50mm f/1.4 Zeiss still marked as “Under Development”.
Sony will display the Zeiss 50mmf /1.4 SSM A-mount lens at the upcoming CP+ show in Japan (start January 31). But it will be again displayed as “prototype” and not as final lens. Final lens specs and price will be announced in Spring.
That said let’s go back on the 20mm pancake news. As I told you I got the info about the lens weeks ago but I didn’t have the exact launch date and was waiting to get more bits about that. And with all that far more interesting rumors I am getting in these days (Zeiss FF, A78, new sensor tech) I somewhat missed to inform you about it, again sorry!
My sources told me Sony decided to make this lens because they wanted to achieve a higher image quality compared to the sub par performance of the existing 16mm lens. Yep, I do agree with most of you saying this isn’t really a big deal of a lens and many may prefer the bigger but better and cheaper Sigma 19mm f/2.8 lens which by the way you get for $99 if bought as double Sigma lens package at BHphoto (Click here). And in Europe for 99 Euro at Technikdirekt.
But I want to remind you…Sony’s path this year is to start from the very low end product release up to the Sony FF NEX in one year. So it will go better and better believe me 
Also the 85mm f/1.8 E-mount lens will be in Stock by the second half of the year and so the new high quality E-mount zoom lens. Same product announcement philosophy goes for the cameras. NEX-3n and A38 are coming as first. Than new NEX-7 and A57/A77 successors later. I like that kind of product roadmap
New lens preorders at BHphoto: 20mm pancake (Click here) and powerzoom (Click here).
archer
4 months ago |Can you pls give us some more info about that “new high quality E-mount zoom lens” ??
Abit77
4 months ago |And any news on 70-200 and 70-400 ssm2 ? ;(
admin
4 months ago |Coming this year. Both!
Abit77
4 months ago |Clearly this year, but I need urgently 70-200mm is what you need to buy the old version or just changed Canon?
Аny useful advice?
Dirk
4 months ago |If you are EU, buy my “old” 70200G
I can live with my 70300G until the new 70200G2 comes
Frank
4 months ago |Just get the current version used and save a fortune, the new version will just be weather sealed, I don’t think it’ll be significantly better IQ.
Rob
4 months ago |I just love the results I get with my 70-200 2.8, mounted on my 850. Here are some examples: (caution, pretty girls ahead)
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30402130
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/29684334
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/28774124
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30144690
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/26263413
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/25862700
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/26879097
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/28958610
Comments?
a900andanex5
4 months ago |I assume the new 70-200mm might also gain the new coatings that they used on the 500mm
Sky_walker
4 months ago |Next year? I thought they are due Q3 2013.
Frank
4 months ago |Too busy making E-mount lenses.
waldomarek
4 months ago |“the new high quality E-mount zoom lens.”
any idea what focal length we’re talking about, roughly?
archer
4 months ago |I guess this new lens is not the same as the zeiss 16-80mm f3.5-4.5 lens
Dirk
4 months ago |I guess similar.
It would be surprising having a consistently 2.8 zoom due to size.
Even if they “just” design a 3x or 4x zoom.
Rurik
4 months ago |Zeiss 1680 is optically a quite good lens in it’s class. With better build quality it would be perfect.
Sony can make it by redesigning it with weather protection.
Aware
4 months ago |Some Chinese webs just gave the wrong infos…
tharwan
4 months ago |Do you have any rumors about lenses from third parties?
alonzo
4 months ago |16-80 f3.5 sharp from f3.5 that is what we need . Size and price does not mater for me .
Poki
4 months ago |Any news about the three Zeiss E-Mount lenses (12, 32 and 50mm) that are said to be released in march – april? I’m not able to find anything online and Zeiss (of course) doesn’t answer …
Steve
4 months ago |The A-Mount death march continues and watching what very-well could be the demise of the A-Mount is painful.
My partner who now shoots Canon tells me that the mount is already dead but I’m not yet willing to accept it.
Each morning as I get out of bed, even before I check my email I look at this site; something I’ve done since 2008. I’m not looking to learn what $300 lens is being rumored for the NEX or what Sony is doing to gain its market share of 18 year old skateboard film makers I’m looking to see any glimmer of hope that Sony will attempt to compete for my demographics as a X professional photographer and studio owner, now an enthusiast stills photographer looking to create the best images possible using the full-frame format platform that has the necessary financial resources to purchase any 35mm camera and lens system I want.
The NEX system and its E-Mount may by 2014 turnout to be the system of choice for photographers like me, but its January 2013 now and deciding what I’m going to do between now and then is what is important.
