18 105 software fix

[Jim Stamos]

Good news from sony at NAB.
There is a new firmware upgrade for the 18 105 stock lens that fixes it badly losing focus.
Go to the Sony consumer,put in the lens model,go to software upgrades,hook up camera to computer and follow instructions.
I talked to the Sony engineer about this

[Docea Marius]

Support for SELP18105G | Sony

[Jody Arnott]

HD Warrior » Blog Archiv » New lens FW from Sony…Firmware update Ver.03 for SELP18105G (Mac)

I just installed it. I think it has well and truly solved the problem! I seem to be able to pull focus smoothly now, and it feels quite natural. Definitely not as good as a completely manual lens, but at least usable.

[Andy Wilkinson]

I just installed it too. Mine was version 01 until this. Off filming up in North Norfolk so will test it out. It can't be any worse than it was before!

[Marcus Durham]

Listen? Is that the sound of people who said a) Sony would never fix this and b) you can't expect consistent focussing from this lens having to eat humble pie? :-)

[Marcus Durham]

Is it me or is the focus ring less "laggy" now? Feels more precise.

[Jody Arnott]

It feels a lot more precise. I'll be using this lens a lot more now.

[Lee Berger]

I concur. After the update the focus does seem more precise. The zoom seems to be improved if you use the zoom lever on the lens. The FS5 handle zoom not so much. Of course all of that about the zoom may be my imagination.

[Walter Brokx]

I'm curious: is pulling focus now repeatable?
Or does rotation speed still change the amount of rotation you need?

[Marcus Durham]

I need more time with it but I was able to repeat pulling focus last night. It seemed much more predictable and less laggy in the 5 minutes I had.

Taking the FS5 out for a gig tomorrow so that will be the best test.

[Jody Arnott]

Originally Posted by Walter Brokx

I'm curious: is pulling focus now repeatable?
Or does rotation speed still change the amount of rotation you need?

I've only spent about 10 minutes playing with it, but pulling focus seems to be easily achievable now. I can pull focus back and forth, and hit the mark pretty closely every time.

[Andy Wilkinson]

The new firmware has transformed this lens...shot with it for several hours this morning (on the FS5) whilst filming in North Norfolk. Sure, it is still far from perfect but I feel a LOT more in control of it. It's SO MUCH BETTER....really pleased with this result.

Maybe they can implement a similar firmware improvement on some of their other lenses???

Nice job Sony :-)

[Noa Put]

Originally Posted by Marcus Durham

Listen? Is that the sound of people who said a) Sony would never fix this and b) you can't expect consistent focussing from this lens having to eat humble pie? :-)

I think anyone who said that speaks from experience that Sony never did this kind of thing before, no matter how many users complained, but apparently they have their mind set on making the fs5 a success and react much quicker on any legitimate complaint. The fs5 will probably be their biggest cashcow when it comes to sales and anything related to that camera, like the stocklens will be improved if needed. Not so sure though if this kind fo approach will be for all camera's in their range.

[Christopher Young]

Originally Posted by Jody Arnott

It feels a lot more precise. I'll be using this lens a lot more now.

After the upgrade it's even better on the FS700 now. For the price of this lens it's a pretty reasonable performer in spite of its manual focusing issues. All the same I'm sure that feels improved somewhat.

In conjunction with a machined down Canon WD-H72 0.8 zoom thru wide angle its become a very useful crisp 14.4mm - 84mm zoom. A poor man's Cabrio we call it :))

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

[Jim Stamos]

hey chris,
so now, with the lens fix, on a long zoom, can u go in focus, and as u pull out, it stays in focus, like it should?
that was one of my main issues for not buying]