Zeiss 85mm f:1.4 Sony Alpha lens on Nex-6

[classiccameras]

I remember when Sony launched their first DSLR, A100, they said in not so many words, watch out Canon and Nikon.
It didn't quite pan out like that.

[bfitzgerald]

I remember when Sony launched their first DSLR, A100, they said in not so many words, watch out Canon and Nikon.
It didn't quite pan out like that.

No it didn't did it! But I think it was never that realistic to tackle the top 2 makers probably wishful thinking but from my own take, I think Sony have never had a clear strategy, had too many changes in the dev teams/designs/fiddling with decent bodies then making new ones worse or not really understanding what each price bracket user really requires or needs.. Basically inconsistent and users hate that big time.

It's a combination of many factors, lack of timely fixes with firmware another problem. IMO they've not exploited the possible cost savings for in body stabilisation either. Really it could have been quite different for Sony had they addressed some of these problems. All the news recently is NEX stuff, and that's making A mount users nervous.

I put it down to poor leadership, and I've never really felt Sony have had the right people in place from day one. Maybe they can turn things around, but they will never be in a position to tackle to top 2 whatever they do, too much time has passed now the DSLR boom party is over.

[Cogito]

An unfair comparison but.... Until a couple of days ago the only 85mm lens I owned was a Minolta MD 85mm f1.7. It's good but on todays cameras is a bit unusable unless your eyesight is exemplary! Mine isn't so ......



So considering all options and search about I finally bought a CZ 85mm f1.4. Yes it was more expensive than the Minolta equivalents but I bit the bullet. As Barry has stated, a Minolta lens will be cheaper and almost certainly just as good. Attaching it to my A57 was a revelation. Spur of the moment shot to equate to the MD lens shot.



I don't have a NEX body so I can't comment on its potential on any other camera but I'm very happy with my purchase.

Having said that, my favourite lens is still the Olympus 12-60mm lens..

[classiccameras]

Tony, i'm impressed with the picture comparison, which MD lens were you referring to, MD Rokkor?

I built up most of my A mount kit from KM or Minolta lenses this is why I feel Sony A mount users are so lucky.

My favourite Oly lens is the 14-54 Mk 1 [couldn't afford the 12-60], I still use it on my old E-510 and E-450 and yes, they still give good pictures even at 10mp.
What bodies do you have.

Cheers
Pete

[bfitzgerald]

The Zeiss looks good, but it's a hefty outlay £1100 on one lens, or maybe I'm too tight
I have been tempted with the Minolta in the past, but I will wait to see if things settle down with A Mount. Still think Sony really do need an f1.8 at a reasonable price it would be a good seller for them (it is with Canikon users)

[Cogito]

Tony, i'm impressed with the picture comparison, which MD lens were you referring to, MD Rokkor?

Yes, an MD R0kkor f1.7

I built up most of my A mount kit from KM or Minolta lenses this is why I feel Sony A mount users are so lucky.

My favourite Oly lens is the 14-54 Mk 1 [couldn't afford the 12-60], I still use it on my old E-510 and E-450 and yes, they still give good pictures even at 10mp.
What bodies do you have.

I've got an E-30 with the 12-60 near enough permanently attached.
My Sony is an A57.

[Cogito]

The Zeiss looks good, but it's a hefty outlay £1100 on one lens, or maybe I'm too tight
I have been tempted with the Minolta in the past, but I will wait to see if things settle down with A Mount. Still think Sony really do need an f1.8 at a reasonable price it would be a good seller for them (it is with Canikon users)

I bought the CZ second hand for a lot less than £1100 but still a 100 or so more than a Minolta A-mount 85mm. The Dyxum members seem to like them all...

[Greg Beetham]

Tony, i'm impressed with the picture comparison, which MD lens were you referring to, MD Rokkor?

Yes, an MD R0kkor f1.7

I built up most of my A mount kit from KM or Minolta lenses this is why I feel Sony A mount users are so lucky.

My favourite Oly lens is the 14-54 Mk 1 [couldn't afford the 12-60], I still use it on my old E-510 and E-450 and yes, they still give good pictures even at 10mp.
What bodies do you have.

I've got an E-30 with the 12-60 near enough permanently attached.
My Sony is an A57.

Tony I must be missing something, I’m not ‘getting it’ how do you use an SR mount lens on an A57? The manual focus MD 85mm doesn’t fit on the AF mount.
Greg

[Cogito]

Tony I must be missing something, I’m not ‘getting it’ how do you use an SR mount lens on an A57? The manual focus MD 85mm doesn’t fit on the AF mount.
Greg

Hi, Greg, With an MC/MD -> A-mount adapter!

Here's my old MD 50mm macro attached to a Minolta 7D.


and here's the same lens attached to an Olympus e-510 - no longer with me.



It's still possible to get a lot of use from old lenses!

[Wes Gibbon]

I will not buy the 85/1.4 ZA
I will not buy the 85/1.4 ZA
I will not buy the 85/1.4 ZA
I will not buy the 85/1.4 ZA
I will not buy the 85/1.4 ZA
I will not buy the 85/1.4 ZA

You don't have to, the Minolta 85mm f1.4 is around for £500-£600.
Whilst it's probably not as good as the Zeiss, it's probably not that far off.

I paid about £600 for my Zeiss 85mm - I think it was ex-demo.

What we really need is an 85mm f1.8, which is fast enough for most folks, and would be significantly cheaper than a f1.4.

Agree 100%. f1.8 would probably be a bit smaller and lighter as well. If I remember rightly Minolta made an 85mm f2 in MD manual mount (when they brought out an f1.4), but never repeated it for AF.

This lens is mysteriously missing from the range.

Nothing new there!

[Mark K]

I have had Minolta 85 for years and years....thought it was the sharpest 85 ever maded. ZA version is better