Where be to purchase Sony 16-80mm f3.5-4.5 ZA VS T* DT Lens?

[Heidfirst]

I hope that you don't have problems but Simply don't have the best reputation ...

[cenwyn]

Hi all,

Not sure whether I now have a problem with the replacement lens I received on the weekend?

The seal wasn’t broken this time which is good news.

However, having taken the lens out of the packaging and attached it to the Alpha 700, there seems to have been a problem with the AF. No issues with AF from 16 to 35, but from 35 to 80 it just couldn’t fix on anything and just kept searching. I tried all the different AF settings on the camera, Single shot, Auto and Continuous, but the issue remained.

However, having detached the lens to check the contacts and found nothing there, I re-attached the lens and the issue with AF has for now gone away!

I will continue to test it over the next couple of days, interchanging with my Tamron 18-250. Whilst I do this I was wondering if this kind of issue is normal. Should I be worried that the lens may have a fault? Could the fault now be with the A700, or the contacts on the lens or camera?

It does look to be a lovely lens, though I’m only basing this on the two Tamrons I have.

Thanks again.

Regards,
Cenwyn.

PS - crossing my fingers with regards to Simply Electronics now! They haven't yet processed my order

[David Kilpatrick]

Get a precision jeweller's screwdriver, Phillips cross head, and do a quick finger pressure (no more) tighten up of the visible screws in the A700 body mount, and also the back of the 16-80mm lens. They tend to be a bit slack ex-factory and the fit and feel can be improved. This is also likely to ensure the contacts mate perfectly every time. Sounds as if that was the problem.

David

[cenwyn]

Thank you again David for your advice.

Regards.

[cenwyn]

Hi, checked the screws on the A700 plate, the lens plate and lens contacts and they all were tight.

Lens placed back on the A700 body, AF working well.

So fingers crossed that maybe the issue was the contacts weren’t clean?

I have to say that the AF is far quieter than the Tamron 18-250, and also very quick!

Thanks again.

Regards,
Cenwyn.

[cenwyn]

Just to let you all know the Flash has arrived today!

Now to learn how to use it!

Shame the Minolta Wirelss flash wont link up with it as a slave or does it?

[WaltKnapp]

It's an exceptional lens, not perfect, but nothing else produced images quite like it. Well worth getting.

David

I agree, I like the optics. But I hate the build quality. I had one that went loose in a matter of a couple weeks and ruined a bunch of photos as I was travelling out west at the time and not always in a position to get them onto the laptop to check. And did not notice the problem right away. And Sony's repair took two tries and barely got it back usable. I've since got another and now it's loosening up too. I don't plan on blowing more money on this lens unless they redesign the build quality.

It's not a lens I'd trust for critical shooting without a fallback option. Just from hard experience.

Walt