APS-C 16 Megapixel 24-85mm GXR module

[streetshooter]

My buddy has one and it does show a small amount of blurriness on 1 corner. I can't wait till he puts the lens back together so I can test it. He's an optical engineer so he's not afraid to mess around with it....As soon as I can, I'll post images from it. So far, it seems like a great lens for what it is supposed to do. I have no fears about it and as soon as I get the cash...I'll get and use the lens.

 

[125tel]

I tried the A16. Nice. It will be a very good travel companion. Quality is good. Fast AF. Versatile. No out of center issues yet.

But - there is always a but - but I'm not happy with the manual focusing solution. You have to press the macro button and turn the front dial. It's a bit annoying even if you are used to zone focusing like I am. The GX200 is far better here. You change focus manually by using the +/- buttons. It's faster and more user friendly. Second "but" is writing time. The GXR generally is not the fastest here. I got a sd class 10 card. Raw writing time is as long as my Sigma DP1x needs. And thats supposed to be very long. If you use the A16 in raw serial shooting mode (3 shots) the camera turns to dead for a while. Thats the biggest minus I found so far.

Now, two of my first shoots. I don't claim any artistic quality.

 

[AlbertTRAL]

But - there is always a but - but I'm not happy with the manual focusing solution. You have to press the macro button and turn the front dial.

Unfortunately this is consistent for all the non GR Zooms (S10, P10 and A16) with no focus ring. The manual focus function is "hardwired" as you say without customization option.

 

[125tel]

The A16 is very silent. Good thing while taking street snaps. Distortion at 24mm equiv. is quiet noticeable. Here are some results of my attempt to get used to the A16. The last one had been corrected in PSE.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

The A16 zoom is looking good.

Tom

 

[setvak]

Re: APS-C 16 Megapixel 24-85mm GXR module - Sample Photos

Hi all,

Here are some pages with samples (no photographic masterpieces, just quick&dirty shots):

ISO Comparisons A16 24-85: http://www.waloszek.de/gxr_iso_a162485_e.php
Zoom Comparisons: http://www.waloszek.de/gxr_zoom_a162485_e.php
Corner Softness Samples: http://www.waloszek.de/gxr_corner_a162485_e.php
Closeup Samples: http://www.waloszek.de/gxr_closeup_a162485_e.php
Distortion Samples (Wide Angle): http://www.waloszek.de/gxr_distort_a162485_e.php
Comparisons with A12-50 (Nature Shots): http://www.waloszek.de/gxr_comp_a162485_a1250_e.php
A16 24-85 Samples (Nature Shots): http://www.waloszek.de/gxr_samples_a162485_e.php

Here are some general remarks (and links to the above-mentioned pages):
http://www.waloszek.de/gxr_module_A162485_e.php

Two more remarks: (1) Corner fuzziness does not show up that prominent in real world images, (2) I find the default processing somewhat "aggressive" -- maybe, I have to tweak the settings.

Best regards, Gerd

P.S.: That's it for now (apart from, maybe, some night ISO comparisons)

Hi Gerd,

on your website (http://www.waloszek.de/gxr_module_A162485_e.php) I noticed that you mention getting a new unit ... Your impressions from that new one as compared to the first unit? Any major difference of the lens sharpness?

Thanks, Martin

PS. I should be getting my GXR + A16 24-85mm this week; after gaining some experience with it I'll post some samples on my website.