Carenar 55mm f/1.8

Fast, Sharp, and Compact Let's get this out of the way: the 55/1.8 is one of the fastest FE lenses that doesn't like so out of place on an A7/A9-series body. If you're like me, the idea of switching to a full-frame mirrorless system meant that you were looking into reducing the bulk and weight that came with shooting D-SLR cameras. But then you made the jump and found out that fast lenses where as big, if not bigger, than most of the D-SLR variants. What?! (Don't forget about those prices either!) The Zeiss 55/1.8 is just aesthetically perfect for the Sony FF mirrorless system. It's small, its metal construction feels premium, it's fast, and it's sharp. Just perfect. A 55mm focal length is a tad odd, but it works and I love the quality of Zeiss lenses. AF is quick, EyeAF is quick, and its performance in low lighting is excellent. If you are in the market for a native FE 50mm lens don't waste your time and money with Sony's 50/1.8. That lens is an insult to the user and to what Sony's A7's and A9's are capable of doing. I don't even know why that lens even exists. The optics are ok, AF is sluggish in decent lighting, and EyeAF is slow AF (no, I don't mean autofocus). If you are making a switch to the A7's or A9's and are looking for a native FE "normal" lens pick up the Zeiss 55/1.8. I mean, sure, the price point for the 50/1.8 might sound enticing if you dropped a lot of money into a full-frame mirrorless Alpha-series camera, but you will not regret going with the Zeiss 55/1.8. It makes great use of the capabilities of these camera bodies.Read full review

The "Mini-Otus" is a must own for all Alpha system users Coming from using the Sigma 50 1.4 Art on a Canon 6D, I was hoping that the FE 55 1.8 would be a direct replacement on my A6000/A7R combo--and it was! Considering that my new Sony combo weighs half of my old Canon/Sigma combo, and that it delivers even better image quality, I am over the moon with the FE 55. PROS: --Very small! I can take this anywhere, on either camera, and not be bogged down. --Outstanding image quality! Unbelievably sharp, very good colors, Outstanding contrast, very good bokeh. --Fast focusing! Blazing fast on the A6000, faster than you would ever think on the A7R. --Relatively inexpensive for a large aperture Zeiss lens. CONS: Absolutely none! Buy one immediately if you own an A7 line body! I use mine on the A6000 and love it there as well.

Cream of the crop This lens is everything you would hope from something in the price and size range. Beautiful results right from the brightest aperture. Just remember not to use Electronic First Curtain Shutter when your shutter speeds are faster than 1/500th of a second. It causes distortion in the image on lenses faster than f/2. This is a camera problem, not a lens problem. With that in mind you get it all. Amazing bokeh, great sharpness, and a very well built lens. It is suitable for an broad range of photography but probably not fast moving subjects (it has been fine for kids so far.)