For the very first time the new Zeiss 55mm FE lens is in Stock via Amazon US itself (Click here).
And A-mount owners could be happy to know that also the new Tokina 11-16 2.8 with HSM autofocus in stock now at BHphoto (Click here).
And don’t forget that these two Hot deals are still running:
1) You can grab the [shoplink 23538 ebay]Sony RX100 for $408 only(!) at eBay US (Click here)[/shoplink].
2) There are a couple of OPEN BOX RX10 for $937 at Adorama (Click here).
21 Responses
Oh really??
Mine shipped yesterday from Amazon.
I cancelled mine when I snuck in the order with BH when they got it instock for the brief period two days ago.
Can we stop inserting (click here) into every hyperlink? The underline and bold make it clear enough. Thanks.
As always new Tokina 11-16 more expensive than canon or nikon analogue. It’s sad… =(
…and odd, when you consider the big brother 16-28mm is far cheaper than the competition. However, the 11-16mm is the best of the best at that focal length for EF-S, DX, & Alpha crop sensor bodies so people are willing to pay for it. Personally I think a really nice lens in this category is the 10-24mm, just released by Fuji for X-mount. I’m hoping Sony will follow Fuji’s lead as far as lens release priorities. I was going to go the Fuji route until the A7 came along.
Please no more “in stock” messages!
Amazon can do their own ads.
It’s the first time this is in Stock. And I think quite some people was waiting for that lens! Just skip the post or select “rumor” as category to filter out this post 🙂
Admin, I for one (and I’m sure there are MANY more) really appreciate your giving us in-stock updates. I was able to get my A7r weeks before I would have, had I just waited for my pre-order to come in. Thank you for your efforts! I personally think you’re doing an outstanding job!
I also much appreciate it, thanks!
Looks like a very nice lens. Looking forward to getting in in January.
Awesome!!!
Just ordered my Sony a7 yesterday via the Sony Store using my brother’s “Sony Employee Discount” and got 35% off!!! Woohoo! Sony a7 w/ kit lens for $1299. Can’t wait! No discounts on these new FE prime lenses though.
Should I order a protective UV filter? This is my first “real” camera w/ detachable lenses.
It’s odd how this lens went from exceeding pre-order allocations to being available for immediate purchase right at the day of release. Either a bunch of people cancelled their pre-orders or Sony/Zeiss was able to pump out a lot more of these than anyone expected.
Class, my Amazon Oct 16th preorder with next day delivery won’t ship till Monday, yet I can order now and get it tomorrow!!!
I wonder if I would find this lens very useful given that I have the 35mm. Big difference? Or should I wait for a native 85mm? I do mostly travel photos. Mostly outside.
I find 50/55 to be suited better for travel as it’s a nice street focal length where 85mm really shines for portraits. The 55 will also be good for portraits so it’s much more versatile in my opinion.
I’ll get both lenses (the 35mm arriving on Monday), but I’m more of a 50/55mm shooter.
The 35mm will be great for environmental scenes and environmental portraits, and an 85mm (or longer) for tighter portraits, but the 55mm will be beautifully versatile, and can be used for both, and will provide a nice degree of bokeh/separation when needed.
I think *everyone* should own a fast 50 🙂
I would not get the 55 if you have the 35.
IMO the 85 would give you a better spread of AOV between the two.
I used a 35 and 85 on my Nikons for years in the 70’s and found myself using the 35 90% of the time.
These days I use Canon and I notice my most common FL are 24, 35, 80,105,135 and 200. YMMV
35 usually competes with 50 for general walk around, so it’ll depend on which focal length you prefer, personally I prefer the 35 as I feel it mimics your FoV + slightly wider then a 50 which is just your FoV for general walkaround purposes.
The gap between 35 to 85 is much larger then a 55 to 85, so you might like it, or you might not. Really depends on what you’re planning to use the 85 for. It’s generally a portrait lens, so if you plan to get lots of portrait type of shots, it might suit you better.
Thank you guys, I really appreciate you taking the time. A decision was made. I’m spending a few months (and do at least one travel) with my 35mm, probably England. I’ll see how that goes. I may need a 85 just for the 10% of times when I want to reach something that’s a bit too far.
A 35mm and 55mm lens often fill the same purposes with some minor difference in the sense of intimacy in the images. I have both in hand right now and I will say, the 55mm is the better lens overall for image quality, but, the 35mm focuses much faster and is much lighter and smaller even with hood on.
Personally I would much rather have the 55/1.8 for its bokeh and low light capabilities.
Incidentally, the problem with radiating/alternating magenta/cyan rings in some images that Leica-Boss noticed (and I as well as others have confirmed) persists with this lens. Though I guess in a sort of positive way it reaffirms it’s a camera problem, not lens problem.
Anyway, I’ve been shooting around with this 55/1.8 and I can tell you that at least on the a7, you should have no fear firing off f/1.8 shots. I have seen super sharp results with pretty creamy bokeh. There is some subtle onion effect in the bokeh for very strong/overexposed bokeh discs, but, nothing terrible and most of the time invisible.
Really though it comes down to what you value faster AF + smaller size vs. brighter aperture and the benefits that come with it. Both lenses perform very well in IQ at all apertures.