@soundgh2 +1 completely agree, I now consider myself lucky for getting a good copy after hearing all these stories... Better take good care of it, as any replacement might be a lemon. Having said that, since I have had it, I have been spending a lot less time on this forum :), well and it has been busy too. There are many other choices for people who need auto focus or a different (or wider) look.
@dtr I think there's some variance in QC - I was a lucky one no problems here, however you may be right mines the same as the one in the comparison - oh and I bought it for the flares hehe - personally think some of the new glass looks too precise, too sharp, but hey horse for courses!
@soundgh2: thanks, nice test! looks like this is with a pre-'cine' version though (reversed focus ring). i wonder if there's possible discrepancies between the two, which could explain the focus issue some people experience. or maybe it's just bad assembling.
The only big issue I really have with the SLR Magic is with flares and that haze.
Yep.
@dtr http://kanauru.net/blog/?p=126
Sums it up really :)
Expo by students of the ArtScience department of The Hague's art academy. If you happen to be around, the 'dark side' chapter of the expo is over but today and tomorrow is the 'bright side' part at De Besturing: https://www.facebook.com/events/249104075189613/
I compared my Noktor to my Lumix 14-42mm kit lens. Infinity focus is on par but the Noktor gets very soft at wide aperture. No surprises there. I'll do a test video like dream_beam's for comparison when the weather clears up here...
In the meanwhile, here's a bunch of frames from video a shot at an exhibition yesterday. 24H, Cake2.3 patch, Noktor 12mm lens. No grading.
I'm quite happy with these shots (beginner videographer here). Just missed the lens flares in the light bulbs shot while shooting. Something to remember with this lens. It's just a bit in the posted frame but it gets worse in the rest of the take.
@vicharris It seems your lens is ok, much more usable. earlier I promised video captured with the lens returned. below is the one. shot handheld, sorry for shaky image
As I remember, it is possible adjusting screws.
@Vitaliy_Kiselev From the outside of the lens I hope? Tomorrow, monday, I have to make the decision rather I want the lens or my money returned. Love the lens so I hope I can adjust a screw to set focus little beyond infinity.
@RawB Nope, I'm running Orion V4 CBR. Going to post the footage I took at Cine Gear as another test soon. My handheld sucks ass with this little camera though! So far though, I might have to eat crow and apologize to Andrew! I love the look of this lens and it's little imperfections.
As I remember, it is possible adjusting screws.
P.S. We are using Markdown for formatting, look how to quote :-)
@vicharris , is your gh2 in original firmware ? Don't think this can make a difference on focus.
Andrew told me they make the lenses focus a little past infinity now to prevent these problems.
Think this is possible to do at home?
@vicharris You're picture and video are closer to what I was expecting from this lens. Nice to know that some of them are pretty good. I am expecting the exchanged lens to come early next week, fingers crossed and hoping for a good copy.
@vicharris "what I see in the view finder and focus assist, I was able to focus pretty damn far."
Looks like you're a winner!
Talked to the Pana guys at the expo today. First, they were amazed at the lens. Never seen it before. They asked me to come in next week and test it on the AF100. Second, he thought it was a little loose. Not sure if I remember that when I first put it on but I do have a little bit of a shift now. Downloading 20gbs of footage now. Hopefully there's something usable for testing there. Handheld, in a crowd, in the sun is not the ideal environment for testing but from what I see in the view finder and focus assist, I was able to focus pretty damn far.
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