KM 70-210 mm soft at F4. Can it be fixed?

leeshock · 30th January 2006

I just recently acquired a 2nd hand 70-210, which does not give sharp pics at F4. Tried with other apertures - OK or better. Well, to be fair, the seller did warn me about the pics being soft at f4 and the price was reasonable.

I am wondering if the problem can be fixed? Can I send it to KM Service Centre (or Sony Service Centre) in Sg for checking and fixing?

What kind of price estimate will I be looking at, to fix this problem?

Any help would be most appreciated.

sulhan · 30th January 2006

care to share some pics?
Shoot with bounce flash onto ceiling.....of a subject 1.5~2m away...

leeshock · 30th January 2006

Originally Posted by sulhan

care to share some pics?
Shoot with bounce flash onto ceiling.....of a subject 1.5~2m away...

Hi Sulhan, don't u sleep?

Sorry to say this, but how do u post sample of pics to Club Snaps?

zcf · 30th January 2006

Please read FAQs and Feedback Forum, for posting image in ClubSNAP.
Users Guide to Posting Images in ClubSNAP Forums

GENO · 30th January 2006

Try Posting Some F4 Pics...might Be Yr Handshake Which Is Why Yr Pics Are Not Sharp?

leeshock · 30th January 2006

Originally Posted by GENO

Try Posting Some F4 Pics...might Be Yr Handshake Which Is Why Yr Pics Are Not Sharp?

I am using a dial up so give me sometime to upload the pics.

I don't think its due to handshake because I took the same shot using different f stops (without flash) on a tripod today.

Agetan · 30th January 2006

At its widest aperture, you need good lighting and right lighting for sharpness.

If the light is poor, sometime with f4 type of lens, the images are soft... my experience anyway.

Hart

grado · 30th January 2006

Could it be inaccurate focussing? I remember shooting at F4 with this lens and it looks very sharp, at least for 4R prints. Maybe try to do a sample shot and focus in the middle with something you can reference the foreground and background to check AF accuracy.

leeshock · 30th January 2006

leeshock · 30th January 2006

Originally Posted by leeshock

The pics and settings are as follows :-
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/showphot.../45935/cat/502
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/showphot.../45934/cat/502
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/showphot.../45933/cat/502
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/showphot.../45932/cat/502
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/showphot.../45931/cat/502
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/showphot.../45930/cat/502
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/showphot.../45928/cat/502
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/showphot.../45929/cat/502
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/showphot.../45927/cat/502
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/showphot.../45926/cat/502

Let me know what u think?

How do I make the pics appear in the thread?

grado · 30th January 2006

Hmm... The effect looks a little like fungus attack...

sulhan · 30th January 2006

Hieee...

Looks like an out of alignment elements that may have effect the image giving the solft image like the soft focus lens...

rgds,
sulhan

leeshock · 30th January 2006

Originally Posted by sulhan

Hieee...

Looks like an out of alignment elements that may have effect the image giving the solft image like the soft focus lens...

rgds,
sulhan

But the problem can be fixed, right. I am planning to take it to KM Centre at Funan this Wed/Thu. How much would they charge to fix a problem like that?

tsan81 · 30th January 2006

KM at Funan has shifted to Commonwealth.

Konica Minolta Showroom & Camera Service Centre

401 Commonwealth Drive #05-02 (Lobby B)
Haw Par Technocentre
Singapore 149598
Tel: 64758345
Fax: 64753697
Operating Hours:
Mon to Fri 9.00am to 5.30pm
(Close on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays)

Keltzar · 30th January 2006

It could also just be the inherent quality of the lens design. Have you read-up on the web about the experience of other people with this lens?

Or it could be QC. I remember that at a time when Minolta made zoom lenses for Leica, there was at least one shipment that Leica rejected 70% of the batch due to bad tolerances.

From my reading, it looks like flare. If you are using a protection filter, remove it. Use an adequate hood if you have not done so.
And lastly, look into your lens under very bright (preferably pin-point) light. If there is any fogging, you will see it.

leeshock · 31st January 2006

Originally Posted by Keltzar

It could also just be the inherent quality of the lens design. Have you read-up on the web about the experience of other people with this lens?

Or it could be QC. I remember that at a time when Minolta made zoom lenses for Leica, there was at least one shipment that Leica rejected 70% of the batch due to bad tolerances.

From my reading, it looks like flare. If you are using a protection filter, remove it. Use an adequate hood if you have not done so.
And lastly, look into your lens under very bright (preferably pin-point) light. If there is any fogging, you will see it.

I did not use any filter for the test shots.

I didn't see any fogging when I looked through the lense.

If its due to QC problem, I wonder if it can still be fixed?

Keltzar · 16th February 2006

make sure you look thru the lens at different angles using the sun...
or else use a laser-point of light.
Just general lightbulb is not good enuff.

may or may not be able to fix, it depends. check with a repair guy.

jsbn · 16th February 2006

Changing the glass might help.

leeshock · 17th February 2006

Originally Posted by jsbn

Changing the glass might help.

