Has anyone had (or heard of) AF issues with the new 18mm f/1.4?

CaNikonianite wrote:

Erik Baumgartner wrote:

Kiwi Steve wrote:

I have same issue with this lens on my X-H1. Also the high pitched noise from the lens is noticeable when shooting in very quiet environment.

Hopefully there will be a firmware update to correct the focusing issues with older cameras, but I haven’t seen any evidence that they’re doing anything about it. The noise is normal and is common to most lenses with linear focusing motors.

The Fuji 18mm got COVID.

But seriously, thanks for the report. Guess this lens isn't ready for prime time yet. I'll make a note to steer clear from it for now.

It's ready enough for me. Despite the occasional hiccup, it still focuses OK most of the time. Optically, It's absolutely the best lens for Fuji that I've come across.

KennyXYZ wrote:

Really like the Dairy Queen shot.

Me too.

Watching this thread because I would put this lens on my X-H1, and it might have the same issues.

Mr Bolton wrote:

KennyXYZ wrote:

Really like the Dairy Queen shot.

Me too.

Watching this thread because I would put this lens on my X-H1, and it might have the same issues.

I don't read about a lot of issues with it (but I have read some), so maybe some people are just more picky than others. I had two copies of the lens behave in exactly the same way on two different bodies (X-T2/X-T20) so it is likely the lenses and not my gear - I have no issues with other lenses.

CaNikonianite wrote:

Erik Baumgartner wrote:

CaNikonianite wrote:

Erik Baumgartner wrote:

Kiwi Steve wrote:

I have same issue with this lens on my X-H1. Also the high pitched noise from the lens is noticeable when shooting in very quiet environment.

Hopefully there will be a firmware update to correct the focusing issues with older cameras, but I haven’t seen any evidence that they’re doing anything about it. The noise is normal and is common to most lenses with linear focusing motors.

The Fuji 18mm got COVID.

But seriously, thanks for the report. Guess this lens isn't ready for prime time yet. I'll make a note to steer clear from it for now.

It's ready enough for me. Despite the occasional hiccup, it still focuses OK most of the time. Optically, It's absolutely the best lens for Fuji that I've come across.

I believe that if it only focuses 'most' of the time and just an 'ok' job at that, there is much room for improvement. The best lenses snap into focus without any drama.

Let me be clear, there may be an occasional hiccup, but it always focuses and focuses accurately. Should it hiccup at all? No, it shouldn’t, but hopefully they’ll sort that out for the older cameras with a firmware update. All the reviews I’ve read describe the AF as being lightning fast on newer bodies.

I just saw this thread for the first time. That is one sharp lens! I want one, but also shoot with an X-T2. I hope they resolve the issue eventually.

Reading most of the serious reviewers, I do not find anything involving some AF issue. All reviews with more recent x bodies than you.

So the hypothesis of slow/wrong/uneffective phase detection system with this lens in this camera generation might be true.

Did you get any info from Fuji ?

Bob

Hi,

Having read some of the many earlier posts, with potential interest in the lens, let's try a different approach.... Is there a consensus that it actually works perfectly on the more recent bodies? If so let's identify them.... and work backwards.

Anyone using it on

XT30ii?

XE4?

XT4?

XS10?

X100v?

XT200?

X Pro 3?

XA7?

XT3?

Not sure about the date order of these cameras, but hopefully I'm near the mark. Let us know whether you experience faultless AF and if not, any focusing glitches.....

Regards, Rod

glances wrote:

Erik Baumgartner wrote:

Update: I talked to a guy at Fuji service and they haven’t heard of any problems with the new 18 and haven’t even seen one yet, nor do they have any parts to fix it with.
I then talked to the store and they’re sending me out a second lens to compare. If it does turn out to be a firmware quirk, I didn’t want to send back a lens that performs flawlessly otherwise.
I’ll report back when the new lens shows up…

Had a similar discussion with support two weeks ago since I'm having the same issue. Also there's an audible high pitched noise coming from the left side of the lens that's not present in any other Fuji lens I've used (using an XT4). I've also experience the focus "pulsing" in some scenarios similar to how you describe. I'm on my second lens so I'm of the opinion that it's a lens issue.

I have a similar experience. But it's like the "first" time it focuses only. Further "focuses" are silent. I don't know why. At first I thought I had some issue as well. Now I no longer pay attention to it.

I use it with an X-T4 fully updated.

baobob wrote:

Reading most of the serious reviewers, I do not find anything involving some AF issue. All reviews with more recent x bodies than you.

So the hypothesis of slow/wrong/uneffective phase detection system with this lens in this camera generation might be true.

Did you get any info from Fuji ?

