Fuji XF 80mm macro: OIS issue?

[konzy]

Hello!

 

Today I finally got my hands on the new XF 80mm macro. I went to probably all the photo shops of my town, until I found one. They were quite sad to see it go, since it was their first and last XF 80mm in stock... and they had it for only 2 days until my hold up!

 

I noticed something that I have never seen on other stabilised lens so far (Fuji and other brands). I don't know if it's an issue or just how the lens is designed -- but it's kind of annoying. 

 

When the camera is turned off, or when the lens is not in use (e.g. when you're looking at your pictures), some lens elements can move freely inside. When you raise the lens, for instance from horizontal to vertical, these lens elements start falling within the lens, with a little "poc". Okay, they're not really skydiving, and it's probably just a few millimetres. But that's kind of annoying

 

I assume these are the lens elements that are used by the OIS, and that when it's not in use, the lens elements are not held in place by "the Force". But I'm quite surprised by this behaviour.

 

Does anyone has the same "issue" with this lens?

 

I can only assume it's normal, as the Fuji guy who sold me the lens confirmed it, and there is no way this lens could have passed the quality assessment tests without anyone noticing this... But just in case...

 

Thanks!

 

Konzy

 

Edit: I made a short video to show the moving elements:

 

Edited December 9, 2017 by konzy

[Mike G]

Yep normal I’m afraid, also there is a gentle buzz from the lens as well, very similar to the 50-140mm!

[konzy]

Thanks Mike. I don't own the 50-140, so it's a first for me. My other OIS lenses seem to be of a more silent generation!

 

In the meantime I found this topic, that confirms that it is a normal behaviour: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4229423

[rrrrrichard]

How would one prevent this effect with linear motor focus drives? Seems simpler to just let the stuff slide around, but include damping at the limits of motion. That is, what I've seen on every LM focusing lens I've used.

[claude]

Same with the 90 mm, linear motor focus drives.

[konzy]

Thanks for your feedback!

 

Richard, I wondered the same. I mean, the noise it makes is surprising, and make the lens look cheap... 

[MrT]

Same with the 90 mm, linear motor focus drives.

 

I have the 90mm and I am looking forward to getting the 80mm once I can justify the cost! From my experience of the 90mm, the best way of stopping this noise from being annoying it to store the lens upright when it's not on the camera. Gravity stops the magnets (?) from moving around when the linear motors are not under power.