slow AF action on my F5... is it normal? helloi was excited when i put this lens (50mm 1.4 G) however i was truly disappointed when i saw how slow the lens is focusing. and this is on an F5. my other lenses are all D type. even my cheapest lens 28-80 3.5 D focuses in miliseconds (truthfully) while this lens takes about 3 seconds to focus on the exact same spot. normally my F5 is extremely fast when focusing and my batteries are full etc. is there anyone who experiences a similar AF performance? please let me know. slow AF action on my F5... is it normal? helloi was excited when i put this lens (50mm 1.4 G) however i was truly disappointed when i saw how slow the lens is focusing. and this is on an F5.... » Read More slow AF action on my F5... is it normal? helloi was excited when i put this lens (50mm 1.4 G) however i was truly disappointed when i saw how slow the lens is focusing. and this is on an F5. my other lenses are all D type. even my cheapest lens 28-80 3.5 D focuses in miliseconds (truthfully) while this lens takes about 3 seconds to focus on the exact same spot. normally my F5 is extremely fast when focusing and my batteries are full etc. is there anyone who experiences a similar AF performance? please let me know. « Show Less
739835
i think the only fix is to replace the motor. i am surprised that even the latest digitals like d300 and d700 have the same problem too. i thought it was simply because the f5 is a relatively old camera. i can't say it is a complete waste of money but is definitely a huge disappointment. i would have bought the D type if i were doing it again. i wish i got that in the first place but i was scared of the focus problems i had with my 35mm 2.0 D type so decided to get the newer designed lens. that is my story.i will try to contact nikon and see what they will offer. i still have the 5 year warranty so it could be covered under that if they are willing to stand up for their reputation. i think the only fix is to replace the motor. i am surprised that even the latest digitals like d300 and d700 have the same problem too. i thought it was simply because the f5 is a relatively old camera. i can't say it is a complete waste of money but is definitely a huge disappointment. i would have bought the D type if i were doing it again. i wish i got that in the first place but i was scared of the focus problems i had with my 35mm 2.0 D type so decided to get the newer designed lens. that is my story.i will try to contact nikon and see what they will offer. i still have... » Read More i think the only fix is to replace the motor. i am surprised that even the latest digitals like d300 and d700 have the same problem too. i thought it was simply because the f5 is a relatively old camera. i can't say it is a complete waste of money but is definitely a huge disappointment. i would have bought the D type if i were doing it again. i wish i got that in the first place but i was scared of the focus problems i had with my 35mm 2.0 D type so decided to get the newer designed lens. that is my story.i will try to contact nikon and see what they will offer. i still have the 5 year warranty so it could be covered under that if they are willing to stand up for their reputation. « Show Less
739836
Yes, I have the same problem and I feel like throwing the thing through a window. I think I may sell it and get a 1.4d
739837
I also have this slow focus problem on my D300 and D700. Slower focusing than any other lens I have used. Anyone heard about a fix for this yet?
739838
I suppose it has nothing to do with the cameras and all to do with that particular lens. For the price of the 50mm 1.4G plus it being a prime lens I figured it would focus super quick. It's funny that you bring up the 35mm 2.0 D lens having problems. I own that lens also and mine focuses just fine and much faster than the 50mm 1.4G. I'd love to hear what you find out from Nikon about this problem.
739839
I have the same problem and mine miss focuses too. I have contacted Nikon, but I'm still waiting for a reply. I'm curious if this lens is a waste of money? Did you guys ever find out what was wrong?
1521075
I just got this lens and cannot figure out how to adjust the aperture... I can only take photos in f/22 otherwise it tells me to "lock lens aperture ring at minimum aperture" even if I put it in M (manual) mode. How do I change it so the aperture is adjustable and not fixed?
1505532
This superb lens is slow to focus on most four thirds cameras.On the E-M5 focus is accurate, but slow.On the E-M1 it focusses much faster and accuracy is high.My new EM1 is superb, by the way.
578411
What camera bodies do you currently own and for what type of shooting?? For portrait, people love the 85, some even say they prefer the 100mm. I own the 50L, the only thing I can say is that shooting at f1.2 takes practice, and the auto focus is a bit slower than most other modern day lens with AF.
