For my final test, an important one that helps me understand how to use autofocus and the depth of field button, I ran through this one. If this was exceptionally bad, I would send the lens back. I was pleased and actually surprised with what I found.
The X1D and it's earlier lenses have suffered a few reliable slightly negative reviews on focus shift in the past. Here, it's pretty much about how much the lens costs, and this one is moderately wide for a MF lens and costs a whole lot. So I wanted to test that out.
I don't see any meaningful focus shift throughout the aperture range with my copy of the 120mm. That's a very good thing. It means I can actually use autofocus pretty darn reliably in manual mode! And it makes me want to go back and test my 30 and 90 to see if they have it. Maybe there was a firmware fix with those lenses too, I just don't know right now . . .. But I'm happy this lens has practically no focus shift.
All my test shots were done in apertures ranging from 3.5 to 45. I can't believe it goes up to f45, I will likely never shoot with that, but it does. It's very blurry from diffraction at that point, but if you want depth of field at all costs, that's the ticket.
One last comment -- focus is by wire as all XCD lenses are to date. I have never met a focus by wire lens that does as good as a sound mechanical lens in obtaining critical focus. The 120mm is good — not excellent on that. I counted three solid 360 degree turns from minimum to infinity. Plenty of throw. But dialing in critical focus, I really wish the firmware gave me either more micro control or a bit more time in zoom mode to dial it in before it zooms back out. With the electronics, it's just a bit hard to get it dialed in perfectly within the time allotted. I imagine it's the same for people using zebras. Since I manually focus most of the time, this one appears to me to need some work before I truly fall in love.
One thing to enjoy about the X1D is that it was engineered to resolve more issues than your average camera through firmware updates. And I personally know Gothenburg listens if you talk with them.
Bottom line, I am very happy with my lens. Even more so than I expected. Great job Hasselblad!
BradP
- A completely unaffiliated poster other than having bought into the platform.
The beginning of this review begins here.
http://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=121983.0
