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Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£1,580
Avg. price in US: ~$1,110
Lens mount: Sony A
Maximum focal length: 85 mm
Maximum aperture (telephoto end): 1.4
Optical image stabilization: no
Maximum angle of view: 29 °

Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T review. Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among camera lenses and if it is worth buying.

6.5

Good

6.3

Good

7.1

Very good

7.3
Low-light photography
Score components:
70.0%
10
Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
30.0%
1.0
Optical image stabilization
4.9
Travel
Score components:
30.0%
8.9
Lens length
25.0%
7.3
Lens diameter
25.0%
1.0
Weather sealing (splashproof)
20.0%
1.0
Optical image stabilization

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

#89 in Best Sony Lenses
#811 in Best Camera Lenses

Verdict

The Sony 85mm F1.4 ZA Carl Zeiss Planar TGo to product viewer dialog for this item.* is a premium A-mount short telephoto prime lens featuring an 8-element-in-7-group optical design and the renowned Zeiss T* coating to minimize flare and ghosting. Designed for full-frame portraiture, it utilizes a 9-blade circular aperture to produce exceptionally smooth, natural bokeh and offers a minimum focus distance of 0.85m with 0.13x magnification. Its primary strengths include superior 3D-like image depth, outstanding contrast, and a professional-grade all-metal barrel construction with a focus-hold button. However, users often note cons such as audible autofocus noise due to its older screw-drive system, a lack of weather sealing, and noticeable purple fringing or chromatic aberration when shooting in high-contrast situations at the maximum F1.4 aperture.

Technical Specifications of Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T

Overall score

6.5

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.

When it matters: When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.

Mount & Format

1.0

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Lens type

What it is: The optical category that indicates whether the lens is a prime, zoom, macro, fisheye, or another design.

When it matters: When you are choosing between a prime, zoom, macro, or specialty lens for the kind of subjects you shoot.

Importance: LOW

prime

Lens mount

What it is: The mechanical and electronic interface that determines which cameras the lens can be attached to.

When it matters: When camera compatibility and access to the right lens ecosystem are central to your buying decision.

Importance: LOW

Sony A

Sensor format coverage

What it is: The largest sensor size the lens is designed to cover without severe vignetting.

When it matters: When you need the lens to fully cover your camera sensor without heavy corner darkening.

Importance: LOW

Full-frame

Filter thread size

What it is: The diameter of the front filter thread used for screw-in filters and compatible accessories.

When it matters: When you plan to use screw-in filters such as polarizers, ND filters, or protective glass.

Importance: LOW

72 mm

Teleconverter compatibility

What it is: Whether the lens can be used with compatible teleconverters to extend focal length.

When it matters: When you want to extend reach for wildlife or sports without changing to a different long lens.

Importance: HIGH

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Optics & Aperture

8.2

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Minimum focal length

What it is: The shortest focal length the lens can provide, which determines its widest framing.

When it matters: When wide framing matters for landscapes, interiors, architecture, or travel shots.

Importance: LOW

85 mm

Maximum focal length

What it is: The longest focal length the lens can reach, which determines its telephoto reach.

When it matters: When you need more reach for wildlife, sports, stage events, or distant details.

Importance: LOW

85 mm

Optical zoom

What it is: The ratio between the longest and shortest focal lengths available in the lens zoom range.

When it matters: When you want one lens to cover a broader range of compositions without swapping glass.

Importance: LOW

?

Maximum angle of view

What it is: The widest scene the lens can capture at its shortest focal length.

When it matters: When you need to fit more of a room, skyline, or landscape into the frame.

Importance: LOW

29 °

Minimum angle of view

What it is: The narrowest scene the lens captures at its longest focal length.

When it matters: When you want tighter framing on faraway subjects without moving closer.

Importance: LOW

29 °

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Focus & Controls

3.6

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Focus motor

What it is: The autofocus drive system responsible for moving lens elements into focus.

When it matters: When fast, quiet autofocus matters for video, wildlife, street shots, or moving subjects.

Importance: LOW

screw-drive, SSM

Minimum focus distance

What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.

When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.

Importance: MEDIUM

Maximum reproduction ratio

What it is: The highest magnification the lens can achieve when focusing at its closest distance.

