Official: Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 SSM for A-mount will come in Spring.
DC.watch (translation here) reports that the new Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.4 SSM lens for Sony A-mount will be released in Spring. It has a 72mm filter diameter, circular aperture diaphragm, 8 lens in 5 groups and 45cm close focusing distance. Price is yet unknown. Editors’s note: Glad that we finally had a positive A-mount news 
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P.S.: We have many Zeiss 50mm lenses for different mounts all priced between 500 and 800 dollars:
Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* for Canon (see auctions on eBay)
Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* for Nikon (see auctions on eBay)
Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 50mm f/1.4 50/1.4 LTM (see auctions on eBay)
Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 for Contax (see auctions on eBay)
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 1.4/50 ZF 50mm F1.4 Nikon Ai-S (see auctions on eBay).
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waldomarek
5 months ago |wonder what the price would be? 1.5k?
Abit77
5 months ago |600€ ?
Dirk
5 months ago |600 €? Never ever gonna happen!
Abit77
5 months ago |400€?
Xspider
5 months ago |€ 950
WTH
5 months ago |$2
Dirk
5 months ago |Most likely similar to the 24/2 when it was released – ~ 1.300,-
If it’s of the same IQ skills than the other Zeiss it will be worth it.
Vamp898
4 months ago |The current Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 is quite lame.
Fully manually and in terms of sharpness beaten by the much cheaper Canon 50mm f/1.4 (non L!)
So not Zeiss always worth there money. Mostly but not always.
JB
5 months ago |What would the price be? That’s easy: worth every penny.
My CZ glass never disappoints.
The Lotus Eater
5 months ago |How is this “Official”? Are DC.watch an authority on product launches?
Frank
5 months ago |They probably read SAR…
CTPhotographX.com
5 months ago |Yeah, but through Google J to E translation.
CTPhotographX.com
5 months ago |Ermmm… E to J…
RD
5 months ago |They’re at CP+ and reporting what they find, probably from the Zeiss or Sony reps. That’s pretty close to official IMO.
Frank
5 months ago |However an earlier report on SAR said:
“Digifoto confirmed that Sony will not share any info at the CP+ show about the possible release period of the new Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 SSM A-mount lens. And neither they will unveil the final price.”
The Lotus Eater
5 months ago |Not to mention that the product on show is a prototype, is it not?
This seems far from official.
WTH
5 months ago |Shhhhh!
Please don’t kill the mood…
ArtoS
5 months ago |Official or “official” who cares :-/
Most important is that Zeiss ZA 50mm f/1.4 SSM is coming because it was again on Sony Stand!
Frank
5 months ago |The A750 was a prototype too, it never appeared though!
ArtoS
5 months ago |Relax
If you have spare time, listen to Lilly Allen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8VZX4sHn-4
RD
5 months ago |You guys are right. They cancelled this lens and put all their efforts into an all new Karl Marx 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6.
CTPhotographX.com
5 months ago |Best Alpha news in three years.
Boomstick
5 months ago |This guy knows what’s up.
Steve
5 months ago |That is very good news
GeminiRx
5 months ago |I think that it will cost arround the same price as the zeiss 24 f2 ssm
Moow
5 months ago |Price? Its no secret..80% its going to cost between the SAL24F2 and SAL85F1.4
Seriously dont see it going any cheaper. That will be beyond Sony and Zeiss. lol..
For people hoping for cheap.. seriously. Dont be silly. lol.
Coke
5 months ago |Will buy at that price point, BTW.
The Zeiss lens are that good.
emopunk
5 months ago |Would love to read a release date from Sony. I really want to buy this lens so badly.
tiger-europe
5 months ago |Spring 2013? or Spring 2014? and do we wait again a half a year til we get an a99 firmware update to get dual-af support? ^^
Abit77
5 months ago |Andrea, any rumor of 85/135 CZ “SSM” ?
Moow
5 months ago |Dual AF support is good to have. But seriously. Do you really need it for every top of the line lens?
I dont think you will use the 50mm for wildlife or sports right. Why would you need very fast tracking for street or model shoot.
Yea..SSM on 85 and 135 will be so much more useful and if they can make the new 85 not to (zoom in and out during focusing that will be brilliant else its like a mega dust magnet.)
tiger-europe
5 months ago |well i think most lenses would support dual af, but when i am right the problem is on the body-side. at least i dont think you need a firmwareupdate for your lens for dual af support
Coke
5 months ago |I need it because the normal AF cover too small focusing area. AF-D will expand focusing area significantly. Actually, the AF-D function almost meaningless to me. I want FW to enable the on chip PDAF for all A-monut lens.
