Sony Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM

Sony

Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM

Released May 2013

A full-frame A-mount F1.4 standard prime with SSM autofocus, rear focusing and dust and moisture resistance.

Mount
Sony A
Focal length
50 mm
Max aperture
f/1.4
Stabilisation
No
Weight
518 g

What reviewers say

Both Alpha99 tests praise the metal construction, quick autofocus and strong stopped-down detail. Photography Blog finds almost no colour fringing and rates the overall image quality highly; ePHOTOzine finds conspicuous wide-aperture fringing and poorer F1.4 edges. Both consider the price high. Photography Blog likes the background blur, while ePHOTOzine also notes corner shading and barrel distortion.

From photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com and ephotozine.com

Optics

Lens type
Prime
Focal length
50 mm
Maximum aperture
f/1.4
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
Eight elements in five groups; two aspherical elements
Coatings
ZEISS T* anti-reflection coating (Photography Blog)
Diaphragm
Nine blades; circular aperture
Angle of view
47° on full frame; 32° on APS-C

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Sony A
Image circle
Full frame
Image circle detail
Full-frame A-mount coverage; 75 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
0.45 m
Maximum magnification
0.14×
Optical stabilisation
No
Autofocus detail
SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor)
Focus distance detail
Rear focusing maintains lens length; focus ring does not rotate during autofocus; direct manual focus (DMF) supported
Magnification detail
0.14× maximum reproduction ratio
Stabilisation detail
No lens optical stabilisation; compatible camera-body stabilisation

Design

Dust and moisture resistant
Yes
Filter diameter
72 mm
Maximum diameter
81 mm
Length
71.5 mm
Weight
518 g
Controls
Focus hold button; AF/MF switch (ePHOTOzine)
Filter detail
72 mm non-rotating filter thread (Photography Blog)
Weather resistance
Dust and moisture resistant design; not an IP rating
Dimensions detail
81 mm maximum diameter × 71.5 mm length
Weight detail
Approximately 518 g, maker lens weight
Lens hood
ALC-SH126 round bayonet hood supplied
In the box
Lens hood; front and rear caps
Release detail
Sony Canada specifies May 2013 availability. Sony Japan revised its planned May launch to 26 July 2013 on 26 April.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • F1.4 maximum aperture
  • SSM autofocus and direct manual focus
  • Dust and moisture resistant design

Cons

  • 518 g lens weight
  • 0.14× maximum magnification

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Sony A50 mmf/1.4No220 gJul 2006
Sony A50 mmf/2.8–295 gJul 2006
Sony A50 mmf/1.8–170 gJun 2009

Sources

  1. sony.jp/ichigan/products/SAL50F14Z/spec.html
  2. sony.jp/ichigan/products/SAL50F14Z/feature_1.html
  3. news.cision.com/sony-canada/r/sony-adds-three-new-generation-a-mount-lenses-to-…
  4. sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/201302/13-0225B
  5. photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_carl_zeiss_planar_t_50mm_f_1_4_za_ssm_review
  6. photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_carl_zeiss_planar_t_50mm_f_1_4_za_ssm_review/s…
  7. photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_carl_zeiss_planar_t_50mm_f_1_4_za_ssm_review/c…
  8. ephotozine.com/article/carl-zeiss-planar-t--50mm-f-1-4-za-lens-review-22610

Photo: sony.jp

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