Sony SEL1670Z Vario-Tessar T E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS - International Version (No Warranty)

Comment

The Sony SEL1670Z Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS is a superb lens in every way for Sony NEX and Alpha E-mount APS-C cameras. "Superb" is not a synonym for "perfect". But it easily outclasses the basic Sony SEL1855 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 "kit" lens that is usually supplied with these cameras. The SEL1855 F3.5-5.6 "kit" lens is not a bad lens. I have made zillions, well tens of thousands, of images with the example I have that came with a NEX3 I once owned. But, I have seen a steady improvement with images that I have made with that same old SEL1855 lens as I have upgraded camera bodies and Sony has steadily improved its sensor technology. Going from a Sony NEX3 to a NEX5n to a NEX7 and then to an a6000 has resulted in substantial increases in image quality all using the same lowly kit lens that came with the NEX3. That said, adding the Sony SEL1670Z Vario-Tessar to my Sony a6000 has made a noticeable difference. The overall sharpness seems subtly better. But its in the corners and edges that you get what you pay for with zoom lenses. Zooms have always been weaker than prime lenses at the corners, with both softness and more aberrations and fringing. Stopping down has always been an option to get better performance, but it is no substitute for basic lens quality. The Sony SEL1670Z Vario-Tessar easily outclasses the SEL1855 when it comes to both wide open and stopped down performance. Although comparisons based on real world shooting are inexact and subjective, I would say that this lens approaches the image quality and corner to corner sharpness of my Sony SEL50F18 50mm f/1.8 prime lens in real world use. Micro-contrast, the ability of a lens to render subtle gradations across small details, to render surface textures with more nuance, an area where high quality lenses always tend to distinguish themselves over lower priced choices, is noticeably better. And, it manages to stretch the useful range to just a bit wider, making it no longer necessary to carry a separate 16mm lens, for example, and just longer enough, at 70mm versus 55mm, to help frame many shots that might have remained loose and in need of cropping. The Sony SEL1670Z Vario-Tessar has a steady maximum aperture of f/4.0, which is an added plus as focal length increases. Its only slightly bigger than the SEL1855. The external finish and quality are excellent. Of course, you pay a premium for having the name "Zeiss" and the Zeiss logo on the barrel. But in this case I would say that its worth it. If you are considering an upgrade from your basic kit lens this is well worth the stretch. But if you are a NEX5n or NEX7 owner, for example, upgrading to both an a6000 and this Sony SEL1670Z Vario-Tessar ens will be a revelation in improved image quality. I am a happy owner and user of the Sony SEL1670Z Vario-Tessar lens and I plan to cut back my camera gear load to carrying only this lens for almost all of my travels. RECOMMENDED.

Show more

Comment

This lens is quite controversial. Some say this lens is not up to the Zeiss standards and that is very expensive considering the relatively slow aperture (f/4). Also, there are reports that some units are heavily decentered. A smaller part of the reviews praise the sharpness, but mainly the contrast and colors. Well, I then decided to take the risk and give it a try. And Im among the users that love this lens. Its incredibly sharp edge to edge and colors and contrast are gorgeous. Its well built, lightweight and both the zoom and focus rings are precise and smooth. Also, the OSS works as expected. It took both my NEX-6 and a6000 to another level. Its difficult to compare this to the Olympus 12-40 f2.8 that I own and use with an OMD E M-1 as both cameras are really different, but the results I got from the combo a6000+SEL1670z are better than E-M1+12-40. I should deduct 1 star, as for the price this should be a f/2.8....but its really good anyway.

Show more

Comment

After receiving the lens I wanted to perform a somewhat extensive test and be sure the high price was justifiable. Comparisons as follows: SEL1650PZ - The Zeiss lens is much, much sharper and presents better colors/contrast at all comparable zooms and F-stops. SEL55210- At 50 and 55 the Zeiss lens was the clear winner. At 70mm the sharpness was comparable at F/8, but the slight advantage goes to the Zeiss lens for colors/contrast. SEL50F1.8- At F/4 the SEL50F1.8 was clearly sharper. At F/8 the Zeiss lens was actually better. Hard to beat an F/1.8 prime lens in terms of sharpness and low light capability though. I wasnt expecting the Zeiss lens to actually compare as well as it did. Bottom Line- This lens is great and will certainly be my 95% lens. Does good-great with landscapes and portraits. To achieve better you would have to buy a handful of primes and carry around.