If you don’t count the big long-lens that Sony shipped last year its been now three years since the last Sony full-frame lenses came out the Zeiss 24 and the Sony 85.
Frank
4 months ago |Some here mock my comments that 2013 is the last year we’ll see A-mount lens announcements from Sony. As a A-mount user I hope that I am wrong, I don’t think I will be though.
Sony will ditch the A-mount for its current SLT range and produce bodies with the E-mount and an A-mount adapter for fast AF.
If I was more than just a hobbyist, I’d be dropping Sony A-mount gear right now and swapping to CaNikon. I never thought I’d say that!
Sky_walker
4 months ago |I really hope 2013 is the last year we see Frank talking his BS on SAR.
Frank
4 months ago |Look at the number of E-mount lenses set for release. You are burying you head in the sand if you think Sony are going to support A-mount for much longer.
andrew
4 months ago |I agree with Steve – it’s would be very helpful to have a bit of transparency from Sony… If the FF Nex delivers, I’d certainly give it some serious consideration, along with the a78, but I’m not spending a penny until I know what’s happening with a-mount (and selling adapters doesn’t count as support in my book).
mick232
4 months ago |What is stopping you from switching systems now and come back later when the future of the A mount has been decided? If resources aren’t an issue, switching systems once or twice should be doable.
Sky_walker
4 months ago |I’m not sure if throwing few thousand $$$ out of the window really is an option.
John Maverick
4 months ago |Right. You don’t have one lens you want right now! So the system is obviously dying? Why not aid the process and throw some more doubt into the minds of others.
Wedding Photographer Ottawa
4 months ago |I hope the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 SSM is available to buy in the spring, and not just “officially announced by SONY” in the spring, with availability coming later. I’m looking to replace my Minolta 50mm f/1.4, as it’s currently my weakest prime in my bag, and wedding season is coming!
Vincent
4 months ago |As for a good 50/1.4 lense in any mount including the A mount, there is already the excellent Sigma ex dg hsm !
Steve
4 months ago |Yes!
I got that lens a few years ago to replace my Minolta 50/1.4 it nice but big and heavy.
The Sigma 50 maybe the best AF lens if its FL currently on the market, something that Nikon, Canon and Sony shooters that have used it agree on.
If you are looking to get a 50 and don’t want to spend the $$$ and wait for the Sony/Zeiss this is the 50 to get today!
bro
4 months ago |Yep, the Sigma 50/1.4 is already best in class really, compared to Sony, Nikon, Pentax, or Canon, and even holds up well against the Canon 50L.
So I would go with the Sigma 50/1.4 instead of waiting for the CZ if anyone is looking to upgrade now. The CZ will be about as big/heavy and certainly cost more, perhaps 2x as much? However, its doubtful it will be *that* much better, though it will likely be supported by the A99′s hybrid focus, so if that is a big issue for you, wait for the CZ.
mick232
4 months ago |Look at the picture! The Zeiss 50/1.4 will also be big and heavy.
Seeky
4 months ago |Yeah, but I’m not eager to buy a lens which will likely need rechipping every 3 years including all the hassle and weeks of not having the lens.
Frank
4 months ago |A-mount won’t be around in three years though.
Sky_walker
4 months ago |Still trolling Frank?
Frank
4 months ago |It is not trolling to warn people about spending money on A-mount when Sony are clearly going native E-mount and using A-mount adapters on future bodies.
I am a self confessed Sony fanboy, but I am not naive like it appears you are.
Vincent
4 months ago |I am no Sigma Sales Rep, but I bought my Sigma 50/1.4 in Switzeralnd last year. Shipped it to the Sigma service for focus adjustement and got it back in only 48 hours. You also do get one free cleaning a year. Conditions are that you have to buy it from an authorized shop. I would not hesitate to do it again !
RickJ
4 months ago |Nikon looking more and more tempting.. sigh
Just comparing Nikon 300mm F2.8 to Sonys.. it’s almost $1600 cheaper than the Sony offering.. go figure.
Steve
4 months ago |Also, look at the Nikon 85/1.8
Its sharp, fast and cheap and much smaller than tha Sigma 85/1.4 or the Sony Zeiss 85 that I own.
ryuken168
4 months ago |I’m on the same boat, since I went from a a77 aps-c to a a99 ff. There is a lack of ff lens for Sony. I check this site every morning hoping for news about new a-mount lense, but only e-mount news and point and shoots.
