HEY, I can hear you laughing already...STOP THAT...I'm serious...REALLY...hehehe...
It all began with a product shot that came out like crap taken on a tripod, SR off, focus tracking off, AF on. It was AWFUL and completely out of focus. And even though it's a HUGE crop given the size and distance thing, my 24-60mm Siggy took the same shot spot on first try when I got it. Soooo, that is when the "testing" started tonight.
Overall the lens is consistently back focusing when it is off. The shot is never front focused. The amount of back focus can be > 1" at 30"...but that is as close to consistent as it has gotten today.
The thing is all over them map from shot to shot. Been testing in my usual methodical fashion, stopping down and comparing shots. And other such testing using various settings. And of course I tried AF micro-adjustment...which worked but only at +10 which to me seems kinda sorta a sign something weird is happening. Then did not work, then it worked then not, then turning it off the focus was even worse. All the while not ever adjustment had the same effect.
I would post samples BUT, since nothing is consistent it comes down to if the lens is just in need to some 'dawggie downers' or something else to 'even it out'...
I have never owned a lens or body with focus issues, and I have owned some lenses known to have these issues, like, well, the 24-60mm which is actually spot on every time at all FL's and apertures. You can see it's consistent and typical performance in the mini-gallery using the link below. I have already found a copy with a Pentax mount I can buy tomorrow if need be...
Speaking of apertures, I did find the focus was better as stopped down simply because the DOF improves. Mind I am NOT describing a soft focus thing, the missed focus can be at f/8 and when it misses it misses completely. It even biffs in green box mode.
Anyway, if this is normal or maybe it needs sending in...I did get it from a seller in Canookia and it wasn't packed well at all. Just the lens in it's box inside another box about 1/2" taller than the lens box...no padding. So, my thought is the bump & grind of the trip might have buggered something....or, as with the women from my life, it's NUTS!! hahahaha....
Anyway, any suggestions or info on the history of this lens and any, ummm, interesting behavior.
OK, I decided to upload a bunch of shots here:
BreckLundin's Place
And here is the shot which started all the confusion:
here is basically the same shot with the 24-60mm:
that shot is, of course processed but the first shot could never turn into this one. There isa tigher crop in the gallery for the 24-60mm.
The first 11 shots were from the other day and are fine for what they were...the remain shots are the new test shots showing the weird focus thing.
Oh, last, I tried under different lighting too and received the same insistent results...so all are AF, have not tried MF but will tomorrow when it's not so late. And the EXIF (INFO) will show the modes...and the back focus pretty obvious.
Otherwise, HELP? And remember I am not pissing and moaning, k? Just trying to figure out what's up...new gear, new system really different lens that seems to take AWESOME shots...but I am not used to a keeper rate using stabilization and AF of probably under 20% taken as a whole. I had hoped to use this lens for product shots as well as for fun, but maybe that is not it's strong suit?
Thanks all!!
The pics of the med bottle with the Kindle box as a background were tonight and are direct from the camera into LR2.4 then uploaded, not editing, not even basic adjustments...I mean exposure is not the issue but rather the focus all over the map.
Oh, one last thing, I have upgraded the firmware to 1.03 from day one so that is prolly not the issue, unless the fix to the AF really fixed this body...hehehe...am I cranky, ya sure youbetcha, is it the end of my life, ya, probably...tomorrow the 35mm Limited lands anywhere between 4PM-6PM, so if that lens is also off I'll know it's likely the body and will get Amazon to just swap on for me, probably have a replacement by Wednesday...I spend more than enough with them (we buy EVERYTHING on Amazon anymore) and it would be my first ever return beyond one book on macro I sent back like the day after it landed. I think that would be the fastest first pass at a fix.
Last edited by brecklundin; 06-28-2009 at 11:31 PM.