2075463
It works good at a macro but because it is a zoom with AF, it can be difficult to use it as a 'true' macro lens. I prefer to use this for wildlife and landscapes but I have used it for macro. Use the MF if going to use for macro. I hope this makes sense.
1838718
M. Clouse, I have both the 35mm L lens and the 50mm non-L lens. Like you, I love the 50mm lens but it is not sharp wide open. It sharpens up pretty well in the center by f/2.8, but the corners are soft even at f/5.6. The 35mm L lens is not in the same league. It is almost 4 times as expensive, built like a tank, has a completely different lens formula, ring USM focusing system rather than the old design in the 50mm, and is sharp at f/1.4 even out to the edge of the field. Like the 50mm, it gets a little sharper stopped down, but it is so sharp at f/1.4, there is not much room for improvement. You will not be disappointed with the 35mm L. It is a very fine lens optically and mechanically. M. Clouse, I have both the 35mm L lens and the 50mm non-L lens. Like you, I love the 50mm lens but it is not sharp wide open. It sharpens up pretty well in the center by f/2.8, but the corners are soft even at f/5.6. The 35mm L lens is not in the same league. It is almost 4 times as expensive, built like a tank, has a completely different lens formula, ring USM focusing system rather than the old design in the 50mm, and is sharp at f/1.4 even out to the edge of the field. Like the 50mm, it gets a little sharper stopped down, but it is so sharp at f/1.4, there is not much room for... » Read More M. Clouse, I have both the 35mm L lens and the 50mm non-L lens. Like you, I love the 50mm lens but it is not sharp wide open. It sharpens up pretty well in the center by f/2.8, but the corners are soft even at f/5.6. The 35mm L lens is not in the same league. It is almost 4 times as expensive, built like a tank, has a completely different lens formula, ring USM focusing system rather than the old design in the 50mm, and is sharp at f/1.4 even out to the edge of the field. Like the 50mm, it gets a little sharper stopped down, but it is so sharp at f/1.4, there is not much room for improvement. You will not be disappointed with the 35mm L. It is a very fine lens optically and mechanically. « Show Less
393926
I have had the S4500 for just a few weeks. I wear tri-focals and lve. them on while shooting. I just did some testing and here's what I found: With my glasses on, I focused on an object (auto) The Image looked sharp in the viewer, and in "reviewing". I then lined-up another shot - without my glasses, moved the shutter button half-way down - object was blurred but I took the shot anyway. Reviewed it (on the camera back) and it was fine. Conclusion (after two more tests) the camera was focusing correctly regardless of what I was seeing ! Highly recommend you do same testing to confirm. Having checked other review, I agree this model does NOT have a Diopter (previous Fuji model I owned did) but I am already used to this system - but then I'm not a pro! Oh, don't forget when shooting picture of two people, always point the focus-beam at ONE of the faces then "re-frame" while holding shutter btn. half way down. (sorry if I,m stating the obvious!). Good luck. Harry Hilton
1642451
I assume you've tried auto focus at different legnths. If unsuccessful you definitely need to return the lens. Sorry to hear about your troubles.
1566534
I love this lens and find it focuses quickly and is super sharp in good light, but I tried it out last week after dark at my son's marching band competition (HS football stadium lighting) and even wide open I found the focus speed slowed way down and I had far fewer "keepers" than I normally get in good light with the Sigma. My Olympus 12-40 2.8 PRO and my Oly 1.8 primes focus much faster in low light than the Sigma. I shoot with an OM-D with built in IBIS, and I used a monopod.