I’m still waiting for the release of Tamron’s 24-70 2.8 a007 and maybe the 70-200 2.8 a009.
Sad start to 2013, I hope it gets better soon, still holding on for hope.
CTPhotographX.com
4 months ago |From the size of the front element, I don’t understand why this lens need be so large. Surely it will be higher priced than the Sigma, and optically comparable, but they could do a lot to leverage advantage towards more compactness… one reason I won’t be selling the Mino 50/1.4 any time soon. It’s so pleasantly small for what it delivers.
Steve
4 months ago |With the old Minolta 50/1.4 past f2 the lens is nice on my a850
But it is size is great!
I often carry it in my coat pocket, something I can’t do with my Sigma 50/f1.4
Sky_walker
4 months ago |“From the size of the front element, I don’t understand why this lens need be so large.” – Vignetting and corner sharpness (two things fans of “speed booster” never will care about)
GreenLens
4 months ago |Aren’t ‘wider’ lenses better for OSPDF too? Not sure though..
MM
4 months ago |I believe CTPX was referring to the physical barrel size relative to the front element. Does seem much bigger than it needs to be.
CTPhotographX.com
4 months ago |Right!
Green.Lens
4 months ago |Me too. Wider barrel and larger front element could help to separate light paths for AF sensels.
CTPhotographX.com
4 months ago |My point is that the element front size looks small enough to reduce tbe filter size considerably down to 55mm at least… Reducing the size of entire lens. Compare the front element size of this ZA with the Siggy 50/1.4. The Siggy has a much larger front element demanding large filter size. The ZA does not. It’s as if they make the ZA larger just to look good sitting next to the Siggy.
Emir
4 months ago |One of the arguments Sony has for purchasing cameras with in-house stabilization is that it makes the lenses cheaper… When I compare the prices of e.g. the 100mm f2,8 and 70-200 f2,8 lenses from Sony, Canon and Nikon, I really cannot agree that Sonys in-house stabilization makes the lenses cheaper. The Canon 70-200 f2.8 L lens without IS is nearly half the price of Sonys G lens, and the Sony 70-200 G lens costs MORE than the Nikon corresponding lens which has VR.
Can someone please explain this Sony strategy for me? It only seems to me like false marketing, and makes me very disappointed…
With regards
Emir
RickJ
4 months ago |Yeah, it doesn’t really make sense anymore, Sony is charging a premium for their lenses when there are better / cheaper offerings with in lens stabilization (which still works better than the in body by almost another stop from tests I’ve seen) I think my A65 is the last Sony I’m buying. Sony is obviously not fully committed into making the A-mount into a viable alternative to Nikon/Canon and seems to be straying into casual land with E-mount offerings on a constant basis.
Abit77
4 months ago |+100
wayne summers
4 months ago |The explanation is simple. Sony is expensive. They always have been. I never buy my sony gear when it comes out. I wait for a discount or buy it on ebay. I paid a little over 3,000 for my 24-70cz , 135cz and A850. It took a while and checking everyday but it paid off. You can get a full frame body for the price I paid for all three.
Pablo
4 months ago |I don’t need no expensive 1.4… Thank god for my Minolta Rokkor 58/1.2 and the already incoming speedbooster that is on it’s way to me :>
ihur
4 months ago |So Admin, you got robbed this time by a sudden release of 3 new sony stuff (camera and lenses)
I was surprise that I never recall reading rumors bout any of these new stuff here, especially the pancake lens
admin
4 months ago |I worte about the powerzoom yesterday. And as I wrote I had the 20mm pancake rumor and did the mistake to wait too much
Emir
4 months ago |What prevents Sony from manufaturing and improving old Minolta lenses like the Beercan e.g?
ArtoS
4 months ago |Did I also missed something? New camera???
Joe
4 months ago |The 16mm lens had QC issues. I was fortunate to get a perfect copy in the time I owned a Nex but I have seen soft and distorted shots from others. Hopefully Sony has ironed the QC issues out since then.
mick232
4 months ago |I am wondering what takes them so long to build a simple 50mm prime. You’d assume that a company like Zeiss has a design like that readily available at any given time.
Maybe “development” isn’t what is really causing the delay but rather negotiations with Sony?
Carl
4 months ago |More likely Sony has major and ongoing issues with lens production capacity.
I do wonder if the 50/1.4 is going to be the only new A-mount lens design in 2013. It’s all a bit depressing, really.
