Customer Reviews

Sony SAL-1680Z 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T DT Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I recently purchased SONY A700K, which is a A700 plus SONY 18-70 zoom lens bundle. The bundled lens turned out to be a nightmare. So I purchased this SAL-1680Z. Do I like it? Let me tell you.
If you really really care about sharpness, resolution, MTF, then get multiple prime lenses. No zoom lenses match any Minolta/Sony prime lenses in this category.
But if you can compromise a little bit (just a little bit) and want some 5x zoom convenience, look no further. This lens gives you all. Yes it is not cheap for a digital-format (1.5x FOV) lens, but in addition you get the "Zeiss" color: deep and classy.
Is it perfect? No, it shows some vignetting when wide open.

Bottom line: If you have Sony Alpha 700 (or 100) and if you want a zoom lens which you can use on almost any situation, save some money and get this.

I have been an amateur photographer for years, shooting with film cameras. When I purchased my old film camera, it came with an inexpensive "kit" lens that did not perform to my expectations. I ended up having to buy a new (and better) lens for it.

I recently purchased a Sony Alpha A100 digital camera with the 18-70 mm DT "kit" lens.

Although the camera itself performs admirably, the included lens was not as sharp and crisp as I wanted or expected.

So, as before with the film cameras, I purchased a better lens for the Sony Alpha - the SAL-1680Z 16-80 mm Carl Zeiss Zoom Lens.

The lens is obviously much better quality. It feels "tighter", and it's made in Japan rather than China. The lens is also heavier than typical "cheap" plastic lenses. Not "too heavy", but the kind of weight that says "quality".

However, the big difference came when I TRIED the lens and zoomed way into the resulting digital images.

This lens is razor sharp, with absolutely no chromatic abberation at any zoom length.

The only optical "problem" with this lens is a VERY slight vignetting in the extreme corners of the image when the lens is at full wide angle (16 mm). The field of view of this lens is so wide that lens attachments such as a protective UV filter ring must be chosen carefully so that they do not intrude into the image.

The zoom is smooth... the focus is super fast and scary precise.

The lens has an internal clutch which disengages the focus ring in auto focus mode. Cheap kit lenses do not have this feature.

This lens is amazingly good - it perfectly complements the Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera.

If you buy the Sony Alpha camera, you absolutely must get this Carl Zeiss lens or another lens of similar high quality, in order to take full advantage of what the camera can do.

Edit to add: I recently purchased an A-700 camera body. Of course, this lens also works with the A-700... and the resulting pictures are even better!

This lens rates 5 stars plus!

This is an exceptional zoom lens which owners of Konica Minolta Maxxum SLR cameras as well as Sony Alpha SLR cameras should strongly consider adding to their kits. I recently had the opportunity to use it at this year's Photo Plus East and was quite impressed with the extremely high color saturation and resolution of this lens, trying it with the brand new flagship Sony Alpha 700 SLR camera. This lens is one of the reasons why I might consider adding the Sony Alpha system to my current camera kits; the others are the Zeiss 85mm f1.4 Planar and 135mm f1.8 Sonnar lenses. Quality-wise, I think these lenses compare favorably with the late, lamented autofocus Contax N-mount Zeiss lenses (Like those lenses the new Sony Alpha Zeiss lenses are built in Japan under strict Zeiss quality control, using designs made by Zeiss at its Oberkochen, Germany headquarters, where some Zeiss lenses are still being made for the Zeiss Ikon ZM rangefinder camera system and the Hasselblad "V" series medium format cameras. I am emphasizing this point only because one Sony representative at the show claimed that Zeiss doesn't build its lenses anywhere.). Without question, this lens is more expensive than its equivalent Sony/Konica Minolta peers, but serious amateurs and professionals using either Sony Alpha or Konica Minolta Maxxum cameras will soon realize that it is well worth its price.

Allow me to highly recommend this fine optical lens. At first I was thinking about the high tech plastic lens barrel but quickly forgot about it after I starting using the lens as my primary optics on my a100 camera body. It is sharp, clear and produces superb detail. At wide angle you must be careful with your filter choice, because even with the tulip style lens hood on slightly wrong vignetting will occur on the very corners of the image. So make sure you purchase a thin style protective filter for you lens.

If you purchase this lens you will not regret it! It is a level of quality above most other lenses! Comes with lens pouch and front & rear caps.

This is a fine zoom lens with superb optics. Construction is a bit less than desirable as it makes some strange noises and manual focus is not very smooth. Before I purchased this lens from Amazon, I read Cameralabs review (www.cameralabs.com) that indeed call attention to the very good optical quality and some construction problems. Based on that review I bought the lens and do not regret because the resulting photos are very good indeed.

