Photographyblog (Click here) posted the full 50mm Zeis lens review and gets Highly Recommended:
“If you can afford it, the Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM is a fantastic standard prime lens for Sony full-frame users, delivering imperious image quality with the minimum of fuss.”
The only listed “cons” is the high price. But if you wnat the best you can’t look at the price don’t you?
The Zeiss preorder are available at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via AlphaCameraDeals). In Europe at Wex UK, Amazon DE and Technikdirekt DE.
55 Responses
Looks as if the lens will be well worth the money. I am curious to see when there will be a comparison between the Sony, Sigma, Nikon and Canon 50mm lenses. I’m sure the Sony will do very well. They have been stepping up their game and hopefully this continues to occur sooner than later.
I really like the reviews from Photography Blog as they do not appear to have a preference or bias toward name brand. Good job Sony.
i won’t agree… the new sigma 18-35 is a perfect lens with almost half the price of this one, and it is a zoom(not a prime)
Are you comparing an APS-C lens?
can’t c the problem?
Well I have a fullframe and dont use APS-C lenses -.-
The problem is that the 18-35 Sigma is useless on a Full-Frame, so essentially, for Full-Frame users it doesn’t exist. It is only relevant for APSC users, and even there, it doesn’t cover the 50mm range, so again, built for a different purpose… The 18-35 is much worse for portrait photography than a 50mm(75mm equiv). Add to that an extra 2/3 stop in shallowness of depth of field…
Both lenses are made for different use and can’t be compared…
You are absolutely right about 18-35/1.8 not being relevant to talk about in this case, but it does cover the same field of view as this Zeiss 50mm on a FF – 35mm on APS-C gives 52mm equiv. field of view.
@spaceman
You can’t compare APSC lens to a FF lens, mounting them on different class cameras.
18-35 is 27-52.5mm equivalent on APSC sensor
50mm is 75mm equivalent on APSC sensor
18-35 is useless on FF sensor
50mm covers a “standard” range on FF sensor.
Thats how you compare. These lenses cannot be compared, no matter how you spin it…
Come on!
Peter is right!!!
Who does not like their fridge better than their vacum cleaner, even if the fridge cannot cook eggs?
It’s also not a 50mm lens.
Interesting – it almost looks like they built in the aperture the wrong way. The iris blades as seen from the front of the lens normally look like this from the back – and vice versa.
I want this with the Metabones A-Mount Speed Booster (coming later this year btw.. emailed Metabones about it and they said will be out this fall). Will be simply amazing on my NEX-7 (or 7n if it comes out).
Hm, interesting. Thanks!
really!? then it is really super great news for me!
Great lens, right from f/1.4 and on!
Some distortions, some LoCA though..
I don’t see the point of a lens at this price that is soft wide open.
Price is relative to what you are willing to pay. For example, I don’t like Mercedes, BMW or any of the German branded cars (except Audi) because they don’t come with real leather (optional) and other amenities that other companies give you as standard equipment. Yet, people will spend thousands more to say they own one. This lens to some is no different. However, I can say that I am pleased with all of the A-mount Zeiss lenses that I own and have no regrets. I had the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 lens and Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 lens before I purchased the Zeiss 24-70mm and Sony G 70-200mm lenses and there was a noticeable difference in output. Will it be that much better, maybe not, but it’s all in what you want to do your job. After all, it’s your money. There is a reason Sony licenses Zeiss, Canon makes L and Nikon makes G.
Ah, good point. Why don’t Zeiss lenses have a genuine kangaroo leather focus ring? Should be standard at that price. 🙂
Which doesn’t change the point that you are paying a lot of money for a basic 50mm prime that is soft wide open. Your money, feel free to waste it on a fancy Zeiss badge.
Agree. A 50mm 1.4 lens is a simple lens that most manufacturers can make it right. The Nikon equivalence has similar optic performance but far cheaper. Would water sealing and metal casing justify the huge price difference? I doubt it.
No, the optical performance of the Nikon is comparable to the current SAL 50mm, the ZA sits above both.
Wide open it’s still class leading, especially outside the center of the frame where even the Sigma is considerably softer.