When it matters: When close-up magnification matters for macro work, textures, or small product details.

Importance: MEDIUM

Full-time manual focus

What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.

When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.

Importance: HIGH

Internal focusing

What it is: A focusing design in which internal elements move while the outer barrel length stays unchanged.

When it matters: When you use polarizers, gimbals, or close-up setups that benefit from a lens that does not extend while focusing.

Importance: HIGH

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Stabilization

4.2

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Optical image stabilization

What it is: A hardware system that shifts optical elements to counteract camera shake and reduce blur.

When it matters: When you want steadier handheld shots and less blur, especially in low light or at longer focal lengths.

Importance: HIGH

Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)

What it is: The rated stabilizer benefit, measured in stops, under CIPA testing standards.

When it matters: When you are comparing stabilized lenses and want to know how much handheld shutter-speed advantage they offer.

Importance: HIGH

?

Build & Handling

6.2

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Weight

What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.

When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.

Importance: HIGH

?

Lens length

What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.

When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.

Importance: HIGH

Lens diameter

What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.

When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Weather sealing (splashproof)

What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.

When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.

Importance: HIGH

Metal mount

What it is: A lens mount made of metal rather than plastic for greater durability at the camera connection point.

When it matters: When durability matters because you change lenses often or use heavier gear for work.

Importance: HIGH

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Lab Scores

9.0

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DxOMark overall score

What it is: The combined DxOMark lens rating based on lab-tested optical performance.

When it matters: When you want a quick lab-based summary of overall optical performance before comparing lenses in detail.

Importance: HIGH

?

DxOMark sharpness score

What it is: The DxOMark subscore that reflects how much detail the lens can resolve across the frame.

When it matters: When fine detail matters for landscapes, product work, or high-resolution cameras.

Importance: HIGH

?

DxOMark transmission

What it is: The measured light transmission of the lens, expressed as T-stop rather than nominal f-number.

When it matters: When real light loss matters for exposure consistency in studio, cinema, or mixed-lens shoots.

Importance: MEDIUM

?

DxOMark distortion

What it is: The DxOMark metric that measures how much the lens bends straight lines away from their true shape.

When it matters: When straight lines matter in architecture, interiors, copy work, or product photography.

Importance: MEDIUM

?

DxOMark vignetting

What it is: The DxOMark measurement of corner darkening relative to the center of the image.

When it matters: When even corner brightness matters for skies, studio backdrops, or clean product shots.

Importance: MEDIUM

?

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Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T vs the average camera lens

Why is Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T better than the average camera lens?

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1.4 lower f-number at telephoto end
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/1.4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
What it is: The widest aperture available at the long end of the zoom range, affecting light intake and background blur.
When it matters: When you shoot at the long end in low light or want stronger background blur for portraits and sports.
Importance: HIGH
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/1.4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.1.4 vs 2.8
Has focus hold button
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has a focus hold button, the average camera lens does not. 16.5% of camera lenses include a focus hold button.
What it is: A button on the lens barrel used to lock focus temporarily during shooting.
When it matters: When you want to lock focus quickly during sports, wildlife, or recomposed portraits.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has a focus hold button, the average camera lens does not. 16.5% of camera lenses include a focus hold button.
Has focus distance scale
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
What it is: A marked scale that shows the approximate focus distance set on the lens.
When it matters: When you pre-focus manually for street, zone focusing, or repeatable tripod setups.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
19 mm shorter lens
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T is shorter than the average camera lens (73 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.
When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.
Importance: HIGH
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T is shorter than the average camera lens (73 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.73 mm vs 92 mm
1.4 lower f-number at telephoto end
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/1.4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
Has focus hold button
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has a focus hold button, the average camera lens does not. 16.5% of camera lenses include a focus hold button.
Has focus distance scale
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
19 mm shorter lens
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T is shorter than the average camera lens (73 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.

Optics & Aperture

Focus & Controls

Build & Handling

Why is Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T worse than the average camera lens?

