Vignette problem

[Chuck Wall]

HI

I will give Sony a call to report the issue with my ex, is there a specific US phone number everyone is using?

Thanks

Chuck

[Steven Thomas]

Sony:
1-800-883-6817
Press 252 for direct dept.

Talked again just now. Sony Japan is fully aware of the issue and is working on a solution.
This is the best support I've ever witnessed from a company.
They called me a couple times yesterday.

[Craig Seeman]

When I tested my dealer's camera, who's also been a shooter, was surprised when it was happening at the "wrong" end of the zoom.

I suspect the reason that Sony is not getting more reports is that many may not know what to look for, recognize it as an anomaly, haven't had a reason to look for it or spotted it under "normal" use. Not everyone is hooked into these "boards."

My dealer wouldn't have ever bothered to look for or notice it had I done the test and found a grey background to test against.

[Serena Steuart]

Originally Posted by Paul Joy

Sorry, but I value real world tests more than any chart or mathematical calculations about the performance of the cameras. Many of us have used this camera and experienced this fault first hand so the results posted so far are much more than "chicken little speculations", they are the result of actual tests using the camera.

Yes there are indeed strong indications of a problem but the point I was making is that the "tests" are unsystematic and inconclusive. In any case it isn't the rough indications of vignetting that gave cause for my comment (they're real enough), but the endless speculation on whether the lens is undersized or faulty and whether or not Sony is interested. I could point out that my Canon EOS 5D has a zoom lens with a 77mm filter and that covers a full 35mm frame; the diameter of the lens affects the maximum aperture (f/stop) but not field coverage; that's why in cheaper zoom lenses the f/number ramps at longer focal lengths. You may think that random images are real world, but actually measurement is what the real world is about; that provides the information that manufacturers need.

[Steven Thomas]

Originally Posted by Serena Steuart

Yes there are indeed strong indications of a problem but the point I was making is that the "tests" are unsystematic and inconclusive.

Says who?
Please don't question others who you know NOTHING about.

Most of us here are professionals. IMO (and many others agree), this forum is the best thing going.
Chris keeps a tight control of his site and no doubt he offers the best professional atmosphere for us to share our thoughts and ideas in a constructive manner.

I've been working for Nikon as a project owner for over 12 years.
I clearly understand about illumination uniformity. No math is needed here,
it's an obvious problem. We know the problem exists and so does Sony Corp.

Again, I ask you to please not derail this thread with your speculation.
The last thing we need is for Chris to close the thread due to ONE person.

Again, I've been told directly fron Sony, they are reading this thread.
Sony told me they have had reports world wide not just in the states.

[Serena Steuart]

OK. Perhaps I should have rephrased my comments.

[Steven Thomas]

I'm sorry Serena, you are well respected here, there's a lot of us concerned regarding this issue. We know of one who returned the camera for this issue.

[Craig Seeman]

Judging from the thread with posts from DVInfo sponsors, they don't seem to be aware of the issue.

Maybe some with orders from DVInfo sponsors can drop by the sponsoring dealers and check with their test/show cameras with someone of authority from the dealer.

So many of us have now seen the issue and some have posted examples. My guess the dealers really aren't looking that closely or at all for issues like this.

If the dealers spot it, it might signify to them and Sony how widespread this actually is.

[Leonard Levy]

Just tested a dealers promo of the EX-1 today. Very nice camera in many many ways but yes it was there. I didn't check it in anything but a low lit room looking at a white wall with iris fully open. I can't remember how much I varied the focus. Much worse with steady shot on.
Definite vignetting on the upper and lower right of the image to a lesser extent the right as well.
Weird that it is not there at fully wide zoom. Seemed to arrive around 8mm and continue to get worse by 15 or so and remained there till at least 25.
Its a problem in any otherwise very very nice camera. Who am i supposed to complain to again?
I'm ready to buy aside from this.

Lenny Levy

[Steven Thomas]

I'm confident Sony will come up with a solution.
I imagine all the affected cameras will have to be sent in.

It sounds something like what JVC had to do with the HD100 split screen issue.

[Robert Petersen]

Sorry, problem posting.

[Robert Petersen]

Has anyone gathered info on the vignette issue showing the f-stop where it clears up? For example, if you find the worse case situation with the zoom and then start closing down the iris, where does the problem disappear.

[Steven Thomas]

Robert, I have not, but this would be good information.
I believe we've all been checking at wide open 1.9

[Carroll Lam]

Originally Posted by Steven Thomas

Robert, I have not, but this would be good information.
I believe we've all been checking at wide open 1.9

The images I posted were done at at about f/5.6.

Carroll Lam

[Robert Petersen]

Originally Posted by Carroll Lam

The images I posted were done at at about f/5.6.

Carroll Lam

I was hoping that it would be completely gone by f/4.0; you still had a slight amount in the upper right corner.