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Tim, I have a D800e and the latest 24-120mm. Give me your settings and I'll test mine and post the results.
Mr.Gale
The Leica lenses are machined metal, while the Nikon are typically plastic. In the case of Leica they will adjust for tolerances by measuring sub assemblies and lenses for their tolerance to the design specification. In other words they test each lens and try to put the parts and elements together so the manufacturing tolerances cancel each other out.Question is ... why can Leica deal with such issues and solve them and Nikon can't???
Hi Tim,
I can't begin to tell you the sheer number of both expensive and moderately priced lenses that I've encountered asymmetry issues with, not unlike your current 24-120mm. There is a limit to both the physical adjustment the manufacturers service center can perform in a given sample of a particular lens, depending on its design and what's causing the issue.
Secondarily is how much and to what length they are also willing to go, in trying. What's considered acceptable to them may not be acceptable to the end users and in your case I have no doubt to the legitimacy of your complaint. With regards to asymmetry and in cases of lenses that one would expect fairly equally performance on both sides of the frame, been there and done that, including lenses that got shipped off back to Japan.
Interestingly, it was in the very 1st generation of Nikon's 24-120mm lens, that the asymmetrey in many samples was so severe and obvious, that they instituted a formal recall for adjustment. From all I've seen and heard, it resulted in marked improvement, but not a complete success.
Initially when these lenses were shot a 24mm, from what I recall, one half of the frame was soft/blurred, while the other half was OK. Sort of split down the middle, relatively speaking. Although that lens had a different optical design than the current f4 VR version, I wonder if any of the original design is a holdover. I doubt it, but one never knows. If one of the aspherical elements resin is poured unevenly in a given sample, then it doesn't surprise me if adjustment is of limited value. Of course this is only conjecture on my part. Hope you get this all sorted out without tearing out too much of your hair.
Dave (D&A)
Hi Steen, thanks for your moral support!
This is really far out.
I assume you have shown them the same picture link you provided in your first post here http://tashley1.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v85/p1335847198.jpg
If they cannot see the asymmetric behavior in that picture then they are so incompetent that this case deserves to be published e.g. on your own photography blog Tim Ashley Photography | Blog
I also suggest you shown them this very forum thread http://www.getdpi.com/forum/nikon/42555-heads-together-please-guys.html
And what is the exact name of this Nikon UK service company, is it owned and run by Nikon or is it a third party company ?
Hi Leigh,It's probably a thermal issue. Metal and glass expand and contract with temperature.
Can you review the images and determine if it occurs in certain environments?
It's impossible for a service tech to replicate this kind of problem.
- Leigh
I mostly agree with what Victor has expresed and I'm sure many of us have experienced much of the same. Assuming it's not a particular mis-shapened or distorted element, vis-a-vis the pouring and curing of the resin which is part of the process of mass produced asphericals, but a consequence of misaligment of an element or grouping, I would then suggest consideration of the following:Tim,
I read your posts and I just really feel for you but you are causing yourself way too much pain and suffering. Nikon is never going to repair that lens. If, buy chance, they would exchange it for another you might, just might, get lucky and get a better copy. My major rules are don't buy any lens from anyone who won't take it back and test immediately. Your methodology is on the money but your expectations for any kind of zoom - and some primes - are beyond what I think any of them can deliver. I've run into all of this stuff with Digitars, Leica's, Nikon's, Canon's, Hasselblad's...... all of them are a crap shoot. Test immediately and if its not up to what you want then send it back.
You gotta just stop this..... you're going to drive yourself nuts. I don't own any zooms......:thumbdown:
Victor