New Zeiss 1670 f4 lens for Sony NEX cameras: I would greatly appreciate the views of any member who has purchased the new Zeiss 1670 f4 lens for Sony NEX cameras, relating to...

A.J.R. Loc: Devon, UK

I would greatly appreciate the views of any member who has purchased the new Zeiss 1670 f4 lens for Sony NEX cameras, relating to quality/definition of image and speed of focus.

Have found these couple sites with conflicting sample images.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1241824

http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/zeiss-1670-impressions_topic101378.html

The former good the latter poor.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

A.J.R. wrote:

I would greatly appreciate the views of any member who has purchased the new Zeiss 1670 f4 lens for Sony NEX cameras, relating to quality/definition of image and speed of focus.

Have found these couple sites with conflicting sample images.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1241824

http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/zeiss-1670-impressions_topic101378.html

The former good the latter poor.

For $1,000, I'd want nothing but excellent reviews.

A.J.R. Loc: Devon, UK

jerryc41 wrote:

For $1,000, I'd want nothing but excellent reviews.

Yes Jerry, I do agree, but some sample photographs using the lens might not have been taken with adequate care. The results from the 2 web sites mentioned vary so much, (even though I realise the methods/subject matter is so different) that I wonder if there is another reason, other than the lens is not as good as it should be for that sort of price.
The majority of reviews are good, but I think that no matter how good the product is there is always someone who will not like it for one reason or another.

Peekayoh Loc: UK

I own plenty of Sony/Minolta stuff but not this particular lens so I'm not commenting on it specifically.
It's been my experience that zooms of more than 2x range are often less than satisfactory and 16-70mm is well over 4x range.
Decent primes will pretty well always beat a zoom lens.
Telephotos zooms are a bit more forgiving and a 3x zoom delivers reasonable results.
Zoom lenses are about convenience rather than ultimate IQ.

billwassmann Loc: Emerson, NJ

Ach du lieber! You want critiques of Zeiss? Heresy!

balticvid Loc: Queens now NJ

Best lenses in the world are now, and have always been, Leica, Zeiss and Schneider. IMHO

Effate Loc: El Dorado Hills, Ca.

balticvid wrote:

Best lenses in the world are now, and have always been, Leica, Zeiss and Schneider. IMHO

Even on a low cost Chinese made point and shoot?

balticvid Loc: Queens now NJ

Effate wrote:

Even on a low cost Chinese made point and shoot?

I guess someone will always make something cheaper.

stevebein

balticvid wrote:

Best lenses in the world are now, and have always been, Leica, Zeiss and Schneider. IMHO

I agree, but he asked about a specific lens and not all lenses are created equally. I used Zeiss and Schneider with large format and they always delivered, but that was in the film days. They are outstanding across the board, but he asked about a specific lens.

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

A.J.R. wrote:

Yes Jerry, I do agree, but some sample photographs... (show quote)

Just remember that there are some dipwads who buy quality lenses and cameras that really do not know who to use them properly. This results in their negative reviews and that's a shame for the others who want to invest in a quality lens. Check other sources from pro users and websites, hope you find the reviews you need to make the right choice for you. :)

A.J.R. Loc: Devon, UK

Racmanaz wrote:

Just remember that there are some dipwads who buy quality lenses and cameras that really do not know who to use them properly. This results in their negative reviews and that's a shame for the others who want to invest in a quality lens. Check other sources from pro users and websites, hope you find the reviews you need to make the right choice for you. :)

Thanks. Yes I'm waiting for some of the Pro reviews but being a new lens that might be a little while

billwassmann Loc: Emerson, NJ

The finest lens in the world is only as good as the photographer who uses it.