Sony Vario-Sonnar T* 24–70mm F2.8 ZA SSM

Sony

Vario-Sonnar T* 24–70mm F2.8 ZA SSM

Released February 2008

A full-frame A-mount standard zoom with a constant F2.8 aperture, Zeiss T* coating and in-lens SSM autofocus.

Mount
Sony A
Focal length
24–70 mm
Max aperture
f/2.8
Stabilisation
–
Weight
955 g

What reviewers say

Both praise fast, accurate SSM autofocus and strong detail, while finding a stiff zoom ring. What Digital Camera on Alpha900 describes consistent F4–F11 performance and minor fringing; OpticalLimits on full-frame Alpha900/850 finds weaker 24 mm corners, persistent wide-angle vignetting and nervous 70 mm background blur. OpticalLimits also notes absent sealing and flare susceptibility.

From whatdigitalcamera.com, whatdigitalcamera.com, photozone.de and photozone.de

Optics

Lens type
Zoom
Focal length
24–70 mm
Maximum aperture
f/2.8
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
17 elements in 13 groups
Special elements
Two aspherical elements and two ED elements
Coatings
Zeiss T* coating
Diaphragm
Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
84°–34° full-frame; 61°–23° APS-C

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Sony A
Image circle
Full frame
Image circle detail
Full-frame A-mount coverage; 36–105 mm equivalent field of view on APS-C
Teleconverter support
Sony 1.4× and 2× teleconverters unsupported

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.34 m
Maximum magnification
0.25×
Autofocus detail
In-lens Super Sonic wave Motor (SSM)
Focus distance detail
0.34 m minimum focus; distance scale and internal focusing

Design

Filter diameter
77 mm
Maximum diameter
83 mm
Length
111 mm
Weight
955 g
Controls
Focus-mode switch and focus-hold button
Zoom design
Extending zoom barrel; front element does not rotate during zooming or focusing (OpticalLimits)
Lens hood
Petal-shaped bayonet hood
In the box
Hood and lens case
Release detail
Sony’s 1 February 2008 announcement specifies 15 February sale in Japan.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Constant F2.8 aperture
  • SSM autofocus
  • 0.25× maximum magnification

Cons

  • 955 g weight

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Sony A16–35 mmf/2.8–860 gJan 2009
Sony A50 mmf/2.8–295 gJul 2006
Sony A16–80 mmf/3.5–4.5–445 gMar 2007

Sources

  1. sony.jp/ichigan/products/archive/SAL2470Z/spec.html
  2. sony.jp/ichigan/products/archive/SAL2470Z/feature_1.html
  3. sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/200802/08-0201C
  4. whatdigitalcamera.com/reviews/sony-vario-sonnar-24-70mm-f2-8-za-t-ssm
  5. whatdigitalcamera.com/reviews/sony-vario-sonnar-24-70mm-f2-8-za-t-ssm/2
  6. photozone.de/sonyalphaff/600-zeiss2470f28ff

Photo: sony.jp

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