02-21-2017, 06:20 AM
This thread was about the Laowa, so I started doubting the equation "all metal = good build quality here". It's a bit complicated to try to search in the forum, but I did mention Fuji's inner construction of the 56/1.2 (which you like in it's APD-version so much that you kept it for yourself, if I remember correctly).
The Fuji belongs to a series of meanwhile 4 lenses meeting the floor without I wanted it to do so. Admittedly it had the toughest floor (marble) and the possibly highest airway to impact, falling out of an open slingshot bag. It cracked, as the camera did a bit as well (EVF broken). So I saw the inner parts - which are basically plastics. I got it repaired, though. Fuji Switzerland sent it to Fuji England and got it back to me. It was repaired, although not too well. The aperture ring was moving better before and after the crack than after the repair.
The candidate of a jump out of the same bag before was a Nikkor 24/1.4 G. Went down a wooden stair with aluminium enforcements at the borders of the steps and met the concrete after 5 or 6 "thumps". I don't know, I heard it in slow motion...
Lens covers were on different places. What happened to the "made in Japan", metal housing? A dent in the filter thread - that was all and it was working just as before the falling.
Laowa's 15/4 macro was seeking freedom out of a bicycle bag, I still don't know how it could escape, but it was a short trip down to a field path with pebbles. Solid pebbles, not the tiny ones. Weak spot is the shifting mechanism. I hesitate to send it in. It's not much of a use after my self repair. The shift is working again - if you want to call a center, top and bottom position "working shift mechanism", but it is designed that way. As Macro lens, without automatic diaphragm, it's not much of a practical use and it was not exactly brilliant before the falling.
Last candidate was the Sigma 35/1.4 Art which I wanted to check for correct AF (and reliability of focus) after it came back from Sigma service Switzerland. You know, Sigma CH offers a lifetime service with one annual check for free, if there's a repair needed I just pay the parts. What happened to it after it fell down from tripod height to an oak parquet, attached to the D810? One of the rails for the lens hood was halfway broken. I still can attach the hood. Otherwise everything works as before, the Sigma plastics just swallowed the shock and digested it. It didn't went so well for the parquet, though, although oak is supposed to be hard wood.
I try to be careful, I really do, but there are those days... I just wonder which will become No. 5? Bets are open!
As for Tamron: I'd agree, except the last models which appear to be a bit more solid construction. A duel of Tamron 150-600 G2 and Fuji 100-400? I would not bet much on the Fuji although metal shell. I'll keep you posted if it happens (knock on head wood).
As for the rattle: Ever cared to shake a Nikon 14-24? Sigma 50/1.4 Art? All Fujis with OIS feel like they just filled the parts in and forgot to tighten them. Tamron 150-600G? No noise, no matter how you shake it - so it's not always the OIS/VR mechanism or the AF drives. But the rattle doesn't distract or bother me too much.
Maybe the Fujis are designed as prayer mills? You just need to Ooooohmm a bit more?
The Fuji belongs to a series of meanwhile 4 lenses meeting the floor without I wanted it to do so. Admittedly it had the toughest floor (marble) and the possibly highest airway to impact, falling out of an open slingshot bag. It cracked, as the camera did a bit as well (EVF broken). So I saw the inner parts - which are basically plastics. I got it repaired, though. Fuji Switzerland sent it to Fuji England and got it back to me. It was repaired, although not too well. The aperture ring was moving better before and after the crack than after the repair.
The candidate of a jump out of the same bag before was a Nikkor 24/1.4 G. Went down a wooden stair with aluminium enforcements at the borders of the steps and met the concrete after 5 or 6 "thumps". I don't know, I heard it in slow motion...
Lens covers were on different places. What happened to the "made in Japan", metal housing? A dent in the filter thread - that was all and it was working just as before the falling.Laowa's 15/4 macro was seeking freedom out of a bicycle bag, I still don't know how it could escape, but it was a short trip down to a field path with pebbles. Solid pebbles, not the tiny ones. Weak spot is the shifting mechanism. I hesitate to send it in. It's not much of a use after my self repair. The shift is working again - if you want to call a center, top and bottom position "working shift mechanism", but it is designed that way. As Macro lens, without automatic diaphragm, it's not much of a practical use and it was not exactly brilliant before the falling.
Last candidate was the Sigma 35/1.4 Art which I wanted to check for correct AF (and reliability of focus) after it came back from Sigma service Switzerland. You know, Sigma CH offers a lifetime service with one annual check for free, if there's a repair needed I just pay the parts. What happened to it after it fell down from tripod height to an oak parquet, attached to the D810? One of the rails for the lens hood was halfway broken. I still can attach the hood. Otherwise everything works as before, the Sigma plastics just swallowed the shock and digested it. It didn't went so well for the parquet, though, although oak is supposed to be hard wood.
I try to be careful, I really do, but there are those days... I just wonder which will become No. 5? Bets are open!
As for Tamron: I'd agree, except the last models which appear to be a bit more solid construction. A duel of Tamron 150-600 G2 and Fuji 100-400? I would not bet much on the Fuji although metal shell. I'll keep you posted if it happens (knock on head wood).
As for the rattle: Ever cared to shake a Nikon 14-24? Sigma 50/1.4 Art? All Fujis with OIS feel like they just filled the parts in and forgot to tighten them. Tamron 150-600G? No noise, no matter how you shake it - so it's not always the OIS/VR mechanism or the AF drives. But the rattle doesn't distract or bother me too much.
Maybe the Fujis are designed as prayer mills?
You just need to Ooooohmm a bit more?