Emir
5 months ago |I’m so glad to hear this! Just as you say Andrea, finally some positive A-mount news! Brings back hope and increases the morale here
Stan
5 months ago |+1
This is exactly the kind of news that gives us A-Mount owners some reassurance. But hey, E-Mount owners and trolls from Canon/Nikon boards will still come here to voice their “RIP A Mount” opinion…
RVN
5 months ago |very glad to heard this!
go sony, please realease FF lens zeiss 18mm/f2.8, 35mm/1.4 SSM and 85mm/1.4 SSM too 
WTH
5 months ago |NOOOOO!! 72mm filter!!!
WTH
5 months ago |But I welcome anything at this point!
Even if it ends up being priced at $1500…
Stan
5 months ago |+1
I’ll take even unaffordable A-Mount news at this point
J
5 months ago |Why no? That’s the same as the 85, 20, and 24-70.
J
5 months ago |24 of course, not 20.
WTH
5 months ago |Cos I have over $1000 worth of 77mm filters lol
It’s selfish of me…. but hey, smaller “usually” mean faster focusing.
Solo
5 months ago |I rather prefer not to use filters on my zeiss and G glass.
J
5 months ago |Stepping rings are cheap my friend!
WTH
5 months ago |@Solo: Not even a ND Filter???
@J: Zeiss lens are beautiful… A Stepper does not do it justice…
Solo
5 months ago |the 24-70 has 77mm filter thread.
Dirk
5 months ago |Zeiss 1635, 2470, 135, 70200G, 70400G have 77mm
Zeis 24, 85 and the new 50 have 72mm
70300G has 62mm
300G, 300G2 and 500G have 42mm
Meaning that for the main lens setup you only need 72 and 77mm filters
Don’t go for cheap filters. I’m only using Zeiss or Schneider-Kreuznach filters.
Randy S.
5 months ago |My contax zeiss 50mm f1.4 MANUAL FOCUS was $550 in 1993 So…..
Stan
5 months ago |Add an average of 5% inflation per year since 1993 and you’ve got yourself x2.653298 multiplier. That makes it $1459 in todays dollars….
Stan
5 months ago |My bad, little correction, it’s not 5% over 20 years. its about 2.5…
So thats x1.6386. Making it $900.
Joel Richards
5 months ago |I think that sounds about right. The ZF/ZM lines the 50mm is among the least expensive.
emopunk
5 months ago |Some of you may be interested in this information I got contacting Samyang:
https://www.facebook.com/fotogears/posts/564542486909179?comment_id=101386083¬if_t=feed_comment
I guess noone spoke about this before!
kalpurush :)
5 months ago |@emopunk
Many thanks mate! Cool news indeed. Would love a 50mm 1.2 lens from Samyang.
emopunk
5 months ago |I guess it’s nice if we show them interest in A-mount release of such a lens. Imagine how useful and easy to use it would be with features of cameras like A99 or A77!!
admin
5 months ago |Thanks! Very interesting!
emopunk
5 months ago |Funny that when I contact people with the sweet face of my wife I always get kind replies
kalpurush :)
5 months ago |If it is this spring, then good news indeed.
Thanks Andrea and Sony!
Just Some guy
5 months ago |Can’t wait for this
Kursad Sezgin
5 months ago |Let’s have a look at Carl Zeiss prime lenses and their prices:
SAL24F20Z $1.399
SAL85F14Z $1.699
SAL135F18Z $1.799
So, it is easy to figure out where SAL50F14Z will fall. Actually, since it will come with SSM, it is very unlikely to think this lens will be cheaper than $1.500. My guess is $1.599.
iJAKE
5 months ago |I wan’t it but like all other Zeiss lens…I won’t be able to afford it.
Carl
5 months ago |Nine elements is quite complex for a 50mm.
Kursad Sezgin
5 months ago |Sigma 50/f1.4 has 8 elements with one aspherical. The focus distance is 45cm like this CZ. I still wonder the photo quality to justify additional $1.000
emopunk
5 months ago |If it would be twice as good, I would gladly pay the price. But I highly doubt you can make a 50mm so much better than the Sigma, at the moment.
Mistral75
5 months ago |Can’t they? Manual focus Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 55mm f/1.4 ZE (Canon mount) and ZF.2 (Nikon mount) will be superlative and, according to Zeiss, cost around US$3,000.
rick
5 months ago |Hopefully its better than the ZE/ZF 50/1.4 – which is nowhere near as good as the 35/2 or the 50 & 100mp, its even inferior to the C/Y 50/1.4 which can be had these days around $350.
mict
5 months ago |Finally. Good news indeed.
pixypig
5 months ago |The A mount !!! ITS ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!
MrLee
5 months ago |Great… Now we just need a Sony Alpha FF Body to match the quality of this lens…
Lucas
5 months ago |Actually, I hope this lens is worthy of the fantastic Sony A99, Mr.Lee…!!
Michele
5 months ago |+100 on this… I bought the A99 about 3 weeks ago (and I’m using it together with the A900) and everyday I’m astonished by the image quality: paired with the Zeiss 24/70 and 16/35, the 70/400G and the 135STF images are simply amazing!
