Sony Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZA Lens
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yes will buy again
I LIKE THE LEN I just don't love it , may be in 6 Months , the summer will be here .
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
BEST 85 FOR SONY
People, please stop reviewing this lens on how it works with an adapter on a different system (A7r2). On my A99II this lens is nothing short of magic. Amazingly fast focus, awesome bokeh and images that I can only top with the Zeiss 135. Just buy it!
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You get what you pay for--in this case, magic
I use this both for still-life photographs and portraits. It is almost magical. The focus drop off when opened up all the way to f/1.4 is breathtakingly quick. The lens is sharp across the image, even when opened wide. There is the slightest vignetting under very bright conditions at 1.4, but you wouldn't usually be shooting under those conditions anyway. If you have the resources and want to do portraiture or still-life shooting with maximum control, this is the lens for you.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Trouble with a7R+LAEA4
Optically I think this lens is good. However, I really don't like it when it comes to ergonomics. The focus ring will turn when focusing (it is not suppose to but this happens sometimes). The focusing motor is so noisy and vibrates. I feel like I am using a lens from the 90s. For me, the worse is that the AF is not really usable for me when I use it with a7R and LAEA4. The center focus point works fine after af micro adjustment. However, the oute... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great Glass w/Trabant Motor
S teller glass, but the focusing motor sounds like a Soviet era washing machine! Good grief! I am afraid to use it during a wedding service. Slow to focus.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Phenomenal portrait glass
This baby sings on A99 and A77. Aside from CZ 135 I'd say this is the best portrait glass for the Sony system. The bokeh, signature CZ 3D look, sharpness - all confirmed, you will absolutely love this glass! If only it had better CA control at low apertures, weather sealing, and more modern AF, I'd give it 5 stars for better value. Interestingly enough, my new Sigma 105 Macro has very similar characteristics at half the price. In fact, it's a tad sharper than CZ, though, of course, much slower.........
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great for Interviews
It may seem odd that I use this lens with an NEX7 and LA-EA2 Adapter, but I'm telling you... this is a great rig for shooting stand-up interviews. (I have an external audio recorder) For stills, its definitely my favorite portrait lens on my NEX or Alpha 77. It's flawless and beautiful... these other reviewers are not really exaggerating.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
By far my favorite lens
For headshots and portraits, you can't get a better lens. The transition from tack sharp eyes to gentle blur of subject's hair is stunning. Bokeh is sublime. Take the lens outside and your subjects will pop against shallow depth of field against the landscape. Heavy lens but worth carrying everytime I want a stunning portrait. Low light, no problem!
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Love this lens!
I had been lusting over this lens for quite a while. Currently, I have the Zeiss 24-70 and love it. It's on my camera 80% of the time. But, I needed a great portrait lens for full frame and really wanted those extra stops of light. I've only had the lens for a couple weeks now, but the images are simply magical. There's a presence and a depth there that is unlike any other lens from any other maker. Build quality is fantastic and the lens just lo... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
It is NOT heavy
Before I buy this lens, I reviewed other people's comments, a few complained about the weight on this lens, I checked it with my new Nikon 85mm f1.4, comparable, so I bought it without hesitation, after hold it in hand with Nex 7 and A mount lens adpter, pefect balance, I love it, weight is not an issue.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
if you are a starter do not buy this
If you are a starter and trying to make good pictures with f 1.4 , DO NOT BUY THIS LENSE IT IS SO HARD TO FOCUS THIS LENSE MANUALLY, just buy canon f 1.4 autofocus lense. I bought this and i am ending up returning the lense because of the auto focus issues. so difficult to focus manually...
