before the lens goes back to B&H?
I've been eyeing the Z800 as a possible addition to our growing Nikon lens array since ditching Panasonic last year (sweetie with her 600/6.3, 400/4.5 and 28-400 and me with my adapted EF Sigma 500/4.5, 180-600 and 28-400) and, if that's the "used Z800" B&H had listed in the $4700 ballpark, it was a possible trigger-purchase for me a couple of weeks ago...heck, I may consider its purchase again when it gets relisted! Haw!
Best wishes on finding a "cream puff" copy!
Jimmy G
p.1 #12 · Unusual sound when powering the Z 800mm PF up/down
Unfortunately it is already on its way back to B&H. And the DPR thread no longer has a link to what that person observed.
To me it did not sound abnormal, no high pitch, no squeaking. Just what I would expect from a stepper motor. If this was AFS I would not have given it a second thought. The only reason it caught my attention is because all my other Z lenses are effectively silent (I know videographers don't share that opinion but for stills you don't hear them unless you put your ear next to the lens).
The one described as "completely silent" is coming on Thursday. It will be interesting to see how it compares to the one I sent back to B&H. At least it will be a paired comparison.
jimmy462 wrote:
Hi GroovyGeek,
Any chance of providing an audio/video clip "for posterity" of what you're experiencing before the lens goes back to B&H?
I've been eyeing the Z800 as a possible addition to our growing Nikon lens array since ditching Panasonic last year (sweetie with her 600/6.3, 400/4.5 and 28-400 and me with my adapted EF Sigma 500/4.5, 180-600 and 28-400) and, if that's the "used Z800" B&H had listed in the $4700 ballpark, it was a possible trigger-purchase for me a couple of weeks ago...heck, I may consider its purchase again when it gets relisted! Haw!
Best wishes on finding a "cream puff" copy!
Jimmy G ...Show more →
p.1 #13 · Unusual sound when powering the Z 800mm PF up/down
For reference my 800 PF subscribes to this sound philosophy:
"@A.+Winslow was kind enough to run a test on his copy. His observation is
If I hold it close up to my ear you can hear the motor. At distance with camera to the eye and normal shooting I cannot hear the lens motor."
One doesn't hear anything out of my camera/lens other than the clunk of the opening of the sensor shield unless one places the lens up to the ear. Then it's the sound of music as I know that my lens is ready to capture some great images.
p.1 #14 · Unusual sound when powering the Z 800mm PF up/down
I shoot a lot of video with mine. Even if the mic is right above the lens it never picks up any focusing noises. Its a perfectly good mic too before anyone asks!
p.1 #15 · Unusual sound when powering the Z 800mm PF up/down
The lens that was described as "completely silent unless you put your ear next to it" arrived today... and it sounds very similar to the one from B&H. There is a very distinct sound that can be heard even when you hold the lens in your hands while you turn the camera on/off or rack the lens from near focus to infinity. In comparison the 180-600, 100-400, 24-120, 14-24, 14-30, and 24-200 are completely silent.
As several posters have noted, the 800 optical elements are larger and need to move larger distances. It focuses noticeably faster than the 180-600. That probably requires more powerful motors that produce a distinct sound - which apparently some hear and others don't.
Hopefully this puts someone else's mind at ease when they buy a new or used lens and hear the sound.
