Sony SAL-1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* AF SLR Lens

Comments about Sony SAL-1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* AF SLR Lens:

I got some great landscape shots the first time I used this lens. No vigneting, even with a polorizing filter. The focus is extrordinary.

I'm certian I will be using this lens more than any other lens.

Comments about Sony SAL-1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* AF SLR Lens:

Lens is nicely constructed and zooms without extension, unlike the 24-70f2.8z and it's also lighter than the 24-70f2.8z, although the 16-35f2.8z is about the same length. Appears to be about as sharp at 24mm as the 24-70f2.8z. Also similar to the Sony 20f2.8 when set at 20 mm. I can reccommend the 16-35f2.8z, but I couldn't pay any more for it.

Comments about Sony SAL-1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* AF SLR Lens:

Outstanding sharpness, brightness and color/clarity.
Clients immediately commented on the picture quality.
Far superior to Sigma in image sharpness, brightness and color.
Some flare, but if you shoot tethered, it can be detected immediately.

Comments about Sony SAL-1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* AF SLR Lens:

I use this lens as my everyday lens. I connected it to my Sony A-900 and have not taken it off the camera yet. Its a big piece of equipment. Heavy too. Hook this lens to a large frame camera like the A-900, do a day at the zoo or a photo shoot , and your going to feel it at the end of the day. I needed a lens that would enable the full capacity of the A-900. It is really a great lens. Its expensive , so shop around. I have had the lens for a month or so. I have taken great images with it and some not so great. I am one of those who believe that its not so much the equipment as is the user of the equipment that makes for a great capture. So the bottom line ? If you can afford it , go for it. If not now, just figure the price, as it always does, will come down when Sony presents their next big money maker.

Comments about Sony SAL-1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* AF SLR Lens:

Very fast lens. I know some of the other reviews say its heavy....yea, but that's what you get when you buy a great lens. It's not made of plastic. We are slowly upgrading all of our lenses to the Sony Zeiss line. They are worth the price.

Comments about Sony SAL-1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* AF SLR Lens:

Had to do a lot of soul searching to buy this. After using it I can see the value. I was surprised how big it was. It is well built. You can feel the quality. Excellent color correctness. Picture is crisp in all areas. Great investment.

Comments about Sony SAL-1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* AF SLR Lens:

Bought it just prior to a trip overseas. So I broke it in as I was shooting instead of just playing with it. I found that that the close up focusing was pretty good, only about a foot. The shots came out great and excellently sharp. I would caution folks that the field of focus is extremely narrow and I had to hunt to find the right depth of field. when I did, the image was great. still more to learn about using this lens

Comments about Sony SAL-1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* AF SLR Lens:

I tested the lens last night. It is very sharp and as advertised. I would recommend this lens to my colleagues.

Comments about Sony SAL-1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* AF SLR Lens:

Great for scenic shots, indoor close quarters, etc. There is a little distortion toward the edges when at 16mm. Works well on my A850 and A900.

Very bright!

The zoom is not silent. Not sure if this important as the lens is brand new.

Comments about Sony SAL-1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* AF SLR Lens:

Great wide angle lens. Is indeed a heavy lens. Would prefer an f4 version that could weigh a bit less. Nonetheless, no vignetting seen anywhere, sharp, sharp, sharp, great colors and contrasts.

4 stars due to a tiny bit of slop at mount with my A850. A touch (less than 2mm) of rotational movement on the mount that does not effect image quality whatsoever. Would be nice, for the price, to have a better fit though.

Great lens optically!

Comments about Sony SAL-1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* AF SLR Lens:

Excellent corner-to-corner sharpness and contrast.
Geometric distortion is well controlled for a lens of this type.

When used with the Sony Alpha 900 body you can zoom out, correct architectural verticals, expose, and then crop the finished image while retaining fine details.

Besides enhancing skies, foliage and waterways for scenics the Kaesemann Circular Polarizing Filter does a superb job, when mounted on this lens, in controlling window reflections and mid-day color desaturation on architectural buildings.

Comments about Sony SAL-1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* AF SLR Lens:

Very sharp, fast and silent AF on Sony a900.

Comments about Sony SAL-1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* AF SLR Lens:

I am a full time Professional photographer. My use for this lens is primarily for shooting weddings and some general photography.

The 16-35/2.8 is the prefect companion to the Zeiss 24-70/2.8. Same robust build quality, matching Zeiss color and contrast.

The zoom ring is smooth but well dampened for excellent focal length control and avoidence of "zoom creep."

My greatest concern was what level of distortion would be present, and how much CA. I am happy to report that distortion is well controlled for a lens this wide, and CA is minimal, if present at all, even in severe "dark edge against bright background" lighting conditions.

I have not noted very much vignetting in the corners, nor lens flair ... but this is yet to be put to the test as I head into summer wedding shoots in lighting conditions that I have no control over.

Like all Sony mount lenses, this zoom benefits from in-camera image stabilization allowing hand held shots in lower light.

This is not a small lens, but it balances on the Sony A900 quite nicely.

The price is high, but in keeping with Zeiss offerings and not out of line with other top lens manufacturers ... IMO this wide zoom outperforms most all others I've used.