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2 fewer aspherical elements
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
2 fewer low-dispersion elements
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
No full-time manual focus
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Requires switching to MF.
No internal focusing
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Barrel extends during focusing.
0.55 m longer minimum focus distance
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.9 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
0.06 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1x vs 0.192x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192x.
Not weather-sealed
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Older release date
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T was released earlier than the average camera lens.
5 mm wider lens barrel
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T is wider than the average camera lens (82 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
Not weather-sealed
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.
When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.
Importance: HIGH
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
No full-time manual focus
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Requires switching to MF.
What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.
When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.
Importance: HIGH
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
No internal focusing
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Barrel extends during focusing.
What it is: A focusing design in which internal elements move while the outer barrel length stays unchanged.
When it matters: When you use polarizers, gimbals, or close-up setups that benefit from a lens that does not extend while focusing.
Importance: HIGH
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
0.55 m longer minimum focus distance
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.9 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.
When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.9 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.0.85 m vs 0.3 m
Older release date
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T was released earlier than the average camera lens.
What it is: The date when the lens model was first officially introduced.
When it matters: When you prefer a newer optical design with more modern autofocus, coatings, or stabilization features.
Importance: LOW
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T was released earlier than the average camera lens.2006 vs 2016
2 fewer aspherical elements
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
What it is: Specially shaped lens elements used to reduce distortion and improve sharpness with fewer optical compromises.
When it matters: When edge sharpness and lower distortion matter in wide-angle, travel, or everyday shooting.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.0 vs 2
2 fewer low-dispersion elements
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
What it is: Optical elements designed to reduce color fringing by controlling how different wavelengths focus.
When it matters: When you want cleaner edges and less color fringing in high-contrast scenes.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.0 vs 2
41.6% worse value for money
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera lens (5.19 vs 7.346).
What it is: An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters: When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera lens (5.19 vs 7.346).5.19 vs 7.35

Optics & Aperture

Focus & Controls

Build & Handling

Graphic comparison of Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T and

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: July 2026)

What customers like about Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T?

Exceptional sharpness, particularly in the center even at f/1.4
Smooth, creamy bokeh with rounded 9-blade aperture
Premium metal build quality and robust construction
Outstanding color rendering and natural skin tones
Excellent performance in low-light conditions
Highly effective Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating to reduce flare

What customers dislike about Sony 85mm F1 4 ZA Carl ZEISS Planar T?

Noisy autofocus due to screw-drive mechanism (lacks SSM)
Noticeable purple fringing (chromatic aberration) in high-contrast scenes
Softness at the edges when shooting wide open at f/1.4
Lacks internal image stabilization and weather sealing
Relatively heavy and bulky compared to modern alternatives
High price tag, especially when purchased new

Expert reviews

imaging-resource.com

01/06/2010

Summary of the review

Sony 85mm f/1.4 Carl Zeiss Planar TGo to product viewer dialog for this item.* SAL-85F14ZGo to product viewer dialog for this item.

The Imaging Resource review identifies the Sony 85mm f/1.4 Carl Zeiss Planar T* (SAL-85F14Z) as a high-performance, professional-grade portrait lens featuring outstanding center sharpness at f/1.4 and excellent, soft bokeh. Built with an all-metal barrel, the lens is noted for its durable construction, built-in focus-hold button, and lack of distortion. However, the lens utilizes a slower, noisier screw-drive autofocus system and exhibits significant longitudinal chromatic aberration (bokeh CA) at wider apertures. Additionally, the unit is heavy and represents a substantial financial investment for users.

photozone.de

01/10/2008

Summary of the review

Zeiss Planar TGo to product viewer dialog for this item.* 85mm f/1.4 ZA ( Sony SAL-85F14Z )

The Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZA is a professional-grade portrait lens designed by Zeiss and manufactured by Sony for the Alpha system. Tested on an APS-C DSLR, it delivers a full-format equivalent focal length of 127.5mm. The lens features an excellent all-metal construction based on a historical symmetrical Planar optical design, incorporating 8 elements in 7 groups and 9 aperture blades. It is physically robust, weighing 640 grams, and includes a non-rotating 72mm filter thread, a barrel-shaped metal hood, and a dedicated focus stop button. A major positive of the lens is its decoupled manual focus ring, which stays stationary during autofocusing and operates very smoothly in manual mode. However, the review highlights several mechanical drawbacks. The lens relies on an older camera-driven slotted screw drive rather than a modern supersonic motor (SSM). This outdated AF system generates a moderate amount of noise and suffers from average autofocus speeds due to the heavy internal glass elements. Additionally, there is a slight play when changing focus directions manually, and the barrel physically extends when focusing at closer distances.

