Faulty 20mm F1.8 G lens?

[grahamgorilla]

Hi - I have just taken delivery (from Amazon) of a 20mm FE 1.8 G lens. I am very surprised that there appears to be something quite loose inside the lens body. On tilting the lens there is a clear clunk noise and something large(ish) is moving inside. The lens also clunks when I switch the camera on. It doesn'r have any OSS, so that's not the culprit.

HAs anyone experienced anything like that in a lens before?

Cheers
Graham

 

[Tim Mayo]

I think I'd be sending it straight back to Amazon. I don't have the 20mm F1.8 but none of my others lenses have anything clunking around inside.

 

[grahamgorilla]

Thanks for the advice Timothy - I will be sending this sample back. A quick glance at the instruction booklet does suggest that internal parts of the lens may move when the camera is powered off. Another odd behaviour is that each time the lens focuses I can feel a slight thump through the camera. Selecting manual focus stops this and therefore suggests that this is definitely focus related.

 

[scotty38]

I think I read somewhere that "loose" elements is normal when off the camera/powered off. Does it rattle when powered on? Having said all that I don't know what level is normal vs faulty....

Edit - the floating element for the XD Linear Motor....

 

[garuda]

If it were me, I'd check with Sony first since instructions did mention mech noise. Might save Amazon sending another noisy one just in case this noise is normal.

Although you'd think Sony could figure out a way to dampen such noise. Maybe put a hand full of rubber bands in there to soften rattle.

 

[Charles Jones]

I think I read somewhere that "loose" elements is normal when off the camera/powered off. Does it rattle when powered on? Having said all that I don't know what level is normal vs faulty....

Edit - the floating element for the XD Linear Motor....

This is something I've never notice before you mentioned it. I went and gently shook every lens I own and the noise was very faint across the board. They're all native so I suppose I can judge "normal" on that sound level. The OP said there was a clunk so it's good the 20mm is going back.

 

[grahamgorilla]

Got a reply from Sony Support on the issue - it seems that its all normal . I am pretty sure it is down to how the focus mechanism works - its obviously slightly different to how a good number of other lenses operate. This sample is on it's way back to Amazon anyway - the box had no seal on it and there was dust on both exposed lenses and the body. Shame.

 

[scotty38]

Got a reply from Sony Support on the issue - it seems that its all normal . I am pretty sure it is down to how the focus mechanism works - its obviously slightly different to how a good number of other lenses operate. This sample is on it's way back to Amazon anyway - the box had no seal on it and there was dust on both exposed lenses and the body. Shame.

Yep, as above it's the XD Linear Motor stuff.....

 

[garuda]

Got a reply from Sony Support on the issue - it seems that its all normal . I am pretty sure it is down to how the focus mechanism works - its obviously slightly different to how a good number of other lenses operate. This sample is on it's way back to Amazon anyway - the box had no seal on it and there was dust on both exposed lenses and the body. Shame.

I retract my earlier post. Didn't know then about dust on lens. Good you sent it back. My first Riv turned out to be a demo -- had dust, lint & fingerprints. Soon discovered two blemishes on sensor causing water circles on images starting w image#1. Sent it back after dealer admitted it was demo.

Dealers must press Sony not to use tape seals like most other expensive products. Shame is right!

 

[grahamgorilla]

So a new lens has arrived from Park Cameras. No box seal, but this time the lens is properly packed. The pouch holding the lens was in a plastic bag, The lens itself was wrapped in a bubble wrap bag, The lens hood was in a separate plastic bag and not already mounted on the lens. And no dust on the lens body The sample from Amazon was simply inside the pouch with the hood already mounted. There was no additional packing. When I bought my A7M3 it had Sony tape seals on the box, so it is a shame that the lens doesn't come with similar seals too. I guess Sony have their reason why not. This sample has the same internal moving mechanism, so it must be normal to feel something moving inside the lens.

 

[garuda]

........When I bought my A7M3 it had Sony tape seals on the box.....

I don't mean to belabor the point, but I'm very curious about a long-standing issue w Sony.

Could you please describe the sony tape seal in detail? It's shape, size, clear or colored, how many, etc. Thanks. Sounds like you got good factory original. Good luck w lens.

 

[grahamgorilla]

Hi Garuda - here is a pic of the seal that was on the A7M3 box. Obviously broken now . The box did have an unbroken clear tape seal on it too. Whether dealers have a supply of similar 'Sony' tape too - I have no idea. The camera was supplied by Clifton Cameras (UK) - who incidentally were very good!

 

[garuda]

Thanks! Graham for your time in replying with pic. I'm debating whether to appeal to Sony to clear-seal boxes for cams, lenses, and accessories. Much like you experienced, not fair to drop that much money only to get a used or refurb. But then sellers could simply get identical clear seal-tape as a workaround. Which is why I hesitate pressing Sony. Oh well....
Thanks again for reply.