Originally posted by MJKoski Excuse me, it is as bad as it gets. Just read lenstip review which notes poor performance with near field focusing.
Oh, I'm familiar with the review. I'm also aware that in real-world use, lenses often perform far better than bench tests would suggest (and sometimes, of course, it's the opposite).
I guess the difference is, you see these as "severe issues" and "problems". I see them as characteristics of a lens, which - when used to its strengths - can produce outstanding images. I've cupboards stacked with lenses of all focal lengths... Some are superb, others average, and still others, unimpressive. Most of them, however, can produce nice images when used to their strengths. Some are more challenging than others in that respect.
As is quite often the case, it's not the basic facts that you and I disagree on, but the extent to which we perceive them as serious or consequential...