CTPhotographX.com
4 months ago |And making it unnessecarily extra large just so to look good sitting next to the Sigma, or CaNikon 50/1.4/1.2 is a bit telling of intentional ego trip show piece glass rather than a reasonably compact functional masterpiece for users. The more I look at this lens, the more I’m seeing a giant barrel surrounding a normal front element size. Pigs and lipstick for the HasSony?
Carl
4 months ago |A new 50/1.4 that was actually good from either would be big as well. As is the Sigma.
It comes down to the fact that it’s cheaper to use a large piece of normal optical glass than a small piece of high refractive index glass. In other words, bean counting.
a
4 months ago |LENS WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE ON SONY
With all of SONYs extremely limited Lens Options –
We still often read the Sony Fanboys Ask the same – Silly Question
What lens to THEY (Canikon +3rd party) that you can not get on SONY
HERE IS A SEXY Lens – FULL FRAME LENS so very sexy
we could really use on SONY,
but have to use only on our NIKON units
Nikon announcement on January 29th; additional Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED specs
Nikon will announce their new Nikkor AF-S 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED full frame lens on January 29th (± 1 day). I am still not certain if the new Coolpix cameras will also be announced next week or later in February. Here are some additional 18-35mm f/3.5–4.5G ED specs:
Aperture range: 3.5-22 (wide), 4.5-29 (tele)
7 rounded aperture blades
Angle of view: 100-63 degree
Filter size: 77mm
Lens design: 12 elements in 8 groups
2 ED elements, 3 ASPH elements
The lens is weather sealed
Weight: 385 g/ 13.6 oz
Dimensions: 83mm x 95mm / 3.3in x 3.7in (the smallest Nikkor full frame zoom lens)
Read more http://nikonrumors.com/2013/01/23/nikon-announcement-on-january-29th-additional-nikkor-18-35mm-f3-5-4-5g-ed-specs.aspx/#ixzz2IpCQ8A1O
Patricio
4 months ago |admin, one question, you talk about the a57/a77 replacements, but as far as I remember you haven’t mentioned what will happen with the a65. Any rumors regarding that model?
Thanks!
LeoC
4 months ago |The E-mount 85/1.8 lense has any possibility to cover full frame??
admin
4 months ago |No.
Alien
4 months ago |Need more macro lens, 85, 100mm?
nehemiah
4 months ago |Sony delays another a-mount lens, releases 2 e-mount lenses of dubious necessity…Nice Sony, nice. Another turd on the rather large pile.
Poke
4 months ago |Andrea,
Any news about update to the 99 to allow more lenses to be compatible with the new 102 pt focus system? Really need the the 135 zeiss and 70-200G to be included. Sony is dragging their heels on firmware as usual.
Sergei
4 months ago |I would like for this lens to produce the creamiest bokeh, awesome sharpness balanced with pleasing color and contrast. The SSM must bring the focus speed and accuracy to a new level. Otherwise the weight and cost penalty will prevent a lot of users from buying it.
I have a feeling this 50mm will be a success.
Steve
4 months ago |I doubt very seriously that Sony is selling much A-Mount gear at all.
Recently I went into Mike’s Camera and talked to one of the salespeople and asked him how Sony’s SLT and A-Mount lenses were doing. He said that they do show the cameras to people and tell them about the new features and SLT technology and that they have stabilization built-in …………and the customer buy’s the Canon and more often the Nikon.
In my opinion it didn’t have to be this way, Sony had several opportunities to make inroads into the market. It’s really sad and from the rumors from this site, I just don’t see any reason to believe it will be any better in 2013 even if Sony releases a 50/f1.4 Zeiss and a few zooms.
John Maverick
4 months ago |New customers are not confident in their knowledge, so they naturally gravitate to a brand that their friends or family use or recommend. After that they’re locked in to a system.
mick232
4 months ago |No one ever got fired for buying IBM!
No one ever got criticized for recommending Nikon.
FlyinDeath
4 months ago |Any news for the “mid-magnification zoom” on the 2013 roadmap?
Sergei
4 months ago |I get to see a lot of people use sony equipment recently, all sorts of nex, 5 model alpha, a700 and a900. I live in NYC, it’s a common sight here. A lot of my friends, naturally, bought a57, which I like a lot too.
contax2sony
4 months ago |Any chance when this 50/1.4 is released that Sony creates a kit with a99? I suggest pricing it at 3299 (+500). Now if a99 price has been dropped to 2499. Then make the kit a cool 2999.
Also I want to believe that sony’s surprise for nov 2013 is a Mark II a99 with 30 mp and wider array of af points (no other changes). Then by all means leave price where it is currently.