Originally posted by Picture Imperfect The PLM is a mixed bag for me. I'd want the long end to be a bit longer and would like to see that end optimized for sharpness rather than the short end. On the other hand it isn't that expensive and if it focus hunts, it should be fast enough not to be an issue. I'm really looking forward to the telephoto zoom due for release in 2019 and wish the Ricoh officials had given some details on this lens at the PF meeting.
I don't think it's a deliberate choice to optimise the short end at the expense of the long end, nor is it possible to optimise the other way around, that's just not what happens in lens design. I would think the long end is already optimised to be the best that it can be but the short end will always be better, that's just optics. Not that I'm an expert, just what I've read.
I've used that lens at a few air shows and hunting is a cause of frustration for sure if you miss the target with spot focus, even if you hit the target "spot on" it will often still hunt. I'll have to try your method next time, cheers