The title was hard to compose to cover my issue, so I hope someone can help me here. I'm using the LA-EA4 on my A7rii with both the Zeiss 85 1.4 A mount and the Zeiss 135 1.8 A mount. Intermittently the focus ring will engage while acquiring focus. Not during the entire time it is focusing just often enough to disrupt the focusing. The ring is pretty much where you have to hold the 135 1.8, so when the focus ring engages sporadically the resistance created by my grip denigrates the lenses ability to acquire focus. Anyone else experiencing this? Any suggestions as to a fix?
-
Welcome to the new forums! Please read this first. For known issues we are working to resolve, click here.
Using LA-EA4 with Amount lenses and focus ring is not disengaging.
Ken Sky
Forum Enthusiast
Try carrying most of the weight in your cupped left palm with the index finger & thumb lightly on the lens (not gripping) so the focus ring can spin easily.
Thanks Ken, I believe that is what I am currently doing. The 85 1.4 is easier to do this with. But, trying to constantly gauge where the palm is and trying to avoid the focus ring with the 135 1.8 is a guess at best. The focus ring takes up so much of the real estate of the lens surface. It's my understanding that the focus ring is not suppose to spin and only does maybe 20% of the time. It's like it's engaging when it shouldn't. Are you using the 135 1.8? Does it act the same way for you?
vett93
Veteran Member
I have the same problem. I contacted Sony tech support and they told me that the lens is defective. I went through a few 135mm F1.8 ZA lenses and they all did the same thing. So I just accepted it...
Vladimir Yanushkevich
Leading Member
Try to put a blend on: it will give you more space to grip in front of focus ring. za135 is my favorite A-mount lens and I had never had such issue with any camera (a100/a700/a900/a55/nex6/a7r/a7r2)
I have no idea what put a blend on means. I'm in contact with Sony and I'm hoping for a solution.
The people online are worthless. They will tell you anything to move to the next person. I've been communicating via email and it's pointless. This seems to be a definite issue of firmware and I'm going to keep pushing until it gets resolved.
I took my camera and lens into a camera store yesterday and tried different adapters different cameras and different lenses and different combinations of each. It happens with all combinations so it HAS to be firmware. And it needs to get resolved!
Its strange this. I have never had this problem with the 135 1.8, laea4 on any of my A7 cameras.
vett93
Veteran Member
Gary-UK
Forum Enthusiast
I think someone else reported this issue with the 135mm f/1.8 in another thread? It may even have been the last poster? I don't have the lenses in question, choosing to go for the 135mm STF instead. I do have a couple of A mount lenses (a Sigma 105mm macro and a Minolta 100-200mm) but haven't noticed the issue. Out of curiosity, does it happen in all focus modes or are you using DMF?
--
Regards
Gary
--
Regards
Gary
It happens with both my 85 1.4 Zeiss and my 135 1.8 Zeiss but of the other lenses I've tried it doesn't seem to happen, so I'm assuming it is the screw mount lenses that this happens with.
vett93
Veteran Member
Just spent an hour on the phone with Sony. Very frustrating. The person on the other end of the phone is obviously running off of a script. My best hope is to go into a camera store while a Sony rep is there to show them the problem in person. This person made me jump through all sorts of hoops all focus modes I've already been through. Wanted me to send the camera/ adapter/lens in never minding that every combination in the store did the same thing and tried telling me that the focus ring is supposed to turn. Obviously they have never even used this combination. Asked if there was any professional support and was told no. Not impressed with Sony's support at this point. I love my Sony equipment, but they need to get their professional support down.
I think it is because it moves enough to disengage slightly from the screw of the focus motor. It happens with me as well. To fix it, you have to hit the AF/MF button and then try focusing again (basically disengage the motor and then re-engage is).
It is definitely as you suspect however resulting in the way that the lens is gripped. There is no avoiding this because as you said, the focus ring is rather large on this lens!! However, this issue is not with the LA-EA4 only. It also happens with the A99 (likely the A77ii as well, but I never use the 135/a77ii combo).
You can try being more aware of how you grip this lens, possibly shifting the weight more toward the base? This doesn't occur often, but stick with AF-S when using these screw driven lenses.
It is definitely as you suspect however resulting in the way that the lens is gripped. There is no avoiding this because as you said, the focus ring is rather large on this lens!! However, this issue is not with the LA-EA4 only. It also happens with the A99 (likely the A77ii as well, but I never use the 135/a77ii combo).
You can try being more aware of how you grip this lens, possibly shifting the weight more toward the base? This doesn't occur often, but stick with AF-S when using these screw driven lenses.
Graham Best
Senior Member
Keyboard shortcuts
- f
- Forum