Sony Planar T* 85mm F1.4 ZA

Sony

Planar T* 85mm F1.4 ZA

Released October 2006

A full-frame A-mount F1.4 portrait prime with camera-driven autofocus and a focus-hold button.

Mount
Sony A
Focal length
85 mm
Max aperture
f/1.4
Stabilisation
–
Weight
640 g

What reviewers say

Both find strong image quality and solid construction, with little distortion or lateral fringing. LensTip finds unusually even wide-open sharpness on Alpha100; OpticalLimits sees weaker borders on adapted NEX-7. Autofocus differs sharply: LensTip’s sample misses often, while OpticalLimits’ LA-EA2 setup works reliably. OpticalLimits also notes pronounced colour fringing in defocused areas.

From lenstip.com, lenstip.com, lenstip.com, lenstip.com, lenstip.com, lenstip.com, lenstip.com, lenstip.com, lenstip.com, lenstip.com, lenstip.com, photozone.de and photozone.de

Optics

Lens type
Prime
Focal length
85 mm
Maximum aperture
f/1.4
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
Eight elements in seven groups
Coatings
Zeiss T* coating
Diaphragm
Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
29° full-frame; 19° APS-C

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Sony A
Image circle
Full frame
Image circle detail
Full-frame A-mount coverage; 127.5 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
0.85 m
Maximum magnification
0.13×
Autofocus detail
Camera-body screw-drive autofocus (OpticalLimits); no in-lens SSM motor
Focus distance detail
0.85 m minimum focus; optical assembly extends during focusing (LensTip and OpticalLimits)
Stabilisation detail
Sony describes stabilisation supplied by compatible Alpha camera bodies

Design

Filter diameter
72 mm
Maximum diameter
81 mm
Length
75 mm
Weight
640 g
Controls
Focus-hold button; auto-clutch focus ring does not rotate during autofocus
Filter detail
72 mm filter thread
Dimensions detail
81 mm maximum diameter × 75 mm length
Weight detail
Approximately 640 g, maker lens weight
Lens hood
Bayonet hood supplied
In the box
Hood and lens case
Release detail
Sony’s 6 June 2006 Alpha lens announcement, revised 12 July, states October sale in Japan; no exact day is specified.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • F1.4 maximum aperture
  • Nine rounded aperture blades
  • Focus-hold button

Cons

  • Camera screw drive required for autofocus
  • 640 g weight

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Sony A50 mmf/1.4No220 gJul 2006
Sony A135 mmf/1.8–995 gOct 2006
Sony A50 mmf/1.4No518 gMay 2013

Sources

  1. sony.jp/ichigan/products/archive/SAL85F14Z/spec.html
  2. sony.jp/ichigan/products/archive/SAL85F14Z/feature_1.html
  3. sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/200606/06-0606/lens.html
  4. lenstip.com/23.1-Lens_review-Sony_Carl_Zeiss_Planar_T%2A_85_mm_f_1.4_Introducti…
  5. lenstip.com/23.2-Lens_review-Sony_Carl_Zeiss_Planar_T%2A_85_mm_f_1.4_Pictures_a…
  6. lenstip.com/23.3-Lens_review-Sony_Carl_Zeiss_Planar_T%2A_85_mm_f_1.4_Build_qual…
  7. lenstip.com/23.4-Lens_review-Sony_Carl_Zeiss_Planar_T%2A_85_mm_f_1.4_Image_reso…
  8. lenstip.com/23.5-Lens_review-Sony_Carl_Zeiss_Planar_T%2A_85_mm_f_1.4_Chromatic_…
  9. lenstip.com/23.6-Lens_review-Sony_Carl_Zeiss_Planar_T%2A_85_mm_f_1.4_Distortion…
  10. lenstip.com/23.7-Lens_review-Sony_Carl_Zeiss_Planar_T%2A_85_mm_f_1.4_Coma_and_a…
  11. lenstip.com/23.8-Lens_review-Sony_Carl_Zeiss_Planar_T%2A_85_mm_f_1.4_Vignetting…
  12. lenstip.com/23.9-Lens_review-Sony_Carl_Zeiss_Planar_T%2A_85_mm_f_1.4_Ghosting_a…
  13. lenstip.com/23.10-Lens_review-Sony_Carl_Zeiss_Planar_T%2A_85_mm_f_1.4_Autofocus…
  14. lenstip.com/23.11-Lens_review-Sony_Carl_Zeiss_Planar_T%2A_85_mm_f_1.4_Summary.h…
  15. photozone.de/sony-alpha-aps-c-lens-tests/727-zeiss85f14nex
  16. photozone.de/sony-alpha-aps-c-lens-tests/727-zeiss85f14nex

Photo: sony.jp

Spot a mistake? Tell us