Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Lens Review

Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Lens Review
First Released in 2013 as one of the original four lenses for Sony's new Full-Frame E-Mount cameras (A7 and A7R) does this Zeiss designed lens still shine in 2022?

Mark Galer is a Sony Alpha Ambassador for Australia.

#SonyAustralia #SonyAlpha #SonyAmbassador #SonyAlphaANZ

[bryanlovephotography]

Mark, absolutely love this lens and agree with your review…I’ve had my copy for years and don’t think I’ll ever sell it. It has a sort of undeniable quality to it and it’s size is perfect for travel. I still think it’s one of the sharpest lenses I’ve ever seen. Keep up the great work; your reviews are so wonderful because you give real-world examples, which is so much more meaningful than just charts.

[vrx]

Have bought this old lens in 2021 and absolutely love it. Have been used on a6400, can't wait to see it's magic on FF when pre-ordered a7iv arrive. Also will be another perspective without crop factor. Very good lens.

[smalltalk.productions]

no one does this in-depth explanation of the Sony format better than Mark Galer! thank you for the effort and sharing. i am a very appreciative subscriber. BIG thumbs up.

[findbinnu]

I own multiple GM lenses and they are spectacular, but the microcontrast and punch of this lens is truly amazing, especially if you render the raws through DXO software - like seeing the world through new eyes.

[petripuurunen]

55/1.8 a s real hidden gem. Excellent performer and all-around streetlens.

[martinruiz]

Couldnt agree more with your best value for money primes @11:50 👍🏼

[SEAKPhotog]

Very fair review. I've owned a 55 f/1.8 since they were introduced. I think it's a terrific blend of image quality, size and price. Paired with the 85 f/1.8 you get a tremendous duo that's affordable, small, light and of high quality. I've owned both the 85 f/1.4 and 50 f/1.2 and have sold them. I kept the f/1.8 lenses - they really do everything I need them to do. (Not that the faster, bigger brothers weren't amazing, especially the 85, but they were too big and too specialized for me). One upside to the 55 you didn't mention is that it's one of the few Sony lenses that plays well with infrared converted cameras. That's another huge selling point for me.

[martinpickard]

I kept this over the new 50 f1.2…..after borrowing the f1.2 I couldn’t say I preferred it over the 55 f1.8 enough to warrant the vast difference in cost.This lens has a quality of its own and is so compact.

[joits]

My first lens since making the switch to Sony 4 years ago and such a great decision since I loved it for travel and street photography. I bought a 35 1.4 last year and that has become my main lens these days. Still have the 55 though.

[jamesjin]

This was literally one of the first few lens I ever owned in my entire photography journey. I bought a kit lens, a 24 prime, and this. pretty good start and I remembered even back then when I knew nothing about photography, rendering, lens optical quality and composition. I remembered this lens just keep producing some impressive images even in my hands. Fast forward I sold it 2 years ago because I'm really not into that focal length. I sold this lens, together with a 50 1.4ZA(which is just about on par with 50GM)and kept a batis 40 F2. Another zeiss coating lens anyway. It's a pitty that sony no longer partners up with zeiss because zeiss easily is one of the top players in the optical industry. In my opinion, sony, canon and nikon maybe able to keep pumping out a couple excellent lenses for their system every year. But there is just something unique about zeiss lens that just always draw me back to using them despite getting GM primes as a newer substitute option a couple of times each year.

[ARlELATOM]

I own this lens and I must say it is absolutely fantastic. It is not only sharp, but produces very smooth pleasing bokeh, unlike other lenses. There is something special about the images it captures. A very classy lens 👌

[tc]

I’m in a FB photography group and the group’s founder once asked everyone to say what their favorite lens was. This 55 was the one the most people said was their main lens and no one had anything bad to say about it.. I’m picking up my open box one tomorrow at Best Buy. Can’t wait. Been thinking about this lens for years.

[zapadakofflv]

I photograph weddings in a reportage style. I love the 35/1.8 and 55/1.8 probably not the sharpest lenses in the world but they have their unmistakable character especially the 55/1.8 Add to that the compact size and lightness. You can work with them all day and still have fun and desire to invent new compositions. That's more for me than the sterile sharpness of GM lenses. But I admit, you don't have to see it the same way.

[DipeshMehrotra]

When i got the notification, i thought youtube is recommending some what 6 7 years old video. It is my go to lense when i go on street. My sony camera bodies have changed manyfold since 2014, but the lense is an investment forever.

[davidfowers]

Arguably my favorite Sony FF lens. I bought it years ago for my A7r2 and it produced incredible sharpness, especially when doing panoramic stitches. For some reason, I sold it a few years ago and always regretted it. I finally bit the bullet and purchased a used copy on eBay and so glad I did. I really missed this lens.

[gregory.chalenko]

Came to justify owning the FE 55 f/1.8 Z, enjoyed justifying FE 20 f/1.8 G 😀
The SEL20F18G is so good, it rarely leaves my a6500! What a gem!

[drsudarshankas]

Dear Mark, you have made a remarkable impression with your presentations which has made me switch over to world of Sony and I am currently shifted to A7IV + 55mm 1.8 zeiss & 85 mm 1.8 and I am enjoying the results. Thank you

[brettharrisphotography]

Still one of the best older lenes to date!!!

[MrPetrovich]

Mark, you missed another Zeiss lens in the 50/55 mm lineup - Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA

[robertcudlipp]

You are doubtless aware that Dustin Abbott, even quite recently, damned this lens with faint praise.
The DXO mark review was of no moment to him.
I think it is a great lens, despite later lens released.
Also, still love the Sony Zeiss 35 2.8, magic resolution, a very light and simply great street, travel lens.
Am not that interested in the mega pixel peepers' views.