lenstip.com

07/10/2007

Summary of the review

Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85 mm f/1.4 review - Introduction

The LensTip.com review introduction details how the Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T 85 mm f/1.4* was commissioned to fill a critical gap in Sony’s early portrait lens lineup. Optically, the lens excels with stellar image quality across both the center and edges of the frame, beautiful bokeh rendering, and exceptional control over aberrations, showing practically zero geometric distortion and superb resistance to flares and ghosting when shooting into bright light. Its physical build is equally impressive, featuring a rugged and stylish black metal casing, a smooth manual focus ring, and a metal bayonet. However, the review reveals a massive drawback in the failure of its autofocus system, which was loud, buzzy, and plagued by severe inertia that physical shook the camera body during operation. Most critically, the autofocus mechanism suffered from a 37% miss rate in laboratory testing, making it unreliable for precise wide-open shooting. On the build side, the lens lacks weather sealing against dust and moisture, and its physical length changes during focusing, which creates a risk of sucking debris inside the housing over time. Furthermore, the lens...

photoreview.com.au

22/06/2010

Summary of the review

Sony SAL85F14Z Planar T* 85mm F1.4 ZA Lens

The Photo Review assessment highlights the Sony SAL85F14Z Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZA as a high-end, classic portrait lens delivering outstanding optical performance, characterized by constant sharpness across the field of view and zero observable distortion. Its fast f/1.4 maximum aperture produces smooth bokeh, and it offers excellent flare control for backlit subjects. Photo Review However, the review notes the lens has a modest minimum focusing distance of 0.85 meters and is a relatively heavy, substantial piece of glass at 645 grams. Despite these limitations, the publication concludes it is a high-quality, durable option for specialized portraiture.

dxomark.com

01/05/2006

Summary of the review

Sony Planar T* 85mm F1.4 ZA - DXOMARK

The Sony Planar T* 85mm F1.4 ZA achieved an overall DXOMARK score of 40 when tested on the Sony SLT Alpha 99 II camera body. Originally released in May 2006, this premium A-mount lens continues to deliver exceptionally strong technical performance across several key optical categories. Its primary pros include an outstanding sharpness score of 25 P-Mpix, a highly controlled distortion level of just 0.2%, and highly corrected chromatic aberration limited to a mere 4 µm. These metrics ensure crisp image details and minimal color fringing, making it well-suited for high-resolution portrait photography. Conversely, the lab results highlight a few notable cons regarding light management and vignetting. The lens records a transmission metric of 1.6 TStop, indicating a minor drop from its theoretical f/1.4 maximum aperture light-gathering capability. Additionally, vignetting is quite pronounced at -1.5 EV, which means photographers will notice visible corner shading when shooting wide open. Despite these drawbacks, its optical foundation remains competitive for a lens of its generation.

radojuva.com

09/07/2017

Summary of the review

Carl Zeiss Planar 1.4/85 T* (C/Y) Review

The Carl Zeiss Planar 1,4/85 T* (West Germany, C/Y) is a manual-focus portrait lens featuring an all-metal, reliable build that adapts easily to modern cameras. According to the Radojuva review, its primary strengths include a distinct "cinematic" character, high contrast, excellent performance in backlighting due to T* coating, and smooth, 3D-pop bokeh, with virtually zero distortion. YouTube · Conversely, the lens exhibits significant "dreamy" softness, visible vignetting, and spherical aberrations when used wide open at f/1.4, alongside pronounced longitudinal chromatic aberrations. Additionally, this older AE version displays a "ninja star" jagged aperture shape, and the lens lacks modern autofocus, facing steep competition in the current market.

