E1670Z - received a bad copy ....

[blue_skies]

See the images below, makes me wonder if this lens is someone else's lens-return ... :-(

Edge softness is very pronounced at all focal lengths, and at all apertures. Right side is visibly worse than left side.

You don't have to pixel peep to see the issue, it is visible in full image view (but not in the dpreview preview image here).

Needless to say, lens is going back. First lens ever in my case ...


E1670Z @ 24mm f/8


E1650P @ 23mm f/8


E24Z @ 24mm f/8

Yes, images were shot through a window. I have earlier ones from outside, when it was dry, but the window has no bearing on the problem. Focus was done manually.

--
Cheers,
Henry

 

[Kirwin]

Bummer. This is one lens that I would love to own, but my gut tells me to hold out and see if Sony/Zeiss comes out with a Mark II version of this lens. I know there are good copies of this lens out there... So many happy people posting excellent images with this lens.

I'm happy that I have an excellent copy of the 16-50 and just want to hold out for awhile. If Zeiss doesn't come out with a replacement or a new lens similar to this focal length within the next year, then I might consider giving the 16-70 a go. I know that I would definitely buy from a reputable source like B&H so I would be able to return any bad copies.

Good luck and hope you succeed in attaining a 'keeper'. Will be watching this thread to see how your search ends.

 

[blue_skies]

Bummer. This is one lens that I would love to own, but my gut tells me to hold out and see if Sony/Zeiss comes out with a Mark II version of this lens. I know there are good copies of this lens out there... So many happy people posting excellent images with this lens.

I'm happy that I have an excellent copy of the 16-50 and just want to hold out for awhile. If Zeiss doesn't come out with a replacement or a new lens similar to this focal length within the next year, then I might consider giving the 16-70 a go. I know that I would definitely buy from a reputable source like B&H so I would be able to return any bad copies.

Good luck and hope you succeed in attaining a 'keeper'. Will be watching this thread to see how your search ends.

 

[Viewr]

At 24mm this lens performs the worst at edges, they won't sharpen up even when stopped down, and I have the same experience, with the right edge worse than the left. I still keep it because matched with the a6000, it's still a fun combo to shoot with for travel.

 

[ttan98]

That's why I don't want to purchase one, after purchasing a unit for over $1,000 new and I get this results I then have to deal with the supplier on a number of options, swap with a new one, repair, etc. In Australia there is no way to get a total refund. Too much hassle. Really I don't have to deal with this kind situation after paying for a product which costs more than $1,000.

Therefore I purchase 2 Sigma lenses 2nd hand(total costs $420), 17-50mm f2.8 and 17-70mm f2.8-4.0. Both are very good right across the range, particularly the 17-50mm f2.8, I use it mainly in manual mode via an adapter. This lens is outstanding.

I am waiting for a new A6000 model with PDAF then I can use them in auto mode. I tested the 17-50mm f2.8 with A7II and the auto focus is fast and accurate.

 

[blue_skies]

At 24mm this lens performs the worst at edges, they won't sharpen up even when stopped down, and I have the same experience, with the right edge worse than the left. I still keep it because matched with the a6000, it's still a fun combo to shoot with for travel.

Check my image more closely.

If it was just the edges at 24mm, I would keep this lens too. But it is over 20% of the image, and at both sides.

Also, it doesn't get better at different focal lengths.

I think that this is repairable, but they are willing to exchange it.

 

[Fritzo]

Just out of curiosity, Henry, what made you order this lens..? It seems you use your A5100 with 1650 quite a bit for portability reasons, and your full frame gear when size and weight does not have top priority. The 1670z makes the A5100 quite a lot larger and heavier, why go with this over a zoom on the A7... I can't quite decide which format I prefer myself (A6000 or A7ii), so this is just out of curiosity from my side.

 

[LynniePad]

In Australia there is no way to get a total refund. Too much hassle. Really I don't have to deal with this kind situation after paying for a product which costs more than $1,000.

Therefore I purchase 2 Sigma lenses 2nd hand(total costs $420), 17-50mm f2.8 and 17-70mm f2.8-4.0. Both are very good right across the range, particularly the 17-50mm f2.8, I use it mainly in manual mode via an adapter. This lens is outstanding.

Yes, in Australia the "returns" policy is quite difficult, particularly when there's an opinion on lens quality involved. There's also no question of taking perfectly good gear back for a refund after a week or two, as seems to be common practice in the US. However, I do think that a problem as gross as the OP encountered with his 16-70mm would receive a favorable hearing from a reputable supplier. Although 16-70mm is a nice range, I kept away from the lens in question in favour of two separate lenses and two bodies (a6000 and a5100, maybe a6100 one day).

