After a very long time you can finally buy the Sony Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 for NEX at Amazon (Click here). UPDATE: Also the 50mm for NEX is in Stock at Amazon (Click here) for the (finally!) normal $299 price!
P.S.: Time to release some new Zeiss for NEX Sony!!!
23 Responses
By far the best E-mount lens made so far. Glad I got mine before the price went up. But if you don’t have one yet, it’s still well worth it.
Absolutely!
Is it? I’m using the 50/1.8 and I really think the 24 can’t be much better than this.
Well, until you shoot with it, it’s just a speculation.
I own both lenses. The 50mm f/1.8 is a very decent lens, no question, but the Zeiss 24mm runs circles around it in every way. Sharpness, contrast, bokeh, distortion are all superior. Plus, photos taken with the 24mm have a special 3D quality that only the best lenses can capture. If you’ve ever shot with Zeiss A-mount or with Leica glass you know what I’m talking about. This is the only E-mount lens that gives you that look. But it’ll cost you.
I disagree. I also own both lenses, and the bokeh of the 50 is among the smoothest of any lens I’ve used, the slight barrel distortion is marginally better than the 24’s pincushion distortion, and both are very sharp. I think it’s really just a matter of the focal length that you need.
p.s. I’ve also owned several Zeiss lenses from various mounts.
I own both lenses too, however, I can not agree with your assessment that the 24mm cz “runs circles around it (50mm) every day”. I consistently find the 50mm produces many more keepers with bokeh, contrast, dof separation on par, if not superior to the 24mm. I think we all are susceptible to the placebo effect when using higher priced lenses with a blue ribbon on it.
My 2 cents.
Naturally, the longer focal length of the 50mm is going to produce better DoF separation than a 24mm lens. That’s simple physics. But the overall look of the images produced by the 24mm Zeiss is unequaled by any other E-mount lens. That’s an objective fact, not a placebo effect.
@Doug +1
After taken more than 300 shots on Wednesday (ANZAC parade)with both 50mm and the 24mm..I have to agreed with Doug that the 24mm indeed produced better images and color which is unique to Zeiss. Btw both lenses are very sharp:)
I stand by my comments.
Sony 50mm > cz 24mm
By the way…
Seems that the twin of the next Sony FF (24Mpx low end / cheap Sony FF) is around the corner…
Nikon D600 rumor:
http://nikonrumors.com/2012/04/26/more-nikon-d600-rumors.aspx/
If that’s true it shows that the Sony-Nikon relationship isn’t as balanced as we thought.
We were told that the d800 was using the 36mp sensor and Sony aren’t allowed to use it for a year
But the upcoming a99 will be 24mp, and if the d600 is true, it will release right about the same time.
So that’s a definitely advantage to Nikon.
I do not sanction this statement.
+1
I don’t think it is balanced at all.
And if the D600 is out this summer before the A99, then it shows that Nikon has taken it’s gloves off and going for the kill.
Let’s be honest. Do we REALLY expect the a99 to arrive in Summer?
I think there’s not a chance it will be here by October.
The 50mm f1.8 e mount is now in stock at Amazon as well.
I have the 50 and it is a great lens. I am so tempted to get the 24 but I am saving for the 99 and I just bought the Sigma 30mm and it is a nice lens but I know no where near Carl’s. Maybe it’s good Sony doesn’t have many lens choices. Just kidding! Need some more 99 news. I know wth, it is coming this fall.
I’ve actually been using the Sigma 30 more than my Zeiss 24, because it is smaller and I prefer the focal length.
Well, that’s personal preference. The Sigma is also pin sharp and seems to have a nice focus ring. But I simply couldn’t get away with f/2.8 for a standard prime and I also don’t like anything longer than 35mm eq as standard. So yeah, there’s no “best lens for everybody”.
the rumors surrounding the D600 are far more of a news story than stock levels of NEX lenses.
For those of you wanting more Alpha lenses, you can now pre-order the Tamron SP 24-70mm 2.8 Di USD at B&H Photo in the United States.
Zeiss is sold out again.
OK, and how many do they have? :p