Finally some sample images taken with the Alpha 700 and RAW converted via LR 1.3.
Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window). Please note that the originals are FULL SIZE samples
(=several megabytes) thus requiring a significant amount of bandwidth so please take care of the limited resources here.
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
70.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/9.0 @ 1/200s
Size
4272x2848
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
24.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/8.0 @ 1/320s
Size
2848x4272
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
55.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/8.0 @ 1/500s
Size
4272x2848
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
70.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/2.8 @ 1/2000s
Size
2848x4272
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
70.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/2.8 @ 1/2500s
Size
4272x2848
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
24.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/8.0 @ 1/400s
Size
2848x4272
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
70.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/8.0 @ 1/400s
Size
2848x4272
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
50.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/8.0 @ 1/160s
Size
4272x2848
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
24.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/8.0 @ 1/100s
Size
2848x4272
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
50.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/8.0 @ 1/400s
Size
2848x4272
Verdict
The Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM will surely find many fans. In terms of resolution is may well be the hottest cake around in this class and neither distortions nor vignetting are problems to worry about (all within the APS-C scope). Lateral CAs may be visible at times in wide-angle images but it's a non-issue in the middle to upper zoom range. The only sour aspect of the lens is the quality of the bokeh (character of the out-of-focus blur) which could be better @ 70mm f/2.8 - this may cause headaches for some users. The lens is also somewhat prone to flare.
The build quality of the Zeiss is very good although we expected a tad less plastic and some sort of sealing in a lens targeting the professional market. Both tested lens samples showed a centering problem at 70mm - this may be as simple as bad luck but it's unfortunate nonetheless. A highlight of the lens is the extremely fast and silent SSM AF drive - if you think the Canon or Nikkor variants are fast here you may need to prepare for a surprise. Regarding the sum of its characteristics the pricing of the Zeiss seem to be quite fair - it's similar to the Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8 ED - although it isn't really a lens for the mainstream at around 1700US$/1450€.