775021
The answer is a complex maybe. This lens is weak in aperture maxing out at f5.6 at full zoom. This means it needs slow shutter speeds or high ISO in low light such as very early morning or late dusk. If you are shooting still targets, allowing slower shutter, or have a camera that handles higher ISO well, allowing faster shutter, then the lens is fine. In full day the lens is strong, for the money, in my opinion. I have used it to good effect stopping action in sports up to sunset. But I'm using a Canon 5D mk3 which offers strong ISO noise reduction to allow faster shutter. So for dusk and dawn work, the question becomes, will your camera be able to negotiate the aperture gap. Hope this helps. The answer is a complex maybe. This lens is weak in aperture maxing out at f5.6 at full zoom. This means it needs slow shutter speeds or high ISO in low light such as very early morning or late dusk. If you are shooting still targets, allowing slower shutter, or have a camera that handles higher ISO well, allowing faster shutter, then the lens is fine. In full day the lens is strong, for the money, in my opinion. I have used it to good effect stopping action in sports up to sunset. But I'm using a Canon 5D mk3 which offers strong ISO noise reduction to allow faster shutter. So for dusk and... » Read More The answer is a complex maybe. This lens is weak in aperture maxing out at f5.6 at full zoom. This means it needs slow shutter speeds or high ISO in low light such as very early morning or late dusk. If you are shooting still targets, allowing slower shutter, or have a camera that handles higher ISO well, allowing faster shutter, then the lens is fine. In full day the lens is strong, for the money, in my opinion. I have used it to good effect stopping action in sports up to sunset. But I'm using a Canon 5D mk3 which offers strong ISO noise reduction to allow faster shutter. So for dusk and dawn work, the question becomes, will your camera be able to negotiate the aperture gap. Hope this helps. « Show Less
430638
I agree - it's a four thirds lens that I don't think is optimised for m43. My other non-optimised four thirds lenses can be v.slow to focus so I don't use for birds in flight etc. It's almost double the weight and longer. Not sure what speed it is at 150, but it's rated as f3.5-6.3 so probably pretty close. Min focus distance is pretty similar - around .5 m.
839581
Do not overlook the need to turn OFF the Focus Check setting! Realize that the default setting slows the AF down markedly. If this setting is left on, it will result in wandering focus ...
575222
I would like to add to the comment made about the AF. Yes, it's a little loud going back and forth a little. I knew that going in and in fact Lumix warns of it on the older version, and I would not suggest this lens for video. I use it for still photo's on a Lumix and have no other issues. Perhaps the new version is not as so?
608538
Hey, the focus is very fast and absolutely noticeable compared to the 18-55mm. Hope that helps. Kind regards
1937691
Hi. I purchased the same lens 2 days ago and yes, I am a novice using a D300. I have the same 'err' reading but when i switch and locked to f/22 i realised that the camera body electronically controls the aperture setting - which you can obviously set in 'A' mode. I assumed that the manual a f adjustment ring on the lens then was only for cameras that do no have electronically controlled A settings via the body.
1346886
I don't know anything about the 85mm lens, but I own the 50mm f/1.4 USM. That lens was great for about the first 4 months. It took very crisp shots, performed well in low light, and gave beautiful bokeh. However, after 4 months, the USM motor started to not function properly, and my lens would no longer autofocus correctly. I just sent it back for repair under warranty. Hopefully they will be able to fix it permanently, but I have recently read many reviews that have noticed the same problem. Therefore, I would not recommend the 50mm f/1.4 USM. I wish I had bought the 50mm f/1.8 instead. I don't know anything about the 85mm lens, but I own the 50mm f/1.4 USM. That lens was great for about the first 4 months. It took very crisp shots, performed well in low light, and gave beautiful bokeh. However, after 4 months, the USM motor started to not function properly, and my lens would no longer autofocus correctly. I just sent it back for repair under warranty. Hopefully they will be able to fix it permanently, but I have recently read many reviews that have noticed the same problem. Therefore, I would not recommend the 50mm f/1.4 USM. I wish I had bought the 50mm f/1.8 instead.
2280931
That's a good question. So I checked it out with my Nikon D600 to see what happens. It turns out that the effective f-stop does change through the full magnification range. I set the aperture to f-2.8 at infinity and then focused up close on a small object. The camera was set to Aperture Mode so mechanically, the aperture was fixed the whole time. The effective f-stop was reduced to f-4.8 at 1:1 magnification. This result is expected due to the drop off in light at this high magnification. Hope this helps.