FS5: Anyone using a Sony 18-200mm PZ?

[Ivor C]

I'm thinkng of purchasing a Sony 18-200mm PZ to use on my FS5. I do a fair amount of run-and-gun, most of it outside. Although I have the 18-105mm kit lens it isn't giving me the reach I need plus I can personally see the degradation in quality as you push further into the clear image zoom in 1080. So that's why I'm looking at the 18-200mm PZ.

So far I've picked up the powered zoom is very slow (unless using manual) and there's an obvious light loss when zooming (ie f3.5 - f6.3). I also know there is a temporary shift in focus when you change zoom direction. But given my intended usage is there anything else I should be aware of?

Something I picked up is this lens has OSS 'Active Mode', which 'seems' to go above and beyond standard Sony OSS. Can anyone gve me an idea of whether this really does make any real world difference or it's just marketing spin?

On this note will OSS 'Active Mode' definitely work with the FS5, ie it's not body specific?

Also with this lens can a variable zoom be achieved via the rocker zoom on the FS5's smart grip? Thus if you press harder on the rocker the speed of the zoom will change. If so is this in any way affected by the position of the H M L switch on the lens?

Finally will the FS5's face detection work with this lens?

 

[dmitrizigany]

I had the 18-200 PZ it was the kit lens for my old EA50, and went with it when I sold it. I still miss that lens!

I never understood the complaints of zoom being too slow... It was nice and usable. But I used it mostly for shooting live performances. Face recognition worked great on both the EA50 and on the FS700 so can't see why it wouldn't work on the FS5.

My favourite way to use it (and most other Sony lenses) is to be in manual focus, but with Face Recognition on and then hit Push Auto to focus when I need it to, and then it'd use face detection to do so.

Active OSS made quite some difference, was possible to do fairly stable things at 200mm ( I didn't do much hand held with it though).

If you set it for f6.3 it at least stays the same for the full zoom range, and that is the only issue I have with it that it's a bit too slow for some darker venues/stages.

i definitely need to pick this lens up again at some point.

 

[Lenilenapi]

I use it with the FS7 for situations where I simply need the reach and find it invaluable. Mostly I use it for run & gun situations like corporate events or other doc events where there is no time to change lenses. Its not the greatest lens in the world but even at 6.3 these cameras are so fast that it will work in most fluorescent lit interiors. I don't recall how pressure sensitive the zoom is but its not great -barely able to get a smooth start & stop but not impossible. As I recall its a little worse than say an EX-1 lens. Sorry I can't be more precise but its been awhile.