Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA Lens
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Sharp, Fast and BIG and EXPENSIVE Lens
Of all the lenses I have looked at for my Sony A7 so far, the Sony 55mm and 35mm prime lenses have provided the sharpest images. Despite what you might read about the overall quality of these lenses, make no doubt about it, coupled with the auto focus on the Sony A7 cameras, these lenses make extremely sharp images with nice contrast and acceptably attractive bokeh.When Sony introduced the A7 and A7r I knew I had to have one. But which one and, w... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Is this lens worth its high price?
Yes! With several lenses already in hand to try on the Sony A7/A7r at or near the same focal length as the Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA Lens (including a Nikon 50mm f1.8 G lens with Rayqual F-to-E adaptor, a Leica 50mm Summilux lens with Voitlander M-to-E adaptor and Sony's own excellent APS-C Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS Lens), and having experienced the joys of shooting with the Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA Lens, I was skeptical that this one wo... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Sheer awesomeness
My current camera is a NEX-6, eagerly awaiting the A7s II. I was very happy with the SEL50F18 for the longest time, even as I eyed this beauty. However, I was asked to photograph a night-time, indoor performance event, for which my camera would be completely insufficient. I decided to rent an A7s, knowing its low light capabilities. I already had the FE 70-200 G and a Rokinon 14mm T3.1 lens capable of covering the full frame sensor. However, I re... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Hate to admit it, but it was worth the $
I'm an old school photojournalist guy that back in the 80's would never have been caught dead with a 50mm lens of any kind. As I learned to do environmental portraits, especially in tight spaces later on doing corporate work, I discovered the 50 as a great lens for medium portraits and even for sports coverage. I really struggled pulling the trigger on a $1000 50mm lens but I did it and have not regretted the purchase. The 55 Sonnar constantly pr... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent optically, but mechanically flawed
I have been using this lens for over 2 years and it has been my favorite and best,'go to'mirrorless lens on FF (Sony A7R and A7R-II)and APS-C (A6000). With the latter, it's a very good 85mm equivalent tele. Very sharp at all apertures with just some vignetting wide-open. So why only 2 stars and me about to sell it? While its optically excellent, it is mechanically flawed. A well-known photo equipment rental company has had to repair many of these... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent lens
I am using this on my a7R and am very pleased. Extremely sharp, even when wide open. Very good separation of in-focus region to out-of-focus areas. Excellent colour rendition. Generally good flare control. There is a minimal amount of distortion. This lens is very good for portraits but works fine for landscapes and architecture also. Some purple fringing, especially for out-of-focus areas of high contrast like tree branches in the background. No... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent purchase
I was waiting to write this review until I had a chance to put the lens through proper due diligence. I have almost 30 years as a professional fashion and advertising photographer. I have used just about every line of gear, so I am able to justly rate this lens. It is simply fantastic. I am using it on A7MR2 bodies and it is ridiculously sharp. Fast and accurate autofocus. I just finished another fashion campaign and because of the locations, we ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Sharpest lens I've ever used.
I purchased this lens a couple of months after buying the A7r, what excited me at first was the camera's amazing resolution combined with the fact that it would be compatible with my Canon EF lenses using the Metabones Adapter. I decided to purchase this lens after seeing the review on DXOMark, and I have been very impressed with both the autofocus and the incredible resolution of this lens. I use it for quite a few different purposes, from stitc... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I have this and the 50mm 1.4 FE Zeiss....
This was one of three lenses that I had purchased with my A7III and it is perfect focal length for me. The build quality is excellent and the sharpness will cut you. I had recently purchased the 50mm 1.4 FE Zeiss due to the glowing recommendations I had been reading online about it. I have a macbook pro retina screen and I took a few test shots with both to see if I could tell the difference. The sharpness for both lenses wide open is a tie. I CA... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Love this Lens
I wanted a lens to use on my A7 for photographing the arrival of our first grand child . I've never been happy with my people photos and avoided those opportunities constantly. I realized I wanted to confront my fears and start practicing portraits quick! Although this lens is not a typical portrait length I noticed a lot of the Sony Artisans do indeed use it for portraits . I am happy to say I was so pleased with my initial attempts at portraits... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
The Otus lite
I have primarily used the lens for landscape work and some portraits. I bought this lens to compliment the 35 FE as well; I needed something longer and the 55mm fit perfect for my needs. I'm using the lens on the Sony A7R and the files are incredibly sharp especially stopped down. It has been coined the Otus lite by some and seeing specs for both I would agree. It's a very sharp lens. I don't worry about getting another stop out of it because I s... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Sharp, but is it worth it?
I compared this lens on an a7 with my Nikon 50mm f/1.8 G on a D600. This lens, the 55, is slightly sharper in the center, and is pretty much sharp edge-to-edge. It is a bit soft at f/1.8, good at f/2.8, and excellent at f/5.6 and f/8. There is not much CA to speak of, which is my favorite part of this lens. The Nikon, by comparison, is never all that sharp in the edges, and has bad CA even at f/8. Since I am frequently using the lens for landscap... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Sharp and bright, with great bokeh rendering.