I've bought most of my gear through a local outlet and I've never been disappointed with any of the lenses that have come my way. Because I'm a regular, I'm sure that I would be able to return a lens that wasn't up to standard.

I use the 17-70mm f/2.8-4 on my D3200. As you say, "outstanding".

 

[jggrmson]

Man I want this lens...but there are so many posts out there like this.

What is the most comparable to this lens?

 

[LynniePad]

Man I want this lens...but there are so many posts out there like this.

What is the most comparable to this lens?

FE 24-70

FE 28-70

FE 16-35

 

[blue_skies]

Just out of curiosity, Henry, what made you order this lens..? It seems you use your A5100 with 1650 quite a bit for portability reasons, and your full frame gear when size and weight does not have top priority. The 1670z makes the A5100 quite a lot larger and heavier, why go with this over a zoom on the A7... I can't quite decide which format I prefer myself (A6000 or A7ii), so this is just out of curiosity from my side.

I couldn't resist a 30% off special, on a brand-new lens.

It is not for the A5100, but for the A6000, and it's potential successor.

This lens plus the E24Z makes for a minimum system in a small bag.

Like you, I have tried various combinations when traveling, such as all FF, all APS-C, and a mix thereof. I like the FF results, but not the size and weight of the zoom lenses. I don't mind the FF with primes at night, and APS-C with zooms in daytime.

If an A6000 successor fits the rumors, this lens would make my 'daytime' setup more versatile imho.

But in the end you are correct, this lens does not add all that much over the E1650 kit zoom, in daytime usage mode. I still have two of those.

 

[Arneb]

That's why I don't want to purchase one, after purchasing a unit for over $1,000 new and I get this results I then have to deal with the supplier on a number of options, swap with a new one, repair, etc. In Australia there is no way to get a total refund. Too much hassle. Really I don't have to deal with this kind situation after paying for a product which costs more than $1,000.

Therefore I purchase 2 Sigma lenses 2nd hand(total costs $420), 17-50mm f2.8 and 17-70mm f2.8-4.0. Both are very good right across the range, particularly the 17-50mm f2.8, I use it mainly in manual mode via an adapter. This lens is outstanding.

I am waiting for a new A6000 model with PDAF then I can use them in auto mode. I tested the 17-50mm f2.8 with A7II and the auto focus is fast and accurate.

A bit off topic, but what adaptor do you use for those Sigma lenses? Does the OS work? They look really interesting.

 

[ttan98]

That's why I don't want to purchase one, after purchasing a unit for over $1,000 new and I get this results I then have to deal with the supplier on a number of options, swap with a new one, repair, etc. In Australia there is no way to get a total refund. Too much hassle. Really I don't have to deal with this kind situation after paying for a product which costs more than $1,000.

Therefore I purchase 2 Sigma lenses 2nd hand(total costs $420), 17-50mm f2.8 and 17-70mm f2.8-4.0. Both are very good right across the range, particularly the 17-50mm f2.8, I use it mainly in manual mode via an adapter. This lens is outstanding.

I am waiting for a new A6000 model with PDAF then I can use them in auto mode. I tested the 17-50mm f2.8 with A7II and the auto focus is fast and accurate.

A bit off topic, but what adaptor do you use for those Sigma lenses? Does the OS work? They look really interesting.

I use Viltrox II but I heard the Fotodiox works quite well too.

Yes the OS works quite well. Believe the images I get from 17-50mm f2.8 lens are really outstanding and it costs me US $210 2nd hand. The only draw back the lens itself weighs about 560gm it's not light.

 

[PVCdroid]

That's too bad and I agree something is wrong. Are you seeing this consistently with A5100/A6000, OSS on/off tests? I've had a couple of these since they were first released and haven't seen this on my copies.

If you are set on this lens, a couple options I recommend; return and try the next or send it to Sony where they will likely replace the lens block or replace the lens. This is the standard lately with Sony and I did it with a FE 28/2. A couple other lenses I've had with other problems they did this for me as well. If you send the lens in for repair, keep the hood in the event they send you a total replacement.

 

[cxsparc]

See the images below, makes me wonder if this lens is someone else's lens-return ... :-(

Edge softness is very pronounced at all focal lengths, and at all apertures. Right side is visibly worse than left side.

