There is no better Always plan on digital full format

There Some might go like, first a little preface: For many years I have on my Minolta D7D a Sigma 24-70 EX DG Macro operated and was quite satisfied with this lens, especially since I was the "measurement Photographer" not, the photographed series of measurements in order to explore the weaknesses of the equipment to the last detail. For me it was and still is crucial whether suits me the photo quality. This lens I have also taken first to my new A850 and there was not unhappy, knowing full well that there does not come out much good at f 2.8. But even with an aperture of 5.6 and a fortiori at 8, I found the results very appealing. Until my Sigma got under the Sigma-users well-known gear damage and therefore for three weeks had plenty to customer service to Rödermark.

So I thought that it indeed due to the excellent Amazon return policy no problem would be to try the highly acclaimed Sony Zeiss glass and this, if it the many times higher price would not be worth, after return of the Sigma return , This would make me one experience richer but no euros poorer, besides, I could spare for the transition to the camera. Had I thought so. Before I was able to try out Sony, because I just could not imagine that it really should be much better, as it's more expensive. Is it yet and therefore I give it forth ever. This lens is a sensation. Although I was pleased with the Sigma, but the Sony Zeiss is just great. The lens can be used starting at aperture 2.8, the color fidelity, resolution, edge sharpness ... and what exactly were still Chromatic aberrations? With this lens, you can forget the notion, I find none. Distortion? As written, the one must seek and will find only the wide angle at all. Oh what shall I write, the pictures are just as natural and as such, they subjectively so much better. I adore rare, but here it is appropriate.

Before now the enthusiasm completely carries away me, I wear still prefer the possible positive and (yes with all my love also) minus points together:

+ SSM focus: precise and fast, SSM typical: any necessary post-corrections are without switching by manual intervention possible
+ Knackscharf into the corners, even with F2.8 very good for cropping
+ Focus Stop button: never I found it easy to grip
+ Sensational color fidelity
+ Natural reproduction is hardly exceeded
+ No noticeable CAs
+ Minimal distortion
+ In short, the optical properties are in the range of good fixed focal lengths
+ Look and feel: something of solid, which looks already turned out great

- / + Weight: it must decide each self. I like it hard and solid, am with the A850 incl. Vertical grip weight used and see this as a plus, but can understand when one sees this as minus
- Clear: the price, but especially those who treated themselves to a full-frame body should not skimp on the lens. And yes: there is the additional price worth, I do not want to believe, but I am converted.
- Agrees: dust-proof should be there already
- It must change the length when zooming necessarily? Probably yes, but my tele ... ;-)
- The only serious MINUS: vignetting at focal length 24 especially with F = 2.8 but basically the entire aperture range - and so, without a filter on it ;-). And since I could cry, it destroyed but the image of absolute perfection. I think that was expecting the glass for full? Well clearly there is image editing, but I'm old-fashioned, I would like to record the image the same perfect ... something is always ...

Conclusion: For me it's always plan, I never had a better lens on a digital camera, it would buy again and again and am very sad that it is not entirely perfect because just as little was missing. But what is completely perfect, so I console myself with the sensational optical properties.

That reminds me the stars were assumed without vignetting, there are still 5 stars. There is simply no better lens in main area for me 24-70.