At f1.4 my Sigma easily gives me the same centre sharpness as that Zeiss at a fraction of the cost, it’s why I was shocked at how bad those Zeiss images are.
At f2 and above even the old Sony 50mm f1.4 is tack sharp in the centre, I had it. I can’t remember the corners tbh, but the Zeiss will be better.
The point is that this lens is a HUGE difference in price compared to the Sigma and SHOULD be sharp wide open at that price and it isn’t! This isn’t a complex zoom, it’s a mechanically and optically basic 50mm prime.
The trademark ZA drawing style sacrifices a bit of center sharpness compared to competition. The goal with ZA is even performance across the entire plane. Look at the grate shot at f1.4. You’ll find a very sharp line across the entire horizontal plane, wide open. This very nice for wide open 3/4 portraits where face is at far edge of vertical plane.
Now the Siggy is sweet no doubt. But the sharpness is uneven at every f-stop. The super sharp centers are fact. Practically a hot spot of super sharpness in center. But the edges never match the centers except for getting close to infinity focus. Also, isn’t the Siggy more like a 46mm, rather than a true 50? Great for street photography. Perhaps not the best for vertical people portraits. Depends on your style. But it’s worth noting.
More to lens maturity than designing for super center sharpness.
Your Sigma is only usable in the very center wide open and even there its softer. If you want much more even performance across the frame below F2, you have to get the Zeiss. It’s that simple.
Is it me or is focus off in a number of the samples? I’m thinking particularly the bike and lavender… Otherwise very nice results – brings the Sigma 35/1.4 to mind (at least on APS-C). I’d love to see a head to head with the Sigma 50./1.4.
maybe sigma will come out with one since of late they have been churning out some winners.
Another one for the collection. I love Zeiss lenses.
wonder when they’ll make a 16-35 1.8..
Full Frame??? Have you ever seen the sise of a 16-35/2,8??
oops i mean aps-c
The drawing style of this ZA50 is spectacular for any 50mm. Bravo Sony! Just magnificent.
The size and weight are unwarranted with fugly block styling on curvy a99. More than twice the weight of the Mino 50/1.4?
I fear Sony made it intentionally large to look more robust sitting next to the Sigma. But the Siggy size is justified because of the enormous front element. The ZA50 front glass looks no bigger than the Mino 50/1.4. Someone at Sony is feeling insecure about “theirs bigger than ours”. Dang that ZA is heavier/larger than it should be.
Required to significantly improve edge performance at large apertures and to house the ringtype focus motors.
Ok, I’ll try to accept that. Thanks for the intelligent response.
don’t forget the biggest part to make this lens is add SSM and other aspect to make improve perform.. so no wonder if this lens look so large than SAL 50mm/1.4 🙂
Well, you are wrong. What matters is the size where the aperture is. The front glass -the looks, the silicon- should only be derived from that, as a function of the optical design. So perhaps the Sigma lens (which I value) is bigger than it should be…?
Ok, I’ll try to accept that. Thanks for the intelligent response.
The added thickness may be related to the weather-sealing (absent from the other Sony Zeiss primes). I find it unlikely it would have been designed to be unnecessarily thicker & heavier.
Andrea….any rumors on a new fast 85mm E mount prime. An 85mm f1.8 with OSS would be killer for my FS100.
An f2.8 (constant) 16-50mm with OSS would round out the E mount fleet nicely too.
I want to see an MTF chart.
So it’s a bit soft wide open at f1.4 and is good at f2. So are the 50mm f1.4 and f1.7/1.8 lenses! This Zeiss is overly big too size wise and with a mega price I think most will pass.
I’m not seeing anything amazing about this lens. Add the nervous bokeh at close distances and I’m not sure this was worth making.
Bokeh fans will run to the Sigma 50mm f1.4 with its creamy rendering and much lower price. Everyone else will just use the normal 50mm’s they’re still good and without the big size and silly price tag
Very smooth bokhe like the Sigma or Olympus lenses are very good for taking photos of flowers. Which will not take you anywhere farer than a flicker gallery.