Bob

When I talked to the Fuji service center (some months ago) they hadn’t yet heard about any issues with the new 18, nor did they have any parts or service information for it. Probably worth a follow up call.

CaNikonianite wrote:

Kiwi Steve wrote:

Yes, I agree. The lens does focus but I guess everyone rightly expects it should acquire focus in one quick motion. On my X-H1 it appears to acquire focus then do a little hunt backwards and forwards before acquiring focus again. It does this quickly and doesn't happen every time but still annoying. I note this behavior only seems, in my limited usage, to happen when in single focus point mode.

I have the same problem with the X-H1 with other lenses. It focuses then re-focuses after it had already acquired it. It's very unsure of itself. I don't think this camera is for me.

That shouldn’t happen. What focusing modes/settings are you using? I have very little trouble with my X-T2 (same AF as X-H1) including in low light with the old slowpoke 56 and 35 f/1.4. When focus locks (typically in a split second), it fires. Some lenses are obviously better than others and sometimes a larger focus box is often necessary in poor light, but I really have no issues in AF-S/single point. Only the new 18 hiccups in this odd way - and it will do it in bright light with plenty of contrast and then works perfectly (and lightning fast) in low light with very little contrast. Totally random.

CaNikonianite wrote:

Erik Baumgartner wrote:

CaNikonianite wrote:

Kiwi Steve wrote:

Yes, I agree. The lens does focus but I guess everyone rightly expects it should acquire focus in one quick motion. On my X-H1 it appears to acquire focus then do a little hunt backwards and forwards before acquiring focus again. It does this quickly and doesn't happen every time but still annoying. I note this behavior only seems, in my limited usage, to happen when in single focus point mode.

I have the same problem with the X-H1 with other lenses. It focuses then re-focuses after it had already acquired it. It's very unsure of itself. I don't think this camera is for me.

That shouldn’t happen. What focusing modes/settings are you using? I have very little trouble with my X-T2 (same AF as X-H1) including in low light with the old slowpoke 56 and 35 f/1.4. When focus locks (typically in a split second), it fires. Some lenses are obviously better than others and sometimes a larger focus box is often necessary in poor light, but I really have no issues in AF-S/single point. Only the new 18 hiccups in this odd way - and it will do it in bright light with plenty of contrast and then works perfectly (and lightning fast) in low light with very little contrast. Totally random.

You're right, it shouldn't happen. But it does. And it looks like I'm not the only one. It happens in S,C or M. But it's mostly in lower light conditions like inside of a restaurant. It did it often when I was shooting a friend's wedding reception.

What size focus box? It can make a huge difference in low light.

CaNikonianite wrote:

Erik Baumgartner wrote:

CaNikonianite wrote:

Erik Baumgartner wrote:

CaNikonianite wrote:

Kiwi Steve wrote:

Yes, I agree. The lens does focus but I guess everyone rightly expects it should acquire focus in one quick motion. On my X-H1 it appears to acquire focus then do a little hunt backwards and forwards before acquiring focus again. It does this quickly and doesn't happen every time but still annoying. I note this behavior only seems, in my limited usage, to happen when in single focus point mode.

I have the same problem with the X-H1 with other lenses. It focuses then re-focuses after it had already acquired it. It's very unsure of itself. I don't think this camera is for me.

That shouldn’t happen. What focusing modes/settings are you using? I have very little trouble with my X-T2 (same AF as X-H1) including in low light with the old slowpoke 56 and 35 f/1.4. When focus locks (typically in a split second), it fires. Some lenses are obviously better than others and sometimes a larger focus box is often necessary in poor light, but I really have no issues in AF-S/single point. Only the new 18 hiccups in this odd way - and it will do it in bright light with plenty of contrast and then works perfectly (and lightning fast) in low light with very little contrast. Totally random.

You're right, it shouldn't happen. But it does. And it looks like I'm not the only one. It happens in S,C or M. But it's mostly in lower light conditions like inside of a restaurant. It did it often when I was shooting a friend's wedding reception.

What size focus box? It can make a huge difference in low light.

I use the smallest one. Maybe I should try other sizes.

There’s your problem, I can almost guarantee it. Try AF-S with a face sized box with a full-press of the shutter button in low light. The smallest box can slow down AF-C significantly in any light.

Well the only place I had many missed focus using AF was at a ski day with somehow cold temperatures (under 3 Celsius).

It happened last year with the x-t3 and this year with the X-T5.

I am using this 18mm f1.4 for more than 15 months, took thousands of photos with it in very different places and subjects and the AF was always excellent, but only at these 2 days at ski it acted weirdly.

So could it be that the new type of AF motor is not liking (very) cold temperatures?

In fact, it’s been highly accurate and doesn’t hunt even in low light. I had it with me at the races this past weekend and it was brilliant.