Quick answer
A Zeiss-designed 50mm f/1.4 for A-mount with a ring-type SSM autofocus motor. It is listed in its specifications as dust and moisture resistant and takes 72mm filters.
Pros
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- SSM autofocus with manual override
- Dust and moisture resistant build
- 9-bladed aperture
Cons
- Large and heavy for a 50mm at about 518 g
- Large and heavy compared with a 50mm f/1.8
Verdict
A premium normal lens for A-mount shooters who want fast, quiet focusing and a solid build. Worth it if you shoot at f/1.4 often.
About this lens
Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM: a fast standard prime lens with a 50mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/1.4, made for Sony A mount cameras. A Zeiss-designed lens for Sony cameras with T* coating.
Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM specifications
- Brand
- Sony
- Mount
- Sony A
- Focal length
- 50mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/1.4
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 2013
- Optical construction
- 8 elements in 5 groups
- Aperture blades
- 9
- Autofocus motor
- SSM
- Weather sealing
- Yes
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.45 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.14x
- Filter thread
- 72 mm
- Weight
- 518 g
- Length
- 71.5 mm
Specification source: dyxum.com
What can you shoot with the Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM?
- Portraits and available-light work
- Documentary and street photography
- Shallow depth-of-field standards
Its very wide maximum aperture suits low light and shallow depth of field with strong background blur.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 50mm | 39.6° | 46.8° |
| APS-C | 1.5x | 75mm | 27° | 32.2° |
Frequently asked questions
What focus motor does the Zeiss Planar 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM use?
It has an SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) in the lens, which gives quiet autofocus with direct manual override.
Can the Zeiss 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM be used on Sony E-mount cameras?
Yes, with an A-mount adapter such as the LA-EA3, LA-EA4 or LA-EA5. Because the lens has its own motor, it can autofocus through the adapter.
Does the Planar 50mm f/1.4 ZA have image stabilization?
No. Stabilization on A-mount comes from the camera body, so the lens does not add any of its own.
Alternatives for Sony A from other brands
All Sony A lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
