In late January I had a customer with a Sony/Zeiss 24-70mm F4 lens that would not autofocus. Since the lens was only 7 months old I recommended he send it direct to Sony for repairs. Using the warranty papers that came with the lens he sent it for repair to Sony in Los Angeles. It came back two weeks later with a polite form letter stating they "do not work on digital cameras at that facility", nothing else. So he then sent it to Sony Service Center in Teaneck, NY with the same request. Again, about 2 weeks later he got it back with the SAME FORM LETTER! Frustration level was peaking so He brought it in to see if I could figure out where to get it repaired as phone calls just stated to send it in with proof of purchase and it would be repaired if covered. I did an internet search and had some trouble coming up with the correct Sony repair center for their "Visual Image Products (cameras)", but finally determined that the only US facility to work on them was in Laredo, TX. Off the lens went again for repair. Yesterday afternoon my customer came in and put his A7R on consignment and bought a Nikon D810. Yep, the lens had been returned with a letter stating they worked on the cameras at the Laredo facility, but NOT ON LENSES. I double checked and the Sony repair webpage does not specifically address "lenses". We called Precision Camera Repair in Enfield, Connecticut, and they ARE an Authorized Sony Repair Center, but will not automatically repair warranted products until verified by Sony that they are indeed covered, regardless of proof of purchase info provided. Hopefully we will know by the end of the month if the lens will get repaired or not, that all depends on the charges he may get hit with.
Not stirring anything up here, just passing along a terrible experience a customer of mine had. He switched to Sony from Nikon almost 2 years ago, but has now switched back due to this experience.

Hi,
I am in the Market for a light weight, interchangeable lens camera that I can use for product photography,and travel.
After a lot of research,I came to the conclusion that a mirrorless camera would be my best option. I tried the Sony A7 series and Fuji XTS and PRO. Then I went to a Leica store and felt just right with a TL (APSC)model( the only frame I can afford).It was simple intuitive,light weight,and with relatively small size lenses.I would have preferred a FF sensor,but I was wondering if the IQ would be "compromised" in spite of Leica's lenses reputation.

Thank you Toment. I have the Canon 24-70L I, have used it on the a6000, and love its performance. However, I worry a little bit about that little camera supporting that big lens solely on its attachment ring. What do you think? Also, the Sony 18-105 is almost exactly the focal length that I think I need, but, quite aside from the price issue, power zooms do not seem to be a good fit for me. I do not shoot video (well, hardly any), and I feel that power zooms tend to slow me down is setting focal length and focus. I also assume that they use up battery life, which is little enough on these Sony cameras. How do you like the Sony 18-105 and its power zoom? Can the power zoom feature be turned off? My belief is that it cannot be switched off so as to leave one with manual zoom ability.

So I probably didn't need to spend this much on a lens but I wanted an "awesome" lens to add to the meh kit lens. Bought a 35mm LE 2.8 because I thought a fixed lens with this much low light ability would be a great lens. The 35mm is great but since I didn't get the 55-210 I think I feel like I want something with a bit more telephoto.. I looked at the 55mm which could work but it's also another $100. Yes I know I don't have to get a ff lens but I haven't seen any lower end Zeiss lenses(Zeiss lenses I mean the middle of the road ones not the high end). Here's what I've been looking at:
18-105 although I don't remember if that needs an adapter.
24-105mm
and the 55mm.

I can't afford to buy one of these AND the 55-210 or I would and that would solve the problem.

Any opinions?

Oh ya..I probably take mostly landscapes but I like taking "macro-like" in other words not true macros AND
I like to be able to zoom in on people and take some people shots anywhere I go..

I just bought 2 new lenses and I managed to get them into the house & hidden while my husband was visiting his sister. I put the 24-70/2.8 on my camera right away. It is a "little" bigger than the 18-140 I had on the camera but I don't think he'll actually notice. BUT, how will I explain that big 70-200/2.8 when I pull it out & put it on the camera? He WILL notice that! Birthday present? Right now, I'm trying to talk him into a trip to Ireland! Then I can justify the lenses!!?!!!?

I love my relatively new Sony a6000. I bought it with the kit 16-50mm lens which is ok. Most of the time my IQ is quite good, but rarely do the images seem to "pop" with either dramatic sharpness, contrast or color. I'm really pretty much a travel photographer, and do not otherwise spend a lot of time taking photos...but when I do, I really like them to be terrific. I'm seriously considering buying the Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens (the Zeiss lens optimized for the APS-C sensor) which costs about $1,000. Of course this is a much superior lens to the kit lens I now have...but, do you folks think that I will likely notice a very substantial improvement in IQ...enough so as to make this investment reasonable?