Bokhe with character like this Zeiss, Leica or the Nikons are suitable for portrait. That help to relate the subject in the environment it is portrayed.
These lenses bokhe is not smoother because their makers they could not design it differently.
There is a reason behind this choice.
Wow check out the white block shot that’s massive distortion for a 50mm lens! Either that or his wall is wonky!
+1
That distorsion is really bad. Why does no review metion that?
Cliff, whats your email? I too, use the FS100. Let’s talk shop. Thanks!
Cliff_622@hotmail.com
Sony Zeiss Prime Lenses
24mm f2 SSM – $1400
50mm f1.4 SSM – $1500
85mm f1.4 – $1700
135mm f.1.8 – $1800
How could anyone have expected lower pricing given the existing line-up’s price precedent? The new 50mm has SSM unlike the more expensive 85mm & 135mm. The new 50mm is faster and longer than the 24mm and is only about 7% more expensive. It is also the only Sony Zeiss prime with weather sealing.
Lenses like the 85mm and 135mm Zeiss are broadly in line/competitive with other makers offerings (ie speed to price etc) albeit screw driven v in lens motors
On the other hand nobody is trying to sell a 50mm f1.4 for such a price, there just is no point. Pentax have a fairly pricey (relative to others) 55mm f1.4. Even that lens is less than half the price of this Zeiss.
Take away the Zeiss badge and what have you got? SSM big deal all makers use silent AF motors, nice build sure we can accept that. This lens is not really something A mount needed. Character is subjective I’m not sure the Zeiss is going to win fans on qualities some might look for it’s not that smooth and fussy, really I’d rate the normal 50mm f1.4 as better in that dept
Price is a bargain compared to what the new 55mm f/1.4 will end up at. Prices do not go up linear with goodness unfortunately. The new Zeiss looks to be better than any of its current competition on Sony and is going to demand a higher price. Many will still go for the Sigma since it is still very good and much cheaper. The Zeiss, in pre-orfer status, is currently 4th in popularity on B&H behind the Sigma, Sony f/1.8 and Sony f/1.4. This seems about right for the cost. Really only A850, A900 and A99 bodies will benefit a lot from this lens, so the pool of buyers is small.
this lens is actually “better” than my 135mm and 85mm ZA in term of character.
It has more character and it will deliver a distinguish look even when the subject and the light are not top notch.
The 85mm ZA is actually the “weakest” of the ZA line up of primes. IMO
“Better” than the 135mm and 85mm ZA lenses? That’d be quite a feat. I’ve had this lens on preorder since day one, solely because I love my other two Zeiss primes, and if I could get that quality and character at a 50mm, and weather sealed to boot, it sounds like an ideal lens for the kind of shooting I do. I’ve owned the regular Sony 50mm f/1.4, and while a fine lens whose light weight and relative compactness made it ideal for the sort of active shooting I do, it’s totally lacking in character. The images are kind of clinical. My Zeiss primes, and even my Zeiss 24-70, on the other hand, are distinctive. I’m hoping for that quality from the 50mm Zeiss. Better? Time will tell, but I’ll settle for “just as good” and be happy as can be.
“Better” than the 135mm and 85mm ZA lenses? That’d be quite a feat. I’ve had this lens on preorder since day one, solely because I love my other two Zeiss primes, and if I could get that quality and character at a 50mm, and weather sealed to boot, it sounds like an ideal lens for the kind of shooting I do. I’ve owned the regular Sony 50mm f/1.4, and while a fine lens whose light weight and relative compactness made it ideal for the sort of active shooting I do, it’s totally lacking in character. The images are kind of clinical. My Zeiss primes, and even my Zeiss 24-70, on the other hand, are distinctive. I’m hoping for that quality from the 50mm Zeiss. Better? Time will tell, but I’ll settle for “just as good” and be happy as can be.
Well the 50mm is superior to the 85 & 135 in that it has SSM, weather sealing, and an af/mf switch. Hopefully they will be updated with these
I believe this lens is great. But my Sony 50mm F1.4 is good enough!
I’d like to see a side-by-side comparison between those two. The regular SAL5014 is quiet good, the Zeiss not perfect … see how they match.