You don't have to pixel peep to see the issue, it is visible in full image view (but not in the dpreview preview image here).
....

Henry, your lens is exactly decentered as my second copy was. The whole right side from top to bottom is blurred. The left side unsharpness is actually improved due to the decentering! If this lens is repaired, right side gets a lot better, but left side gets somewhat worse! I have posted previously pictures of mine before/after.

Edges aren't the strong side of the 1670, and 24 mm focal length is where this lens is worst. My 1650 outperforms it there easily, and it seems yours does too.

Welcome in the club of the Astonished-it-can't-be-that-bad-1670-former-owners :-(;-)

I hope if the mythical A6100 is announced, that Sony will also offer an improved standard zoom along with it. I vote for f2.8 ;-)

 

[DP13Photo]

I believe they are all bad, though some are worse than others. Things are fine in the center but the edges are quite bad. My copy is similar to yours in that it's noticeably worse on the right side. Stopping down helps a little.

I put my Canon 17-55/2.8 on an adapter and it is a huge improvement. Even the Canon kit lens, the 18-55 is better, but the 16-70 has AF, it's the most useful range for me, and it's very light in weight and size.

 

[oldtimes]

When it comes to the 16-70

1) you have a high chance of getting a lemon due to very poor QC on this lens

2) if you get a "good" one, you will still be severly disapointed considering the premium price

Can't be said enough times, the 16-70 is a shoddy lens and is only deemed usable by Z fanboys (or those who don't mind the price and never compare to anything else).

I'm sorry for your trouble. But you are not alone.

Return it, let Sony know how you feel, and buy something else.

 

[blue_skies]

When it comes to the 16-70

1) you have a high chance of getting a lemon due to very poor QC on this lens

2) if you get a "good" one, you will still be severly disapointed considering the premium price

Can't be said enough times, the 16-70 is a shoddy lens and is only deemed usable by Z fanboys (or those who don't mind the price and never compare to anything else).

I'm sorry for your trouble. But you are not alone.

Return it, let Sony know how you feel, and buy something else.

--
Nissin di700a review http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/56463397

Perhaps, but you run to platitudes.

Purchasing this as a new lens qualifies for returns (in the USA) or manufacturer's warranty.

Either way, it will take some patience, but I either will end up with a 'good' copy, or my money back. So 1) is not a concern.

And 2) might be an issue at full price, but this lens has been having 'specials' to my surprise. Some 'favorite customer' or something like that, I had the option of purchasing at 30% discount.

If a brick and mortar store exist, I could solve 1) in the store, but would not get 2).

I don't know how many 'bad' copies exist - things tend to get overblown on the internet. If I end up getting repeated 'bad copies' upon exchanges, I will cancel the order. So, let's see what comes next.

As to the lens being shoddy - I did not see this at all. The lens is very well made, compact, and seems of high quality. I don't expect perfection, just performance that matches reviewers experience. This is not a lens for landscapes, in fact, most of the time I will only care about the center area in terms of 'perfect' sharpness.

For some reason, I am using the E1650 less and less on the A6000 (and more and more on the A5100), and the A6000 with the E18200 is bigger than I sometimes want. This E1670Z, combined with the E24, makes for a fairly small camera bag option.

As to Zony fanboys - I guess that you mean actual users? The thing I don't get here sometimes is when actual users report something like "this lens/camera is good enough for me" that non-users chime in with statements like "Impossible!"

If the norm is perfection, then no camera/lens maker is 'there' yet. Some esoteric $$$$ solutions may get closer, but the fact that a solution is imperfect is a fact. Imperfection or not, it may be sufficient for one user but not for another one - this remains user depended. There is no 'global' standard.

As to Zony cost - yes it is (too?) high, So in terms of price/value ratios, you can make all sorts of claims. However, the only viable alternative is to go bigger. Ok perhaps for professionals, but less desirable for the rest of us...

--
Cheers,
Henry

 

[Cobber55]

Firstly, sorry to read of your problem with the lens Henry and I hope you get a good one.

I have to say I really enjoy using my copy of this lens on my A6000. Maybe I was lucky but I can't fault it and the combination is just so convenient. I am very happy with the images taken.

Best wishes
Barry

 

[Jerry R]

Henry,

A very reasonable response and approach to your concerns about the lens you received.

I hope the replacement copy meets your expectations. There are many, including myself,

who find the lens the best option, size & IQ, for the NEX type cameras.

Good luck.