Was in Sg last month but did not bring the lense to KMSC. Took it to KL KMSC and they said that they do not service the lense anymore. Rather "disappointing" because when I called them 2 days ago, they said OK. KM KL said that the coating could have worn out during the years of usage.

Took it to other repair shops and they said that high probability its due to glass coating problem.

Sent any email to KMSC Sg yesterday, asking them whether they have spare parts, still waiting for reply.

If I need to change the glass, any idea where to get spare parts? Maybe I have to find another faulty 70-210, which hopefully does not have the same problem with mine and take it apart and experiment which glass element is out.

Had a look at Peter Ganzel site. He made it (taking the lense apart) look easy. May be tempted to try later - when got no choice already.

In the mean time wait for reply from KMSC Sg.

leeshock · 17th February 2006

Originally Posted by Keltzar

It could also just be the inherent quality of the lens design. Have you read-up on the web about the experience of other people with this lens?

Or it could be QC. I remember that at a time when Minolta made zoom lenses for Leica, there was at least one shipment that Leica rejected 70% of the batch due to bad tolerances.

From my reading, it looks like flare. If you are using a protection filter, remove it. Use an adequate hood if you have not done so.
And lastly, look into your lens under very bright (preferably pin-point) light. If there is any fogging, you will see it.

I think you could be right. I was reading Dpreview 2 days ago and I found other users with similar problems.

Check out the following :-
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...hread=17155500

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...hread=16843343

30th January 2006	#1
leeshock Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Malaysia Posts: 160	KM 70-210 mm soft at F4. Can it be fixed? I just recently acquired a 2nd hand 70-210, which does not give sharp pics at F4. Tried with other apertures - OK or better. Well, to be fair, the seller did warn me about the pics being soft at f4 and the price was reasonable. I am wondering if the problem can be fixed? Can I send it to KM Service Centre (or Sony Service Centre) in Sg for checking and fixing? What kind of price estimate will I be looking at, to fix this problem? Any help would be most appreciated.

30th January 2006	#2
sulhan Advertiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 4,051	Re: KM 70-210 mm soft at F4. Can it be fixed? care to share some pics? Shoot with bounce flash onto ceiling.....of a subject 1.5~2m away... __________________ Visit my website.... http://www.md-sulhan.com

30th January 2006	#4
zcf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: 270 degree of Singapore Posts: 6,698	Re: KM 70-210 mm soft at F4. Can it be fixed? Please read FAQs and Feedback Forum, for posting image in ClubSNAP. Users Guide to Posting Images in ClubSNAP Forums __________________ Sony Alpha 700 hobbyist

30th January 2006	#5
GENO Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Teddy Bear Land Posts: 2,859	Re: KM 70-210 mm soft at F4. Can it be fixed? Try Posting Some F4 Pics...might Be Yr Handshake Which Is Why Yr Pics Are Not Sharp? __________________ Take both its legs down first, then cuts its tail, next is shoot between its eyes:devil:

30th January 2006	#7
Agetan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,595	Re: KM 70-210 mm soft at F4. Can it be fixed? At its widest aperture, you need good lighting and right lighting for sharpness. If the light is poor, sometime with f4 type of lens, the images are soft... my experience anyway. Hart __________________ www.tomato.sg www.bambiniphoto.sg

30th January 2006	#8
grado Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 820	Re: KM 70-210 mm soft at F4. Can it be fixed? Could it be inaccurate focussing? I remember shooting at F4 with this lens and it looks very sharp, at least for 4R prints. Maybe try to do a sample shot and focus in the middle with something you can reference the foreground and background to check AF accuracy. Last edited by grado; 30th January 2006 at 08:40 AM.

30th January 2006	#14
tsan81 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: East of SG Posts: 173	Re: KM 70-210 mm soft at F4. Can it be fixed? KM at Funan has shifted to Commonwealth. Konica Minolta Showroom & Camera Service Centre 401 Commonwealth Drive #05-02 (Lobby B) Haw Par Technocentre Singapore 149598 Tel: 64758345 Fax: 64753697 Operating Hours: Mon to Fri 9.00am to 5.30pm (Close on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays)

30th January 2006	#15
Keltzar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: West Posts: 3,161	Re: KM 70-210 mm soft at F4. Can it be fixed? It could also just be the inherent quality of the lens design. Have you read-up on the web about the experience of other people with this lens? Or it could be QC. I remember that at a time when Minolta made zoom lenses for Leica, there was at least one shipment that Leica rejected 70% of the batch due to bad tolerances. From my reading, it looks like flare. If you are using a protection filter, remove it. Use an adequate hood if you have not done so. And lastly, look into your lens under very bright (preferably pin-point) light. If there is any fogging, you will see it.

16th February 2006	#17
Keltzar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: West Posts: 3,161	Re: KM 70-210 mm soft at F4. Can it be fixed? make sure you look thru the lens at different angles using the sun... or else use a laser-point of light. Just general lightbulb is not good enuff. may or may not be able to fix, it depends. check with a repair guy.

16th February 2006	#18
jsbn Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Planet Eropagnis Posts: 2,977	Re: KM 70-210 mm soft at F4. Can it be fixed? Changing the glass might help. __________________ "Wonders of the Human Mind. Unfathomable to the highest degree."