juzaphoto.com

13/05/2026

Summary of the review

Sony 85mm f/1.4 ZA Carl Zeiss Planar T* - Recensione e Opinioni

The review highlights the Sony 85mm f/1.4 ZA Carl Zeiss Planar T* as a discontinued, full-frame and APS-C short telephoto portrait prime lens manufactured between 2006 and 2021. Built like a "tank" with a premium glass and steel construction, it is celebrated for delivering iconic, vibrant Zeiss colours and rich saturation. Its 9-blade diaphragm produces beautiful background bokeh, and it excels in detail and sharpness once stopped down to f/2 or further, making it an excellent option on full-frame camera systems. However, the user points out several notable drawbacks regarding its mechanics and wide-open performance. The lens is slightly too soft at its maximum f/1.4 aperture, a flaw that becomes highly visible on dense APS-C sensors. Mechanically, it relies on a slow, screw-driven autofocus mechanism from the camera body that can be quite loud. Additionally, when focusing on close-up subjects, the lens barrel extends significantly forward, which shifts the physical weight and can unbalance the camera system.

nadir.it

ND

Summary of the review

Zeiss Planar 85mm f/1.4 ZF Review

The Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZF and the Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AF are both exceptional lenses optimized for shooting wide open, yet they possess completely different artistic personalities. The Zeiss excels with its superior flare resistance due to the T* coating, consistent exposure control, and vibrant, natural colour rendering. It is highly praised for its signature "German rendering," featuring exceptional micro-contrast, an airy three-dimensional feel, and a smoother, more gradual bokeh that is ideal for portraits of children or brides. However, its primary drawback is the lack of autofocus, forcing photographers to rely on slower manual focusing. Additionally, its wider aperture produces a softer image overall due to smoother tonal transitions, which might lack the immediate bite some shooters look for. Conversely, the Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AF offers the massive advantage of fast autofocus, making it much more practical in fast-moving situations. It delivers superior raw resolving power and tack-sharp wide-open definition, making it perfect for highlighting textures like the wrinkles of an elderly subject. On the downside, the Nikon exhibits less consistent exposure and chromatic handling, resulting in...

thijsschouten.com

12/04/2012

Summary of the review

Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* Review

in english language, be very specific, mention pros and cons inside You sent: 1 tab and said: 2 paragraphs summary of this review in english language, be very specific, mention pros and cons inside Review: Carl Zeiss 85mm 1.4 Planar T* door Thijs Schouten Fotografie 2 paragraphs summary of this review in english language, be very specific, mention pros and cons inside

andyswonderings.com

13/08/2023

Summary of the review

Carl Zeiss T* 1.4/85 Planar Review (foka.nl)

The Carl Zeiss T* 1.4/85 Planar (Classic line) is a manual-focus portrait lens renowned for its distinct character, heavy metal-and-glass build, and strong three-dimensional rendering. Tested on a Canon EOS R6, the reviewer praises its rich, true-to-life color reproduction and excellent flare resistance, noting that it suffers from zero visible barrel or pincushion distortion. Its defining feature is a "dual personality" in rendering. Between f/1.4 and f/2.2, the lens delivers a soft, dreamy look with low contrast and a natural "Orton-effect" glow that keeps the center sharp while softly blurring the edges—making it ideal for romantic portraits. However, stopping down past f/2.8 completely transforms its behavior, boosting micro-contrast and yielding corner-to-corner sharpness suitable for high-detail landscape photography. Despite these artistic strengths, the reviewer flags several prominent optical flaws and handling challenges. Chromatic aberration (purple and green fringing) is heavily present from f/1.4 up to f/2.8 and is very difficult to correct in post-processing due to its thick, halo-like nature. The lens also suffers from noticeable focus shift caused by spherical aberration, forcing the photographer to rely on the camera's depth-of-field...

kamera-express.nl

20/07/2018

Summary of the review

Product experience Sony 85mm F/1.4 ZA Zeiss Planar T* at Kamera Express

The Sony 85mm f/1.4 ZA Zeiss Planar T* (SAL-85F14Z) is a premium A-mount lens praised for its robust metal build and exceptional optical performance, which delivers high contrast, rich color, and "3D pop" in portraiture. It excels at f/1.4 with smooth background bokeh, a 9-blade circular aperture, and features like a focus-hold button and Zeiss T* coating. However, the lens is hampered by an archaic screw-driven autofocus system, which is slow and noisy, making it less suitable for video or fast action. Additional drawbacks include pronounced longitudinal chromatic aberrations at wider apertures, a lack of weather sealing, and noticeable center softness when shooting wide open at f/1.4.

Video reviews

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