Sony Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 Sonnar T* (1.8/55) | Final Review | 4K

its funny how sensitive current owners of this lens are..

Nice review, think you've made my mind up...

Dustin
55 f1.8 or 50f1.4 from sigma?

Angle of view. 50mm is 50mm.

What 50mm or 55mm lenses produce the more special images you mention, please? Many thanks for your extraordinarily detailed and informative reviews.

What are the other 50mm lenses that provide more special images?

Subbed. Thanks

Hey Dustin. I could really use your opinion on something. I have my eye on a Sony Zeiss 55mm but I'm wondering if it's really necessary for my needs. Currently I shoot with an adapted Samyang 50 1.4 AS UMC thanks to your review video on said lens. I love it and have no trouble shooting manual as I don't shoot anything fast. No real complaints with the Samyang but I'm a bit interested in getting something that would allow me to use eye autofocus. What I want to know is, if you consider image quality alone, do you think it's worth upgrading to the Sony Zeiss? I shoot mostly portraits but sometimes also environments and landscapes on an a7ii. If the Sony isn't that much better, IQ wise, then I may pass on it.

A much later comment.
In the interim between the making of the 50 trio videos, DXOMARK has given this, in rare company, a very positive review.

Still not sure what to buy for a Sony Alpha7S. 50mm Sigma or this 55 Zeiss. Or just a Cheap SEL 50mm 1,8f.

which one is sharper ... zeiss 55 f1.8 or Sony fe 35mm f1.8 ... please answer ... thank you

May I ask, when the 55mm ZA focus from f1.8 to f22, the noise becomes louder step by step, is it normal for this len?

"Nothing special about the rendering of the lens." This is so subjective it's irrelevant, and not even worth saying.

This will be my third year shooting with this lens and I love it. This is one of those lenses where you need to turn off electronic front curtain shutter to get the best bokeh. I have noticed the difference more with this lens than any other I presently use.

Thanks for this review Mr Abbott. Last months I'm looking for the best studio child portrait lens to my sony a7iii. I've a small studio (26m2) and I've decided to buy the most sharp lens I can afford. I decided to buy zeiss 55 1.8, but after this video I'm reconsidering my decission. Any advice?

Well I wanted this lens badly but the price was not convenient for my budget, so I limited myself to the last version of pancolar MC Zeiss Jena classic lens, manual focus. I find the quality so similar and the bokeh like they are exactly the same lenses

So you can use autofocus with this lens on the A7R3? But why on some lenses there is a AF/MF button and some don't? Otherwise you can autofocus on all lenses?

Totally agree with the fact that altough 55/1.8 produces good quality there is nothing "special" on images. Otherwise - its excellent.

Color? hahaha... it matters?

Thanks for making great videos, very insightful. I am torn between the 55mm 1.8 and the 50mm plantar. I want something light and for video as well as photography. Your review and some other reviews I've watched all say similar things about chromatic aberration etc on the 55mm which is holding me back from making the purchase. 

I am wondering though, a lot of the reviews for the 55mm are from a few years ago and I was looking on the Sony website today, and it says about the 55mm "T coating reduces all forms of aberration". I'm wondering if Sony has made some design changes to fix the CA issues? Do you know about this?

I am between this one and the Samyang 45mm 1.8 . Have you used that one yet? Do you have an opinion on that comparison? I can find the Zeiss lightly used at 500 Eur, and the Sammy new at 300. So I'm a bit torn.
Subed and thank you for all your wonderful reviews!

Love this review! Thank you very much! I like how you keep it simple and on point!

A few days ago I bought the 25mm batis I still haven't got it, I'm also about to buy the new sigma 105mm macro for portrait and product photography, that's why I have some questions for you.
1.- For portrait photography, do you recommend the batis 85? or is it very close to sigma 105, how about sonnar 55?

2. I would also have liked to have a wide angle like the batis 18, but with the prices they have, it is too much to buy another one so close to 18 to 25, the difference must be little, don't you think?

3. I also need to record video indoors and outdoors covering the area better, so I needed an angle, later I found out that the Loxia 21 was more appropriate even for gimball but some friends were able to record a spot with the Batis 25mm without problem and everything in AF Does that mean that I no longer need a Loxia if all that process can be done with the Batis 25mm only with AF-C recording video?