I bought this lens as a factory refurb at a Sony store. Before buying, I tested it extensively against my Sony 16-105. I made a series of identical shots, on a tripod, in camera RAW on an A580, going back and forth between the two lenses with the camera on full manual. I took the camera body back to my rented condo (in Destin FL), and compared on my computer, working strictly in RAW (avoiding any sharpening by the camera or by my software and avoiding jpeg artifacts). I zoomed in to identical magnification at identical original focal lengths at identical f-numbers.

I honestly didn't want it to be better than my beloved 16-105, just because I didn't want to spend the money, and I'd rather have the wider zoom range on hand when needed. The bad news for me was that it out-performed the 16-105 in sharpness and in color. The improvement wasn't stunning, but it was there when you looked for it. Did I have to look hard to see it? Actually, I did have to look very closely to see it, but it was always there. Please understand that I know and understand what constitutes good optical performance. I have the Zeiss 24-70, the G70-300, and the 50 F4, as well as the legendary Minolta 17-35. (In my film days I shot Hassleblad and Nikon as well as testing Leica-M.)

One reviewer said the vignetting was a problem. I can see slight darkening in the corners on my A580, but I wouldn't notice if I weren't looking for it. The same reviewer said he could see a slim B+W 62mm filter. I have a slim B+W XS-PRO nano 62mm, and I see no evidence of the filter if I screw the filter in all the way without tightening.

One reviewer on Amazon said the build quality was poor, and I've read that complaint from others on the web. I'd rate the build quality as no better than the 16-105, but not nearly as good as the 24-70, which is in a class by itself anyway. This lens is far, far, far better than the A580 kit lens in build quality, which is the worst I've ever encountered, although the kit lens optics are quite respectable. Zeiss put the money in the optics on this lens. Did Zeiss actually manufacture the lens, or did Sony (or some third party) build it to Zeiss specs? I have no idea. You can bet Zeiss wouldn't let it go out with their logo if it weren't to their specs.

I bought the lens after doing the test, and I'll tell you why. I was thinking that I'd get an A77 when they came out. The A77's high-pixel-density sensor makes demands on optics. I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to be better prepared for the A77 while I could get the lens at a bargain price.

Is it worth the money that you'd have to pay? Compared to the 16-105, I'd have to say it's a wash. You give up some zoom range, and in return you get a bit better optical performance and a bit more aperture at 80mm. Some have said, "What is Zeiss coming to?" I say that Zeiss is giving you exactly what you pay for. This is a very low price for a Zeiss lens.

Is this the right lens for you? Should you opt for the 16-105 or maybe the Sony 18-250? The prices are all about the same. I have all three lenses. They have similar vignetting characteristics. The 18-250 has more barrel distortion owing to its extreme zoom range, but that's correctable with software. The Sony 18-250, while not having the sharpness or chromatic excellence of this lens, sets a new standard super-zoom optical quality. If I were only going to have one lens for anything other than the A77 or A67, I'd probably want the 16-105 as a good compromise between optical quality and versatility. If I were going for the A66/77, I'd get the Zeiss, both for the sharpness and for the slightly wider aperture. (The A66/77 translucent mirror costs about a half-stop worth of light, but DxO says the sensor surprisingly seems to lose nothing significant in low-light performance.)

I don't think you'll go wrong with this lens or one of the Sony alternatives. I didn't give five stars, because of the build quality, but the build quality is more than good enough. Good luck with your decision!
Tim Naff

I am very pleased with this lens and the A100 combination especially the improved contrast and color rendition. I just took an entire wedding under overcast sky and the pictures look like they were taken on a sunny day. Now I reset the camera to a lower contrast and saturation level.
SB

I finally got up the courage to get one of these gems, and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner! The quality of this lens is far and above any expectations that I had. Before this lens, the only zoom I was using was my kit 18-70mm. I was satisfied with my 50mm prime, but the kit lens left a lot to be desired as far as zoom lenses go. This lens was pricey, but it's worth every penny. If you're using an alpha camera, you will gain a new appreciation for Sony's wonderfully featured cameras. The Zeiss optics offer exceptional clarity and a contrast that is uniquely Carl Zeiss. Colors absolutely pop and images render a sort of 3D quality to them when using this lens, I can't quite describe it. If you're serious about photography, or even just want to get great pictures from nearly every click, then get this lens. I waited too long and realize now just how many memories will forever look dull and boring in comparison to the photos I can take now. Is it perfect? No, the zoom ring is blocked by the petal hood when installed in reverse, and the length of the lens is pretty long when fully zoomed and can make the lens vulnerable to accidental bumps if you're not careful, but altogether for the picture quality and fantastic range this lens is definitely a keeper.