I finally purchased this firecracker of a lens' as so many reviewers put it. And it is just that. The lens is as sharp as you can hope for when used correctly. It is pretty bring for an f1.8. It's got a great feel and build, and is also nice and small. It fits the mirrorless kit to the tee. When you compare its price and SIZE to Sony's new G Master 50mm f1.4, you will be astounded. Now, obviously, the f1.4 G is a faster lens and it's getting rave... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Outstanding Image Quality.
Wow! The image quality produced by the FE 55 at F/2.8 on the Sony A7r is too good. Why too good? Because it forces you to focus very very carefully to take full advantage of the superb resolution obtainable from this lens. Have used it for portraits and now I prefer it to the all-time best portrait lens, the Sony Zeiss 85mm F/1.4 (Alpha mount, Sal 85F14z.) The FE 55 incorporates a modern ultra-sonic focussing motor, which may be a first for a Zei... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Solid
Super solid camera! I have been using it with the 55 1.8 and every photo is just insane. Even uninteresting photos can become interesting with the detail and the rendering this combo delivers. Portraits are amazing and the camera renders skin tones beautifully. The only issue I have had is with shots of water. The ocean was very choppy when I went to shoot and the photos of the water look very busy, due to the sharpness. This could probably be fi... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Yep, it is a superb lens
I am a onezoomlens kinda guy. Last year I bought the a7rIII with the 24-105 mm f4 G lens and love it. After using that setup all year, I opted to buy this lens, given that it gets glowing reviews. I am still learning how to see the way it sees, but so far, so unbelievably good; it feels like this could be my new go to lens and my zoom will be for a few instances. This lens produces creamy bokeh and is sharp as all get out, taking full advantage o... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
An amazing Sharp Lens...
I heard so many good things about this lens and everything they say was true. Great lens for portraits. The images are sharper than real life. I also use it for video head closeups and it works amazing. The only thing I didn't like is that I had to return it once because it arrived broken making a weird sound when I tried to focus and it wasn't focusing right on auto. My main suspect is that for some reason everything that I have bought from Sony... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Buy It
Bought it as starter for A7, even though I hated spending the money and was worried it would be too big (seemed large compared to DSLR 1.8 50 primes). Once I got it, though, it didn't seem large at all. About the same width as old manual glass. Length is a little longer, but if you put a DSLR 50 prime with an adapter on an A7/R, it'd probably be about the same length. Now that I've got it, I love it. Fantastic sharpness, quick AF, comfortable siz... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
This is the sharpest lens with the most beautiful bokeh
I don't need to repeat what the other reviewers are saying. Besides the sharpness, the bokeh, color and separation are outrageous. I compared 3 lenses, Sony 28-70mm, Canon 24-70mm with Metabone with photos taken at 55mm and the result was jaw dropping. I really did not truly believe the need for a prime before but after seeing the difference even without any magnification, it just blew me away. Now I look for the name Zeiss but I really don't kno... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Best Lens: Sharp, beautiful bokeh
If I can give it more than 5 stars, I would do so. I am more happy with this lens on my A7 than the 85mmF1.4G on Nikon D800 for both portrait, and general shooting. The Sigma 70mm is also pretty good for portrait, but not close to this baby (may be 70%) on A7. The FE55mmF1.8 is fast auto focus, produces nice contrast, SHARPness for protrait, and beautiful bokeh. This lens made me fall in love with Zeiss color. It has more than I can describe. I s... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent Performer
An above average performer on the Sony A7 series, that appears equal to nearly any F4 70-200 out there today. It's very sharp at nearly all focal lengths and apertures and produces more than respectable results. Focussing appears fast with the A7s I've been using. Weaknesses would be that it doesn't really weigh any less than traditional Nikon/Canon 70-200/F4s so there isn't any direct savings in going Sony in this category. Bokeh is ok, but won'... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Everything they say it is
I shoot a Sony A6500 coming from a Sony A6300. I've owned many lenses in the past and this Sony 55 1.8 is by far the best of the best. I also have the Sigma 18-35 which is an awesome lens along with the Sony 18-105. I've owned the Sigma 19, 30 and 60 Art lenses and they are great lenses but do not compare with this lens as far as sharpness and color goes. The Sigma's are excellent but the Sony / Zeiss 55 1.8 beats them all. The photos off this le... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Worth it!
Great lens! A perfect combo with an a7Rii. So dependable, with fast focus, great color and sharpness, and well-balanced on the camera. I don't think of what I have to overcome in order to get a great image with this lens so am able to just shoot and concentrate on the composition, lighting and timing instead. The limited distortion and vignetting are very well corrected with a lens profile in post. Chromatic aberration has only shown up in extrem... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Best fast 50 for Sony FE mount.
I have been using my copy on a a7r and can easily use it on my a6000 also with a crop factor of course. Crispest, cleanest colors even in low light I have even seen. Comming from a 5D3 and a host of lenses. Drop Canon for this form factor and loving it. Will love it even more when I get all my lenses but for now using sel10118, 55 FE f1.8, Sigma 150 f2.8 macro with adaptor of course and want a lighter macro set up later. Also a6000 with 16-50 for... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