But what do you think? Regarding the choice of batis for photo and also for video?

I dont know if something changed during 2 years, but this lens are weather sealed now. Atleast sony website saying so.

As usual, a very accurate review. Pity that the 55mm Sonnar, is not between the most affordable lenses. Still must decide which AF 50mm to buy.

I have this lens and it’s beautiful 👊👊💥

Always great reviews! I get more information watching your videos! Thank you! Would you recommend this lens as a travel lens for the A7III say along with the G-master 24mm 1.4?

Many people are not aware that there are actually two versions of this lens, there is a newer, updated version. The way to tell the difference is that the old one is branded as "Carl Zeiss" at the front, the new one is just "ZEISS". Some says the new one is noticablly better in terms of CA, can you get your hands on a new one if it's possible and put the rummor to the test?

Do you know if the are differences of the first version Sony FE Carl Zeiss Sonnar 55mm 1.8 and the later version Sony FE Zeiss Sonnar 55mm 1.8 !?

Do you think the Sony 50mm1.2 is worth the 2,400 price tag? What so special about it. Ps I do want it

DANKE !! Thanks very much from Berlin.

Good morning Dustin, Hope all is well. Thank you once again for another insightful review. Wanted to get your views on this lens and the Loxia 50mm F2 in terms of image quality, contrast, vignetting handling etc. I understand the Loxia lens is manual focus and has better weather sealing, compared to this 55mm lens. Also any thoughts of Zeiss's design principles, such as this lens in review has a Sonnar design and the Loxia lens has a Planar design and I know some of their Batis lens are Distagon design. Appreciate your thoughts. Thanks you.

How does this lens compare optically to the zeiss 35mm f1.8?

Well as Dustin can see limitations of the Zeiss Sonnar 55mm F1.8, I would have appreciated some take of its Sonnar design itself. That is a limitation in the review, no? Apropo is it a really good Sonnar, or not sufficiently marinaded in the secret sauce of 'Sonnarliness' rendering?
After all we've lots of other choices of lens designs of good repute: Double-gausss, Ultron, Planar, Biotar, etc. So instead of criticising it for what it is not by design, where does it fall short in the holding up of the noble Sonnar virtues (which are the stuff of legend sir)? In that sense I am none the wiser from your review, and you’ve essentially damned it by faint praise. More or less taking the corner of, well, frankly you're at heart a Planar man, and it's not your cup of tea, fair enough of course. You may have considered it's optical properties against say its stable-mate, the Loxia 50mm F2 which is as you're doubtlessly aware, also Sonnar? 🤔

This thing is SO sharp. 40x60 landscape print w an a7rii is amazingly detailed. Possibly DXO’s highest perceived MP
Score?

Is this lens capable of pro work today?

Thanks for your very detailed video. Very helpful!

Every time I want to upgrade to the 50mm GM, I watch this video and think again ... :) I seem to recall the promise of mirrorless was a reduction in size.

Was your review copy of the Sony ZA 55mm f1.8 branded "CARL ZEISS" or just "ZEISS"..?

Would you go for this lens or the samyang 50 mark ii ? Many thanks.

Many people are not aware this but there are two version of this lens. The way to tell the difference is the old one is branded as "Carl Zeiss" on the front element ring , the new one is just "ZEISS" on the front element ring. Some says the new one is noticeably better, it addresses some flaws from old lens such as CA. This is a very confusing situation, Sony should have call it 55mm F1.8 mark II.

Just consider bro has a Tommy Hilfiger outlet cotton 1/4 zip

Hey Dustin, which other lenss would you consider at the same price range maybe a bit higher?

I follow your channel since like forever and I respect your opinion a lot. Your reviews are always the most detailed you can find in yt. But with this particular lense I completely disagree. Specially regarding to the sharpness. This thing is SHARP. 1.8 is meeh, but from 2.8… oh boy (tested in a a7r v)I heard in many places about low quality control in older sony lenses. Your copy was maybe decentered somehow. Surely 50mm 1.4GM is in other level but this is a very capable lense for 400-450 dollars. Greetings from Spain!

Just got this baby on the aftermarket for $350 it’s phenomenal

Hey! I'm looking at this lens for dynamic pet photography in low light conditions, i.e. shutter speeds from 1\1000 on my APS-C camera. Do you think this is a good option or should I look at something lighter? Thanks!