Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T * 55mm f / 1.8 ZA (SEL-55F18Z)

Advantages: Nameplate "ZEISS". Joke! ))) Although, seriously, this is a sign of quality.
The most inexpensive and attractive lens in the Sony-E / Zeiss T * system with similar characteristics.
Good, universal FR, although someone already closer than 35mm.
F1.8 is sufficient, especially on FF.
An excellent weighty metal construct is harmonious in weight and dimensions with the ILCE-A7M2.
Beautiful sonnar-ovsky drawing, with a soft pleasant bokeh.
Excellent detail with an open aperture, really sharp.
Mostly MDF.
They promise protection from dust and weather conditions (see).
Good, confidently fixed, hood.
Includes a soft case.
Good colorful attractive packaging.

Disadvantages: Someone writes about vignetting, it does not bother me.
There is no shutdown of AF on the lens and only electronic aperture control - a fee for compactness.
More like hard covers, like Sigma, although they take up more space in the luggage.
It is a pity that the blend is not all-metal, like that of ZEISS itself and does not have a trap for dust on the inner surface.

Comment: Prehistory Had a Canon 5D Mark III with a fleet of optics (35mm, 17-40mm, 100mm, 70-200mm), then bought the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II as a travel option (8mm, 30mm, 24-70mm, 75mm) and Canon I became increasingly bored in my bag, I had to sell (I later recalled dragging a heavy bag or backpack with all my photocar from Vietnam or Greece, which is about 10-16 kg, so Olympus is really taxing here). However, whatever they wrote, the MFT (with all its numerous advantages and generally excellent for traveling, thanks to the weight of the camera and lenses, protection, and the fantastic stabilizer), the system is not for all occasions and the idea of ​​acquiring a full frame did not let go. As a consequence, it became the Sony ILCE-A7M2, to which the first lens was needed, since I did not take the "whale" and took only the "carcass" raskitovka. I reread, like many, a bunch of reviews and just tips in the forums, while shooting at ZENITAR-M 1.7 / 50 (very worthy glass, one of the best Soviet, in my opinion) and, finally, settled on the hero of this review. After even a short period, I can say with confidence that in this price niche, at least for now, there is no better choice. The only obstacle is the price tag. But, fortunately, I had something to sell from the old system. )))
Sometimes I compare the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II and the Sony ILCE-A7M2, each is remarkable in its own way, the second one is more for a thoughtful quiet shooting, speed and quick decisions you should not expect from it.
I forgot to say, after buying the camera, the Sony promo code mined me 10,000 of the lens cost, which only pleased me and made me choose this option.
I listed the advantages of the lens above. In general, when viewed in detail, the lens is practically free from all the “diseases” inherent in high-aperture lenses. Most popular photo editors have their profiles (RAW). Since I haven’t found any noticeable and critical drawbacks, I’m willing to recommend it! All excellent technically and interesting frames!

Advantages: Durable constructive, solid weight, amazing sharpness with an open, high brightness, very smart AF, aperture, "cuts off" the blur area.

Disadvantages: There were no flaws.

Comment: While this is the best lens in the system on the totality of characteristics. 35 / 1.4 is much more expensive and more, 35 / 2.8 is darkish, the rest are far in characteristics. Universal lens for every day - both for photo walks, and for any commercial shooting.Unexpectedly, I appreciated this focal - 55 mm a little closer to portrait, therefore, with certain skills, it is suitable for large plans as well. And for subject photography. What is called masthev, that is, the first lens in your bag. I strongly recommend to purchase. Extensive foreign tests clearly show that he does in sharpness on the open all half 30s, including Leykowski ones, worth 700 tr. In the blog of my website kakotkin com, all commercial surveys (except frames with a pronounced width and telephoto) are made on it, there is also a detailed description of A7 series cameras. Write on the soap (in the site contacts) - I can answer the questions.

Advantages: All impressions are based on the use of this lens year on the Sony a7rII camera.
- sharp, very sharp, razor
- fast AF
- predictable
- few aberrations
- good color
- compact
- light! You can wear with Sonya on the neck on a thin strap all day.
- good mechanics (for manual focus)
- adequate price tag

Disadvantages: - strong vignetting on f / 1.8

Comment: I bought it as the first native glass on the Sony a7rII.
Everything they say about its phenomenal sharpness is true. The lens is super-sharp, I have been shooting it for a year now - the sharpness is simply amazing, especially in conjunction with a7rII. Sharp since open. There are such aberrations that do not exist at all: sometimes it is barely noticeable at the open. Counter holds well. On the open, the vignette is pretty strong, if it’s important to someone (I don’t). Fast AF, it feels a little slower than my favorite Canon luminaire 5dm3 + Canon 24-70L f / 2.8II. Figure glass smooth, predictable. Predictable results - very good for reportage photography. It is universal. For those who love focal 50mm - must have. Such a reference autofocus fifty-kopecks on the system Sony FE.
For those who bought Sony's BZK and thinks which glass to buy as the first autofocus, Sony Zeiss 55mm f / 1.8 ZA is the best choice.

A few of my pictures from him here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ilya_art/albums/72157663133386625

Advantages: Excellent sharpness even on the fully open aperture. At f8 - just a razor across the entire field of the frame.
Quiet and fast autofocus.
Excellent keeps backlight.
Durable metal construction.

Disadvantages: Small HAs on the open diaphragm. Well, the price, of course.

Comment: Universal to the obscene. Street at dusk, landscapes (with and without gluing) - easily. Portraits - here he is just gorgeous. Took simultaneously with the A7M2 and the whale lens - the whale set a couple of times when there was not enough wide angle.
All the rest of the time I take pictures only on Zeiss.

The lens is just great. Subjectively - the best of the fifty dollars available on the market.

Advantages: I will say simply - the glass is super. We can say that the quality of the picture, taking into account all the errors and jambs, it is not inferior to Carl Zeiss Distagon 55 / 1.4 Otus. The almost complete absence of distortion, distortion, glare, etc. Works perfectly with the back. Tenacious autofocus.

Disadvantages: No stub (just shoot a lot of video), 50 1.8 bokeh for me more interesting

Comment: Take the cost and need. If you try to find fault you can find fault with everything. Yes, and the choice is not great, and again he ... so with the lack of similar lenses for this bayonet - it is without options.
And here you can see a comparison of data with Otus (http://www.dxomark.com/Reviews/Sony-Zeiss-Sonnar-T-FE-55mm-f1.8-ZA-lens-review-Exemplary-performance/Sony-FE -Carl-Zeiss-Sonnar-T-55mm-F1.8-ZA-vs-Carl-Zeiss-Distagon-T-Otus-1.4-55-ZF.2-Nikon)

Advantages: Light, minimum distortion and distortion
Lightweight and compact
Beautiful pattern and pleasant bokeh
Perhaps the sharpest lens for Sony E

Disadvantages: Inadequately high price
Not designed to work in the rain

Comment: The Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T * 55mm f / 1.8 ZA is a comprehensively remarkable lens. Draws beautifully. Detailing is gorgeous. In general, probably, the main and only masthead on the Sony E / FE system. But, From where such a price, it is absolutely incomprehensible to me.