SELP1650 power zoom - OSS/stabilization not working

[Hglen]

I recently purchased a new a5100 with the bundled 16-50 power zoom lens (SELP1650).

This lens apparently includes stabilization (OSS), but it doesn't appear to work for me.

When taking hand held shots with slow shutter times I can't see any difference between images taken with OSS switched on or off (blurry in both cases).

Switching to my older SEL1855 lens, there is a clear difference between having OSS on or off in exactly the same situation as I tested the SELP1650 (same aperture, FL and shutter time) - with OSS on the image is much less blurred than the power zoom can manage.

Do I have a faulty lens, or is the stabilization generally poor on the power zoom lens (or do I need a firmware update or something)?

Thanks,

Glen.

 

[mcslsk]

Sorry for asking, but is Steady Shot turned on in the Menu? Can you see the Steady Shot Indicator on the screen? Are you taking images at an exposure time at which OSS should kick in?

 

[Hglen]

Yes, when I refer to OSS being on or off, I mean the setting in the camera menu.

When testing I was using 1/5 at 50mm, f5.6, so definitely should induce the stabilization, no? It certainly kicks in on the SEL1855.

 

[tn1krr]

Yes, when I refer to OSS being on or off, I mean the setting in the camera menu.

When testing I was using 1/5 at 50mm, f5.6, so definitely should induce the stabilization, no? It certainly kicks in on the SEL1855.

1/5 is very aggressive shutter speed for 50 mm on a crop sensor even with OSS, that would mean over 3 stops of stabilization from 1/Fl "rule". Perfectly static target and pretty solid camera technique is needed to get sharp shots with that shutter speed. In theory the 18-55 may have better stabilization that would explain some differences, but you are really pushing shutter speed to edge on this case.

 

[Hglen]

Agreed, but I'm not expecting perfectly sharp shots in this case, just some difference between OSS being on/off.

With the SEL1855, the difference is obvious.

With the SELP1650, I can't see a difference, which seems wrong to me...

 

[tn1krr]

Agreed, but I'm not expecting perfectly sharp shots in this case, just some difference between OSS being on/off.

With the SEL1855, the difference is obvious.

With the SELP1650, I can't see a difference, which seems wrong to me...

While both lenses have OSS, they are quite differently constructed lenses with the 16-50 being powerzoom and collapsible. With a quick search I did not see a specs for said lenses on how many steps they should gain you, their stabilization capability may be somewhat different.

I'd repeat tests with 1/25 shutter and also shoot the 16-50 with OSS turned off to see if you have a faulty 16-50.

 

[havanna60]

Agreed, but I'm not expecting perfectly sharp shots in this case, just some difference between OSS being on/off.

With the SEL1855, the difference is obvious.

With the SELP1650, I can't see a difference, which seems wrong to me...

Hi Glen, I own the A5100 with 1650, too and a two other OSS lenses. Can you show some examples? I'd like to give a try, too. In my case E1650 vs E1018 at 18mm and E1650 vs FE2870 at 50mm.

I'll post my results later today or in a couple of days. I'll try them with videos, too.

Take care, Miki

--
Have fun on http://www.flickr.com/photos/99398503@N07/sets

 

[Hglen]

Thanks for the input guys.

I've done some more testing at various focal lengths and shutter times with both lenses (I won't post up all the photos as it will take forever).

I seem to be getting better results with OSS on the SELP1650 than yesterday, so it does seem to be working after all, but the SEL1855 is definitely more consistent from a stabilisation point of view, particularly when pushing it in terms of slow shutter times.

I did update the firmware on the camera since yesterday from v1.0 to v1.1, which it's possible could have helped too (although there was no mention of anything to do with OSS in the release notes).

 

[HZP]

For what it is worth two shots. With and without oss enabled. Both shots sooc. No pp.











Hope this helps.

 

[donaldxr]

You can try shooting video with and without OSS, just to make sure it's actually working. The difference should be quite clear.

From what I've read in the past, manufacturer's claims of IS/OSS performance don't always translate 100% into real time performance. Hence they usually say "up to" a certain amount of stops.

According to the review below : "Thanks to the optical stabilisation system, sharp hand-held images can be taken at shutter speeds as slow as 1/10sec with the zoom set to 50mm. This is roughly three stops slower than the usual rule of thumb for hand-held photography would allow."

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/sony-e-16-50mm-f-3-5-5-6-oss-lens-review-20667