Focus Ring Sluggish in Macro at DVinfo.net

Arthur Hancock · November 26th, 2009, 02:56 PM

I recently slipped on wet oily pavement and went airborne while carrying my EX-1 mounted on my Miller DS-20 tripod (which I was stupidly carrying on my shoulder--something I will never do again). All I could do was watch the camera and tripod slam to the pavement. I expected the EX to fly into fifty pieces but looking at it you'd never know it had been seriously damaged.

After a $2700 repair I got it back from Sony (Teaneck) and noticed that in macro mode the new lens focus ring is very sluggish and has an area of resistance or drag in one part of the turning radius. I've sent it back and was told by a technician that this might be normal for a brand new lens. I never noticed any difference in the smoothness of the focus ring of my original EX-1, whether in macro or out.

They're putting another lens on but could someone else here confirm that the focus ring operates identically both in macro and out of macro?

Thanks from a sadder and a wiser man (X-rays showed I narrowly escaped breaking bones myself).

Arthur Hancock · November 27th, 2009, 12:08 PM

Is there no one here who can help me answer my question?

Does the focus ring turn the same in macro mode as out of macro mode?

That is, is the focus ring "stiffer" (harder to turn) in macro mode?

Please help before I talk with Sony on Monday.

Alister Chapman · November 27th, 2009, 12:58 PM

I would be very surprised if there was any difference between macro on and macro off as the switch only changes the way the electronics work. There could be differences between focus ring forward (auto) and focus ring back (manual), but I would not expect amy tight spots.

Arthur Hancock · November 27th, 2009, 03:46 PM

Thanks, Alister, I was being unclear. I mean focus ring-forward in MF and macro "on" (this is the only time I go out of the Full MF setting). I never noticed the slightest difference in the focus ring between these two settings in my original lens. The new lens is significantly harder to turn when it is in the focus ring-forward position. I just wanted to know if this was normal. I can't imagine that the "drag" I experience in one part of the turning radius should be there.

Dave Morrison · November 27th, 2009, 03:56 PM

I've never had any difference in the resistance or drag while turning the focus ring in either position.....and I'm on my third lens!

Arthur Hancock · November 27th, 2009, 05:11 PM

Thanks, Dave, that's what I thought.

Your third lens? Yoiks!

Nick Wilson · November 27th, 2009, 05:20 PM

I had a new lens about 3 months ago and the focus ring was noticeably stiffer and slightly noisy. I queried this with Sony who said that new lenses may be stiff, and in fairness to them it has eased.

Dave Morrison · November 27th, 2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthur Hancock

Thanks, Dave, that's what I thought.

Your third lens? Yoiks!

They replaced the original lens when the camera went back with crud inside the optics. That lens was replaced when it quit focusing out to infinity. Number three is working fine....so far.

November 26th, 2009, 02:56 PM	#1
Arthur Hancock Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Highlands North Carolina Posts: 69	Focus Ring Sluggish in Macro I recently slipped on wet oily pavement and went airborne while carrying my EX-1 mounted on my Miller DS-20 tripod (which I was stupidly carrying on my shoulder--something I will never do again). All I could do was watch the camera and tripod slam to the pavement. I expected the EX to fly into fifty pieces but looking at it you'd never know it had been seriously damaged. After a $2700 repair I got it back from Sony (Teaneck) and noticed that in macro mode the new lens focus ring is very sluggish and has an area of resistance or drag in one part of the turning radius. I've sent it back and was told by a technician that this might be normal for a brand new lens. I never noticed any difference in the smoothness of the focus ring of my original EX-1, whether in macro or out. They're putting another lens on but could someone else here confirm that the focus ring operates identically both in macro and out of macro? Thanks from a sadder and a wiser man (X-rays showed I narrowly escaped breaking bones myself).

November 27th, 2009, 12:58 PM	#3
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	I would be very surprised if there was any difference between macro on and macro off as the switch only changes the way the electronics work. There could be differences between focus ring forward (auto) and focus ring back (manual), but I would not expect amy tight spots. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

November 27th, 2009, 03:56 PM	#5
Dave Morrison Major Player Join Date: May 2002 Location: West Central Florida Posts: 762	I've never had any difference in the resistance or drag while turning the focus ring in either position.....and I'm on my third lens! __________________ EX1, Nikon D750 http://www.morrisonphotographics.com http://www.heritagefilm.com

November 27th, 2009, 05:20 PM	#7
Nick Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northampton, UK Posts: 259	I had a new lens about 3 months ago and the focus ring was noticeably stiffer and slightly noisy. I queried this with Sony who said that new lenses may be stiff, and in fairness to them it has eased. __________________ Nick Wilson www.cinescene.co.uk

November 27th, 2009, 12:08 PM	#2
Arthur Hancock Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Highlands North Carolina Posts: 69	Is there no one here who can help me answer my question? Does the focus ring turn the same in macro mode as out of macro mode? That is, is the focus ring "stiffer" (harder to turn) in macro mode? Please help before I talk with Sony on Monday.

November 27th, 2009, 03:46 PM	#4
Arthur Hancock Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Highlands North Carolina Posts: 69	Thanks, Alister, I was being unclear. I mean focus ring-forward in MF and macro "on" (this is the only time I go out of the Full MF setting). I never noticed the slightest difference in the focus ring between these two settings in my original lens. The new lens is significantly harder to turn when it is in the focus ring-forward position. I just wanted to know if this was normal. I can't imagine that the "drag" I experience in one part of the turning radius should be there.

November 27th, 2009, 05:11 PM	#6
Arthur Hancock Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Highlands North Carolina Posts: 69	Thanks, Dave, that's what I thought. Your third lens? Yoiks!