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Super Fantastic Lens
First off - you get what you pay for. If you are a professional then you should demand it of yourself to have professional grade equipment. This lens lives up to the Carl Zeiss name. Well crafted sturdy lens - a great collection of glass. I thought it was going to be my portrait lens and some products. I thought I would have to move back a good ways from the subject - however for a telephoto lens I'm setting up the tripod only six feet back - sho... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
A vertual Hope Diamond
Recently, I converted from film to digital photography. My Rollie SLR mid-format camera is on the shelf.I am now using the entry-level Sony Alpha 100 DSLR with Carl Zeiss lenses.As I progress I can take my Zeiss lenes to professional level Alpha cameras, since they are interchangeable. The Sony SAL-85f14Z is a prime lens, a low mid-range telephoto lens that meets my needs for low-light shooting situations, including portrait work. Using the 85F14... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Just Amazing!
I own several quality zooms and frequently shoot portraiture, but bought this lens to take photos of my first grandchild. Its sharpness, contrast and low light capabilities are just amazing. It has re-energized my photography. Yes, it's heavy, especially with an a850 and vertical grip, but it's worth every ounce. If you can afford it, you will not be sorry!
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Hardly any problem, superb performance.
Superb quality, beats most other high-end brand in its category. The only issue I found with the lens, that since this is a pro level equipment, perhaps the filter thread should be 77 mm as opposed to the current 72 mm. It would allow the photographer to carry only one set of filters for all the Zeiss lenses. But than again, if you have the money to pay top dollars for a gear like this (and it is worth it!) you can afford to invest couple of hundred more for a set of 72 mm filters.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Outstanding portrait lense
This is an outstanding lens. From consistent performance even at the extremes of its aperture range to solid construction and durable feel, this lens is at the top of Sony/Zeiss' game. It's especially powerful in low-light situations and portraiture, where the combination it manages laser sharp crispness where you want it and beautiful, creamy bokeh where you don't. It's an expensive lens, and there's arguably a little bit of name inflation rolle... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Best lens ever
I use this lens to take pictures of my girl friend. As the 85mm is usually suitable for portraits, this lens is also perfect for portraits. It has nice bokeh and also nice background.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Wonderful portrait lens!!!
This is an outstanding portrait lens on both my a900 and a700!!! Very sharp even when shooting wide open and consistent from center to extreme corners. Colors are wonderful and the bokeh is very pleasant and creamy! Focusing is a bit loud without SSM but hardly an issue. There's a bit of bokeh fringing shooting wide apertures but is expected with these types of fast primes. This is an amazing lens... it's a ZEISS!!!
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
An Outstanding Lens
This is a truly outstanding lens in every way: color detail and resolution. Excellent for small areas of landscape.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
You get what you pay for
Heavy, expensive, and also the best. Fantastic in low light situations like indoor Volleyball, church events, Weddings and I stop it down to f/5 - f/11 and have superb outdoor shots that are crystal clear. No real negatives on this beauty. A tad heavy but certainly a useable lens.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
very happy with this lens
this is a super lens, sharp from f1.4 on, with lovely soft out of focus rendition too - common for this class of lens, there are some bokeh ca's to be seen on out of focus highlights wide open but for me, with the likely content from this lens, these are a plus - it is small and light (even making the 900 light in a crowd) and best of all it's a zeiss - so if you need a 1.4 for those dark places or for narrow focus, this is the lens -
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Thanks Carl
Very solid construction, superior IQ, high contrast images, and soft background defocus from f1.4-f5.6 This lens truly adds a new dimension to my work, it is replacing a Tokina 100mm f2.8 as my primary head and shoulders portrait lens. I have a feeling this will stay on my A850. A professional tool.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent glass
Focuses quickly. Somewhat heavy, but basically easy to manage. I used this recently for indoor shots of performing artists (on my Sony a700) and created the best shots I've had under stage lighting. Very sharp, beautiful bokeh. I've had this lens about two months. Semi-pro in experience. Probably the best lens I'll ever own.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent lens
Extremely sharp, focuses faster than expected (faster than all my other lenses including 16-80 Zeiss), great color and bokah. Not sure about video yet. I've owned this two weeks and had great success shooting an indoor jazz event with a700 (effective 128mm focal length).
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