DiBok
5 months ago |+1
I really don’t know where the dislike of the A99 of those Mr.Lee’s comes from.
Go and own an A99, shoot with it for a month or two, and then objectively judge it. If you would do so, trust me, you will love the A99 I bet.
Also these lens moaners – if you would own the complete Zeiss and G setup like I do (except the 300 and 500, they are just too expensive for my needs) you would miss nothing except some evolution of legacy lenses (e.g. SSM for 85 and 135, or a renewed 35G).
The one and only complaint I have is lack of hq weather sealing.
Beaur
5 months ago |The A99 is the best ff body I have ever used and owned. It was so good that sold my 5d3. The A99 took about a week to get used to but once you get the hang of the EVF its actually better. I dont get why people hate SLT, im loving the pictures im getting. Keep up the good work sony alpha team!
OneTrackMind
5 months ago |+1… I LOVE my A99!!
pixypig
5 months ago |MY A99 Rocks Hard
bart
5 months ago |youre trying too hard to keep your job at Sony.
MrLee
5 months ago |Yup, Looks like too many Sony employees in here… a99 is an overpriced under performer… Yes I understand it is better than your old a350/a300/a700/3 year old a900 that you sold on ebay…But wake up… Cant touch the Sony sensored d800/d600 that are both cheaper these days ! I know you want to feel good about your purchase but wake up, wake up, wake up…
Lucas
5 months ago |I’m sure it will be at least as excellent as the Sony/Zeiss 85/1.4, therefore it may cost us about US$1500.00. Then, as much as I’ll want it, I’ll just wait for Samyang/Rokinon to launch an all-manual 50mm/1.4 for US$450.00 and get it ( just as I got the excellent Rokinon 85/1.4 )!
Long live the peaking focus…
AquilaN
5 months ago |Greetings,
Like ZA Sonnar 1.8/135 or ZA Distagon 2/24. Even Planar 1.4/85 has two more elements and it gives better correction/performance, especially at close focus.
I would be really happy if that rumors about release in Spring and construction with 9 lens in 8 groups became true. It would be really great news if ZA version would be one again a little before ZE/ZF
I was so worried that ZA Planar 50mm would be just an copy of Behrens/Glatzel Planar. I treasure C/Y Planar 1.4/50 but nowadays I prefer to shot with CZJ Pancolar 1.4/55. I am so happy it would be have new formula
Best regards, WZ.
Simon Pun
5 months ago |Admin, it said 8 lens in 5 groups. 9 blades. Please correct it thanks
Matthias
5 months ago |The article above reads “DC.watch reports that the new Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.4 SSM lens for Sony A-mount will be released in Spring. It has a 72mm filter diameter, circular aperture diaphragm, 9 lenses in 8 lens groups and 45cm close focusing distance.”
Unfortunately, this information is for the most part not correct.
Yes, the forthcoming Sony Alpha Carl Zeiss Planar T* 1.4/50mm ZA SSM (SAL-50F14Z) will have a 72mm filter diameter and will be released in spring 2013 – as it was announced by Sony at photokina last September.
Just a couple of days ago, I commented on an earlier SAR article
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sony-not-going-to-unveil-a-release-date-at-cp-show-and-fake-price-info-in-china/
and stated that the SAL-50F14Z would have 8 elements in 5 groups (including 3 compound groups) with 2 aspherically pressed glass surfaces (not plastics). The construction of the lens is quite complicated with both the front and rear groups and the aperture plane moving, possibly one reason for its rather large size. The other reason is that this is an SSM lens, and its motor occupies quite some room.
This was already discussed at Minolta-Forum and Dyxum months ago. The Mi-Fo thread even has cut lens diagrams of the SAL-50F15Z (as Zeiss presented them to forum members back in September):
http://www.mi-fo.de/forum/index.php?showtopic=32521&view=findpost&p=291545 [1]
http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/help-want-a99-but-scared-to-leave-canon_topic92685_post1094286.html#1094286
Did Sony [2] change their mind and reworked the design of the SAL-50F14Z in the past months, so that it now suddenly features 9 elements in 8 groups as stated above by SAR?
Certainly not, that would be next to impossible in this short time unless they always had multiple competing designs. But since even the Japanese DC watch article clearly talks about 8 elements in 5 groups and a 9 blade circular aperture, we can be quite sure that the 8 elements in 5 groups figure is correct.
Matthias
Notes:
[1] Please check back in a couple of days, as our forum is currently down for maintenance.
[2] Note, that ZA lenses are designed and manufactured by Sony – Zeiss only approves their design.
ArnikFFM
5 months ago |Sounds like a really perfect lens to me!!
Can’t wait to hear and see more of it!
Nebula
5 months ago |Great News Can’t wait