Show more

Comment

This lens is amazing! Pros: Sharpness- this lens is sharp! Ive also rented the 85mm zeiss. p Primes are supposed to be the sharpest but comparing photos taken with the 16 - 70 to the zeiss 85mm prime it seems like the 16-70 beats it by a noticeable difference. I dont know what it is but this thing is sharp. The only thing ive used that it sharper is the 50mm sigma art lens. Size and weight: This was prpbably my biggest concern when purchasing this lens. I was tired of switching lenses. I was also so tired of carrying big bulky 2.8f lenses around. This thing is light and pretty compact. I mean super light compared to say the sigma 50mm art or my old Tamron 2470mm 2.8. Paired with the a6000 i can carry it all day and not be frustrated with the bulk or weight. The combo also makes it wonderful on a tripod. Colors and contrast: The pictures pop! They almost have a 3d look with just a snap. The colors are amazing and also pop but not too much to make photos look fake. Cons: Price Close to $1000 is expensive! But this is the only lens I use even for portraits or landscape. I dont do much telephoto but i hardlt have a need to change this lens off the camera. Widest aperature: This only opens to f4 which can kind of limit this lens to brighter lighted scenes and less bokeh but I usually compose the photo to circumvent these issues. But not having it open to a 2.8 cuts down on weight and size. If i really want bokeh I usually do some quick post process to add some blur. I also thought zeiss would save the wuality for the 2.8 lenses but not with this lens. The photos coming from this are hard to match.

Show more

Comment

This lens is definitely a step up from the kit lens. I like the extra reach and the constant F4 as well as the manual zoom. The build quality is excellent and makes my a6000 feel a bit more like a dslr over the 16-50 kit lens. A lot of mixed reviews when you research this lens and I have no regrets getting it, maybe a bit pricey but worth it imo. I attached a couple pictures that I took with it on my a6000 body.

Show more

Comment

After months of reading reviews and research I did take the plunge only because of the somewhat better international version / no warranty deal. At full cost completely over priced. Was happy with the 16-50 mm kit lens, until Ive tested this lens thoroughly. Phew, it IS much sharper, specially in the center, unfortunately softer in the corners, but thats normal, I guess. There is slight purple fringing and of course some barrel lens distortion, also not the fastest at f/4, but decent – all of these take off the one star. Produces very nice color. Prefer wide angle and macro shooting and this lens gets very close to delivering both. Sturdy built, larger and much heavier than the kit lens, thankfully the Sony alpha a6000 has such a comfortable grip that one gets used to carrying the weight. Using this lens most of the time, great for travel, loving it. You will, too!

Show more

Comment

After many years of heavy Nikon cameras and lots of lenses I sold them all and bought the Sony a6000 and this lens. Could not be happier. Recently took pictures of my sons wedding and many of them were better than the professional photographer they hired. Just the right focal length combination. With the cameras sensitivity, I take most of my pictures with available light or ceiling bounced flash. Easy to carry combination - great for travel.

Show more

Comment

If youre considering this lens, youre likely in a similar situation to myself. Im a big fan of the Sony e-mount range, and have purchased both the 35mm Sony Prime and a 19mm Sigma Prime - which both deliver superb image quality and have really taken my very-amateur photography to a new level. Comparing images taken with those to the kit lens is night and day, no question. But, when youre out and taking shots, you really do want the flexibility of a zoom, either because you physically cant get the angle you need, or in the case of the 35mm prime in particular, youre uncomfortable getting that close to someone. So after just having Primes for about a year, the need for flexibility was too great. That basically leaves you 2 options, this lens and the E 18-105mm f/4 PZ. And a $350 headache. For me it came down to 4 things: 1. Even my 19mm Prime wasnt as wide as Id like for some landscapes 2. 70m-105mm isnt really a range I need 3. The other lens is really big 4. I found enough things to sell in the house to come up with the cash difference I couldnt be happier with the image quality. If you read loads of extremely detailed reviews, there can be some softness in certain lenses, but even on a 24" monitor I cant notice anything. Have probably shot a few hundred images now, and theyve been right in line with the quality of the Primes, to my untrained eye. Certainly good enough for printing 8x10s, which is as big as I ever go. Never thought Id spend $800 on a lens, but now that its part of my setup, Im not sure how I shot without it.

Show more

Comment

Horrible lens at the wide end. Whole left side of the frame was soft, especially towards the edge. It gets much better as you zoom in, but I shoot wide a lot. Not worth the money at all. The kit lens is WAY sharper at the wide end than this lens.

Show more

Comment

I am a user of several Canon L lenses and purchased a Sony for when I want to go light. The Sony is an excellent lens, sharp, good color etc. I was afraid before purchase since a lot of reviews mention soft borders. My copy is sharp also at the borders.

Show more