Sharp wide open aperture either wide or telephoto, solid build, smooth bokeh, and amazing contrast. This lens just delivers, and with accuracy! I can't say enough good things about this lens, I love it! The large focal range gives great wide angle ability and suitable zoom for a walk around lens, and because of the higher contrast this lens provides, it feels like the auto focus system can perform its job much quicker now compared with the kit lens and with less hunting (unless it's dark). In short, this has been one of the best investments in my camera I have ever made and I encourage others to get this lens. If you're looking to just get into Sony cameras and aren't sure what to do, get a body with no lens and make this your first lens, you won't regret it!

For reference, I use mine with a Sony A350, but with the higher level models or the newer bodies, this lens is an absolute dream to use. I use it with my friend's A380 and the focus is lightning quick and dead on. Just remember though, that this lens is designed for the APS-C sized sensor, but will still work with the FF sensor of the A900 but crops the image on the sensor.

This is a great lens and has good sharpness, contrast and zoom range. I bring this lens around where ever I go due to its versatility.

It is as sharp as a prime at 80mm. At 16mm, it is already very sharp in the center at f3.5 and when stop down to f5.6 it is sharp from corner to corner. Due to its great range, it can be use as a wide angle lens as well as a portrait lens.

The T* coating also gives this lens a good contrast. It is very noticeable when comparing to my older lens.

In one word, it worth every penny I paid for.

pros:
- light weight
- useful wide angle
- good zoom range
- sharp
- good contrast

cons:
- vignetting at 16mm

Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80/3.5-4.5 ZA (Sony SAL-1680Z)

----- Pros -----
Extremely sharp
Very good contrast
Pleasing bokeh
Vibrant colors
Ideal range for most situations
Zeiss glass under a G

----- Cons -----
F3.5 is widest aperture
Good, but not great for indoor/nighttime/low-light use
Noticeable distortion @ 16mm (objects get stretched-out near corners)

----- Thoughts -----
After having gone through cycle after cycle of buying, using & reselling lenses, I felt it was time I bought decent glass for my A700. I was interested in the SAL-1680Z because a) it's a Zeiss b) has AF (Zeiss usually = manual-focus) and c) made specifically for Sony DSLR's w/ APS-C sensor. The two negative reviews on Amazon of this lens state the SAL-1680Z doesn't work on bodies w/ full-frame sensors (A900/A850)... which seems to reflect the fact these reviewers didn't do their homework. DT (Digital Technology) is Sony's designation for lenses made/optimized for APS-C (or crop) sensor bodies. Apparently, the SAL-1680Z does work on the A900/A850 though you wouldn't be utilizing the full-frame sensor.

Before purchasing this lens, I was slightly hesitant because of a few lukewarm reviews I read. However, I can now say with confidence that after purchasing this lens and using it for myself, all of my fears were put to rest. As listed above, the SAL-1680Z is extremely sharp, the bokeh is pleasing to look at and depending on your subject, this lens can produce amazingly vibrant 'Zeiss-like' colors. The contrast is insanity... if you shoot on a sunny day with lots of beautiful clouds, you can be sure you'll get every single detail without worrying about overblown highlights, shadows that are too dark, etc. Compared to the other Zeiss zoom lenses, this one is smaller/lighter. Mounted on the A700, this lens looks right at home. Out of the three big camera manufacturers (Canon/Nikon/Sony), Sony users are the only ones who can enjoy the luxury if using an auto-focusing Zeiss lenses... so to Alpha users out there looking for good glass & don't own this lens yet, I pose you this question: What are you waiting for?


----- Background Info -----
Sony Alpha D-SLR:
The A200 was my first DSLR (loved it). Within 3 months, I upgraded to the A700 for better low-light capabilities & couldn't have been happier with this decision. I've also used the A100/A500, but having been spoiled by the A700, these didn't wow me... even with the A500's enhanced live view (A700 = no LV).

Sony/Alpha-Mount Lenses:
I've previously owned (and sold) the Sony 11-18/4.5-5.6 DT (SAL-1118), Sony 28/2.8 (SAL-28F28), Sony 50/1.8 DT (SAL-50F18) , Minolta 50/1.7, Sigma 24-70/2.8 EX DG and many others not worth mentioning. I currently own the Sony 50/1.4 SAL-50F14, Minolta 70-210/4 (Beercan) & of course the Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80/3.5-4.5 ZA (Sony SAL-1680Z).

Other Equipment:
Leica M8, Chrome Cron-M 35/2 (IV), Olympus Pen E-P2, Lumix 20/1.7