55mm F1.8 Sonnar T FE ZA Full Frame Prime Lens - Fixed

I just want to clear this up that I said "nearly perfect" because it lacks OSS. I would rate this lens as a 4.9 simply because OSS would be great but not necessary. The lens is sharp corner to corner regardless of aperture. The corners soften very slightly only at extreme f stops. But it's definitely very sharp even at f1.8 Very little CA and distortion across the range. I shoot mostly 2.8 to 4.0 and pictures come out perfect most of the time. The tiny imperfections here and there that I spot from pixel peeping wasn't even worth correcting. Image Quality is extremely high. It is the sharpest lens I've ever used. It handily beat my 50mm 1.2L on my 5DMK3. I paid $1.6k for the 1.2L and it's hard to believe this lens is only $1k. I don't know how to explain it but the Zeiss lens renders the image a little different. The colors seems to pop more and it just look livelier than my L series lens. AF is better than the stock 28-70mm. It generally will lock in faster with less hunting. It works much better in low light conditions. It seems to be more accurate overall. Focusing ring is smooth. I would say it's above average but nothing to write home about. It works and allows accurate manual focus. Construction is solid. It is a bulky lens compared to how compact my A7 is. However, this is nothing compared to the bulk and weight of Canon body and lens I'm used to. I can actually walk around and shoot all day(if I bring 2 extra batteries) with the Sony system. My only comparison for its compactness is against the 35mm Zeiss. The 35mm really inspires me to make it a walk around set up. It can easily slip inside a small bag or hang on my body without getting in the way. I can't say the same with this 50mm. It's not impossible, just more difficult. But there is no comparison with picture quality. The 50mm is clearly superior in every way. Conclusion: The lens may seem expensive when you only look at its specs. The results are stunning and performance is up their comparable to the legendary Otus lens. At $1k, this is a steal IMHO. A must have lens for anyone using the A7/R bodies. I will try to post some pictures and update my review. You won't find me dig deep into the technicals since there are more reputable and highly qualified people than me. I will only tell you from a user's perspective and satisfaction of the product.

I have had this lens for less than 24 hours, but have taken quite few photos with it in that time. I can report that this lens is better than good, and better than excellent. It is tack sharp throughout its f-stop range, has little or no flare, and no chromatic aberration that I can detect. The IQ of the lens is pleasant and realistic, with good and clear rendering of colors and detail. Contrast is excellent. The autofocus works well and works quickly on my Sony A7R body under all but the dimmest of light conditions. There is, unfortunately, no hard stop for the lens at infinity (the lens focus ring will go past infinity when manually focusing). I like this lens more than the Sony 35mm 2.8 Zeiss lens. Bokeh at f/1.8 is surprisingly good and smooth for isolating subjects. I also have a Leica M camera and lenses, including the latest version of the 50mm Summilux f/1.4 lens. In comparison to that lens, the Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 is not nearly as well built, and does not render as nicely. But at one-fifth of the cost, the Sony/Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 lens comes surprisingly close to the mark in terms of the images it produces, and is an outstanding lens in its own right. Also, and unlike the Summilux, it's an autofocus lens that focuses quickly and accurately. I would definitely buy this lens again. For $1,000 this is a whole lot of lens. I would even go so far as to say that this lens is a steal at $1,000. Update: None of the above opinions have changed after using this lens for several weeks. This is a superb lens.

This is a fantastic lens with sharpness rivaling the 50 mm Sigma Art and the Sony 50 1.4. While it is not a 1.4 lens (and therefore you won't get the utmost in shallow dept-of-field), I have been nothing but impressed with it's sharpness and edge-to-edge resolution (when stopped down a bit, although sharpness wide-open at center is no joke either). Mated to a 42mp sensor I don't feel it is ham-stringing the sensor in anyway. Sharpness is however not everything, and I do love it's Zeiss-esque color rendition (a little more cold clinical than a true Zeiss, though) and it's bokeh is more than adequate for that 3-dimensional pop that is so desired. Being a short and small-statured lens does mean that some minor caveats do exist, those being Color Aberrations and Vignetting. Both are controlled very well but do show their presence especially at large aperture.--This is where I feel these lenses lose a bit to the larger more perfect ART/OTUS/G-Master brethren. Most importantly to me, I am an avid hiker and when I do take pictures of models/subjects I do so at remote locations. Before I moved to a mirrorless full-frame, I was lugging my heavy 50/1.4 and my mirrored full-frame camera for 12(+) miles per hike up and down mountains. That got old and painful quickly and not to mention that the general bulk of what I was carrying was inconvenient for my packs and inconvenient for climbing. I believe this lens is the perfect size for a small mirrorless professional system and has 99% of the image quality needed for all but the very 0.1% of studio shoots or where the extra subject isolation of a F/1.4 (or less) lense is absolutely needed. This lens is a must for any FE-mount Sony Owners out there.

The lens works well. However, beware about the warranty issue. Although it sold by Amazon.sg, it's not like Lazada Mall. I have trouble registering the warranty and Sony told me it is not local set and Amazon customer service told me to contact manufacturer... So just take note.

Ela é o que realmente falam dela: uma ótima aquisição para a Sony. Eu estava usando ainda as lentes Canon com adaptador na minha A7III mas queria lentes próprias para a Sony e super me recomendaram a 55 Zeiss, e estou simplesmente amando ela!!! Ainda estou me adaptando com o tempo de focagem dela, mas acho que é só questão de ajuste dona/câmera/lente hahahah Mas para mim até agora está sendo ótima!!

何かと評価の良いレンズ 画質も好みだし軽量なのも良い

This lens is very close to my heart. The perfection and the sharpness that this lens has is truly remarkable. According to DXO mark list this is one of the top 10 sharpest lens in the market currently. One of the best parts about the lens is its lack of weight. Combined with my Sony A7III on a gimbal this produces amazing videos. And it's even better for portraits.

The box was not sealed. I open it and on the focus ring I found a scratch. Fix the lens on my camera but a weird loud noice came when I tried to focus. I thought is a mistake and I apply for return and obviously choose to get a new same lens not the money. I have got the reply that I can’t get a new one and I have to choose a voucher or money back on my card.