Sony 24 -70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 5.1 x 11.8 inches ; 2.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0013GWBIE
• Item model number: SAL-2470Z
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

High-performance Carl Zeiss large-aperture zoom. The SAL-2470Z Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar f2.8 24-70mm Zoom Lens is a brilliant all-around performer -- with SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) design for fast, silent auto-focus, pro-quality Carl Zeiss T coated optics to reduce lens flare, and 17-element design with two aspherical and two ED glass lens elements to minimize distortion and virtually eliminate chromatic aberration. It benefits from the Super SteadyShot image stabilization built into every Sony α system DSLR -- and its wide-angle to medium telephoto range in compact, lightweight design is ideal for a wide range of shooting applications (35mm equivalent: 36-105mm).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best general purpose lens available, February 29, 2008

By 

Alan - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony 24 -70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

The Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 SSM Lens is an impressively high performing zoom lens. I regard it as one of the best general purpose lenses.

The lens build and mechanical quality are top of the line. It focuses quietly and very fast thanks to the SSM (Super Sonic Wave Motor). Also the focus zoom ring is nicely sized and operate smoothly.

The Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 is very shapr for zoom lens. It is sharp in the center at f/2.8 at all focal lengths, and the excellent contrast and saturation are what strike me the most in real life applications.

Now on the negatives. The biggest downside of 24-70mm F2.8 is it's size and weight. This lens is not small or light enough for a walkaround lens(due to solid build heavy body), and I find holding this lens can be tiring for half day shooting.

All in all, it is one the best Sony/Carl Zeiss all purpose lens made. The box contains a Carl Zeiss 24-70mm F2.8 SSM lens, front and rear lens cap, a metal petal lens hood, and a leather lens carrying case.

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Sony/Zeiss Lens Thus Far, April 4, 2008

By 

Photo/Video Gearhead - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony 24 -70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

This is the best lens that Sony/Zeiss have offered thus far, even more versatile than the Sony SAL-85F14Z 85mm f1.4 Carl Zeiss Planar T Coated Telephoto Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera and Sony SAL-135F18Z 135mm f/1.8 Carl Zeiss Sonnar T Telephoto Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera, which are incredible lenses. I have compared this Sony/Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 lens to the legendary Minolta 28-70mm f/2.8 G lens using the Imatest lens test software. At an aperture of f2.8, the Minolta 28-70 lens at 28mm focal length and the Zeiss 24-70 lens at 24mm focal length are equally sharp in the center, but the Zeiss lens is sharper at the corners. The Zeiss 24-70 lens does exhibit a minor amount of chromatic aberration but to no serious extent. It also exhibits moderate barrel distortion at 24mm, as do its Canon and Nikon 24-70 counterparts. The barrel distortion is more pronounced with a full frame sensor than with a half frame sensor.

Sony and Zeiss have a very useful partnership going, which I hope will result in a greater variety of lenses in the future. Recently, Sony and Zeiss have introduced a Sony SAL1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA Lens that improves upon the rare and coveted Minolta 17-35mm f3.5 G lens.

Two minor complaints about this lens are the following. First, like the other Sony/Zeiss lenses, it is rather heavy, but I suppose that good glass is heavy. Second, it zooms by elongating externally unlike the Minolta 28-70mm f/2.8 G lens. However, the Canon and Nikon 24-70 lenses elongate in a similar manner, so perhaps this feature is a compromise that one must accept in exchange for sharpness at f2.8.

Reviews of the Sony/Zeiss 24-70 lens may be found at the Photozone and lemondedelaphoto web sites. The latter site is French but web pages may be translated via Google.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best 24-70mm Zoom on the Planet, January 4, 2009

By 

Brian Smith "Miami Celebrity Photographer" (Miami Beach, Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony 24 -70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

24-70mm is the perfect range for general portraiture and people photography and this lens is absolutely the sharpest 24-70mm zoom on the planet. It's built like a Rolex and the Zeiss glass simply blows away the competition. It's tack sharp at every focal length even wide open at 2.8, plus it's without the chromatic aberrations that plague Canon zooms.

It's the perfect lens to compliment Sony's new 24.6mp flagship camera the a900 Sony Alpha A900 24.6MP Digital SLR Camera (Black), but a700 users will appreciate this lens as well. It joins Sony's Zeiss 85/1.4 Sony SAL-85F14Z 85mm f1.4 Carl Zeiss Planar T Coated Telephoto Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera and Zeiss 135/1.8 Sony SAL-135F18Z 135mm f/1.8 Carl Zeiss Sonnar T Telephoto Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera lenses in an growing line-up of amazing flagship lenses.