Opticallimits

Tomorrow first three-day trip of the year, planned mostly for landscapes... and the 16-70mm is ko (bad sounds when mounted, autofocus not working). It looks like I'll do some extra practice with primes.

It's a bit surprising that this happens out of the blue.

Indeed. The lens was used for the latest time three months ago and I remember a strange noise after power up, but then it stopped and the lens worked fine. Strange.

So, the repair will cost about 440€ :-( I don't see alternatives, since it's still cheaper than buying a new copy. Furthermore the lab will recalibrate everything, so there's a (small?) chance the pre-existing decentering defect will be fixed.

I'm asking for an advice: there are two little cosmetic problems with the focus and zoom rings (small scratches); I thought to take advantage of the repair to have them replaced, just in case I sooner or later sell it when an alternate better lens will be available. Changing them will cost extra 75€. Is it worth while in your opinion?

(04-21-2023, 09:31 AM)stoppingdown Wrote: [ -> ]So, the repair will cost about 440€ :-( I don't see alternatives, since it's still cheaper than buying a new copy. Furthermore the lab will recalibrate everything, so there's a (small?) chance the pre-existing decentering defect will be fixed.

I'm asking for an advice: there are two little cosmetic problems with the focus and zoom rings (small scratches); I thought to take advantage of the repair to have them replaced, just in case I sooner or later sell it when an alternate better lens will be available. Changing them will cost extra 75€. Is it worth while in your opinion?

Well  515 EUR that's practically the price of Sigma 18-50  you recommended us yourself....Just saying...

Yes -— the problem are those missing 20mm at the long end...

There is also the Tamron 17-70mm ...

The MTFs of the Sony 18-135mm don't look too bad either.

(04-21-2023, 04:29 PM)toni-a Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-21-2023, 09:31 AM)stoppingdown Wrote: [ -> ]So, the repair will cost about 440€ :-( I don't see alternatives, since it's still cheaper than buying a new copy. Furthermore the lab will recalibrate everything, so there's a (small?) chance the pre-existing decentering defect will be fixed.

I'm asking for an advice: there are two little cosmetic problems with the focus and zoom rings (small scratches); I thought to take advantage of the repair to have them replaced, just in case I sooner or later sell it when an alternate better lens will be available. Changing them will cost extra 75€. Is it worth while in your opinion?

Well  515 EUR that's practically the price of Sigma 18-50  you recommended us yourself....Just saying...

 That's a stratospheric ouch .. out of the blue like that !!

That Sony 16-70 seems pretty crappy.
Why not buy the Tamron 17-70 f2.8 instead?
Better sharpness and f2.8 when needed.

All the alternative were already evaluated and rejected – otherwise I'd have replaced the Sony already. The Tamron is heavier and larger. While OQ is important, also size and weight are primary parameters for me... I think that for a good replacement for the SEL1670Z I'll have to wait for one-two years.
It also costs about 150€ more than the repair of the Sony