I just purchased this lens and I was wondering if the zoom should be stiff. I have other lens that zoom easily and smoothly.
1259664
Mine is firm, but I would not call it stiff. My only complaint is that the zoom ring is where the focusing ring is on all my other lenses.
1259665
I would say it is smooth and requires some torque to move it. A bit stiffer than I thought it would be but not to the point being unhappy. After some use I didn't and do not really notice it. Definitely stiffer than my 18-200.
838885
The primary purpose for me buying this lens is to take portraits. I'm using the lens with a D200 and haven't noticed any problems with focusing. However, because there is no vibration reduction like the zoom lenses, I have to hold my camera extremely steady to get a clear portrait with bokeh.
1190459
I bought it because it has a lot less distortion as it zooms. I do have to say it is a sharp lens though.
173567
I have not noticed any fringing with this lens. It is on my camera daily it seems and is my go to walk around lens.
1300383
Hi bruno, I mentioned a rather stiff zoom ring starting around 100mm and no it didn't get better. I did exchange it and the new copy was better but still a bit stiff, the low light characteristics on the replacement improved just a little bit . This lens for me pretty much spends it's time in a drawer unless I'm going somewhere outside that requires going light and the photo's taken aren't important. It's rarely on my camera.
1300381
I've never noticed a "bump". If it did exist, it disappeared quickly. The zoom is a bit stiff, but I like that and experience no "creep" that bothers some other zoom lenses. I've had the lens since New Years, and I'm very pleased with it.
1974694
It is a noisy lens, but so is the 50mm f/1.4. When back focusing it sounds a bit like a small electric toy car (it doesn't have an ring ultrasonic motor) and when locking focus there is a small click like sound. That's perfectly normal.
1796672
Hi Jorge, it's beautiful. I normally use the 50mm 1:1.2. I'm spoiled and prefer this over any zoom.
586199
No. This is a solid lens, but you will need to use a tripod for low light, and a higher shutter speed if you are hand holding while zooming.
2125839
If you're shooting a lot of video, the power zoom feature on this lens should make a huge difference. I just bought it for that purpose but haven't been able to try it out yet. However for me manual zoom (which I far prefer for stills) just isn't steady enough for video.
371994
No. This is not a zoom lens. This is a prime lens with only one focal lenght. No zoom!
1580105
This is the best lens in the world (I say with prejudice) - take one of your zooms, set it to 85mm and see if THAT focal length will work for you. If so, BUY BUY BUY. It's so razor sharp. Feel free to ask me more.
1157942
As MDA pointed out, the nodal point moves on all zoom lenses, whether or not the external barrel extends/retracts. I have shot panoramas with this lens's big brother (f/2.8) and been very satisfied with the results. I think this is a non-issue.
219912
It's a wonderful lens and incredibly fast. I carry it and the Sony 50mm exclusively with my NEX-7. I've never been a huge fan variable zoom, especially when it comes at the cost of more than a stop. If 24mm is wide enough for you, this is the must own lens for the nex system.
1391990
This lens works well with the zoom on your camera. It gives you a wider field of view no matter your distance from the objective, but you have to consider your distance away from the object before picking a lens to attach this wide angle to. I have been very happy with this lens, especially for the price.
372353
I use this lens mostly handheld and it's the sharpest telephoto lens I've used in my life and I've used many. I don't even use IS during day time and at wide open its sharp. I also have canon 70-200 f2.8 non IS and that lens is sharp too. But I prefer 300mm on full frame rather than 70-200 on cropped frame to get even sharper pictures. Also this lens is much lighter than the zoom lens although it's slightly longer.
313060
The first two answers are spot on. I bought this lens because it is far less expensive and I use a tripod most of the time.