FS5 kit lens focus issue in manual

[Chad Johnson]

The kit lens is just a 500.00, well, kit lens. You need a real workhorse lens. Also it's not great form to do any shots with a zoom happening. That's what sliders are for! Anyway, with the FS5, I have found a great workhorse lens to be the Sigma 24-105 f/4 with the Metabones Speedbooster Ultra (EF mount to E mount). Once you get that speed booster you open up the world of Canon lenses, you get an extra stop of light (making an f/4 into an f/2.8) without the decreases depth of field, and it's .7 crop almost equalizes the 1.5 crop of the Super35 sensor. SO: 24mm x 1.5 (super35 crop) = 36mm. 36mm x .7(Speedbooster Ultra crop) = 25.2mm.

I like the Sigma because it's a better performer than the Canon 24-105 f/4, but it weights a half pound more. Still, the Canon would be an excellent lens, and I think it can be had for very reasonable pricing.

The kit lens isn't parfocal, and it's focus by wire, not truly manual. Even if it was working perfectly parfocal, when you focus faster you end up getting to a focus point by turning the ring a different amount. Like, you can't put 2 marks in the ring and pull a consistent focus. We need a real manual-capable lens to do that.

[Lee Berger]

The Sigma / Speed Booster combo is working well for me too.

[Docea Marius]

this is nice lens.. :-)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1171026-REG/rokinon_xn24_nex_xeen_24mm_t1_5_lens.html

[Nigel Davey]

Just a reminder that this webinar is today, but you need to be a Prime Support customer to participate.

Sony webinar 29th March | Large sensor, big ideas

[Nigel Davey]

I've just finished the webinar and they did make mention to the parfocal issue with the 18-105mm kit lens. Essentially they said the SELP18105G is a 300 Euro lens and as such we shouldn't expect too much from it's optical capability. Based on this they gave the impression there was no fix coming.

However something that didn't get addressed (perhaps because they are currently unaware) is that there is a tangible difference between the lens going out of focus when using the FS5 smart grip zoom rocker compared to the zoom control on the kit lens itself.

The zoom control on the lens remains considerably more parfocal than the smart grip zoom. So you would assume this is a software issue and something that can be fixed if they want to. So can I suggest we make this particular issue very clear to Sony rather than more generic complaints about the parfocal aspect of the lens.

I do think Sony is listening since they did bring up the topic in this webinar and as we saw they addressed the former macro-blocking issue.

[Christopher Young]

Quote:
"So can I suggest we make this particular issue very clear to Sony rather than more generic complaints about the parfocal aspect of the lens."

100% agree as we have tried a couple of the 18-105s on the following cameras. FS700, FS7, FS5 and A7S and on ALL cameras bar the FS5 both the 18-105 lenses were parfocal. They both held focus when focused at full zoom and zoomed back to wide when using the camera's zoom servos. Even with an A7s using the MOVCAM Lanc control.

Movcam Sony a7S lanc control cable released

The FS5 is the only camera out of the bunch where the focusing isn't working correctly with the 18-105. it has to be a software comms issue I think. Interestingly if you zoom back on the 18-105 on an FS5 and it goes out of focus just execute a brief quick "tap" on the camera handle zoom servo rocker and the lens snaps into focus. All very odd. We have brought this to Sony's attention and it needs fixing especially as they list this as a "kit lens" for the FS5.

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

[Olof Ekbergh]

Originally Posted by Christopher Young

Quote:
"So can I suggest we make this particular issue very clear to Sony rather than more generic complaints about the parfocal aspect of the lens."

100% agree as we have tried a couple of the 18-105s on the following cameras. FS700, FS7, FS5 and A7S and on ALL cameras bar the FS5 both the 18-105 lenses were parfocal. They both held focus when focused at full zoom and zoomed back to wide when using the camera's zoom servos. Even with an A7s using the MOVCAM Lanc control.

Movcam Sony a7S lanc control cable released

The FS5 is the only camera out of the bunch where the focusing isn't working correctly with the 18-105. it has to be a software comms issue I think. Interestingly if you zoom back on the 18-105 on an FS5 and it goes out of focus just execute a brief quick "tap" on the camera handle zoom servo rocker and the lens snaps into focus. All very odd. We have brought this to Sony's attention and it needs fixing especially as they list this as a "kit lens" for the FS5.

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

I have noticed this as well. But only when I use the "clear zoom" built into the FS5. So it has something to do with switching from clear zoom to regular on zooming out.

And I would think this is possible for Sony to fix in the FS5, I hope anyway.

The lens certainly is a bear to focus manually, I mostly use the instant auto focus button. But I must say I am getting used to how the manual focus works. Slow moves need more movement and is finer focusing, fast moves changes with a very small amount of movement. This is different than any other lenses I have so it is hard to get used to. It feels very unnatural, though I understand Sony's logic behind this behavior. I would prefer the standard "non accelerated" focus even on a focus by wire system.

It is a very cheap lens and remarkable capable for the price. Not my favorite by a long shot. But non the less very useful for some shooting situations IMHO.

[Dave Mercer]

Nigel - thanks for the report. Did they mention the focus "feel" issue at all?

[Nigel Davey]

Not that I recall Dave.

[Christopher Young]

Originally Posted by Olof Ekbergh

I have noticed this as well. But only when I use the "clear zoom" built into the FS5. So it has something to do with switching from clear zoom to regular on zooming out.

Olof I must admit I haven't checked out the situation with the ClearImage but that is an observation worth checking out though I'm sure we have seen the problem with ClearImage turned off. Whatever it should be fixed for sure.

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

[Ricardo Lopez]

Hello,
I have tried activating the micro adjustment AF in my FS5 and the symptoms improve a lot.
Tomorrow I will do more tests and publish the results

[Christopher Young]

Interesting. Keep us posted indeed.

Chris Young

[Jeremy Cole]

The 18-105 kit lens works using 'push auto focus' just fine and as noted, works as a variable prime and looks decent considering its cost. As a manual lens it is impossible to use. Way too frustrating to use. It is a consumer lens being repurposed to hit a particular price point. Be interested in hearing about tweaks that can be done to make the lens more usable.