Opticallimits

I promised a review of the Zeiss 16-70mm but the results are so bad that I believe that the lens has an issue.

OMG,

I been waiting this review for almost a year.  

Sony users in China said 1670 is the best standard zoom in E system

The center is sharp but the outer image region is unbelievably soft.

The thing that puzzles me is that the effect is symmetrical. 

I only did a coarse check upon receiving the lens and took it for a ride during vacation.

I just can't believe that this is the normal behaviour from a 1000$ lens.

Do you have an image to show just how soft the outer regions are?

 

For what it is worth, this review does not show significant problems:

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/carl-z...view-24059

 

Some other reviewers have been disappointed, or found the test copy to be severely decentered.

http://kurtmunger.com/sony_zeiss_16_70mm_f_4id354.html

http://tashley1.zenfolio.com/blog/2013/1...-on-a7-a7r

http://phillipreeve.net/blog/carl-zeiss-...ex-review/

I have hundreds. :-)

Too bad, it could have been such a nice lens - besides the centering issues the underlying optical design seems to be lacking.

In my experience, problems at the border are clearly asymmetrical (moving from one side to the other as the focal length increases). So symmetrical problems are probably due to a more-defective-than-average lens.

In any case, what are you going to do? Give up with the test or have a replacement lens to try?

Quote:The center is sharp but the outer image region is unbelievably soft.

The thing that puzzles me is that the effect is symmetrical. 

I only did a coarse check upon receiving the lens and took it for a ride during vacation.

I just can't believe that this is the normal behaviour from a 1000$ lens.

Will the soft borders be noticeable at print size 20x30 cm ?

Quote:I have hundreds. :-)

To show?