sony.com Customer Reviews Collected from sony.com
Sony - Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 A-Mount Standard Zoom Lens - Black
Average Customer Rating:
4.9 out of 5
4.9
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating breakdown 11 reviews
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
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1 Star
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100%of customers recommend this product. 
(
9 out of 9
)
Customer Reviews for Sony - Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 A-Mount Standard Zoom Lens - Black
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great Quality but Costly
on January 26, 2012
Posted by: ElGueroMasLoco
I bought this lens as an upgrade from the SAL-1680Z, which I gave to my wife. Compared to the 16-80, this lens is slightly sharper, with slightly better color, slightly better flare control, no vignetting, and no distortion (although it's not as wide as the other Zeiss' 16mm). The SSM focus is faster and quieter, and the build quality is better overall. How do I know this? Because sand got kicked into the 16-80 and it pretty much ruined it (Sony wanted $550 to repair it, our local guy is doing it for $170). Meanwhile, the 24-70 just got back from a very sandy trip to the desert, as seen in my attached pictures, and still works great. Sand was everywhere; on the lens, in the camera bag, in the air -- the camera and lens even took a tumble off the tripod and survived just fine. That tells me the tolerances are tighter.
As far as image quality goes, the difference between the two lenses is only marginal. I do like the faster 2.8, which came in very handy in a no-flash situation at a dark concert. Another significant advantage for the 24-70 is the rich bokeh, which rivals any prime lens. However, for landscapes and in bright settings, the cheaper lens will perform almost as well.
The downsides to this lens are of course its very high cost, its weight (a sacrifice for quality) and its sheer size. I don't look forward to hauling this baby on my next trek in the mountains. The 16-80 is a great travel lens because it's relatively lightweight and small, with a great range. The 24-70 is less versatile, heavier and much larger. Yes, you will get the best pictures possible on a Sony camera with this lens, and that's why I bought it, but for the money, the 16-80 is just as good, if not better (just buy the insurance).
What's great about it: Sharp, rich colors, nice bokeh, tight build, good low-light performance, fast and silent focus
What's not so great: Heavy, costly, large
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Pro quality lens
on December 20, 2012
Posted by: Mac44
Just fantastic, this lens is extremely impressive. When used with an a65, a77 this lens is king. If you are a pro looking for a good mid zoom lens this is it. I wouldn't recommend it for portrait shots but it is pretty versatile. This is a great choice for a rental lens because it is a little expensive for most of us to buy. renting it is probably a good choice if you know what period of time you might use the lens for. The images I uploaded might help you to see the clearity of this lens. One image is the complete image taken at night at 400 iso with a sony a65, with a long exposure. And the other image is a 1:1 of that shot. So this helps you see the actual quality retained by the lens.
What's great about it: fast 2.8f, fast autofocus for the glass, smooth manual focus ring, large front glass, 72mm filter size, looks good
What's not so great: Tad soft at the edges at 2.8f
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Excellent Pro Zoom Lens
on June 11, 2013
Posted by: RedJack
Yes, it's big and heavy. Yes, it's expensive. But you don't get first quality glass without making a sacrifice. I've used Zeiss lenses for over 40 years and this one hold up well against any of them. This is my normal working lens. It's as good as any top lens from any manufacturer.
What's great about it: T* coating, outstanding images
What's not so great: Not sealed
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from sony.comBy KatieSony ElectronicsJune 14, 2013
Great to hear :) Thanks for the review!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Amazing
on February 13, 2012
Posted by: Sabs
I have used this lens for over five months and it rarely leaves my camera. This is a great lens to walk around and take your picture perfect photo. Although this is a zoom lens, the quality of photos is breath taking.
The only down side to this lens is the weight; however, the weight is worth the pictures that it takes.
The lens is great at taken pictures at night and indoors. I have many friends and family members that choose the pictures I take with this lens to print.
I know this lens is expensive, but the old saying is very true, you get what you pay for and this is worth it.
What's great about it: Picture Quality
What's not so great: Heavy,
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Solid build, fast AF, beautiful images
on June 12, 2012
Posted by: KNewman
This is the finest AF zoom lens that I've ever owned. It's heavy, but I use it as my primary lens due to the versatility and quality. I would purchase it again without hesitation. You won't be sorry if you buy this, except if you're climbing Mount Everest and need to carry as light a pack as possible! This lens is heavy!
What's great about it: Excellent workmanship, speed, and performance
What's not so great: Too heavy
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Outstanding workhorse
on August 26, 2012
Posted by: Anonymous
I took the plunge with Sony and the A850 & A900 bodies in 2009/10 after decades with Nikon (D2x). As a full-time pro, with 4 kids and being a single income family the D3x was out of my range (due to the financial crash) and I needed 25mp fast for a ongoing print retail project. This lens, with the A850 and A900 bodies, has fed my family for the past 3+ years without a hiccup. I shoot for mid-level ad agencies and travel North America. Not once has an art director questioned my choice of Sony and the 24-70mm. I also shoot stock for the usual suspects and do very well with my Alphas and this lens in particular. I might need another one soon as my present one has taken a beating - but keeps on ticking. Furthermore after being intimate with Nikon service for years I have yet to need the services of Sony repair - and yes my frame counts are very high.
i am not a plant. I am real, an old pro making a living!
What's great about it: Very tough, sharp, good contrast, good CA control
What's not so great: vignetting
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Awesome lens
on October 8, 2013
Posted by: Andradei
This was my first Carl zeiss lens and it is worth every penny I paid for. It delivery very sharp images from wide angle 24 to 70mm. Its super sonic wave motor is something else. Fast and quite. Highly recommended.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
A very heavy lens
on May 23, 2014
Posted by: SONYholic
A lens that you can shoot around but kind of heavy.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
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