Carl Zeiss Lenses: I am a Sony shooter and am seriously considering changing from the kit lens to a Carl Zeiss 16-80mm f/3.5 - 4.5. From what I've read, the CZ lenses are excellent. Do...

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

I am a Sony shooter and am seriously considering changing from the kit lens to a Carl Zeiss 16-80mm f/3.5 - 4.5. From what I've read, the CZ lenses are excellent.

Do any of you UHH'ers have any experience with this lens? Or, other CZ lenses? Is it worth the small fortune (to me) it costs?

I would use this lens with my Sony A580 camera... Thanks in advance for any comments/advice.

GHK Loc: The Vale of Eden

Gitchigumi wrote:

I am a Sony shooter and am seriously considering changing from the kit lens to a Carl Zeiss 16-80mm f/3.5 - 4.5. From what I've read, the CZ lenses are excellent.

Do any of you UHH'ers have any experience with this lens? Or, other CZ lenses? Is it worth the small fortune (to me) it costs?

I would use this lens with my Sony A580 camera... Thanks in advance for any comments/advice.

CZ lenses are expensive, but that's quality.
I don't know about the 16-80, or its price, but you should, perhaps, consider the 24-70, f/2.8. The zoom may be slightly less, but there will be a quality benefit. The fixed (and wider) maximum aperture throughout the zoom range is to be regarded as a big plus.
GHK

HEART Loc: God's Country - COLORADO

You won't be disappointed with Zeiss. Years ago, a quote in a book stuck with me: "Many trees went to blade to make this book; don't mourn the trees - read the book." The money consideration is inconsequential - it'll be the results that will bring you much satisfaction with that lens for many moons to come.

corryhully Loc: liverpool uk

i have not used the more up to date zeiss, but i do have an old zeiss jena pancolor 50mm. i sometime use it as a walk around lens. it is a beautiful piece of engineering giving excellent rendition. as heart said ''you wont be disappointed''

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

GHK wrote:

quote=Gitchigumi I am a Sony shooter and am serio... (show quote)

Thanks... I'll have a look at that one, too!

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

HEART wrote:

You won't be disappointed with Zeiss. Years ago, a quote in a book stuck with me: "Many trees went to blade to make this book; don't mourn the trees - read the book." The money consideration is inconsequential - it'll be the results that will bring you much satisfaction with that lens for many moons to come.

That's what I've read, too... zeiss = quality.

There just aren't a lot of "good glass" choices for Sony. Not like Canon & Nikon. So, before I spend some major cash (for me, anyway) I want to make sure the choice is a good one.

Thanks for your input!

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

terry mcgrory wrote:

i have not used the more up to date zeiss, but i do have an old zeiss jena pancolor 50mm. i sometime use it as a walk around lens. it is a beautiful piece of engineering giving excellent rendition. as heart said ''you wont be disappointed''

Thanks for your vote of confidence!

DavidT Loc: Maryland

Gitchigumi wrote:

I am a Sony shooter and am seriously considering changing from the kit lens to a Carl Zeiss 16-80mm f/3.5 - 4.5. From what I've read, the CZ lenses are excellent.

Do any of you UHH'ers have any experience with this lens? Or, other CZ lenses? Is it worth the small fortune (to me) it costs?

I would use this lens with my Sony A580 camera... Thanks in advance for any comments/advice.

Here's a good review of the CZ lens for Sony: http://www.photozone.de/sony-alpha-aps-c-lens-tests/141-zeiss-za-16-80mm-f35-45-dt--sony-alpha--review--test-report

As you can see, this particular lens is good, but not as good as other CZ lenses.

elandel Loc: Milan, Italy

Gitchigumi wrote:

quote=GHK quote=Gitchigumi I am a Sony shooter a... (show quote)

I saw a used one at 1380 euro: really very expensive. Does it really have THAT much quality?

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

Well, for sure you will be delighted- I have three of them, and believe me, anything else is less ! ( including Leica !) Until you have experienced what these lenses produce, well, they are worth every penny of their cost; enjoy !

elandel Loc: Milan, Italy

jeryh wrote:

Well, for sure you will be delighted- I have three of them, and believe me, anything else is less ! ( including Leica !) Until you have experienced what these lenses produce, well, they are worth every penny of their cost; enjoy !

Thanks

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

jeryh wrote:

Well, for sure you will be delighted- I have three of them, and believe me, anything else is less ! ( including Leica !) Until you have experienced what these lenses produce, well, they are worth every penny of their cost; enjoy !

The lens I was first looking at (16-80mm, f3.5-4.5) has a list price of $1000, while the other recommended lens (24-70mm, f2.8) list at double that. Its tough enough to find the cash for the first, let alone the last.

Is there that much added value in getting the f2.8?? Otherwise, I'll probably go for the less expensive f4.5-4.5. Seems like I'm still going to have a great lens, just not the ultimate lens.

samleo Loc: Norfolk,England

If finance is tight, try the old Minolta lenses; they work fine on Sony A mount and are are fantastic value for money; built to last a lifetime they produce really great results.
The best are the " beercan " family and are available on ebay for silly money. Make sure you get a good example and you will not be disappointed!

elandel Loc: Milan, Italy

samleo wrote:

If finance is tight, try the old Minolta lenses; they work fine on Sony A mount and are are fantastic value for money; built to last a lifetime they produce really great results.
The best are the " beercan " family and are available on ebay for silly money. Make sure you get a good example and you will not be disappointed!

How can I identify the 'beercan' family?

samleo Loc: Norfolk,England

Go on ebay ,look for Minolta lenses .The one true " beercan " is the 70-200mm f4, other lenses not stricktly beercan but do come within that quality range are the 24-85mm a/f f3.5-4.5 macro, the 35-105 a/f f3.5-4.5, macro and the incredible value 35-70mm f4 macro which is a cracking little lens.
To get some user reviews go on the internet, a good site is "alpha mount world".
I would say you could get good examples of all these lenses together for a lot less than £500.00. The 35-70mm f4 macro is incredibly cheap!