Struggling with Sony 16-50mm F/3.5-5.6 PZ lens for Street Photography

Hi, I bought a NEX-6 along with this kit lens a few months ago. I've taken thousands of photos with it. My issue with this lens is it's manual focusing. It feels very inconsistent. Sometimes I'll be able to have almost everything sharp in focus even at f5.6. Other times the focus is way off even when the peaking focusing (medium) shows otherwise.

I feel like I"m forced to first use AF on a wall 5-7 feet away to get that crisp focus. When I try to set my MF using peak focusing, I can never get it sharp as if I were to use AF. Is this just user error on my part? I'm tempted to sell it, and get a prime lens for ~$200.

Why do you want to focus manually if the camera does a better job at af?

cdxlix said:

Hi, I bought a NEX-6 along with this kit lens a few months ago. I've taken thousands of photos with it. My issue with this lens is it's manual focusing. It feels very inconsistent. Sometimes I'll be able to have almost everything sharp in focus even at f5.6. Other times the focus is way off even when the peaking focusing (medium) shows otherwise.

I feel like I"m forced to first use AF on a wall 5-7 feet away to get that crisp focus. When I try to set my MF using peak focusing, I can never get it sharp as if I were to use AF. Is this just user error on my part? I'm tempted to sell it, and get a prime lens for ~$200.

Click to expand...

AF is fast and accurate with the 16-50. Why are you using peak focusing - it is not accurate.

Why use MF at all? If you have to, use DMF.

If you are looking for an alternative lens, may I suggest the sigma 19mm (30mm equiv)? It's less than $200, substantially sharper and much faster. I've had no issues with MF on it.

Cost aside

If manual focus is number one then I would find a system where you can use lenses with distance markings on them. Fuji X has lenses, Nikon, Leica

You can do street photography with a p&s camera just depends how important this manual focus thing is to you.

Maybe explore the film format. Cameras and lenses still exist and you can sell buy film. Not sure about the processing part, but I am sure there is a way

Peak focusing is more useful for video. If you want accurate manual focus, use the focus magnifier instead.

cdxlix said:

Hi, I bought a NEX-6 along with this kit lens a few months ago. I've taken thousands of photos with it. My issue with this lens is its manual focusing. It feels very inconsistent. Sometimes I'll be able to have almost everything sharp in focus even at f/5.6. Other times the focus is way off even when the peaking focusing (medium) shows otherwise.

I feel like I"m forced to first use AF on a wall 5-7 feet away to get that crisp focus. When I try to set my MF using peak focusing, I can never get it sharp as if I were to use AF. Is this just user error on my part? I'm tempted to sell it, and get a prime lens for ~$200.

Click to expand...

I have about half a dozen Sony lenses, and it has never occurred to me to use manual focus with any of them. There's many different AF options with Sony, and you should be able to find a mode that meets your requirements.

I'd also recommend the Sigma 19mm f/2.8 for street photography. At commonly used apertures, such as f/5.6, the depth of field is so great that focus is never a problem.

WryCuda said:

cdxlix said:

Hi, I bought a NEX-6 along with this kit lens a few months ago. I've taken thousands of photos with it. My issue with this lens is its manual focusing. It feels very inconsistent. Sometimes I'll be able to have almost everything sharp in focus even at f/5.6. Other times the focus is way off even when the peaking focusing (medium) shows otherwise.

I feel like I"m forced to first use AF on a wall 5-7 feet away to get that crisp focus. When I try to set my MF using peak focusing, I can never get it sharp as if I were to use AF. Is this just user error on my part? I'm tempted to sell it, and get a prime lens for ~$200.

Click to expand...

I have about half a dozen Sony lenses, and it has never occurred to me to use manual focus with any of them. There's many different AF options with Sony, and you should be able to find a mode that meets your requirements.

I'd also recommend the Sigma 19mm f/2.8 for street photography. At commonly used apertures, such as f/5.6, the depth of field is so great that focus is never a problem.

Click to expand...

Actually, manual focus is fun and easy to use. I do it all the time with my FE28/2 and FE55/1.8 - try it !!! Focus magnifier comes on automatically. No need for "peaking" and really precise.

BBQue said:

WryCuda said:

I have about half a dozen Sony lenses, and it has never occurred to me to use manual focus with any of them. There's many different AF options with Sony, and you should be able to find a mode that meets your requirements.

Click to expand...

Actually, manual focus is fun and easy to use. I do it all the time with my FE28/2 and FE55/1.8 - try it !!! Focus magnifier comes on automatically. No need for "peaking" and really precise.

Click to expand...

Yes, I have a legacy lens that needs manual focus and I've checked out the various options. I also prefer the magnifier, as I found that peaking had a slight bias.

WryCuda said:

I'd also recommend the Sigma 19mm f/2.8 for street photography. At commonly used apertures, such as f/5.6, the depth of field is so great that focus is never a problem.

Click to expand...

I have both the Sigma 19/2.8 and Sony 20/2.8. I used the Sigma for a couple of years before I bought the Sony. I prefer the Sony for street at smaller apertures because it has faster and more accurate AF that can use all the PDAF points instead of only those in the center like the Sigma. Both or mine are equally sharp at smaller apertures where I mostly use them.

I've never had to resort to MF with the Sony and I prefer the Sony color. By comparison, the Sigma is too warm for my taste. Plus the Sony is much smaller, making my A6500 easier to pocket and less conspicuous/intimidating in use.

The Sigma is less expensive but I bought my Sony 20 used in mint condition for only $20 more than I paid for my Sigma 19.