Sony 50mm f/1.4 Carl Zeiss Planar T* ZA Lens
Model: SAL50F14Z
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Physical
Weight | 18.27 oz (518 g) |
Filter thread | Front: 72 mm |
Dimensions (dxl) | Approx. 3.19 x 2.81" (81 x 71.5 mm) |
Performance
Groups/elements | 5/8 |
Minimum focus distance | 1.48' (45 cm) |
Magnification | 0.14x |
Diaphragm blades | 9 |
Angle of view | 46.8° |
Aperture | Maximum: f/1.4 Minimum: f/22 |
Camera mount type | Sony Alpha, Minolta AF |
Format compatibility | 35mm Film / Full-Frame Digital Sensor APS-C |
Focal length | 50 mm Comparable APS-C Focal Length: 75 mm |
Features
Autofocus | Yes |
The Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 is very sharp from edge-to-edge, but it shows some distortion and is on the expensive side.
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Impressively sharp. Excellent depth of field control. Captures a ton of light. Great build quality.
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Some barrel distortion. Big. Expensive.
What this budget prime might lack in acronyms is more than made up for in overall image quality as this WDC review of the Sony 50mm f/1.4 lens discovers.
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Great real-world results
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AF is noisy and non-IF
Having reviewed four other 50mm F1.4 lenses of similar design over the past few months, we weren't expecting any major surprises from the Sony version. And in broad terms it's not hugely different from its Canon, Nikon and Pentax equivalents; as befits a quality prime it gives excellent image...
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Unusually good performance on APS-C even at wide apertures, Excellent image quality when stopped down on both full-frame and APS-C, Low distortion
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Very soft across most of the frame at wide apertures on full frame, Bokeh chromatic aberration, most visible at wide apertures, Vignetting at wide apertures on full frame (essentially disappears by F3.3), Corner softness on full-frame - never quite sharp even at F8, Somewhat susceptible to flare
The Sony 50mm f/1.4 feels junky, but works great, especially with the newest Sony A99 which corrects its distortion and gives this old-design lens instant manual-focus override. I prefer this fast fixed lens to zooms. Midrange zooms are bigger and slower.
There is very little to complain about with the Sony Zeiss 50mm f1.4 lens. It’s sharp, not too contrasty, delivers excellent colors, and is built like an early tank. When using this lens, we highly doubt anyone will be disappointed with the results that it can yield.
The Sony lens displays strong corner shading (vignetting) when it's used at or near its maximum aperture, and the resolution is weak too. In fact, this lens doesn't really sharpen up until you stop down to around f/5.6, which rather undermines the value of a fast prime lens.
Z letter at the end of SAL50F14 does not only add extra $1000 to the price but also significantly improves image quality. Everything - colors, sharpness and bokeh look great. Super fast and accurate AF thanks to SSM, and finally this is the first dust and water proof Sony/Zeiss lens!
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Exceptional image clarity, beautiful bokeh, fast and quiet SSM motor, weather proof
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No lens case, no AF-D support in 1.01 firmware
- Sony Alpha Mount for Full-Frame Sensors
- Aperture Range: f/1.4-22
- Carl Zeiss Optics and Planar Design
- Two Glass-Molded Aspherical Elements
- Super Sonic Wave Autofocus Motor
- ED Glass and Carl Zeiss T* Lens Coating
- Dust-Resistant Metal Lens Barrel
- Rounded Nine-Blade Aperture
Average Expert Score
Average User Score
- Sony 50mm f/1.4 Carl Zeiss Planar T* ZA Lens
- Front and Rear Lens Caps
- ALC-SH126 Lens Hood
- Limited 1-Year Warranty