The Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM is a 'prestige' lens resulting from a collaboration between the well-known lens manufacturer, Carl Zeiss, and Sony. Made in Japan, it carries both Zeiss and Sony branding and has the model number SAL2470Z. Its focal length range of the covers an angle-of-view range equivalent to 36-105mm in 35mm format with 'APS-C' sized sensor on the A350 body we used for this review.
Constructed from 17 elements arranged in 13 groups, it includes two aspheric elements and two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements to minimise chromatic aberration and rectilinear distortion. Carl Zeiss's T* coating on optical surfaces ensures higher light transmission and, at the same time, reduces flare and ghosting.
The f/2.8 maximum aperture is retained throughout the zoom range and a nine-bladed, circular iris enables photographers to control background blur. This feature makes the lens ideal for portraiture, particularly when the lens is fitted to one of the current Sony Alpha bodies. We'll have to wait to see whether it will be equally successful on a full-frame DSLR.
For its focal length range, the Vario-Sonnar 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM is a large and heavy lens, adding almost a kilogram to the overall weight of the camera (when the lens cap and hood are taken into account). However, it's also very robustly built and elegantly designed.
As with most zoom lenses, the focusing ring is towards the front, while the zoom ring is closer to the camera body. Between them is a distance scale with feet and metre markings at 0.34, 0.4, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 2 and 5 metres plus infinity for manual focusing. Both the zoom and focusing rings have narrowly-ridged rubber coatings that provide a secure grip, although we found they tended to trap grit. They are relatively wide, with the zoom ring slightly wider than the focusing ring.
Adjacent to the distance scale is a focus mode switch for shifting between auto and manual focusing. (This is used in conjunction with the manual focus switch on the camera body.) A central focus hold button locks focus in AF mode. No depth of field or infrared indicators are provided on the lens barrel.
The lens is supplied with a padded carrying pouch, which has a solid circular base and drawstring closure. It's a rather tight fit when you insert or remove the lens (especially if the lens hood is reversed over the lens barrel) but provides excellent protection. The lens cap, which carries both the Zeiss logo and a discrete Alpha symbol, fits with standard spring clips that are large enough to grip easily when the lens hood is in position. Packaged with the lens is a slip of paper carrying the name of the staff member who inspected the lens before it left the factory; a reassuring touch.
Margaret Brown
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